Susan Hanniford Crowley's Blog: From Nights of Passion Blog, page 53

Eyes Wide Open

I’ve had this conversation with my son and thought about it many times as to why I am such an optimist. It isn’t that I’m blind to all the world’s issues or choosing to be ignorant. My eyes are wide open and I simply have to hope and push for more and better. Maybe it my own need for self preservation—I mean if we are doomed in every possible way, what becomes the point of life and quite frankly, I can’t imagine that sort of thinking does anyone any good.

Instead, I choose to believe we can all do better. We’ve done it before so why not again? I realize this is a difficult way of thinking, especially when every day we are bombarded by news articles and stories so dire and depressing that it is easy to feel overwhelmed and sink into despair. But again, what does this change?

Now, I’m not saying we are robots nor are we void of feeling. We need to let ourselves feel sad or hurt by situations but then we move forward. Time is continuous but not endless for each of us. I also am not advocating we change who we are. My oldest son is a bit of a pessimist and this helps him at times. But we also need to step back and reassess sometimes. Ask ourselves if there is realistically no other outcomes for a situation. Most likely we’ll find we’ve left something out.

Happy writing this week!

New Orleans Blues Paranormal-Scope

That is my book set in New York, New Orleans and south. I love New Orleans and Louisiana as a whole, and can’t help but think of all those in danger with a heavy heart. People are still being rescued from flooding and millions are out of power. Today a tribute to their paranormal tales.

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.

Aries:
Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop is the oldest building in the US and is a bar now. Jean Lafitte has been seen attending. Discovering your history could have some surprises.

Taurus:
Rougarou is a sort of Cajun Big Foot that wanders the swamp looking for its next victim. Lay low and out of trouble this week.

Gemini:
The Bentley Hotel has human and ghostly guests. Consider a day trip to add an adventure to your life.

Cancer:
The Old State Capitol in Baton Rouge was a hospital and a prison during the Civil War. It has ghosts galore. Does your house feel overcrowded? Reduce your clutter today!

Leo:
Le Feu Follet are ghost lights. Some say they are the spirits of pirates that protect Lafitte’s treasure in the swamp. Beware offers at this time. They may not be what they seem.

Virgo:
The Honey Island Swamp Monster is 7 feet tall and 400 pounds with yellow gator eyes. If you’re seeing this, you may be overtired. Schedule more sleep into your life.

Libra:
In the 1930s, the Carter brothers were executed.Their victims were drained of their blood. The brothers’ bodies vanished from their family mausoleum. Don’t lose sleep over something you cannot change.

Scorpio:
Some say on St. John’s Eve, Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau appears to lead the ceremony. Surprises are coming your way.

Sagittarius:
The woods beyond New Orleans harbors a strange creature called the Grunch who lures motorists out of their cars with a stray injured goat. Beware scams this week.

Capricorn:
Alligators live in the swamps of Louisiana. They are true foodies. It’s time to try a new cuisine.

Aquarius:
Cats tell no tales. They are the best listeners and in New Orleans there is a lot to listen to. Be a good listener and keep confidences close.

Pisces:
While hunting fish, the Great Blue Heron can stand as still as a statue. Being still to observe the world around you is a gift. You never know what you will hear.

Thank you and stay safe.

-Susan
Susan Hanniford Crowley, Amazon Kindle Bestselling Author of Vampire Romance and now YA novels too.
www.susanhannifordcrowley.com
Where love burns eternal and whispers in the dark!

New Release: Lady Fallon’s Dragons for ages 13-113 is now available at Kindle and Amazon Paperback, Nook, Kobo, Smashwords, BAM online bookstore sells the paperback, Scribd.
The Vampire with a Blanket of Stars, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 3 is available in Amazon Print and Kindle, Nook, Kobo,  Apple, Walmart ebooks & Smashwords.Vampire Princess of New York, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 2 available in Kindle and Kindle Unlimited!
Vampire King of New York, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 1 now in Kindle and Print! Walmart Bookstore Online
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 Survives, Vampires in Manhattan Book 1 available in Kindle, Nook, Kobo, Smashwords, and iBooks (on Apple devices).

Writing Tools: Finding Character Names By Susan Hanniford Crowley

A photo my daughter Cera took inside of the Cloak and Wand store in Mystic, Connecticut

I dream my books, so my characters often come with names though not always last names. Secondary characters need names too. I have several ways to find names that I’ve used in the past.

Old Telephone Books – I always do a mix and match of first and last names. I don’t want to name my characters after actually living persons. The Family Tree – If you are lucky enough to have a family tree drawn up that goes about 200 years back or more, it is a great resource of names. Cemeteries – By visiting old cemeteries during the day, you can find some fascinating names on gravestones. Again I mix and match first names and last.Scrabble – Looking for an unusual name, then throwing Scrabble tiles and seeing what comes up can be fun and enlightening. Books of Baby Names and Websites – These are the smorgasbord of names.

I think you have plenty of methods to use now. Happy Name Hunting!

All the best!
-Susan
Susan Hanniford Crowley, Amazon Kindle Bestselling Author of Vampire Romance and now YA novels too.
www.susanhannifordcrowley.com
Where love burns eternal and whispers in the dark!

New Release: Lady Fallon’s Dragons is now available at Kindle and Amazon Paperback, Nook, Kobo, Smashwords, Scribd, and a Paperback through BAM’s online store
The Vampire with a Blanket of Stars, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 3 is now available in Amazon Paperback and Kindle, Nook, Kobo,  Apple, Walmart ebooks & Smashwords.
Vampire Princess of New York, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 2 available in Kindle and Kindle Unlimited!
Vampire King of New York, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 1 now in Kindle and Print! Walmart Bookstore Online
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 Survives, Vampires in Manhattan Book 1 available in Kindle, Nook, Kobo, Smashwords, and iBooks (on Apple devices).

Chemistry

Chemistry. I love it. Not necessarily the subject I took in high school although that was fun in it’s own way. No, I’m talking the chemistry we read about in romances or see in movies. It’s why I love romance novels and the micro tension building this chemistry makes it all the better.

I recently rewatched a favorite romance of mine called A la Mala that really does the chemistry between the protagonists so well. It’s a movie so there is more to it than words— acting, music, the premise, etc. They all come together to create the chemistry and make it work.

In writing, the words, the scenes and most especially the personalities of the protagonists really make all the difference. The characters need to be likable and we need to want them together. The writer weds to create the desire by building up the tension and chemistry through the scenes, the interactions and the words said. If not everything falls flat— even an amazing sex scene can read as mechanical if the chemistry isn’t there.

So how does one create chemistry in written form? My take on this is like everything else— read, learn, practice and start over again. Some may have more natural talent but we can always stand to grow.

Happy writing this week!

Sunshine After the Storm Paranormal-Scope

Photo Courtesy by Robert Lukeman on Unsplash of the Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, Iceland

We had a little sunshine after the storm. It rained again, but that bit of sunshine was welcome.

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.

Aries:
Werewolves love technology, but sometimes devices fail. They always call on experts for repairs. It’s a good idea.

Taurus:
Elves are slow to make new friends. That’s a good move for lots of practical reasons.

Gemini:
Dragons are very adaptable when plans change. Do the same. You will have unexpected visitors.

Cancer:
Mermaids love to visit in person whenever possible. Electronic communications may be tough this week.

Leo:
Trolls sometimes have trouble with budgets. Money slips through their fingers. Take extra caution with your finances this week.

Virgo:
Gnomes love their homes but get cabin fever too. Taking a walk may help your restlessness.

Libra:
Nessie sometimes swims through murky waters. If you are confused and unclear about something, make a list of questions you need to know. Review after 24 hours before making decisions. New information may be available by then.

Scorpio:
Pixies can be highly organized when planning a trip. There’s always one that is familiar with the lay of the land. Go with someone like that on your next trip.

Sagittarius:
The Kraken is a modest beast. Being modest when receiving an achievement or award will serve you well.

Capricorn:
Shapeshifters love to travel but they are watchful as well. Rather than face delays, if you can, postpone your trip.

Aquarius:
Vampires dream during the day. They keep a journal to discover what their wider world means. You might find keeping a dream journal fun and learn a lot about yourself.

Pisces:
Faeries are careful with words as they can be misinterpreted. Tread cautiously this week as people are worn out and very sensitive in these troubled times.

Thank you and stay safe.

-Susan
Susan Hanniford Crowley, Amazon Kindle Bestselling Author of Vampire Romance and now YA novels too.
www.susanhannifordcrowley.com
Where love burns eternal and whispers in the dark!

New Release: Lady Fallon’s Dragons for ages 13-113 is now available at Kindle and Amazon Paperback, Nook, Kobo, Smashwords, BAM online bookstore sells the paperback, Scribd.
The Vampire with a Blanket of Stars, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 3 is available in Amazon Print and Kindle, Nook, Kobo,  Apple, Walmart ebooks & Smashwords.Vampire Princess of New York, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 2 available in Kindle and Kindle Unlimited!
Vampire King of New York, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 1 now in Kindle and Print! Walmart Bookstore Online
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 Survives, Vampires in Manhattan Book 1 available in Kindle, Nook, Kobo, Smashwords, and iBooks (on Apple devices).

Only Time Will Tell By Susan Hanniford Crowley

A lot is happening in my state as we get hit by once a hurricane but now Tropical Store Henri. Some people are without power. Some are evacuating because of storm surge. Winds and rain whip around the state.

You can’t really tell the outcome until it happens. You can, of course, be as prepared as possible with water, batteries, non-perishable food, medicine, gas-up car, flashlights and batteries that recharge.

Right now I’m typing while I can. I also have every device charged. Later I will be reading my Kindle app on my iPad.

For those that enjoy a sweet romance with lots of dragons, there’s Lady Fallon’s Dragons. It is truly a fun read on a stormy night.

For those that love a steamy romance with vampires and other supernatural creatures set in World War II Romania, there’s The Vampire with a Blanket of Stars. It will keep you glued. In the old days, I was under the covers with a flashlight. Now it’s so convenient that most tablets light up.

All my ebooks’ links are just a little scroll down.

Stay safe from the storm, dear readers.
All the best!
-Susan
Susan Hanniford Crowley, Amazon Kindle Bestselling Author of Vampire Romance and now YA novels too.
www.susanhannifordcrowley.com
Where love burns eternal and whispers in the dark!

New Release: Lady Fallon’s Dragons is now available at Kindle and Amazon Paperback, Nook, Kobo, Smashwords, Scribd, and a Paperback through BAM’s online store
The Vampire with a Blanket of Stars, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 3 is now available in Amazon Paperback and Kindle, Nook, Kobo,  Apple, Walmart ebooks & Smashwords.
Vampire Princess of New York, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 2 available in Kindle and Kindle Unlimited!
Vampire King of New York, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 1 now in Kindle and Print! Walmart Bookstore Online
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 Survives, Vampires in Manhattan Book 1 available in Kindle, Nook, Kobo, Smashwords, and iBooks (on Apple devices).

For The Love Of…Horses and Girls and Second Chances by Artemis Crow

In my work in progress, there are horses and a girl, Helena. She’s a secondary character who is horse crazy like I was, and fun to write. She also has wisdom to impart to Bryn, the protagonist, about second chances for another secondary character, Ashton the horse. I hope you enjoy!

“How soon will your parents get back?”

Helena winced. “A few days.”

“That’s cutting their trip short?”

“They were supposed to be gone all summer.” She sighed and played with her plate.

Bryn snorted. “What other kinds of mischief were you playing to get into? Parties, boys?”

Helena pushed her plate away with a flick of her finger and sat up straight. She nailed Bryn with a glare. “I don’t find either of those interesting.”

“I’ll agree on the parties, but boys,” Bryn said with a grin. “They have their uses.”

“Maybe men your age do, but not boys my age. I find them tedious and slaves to their hormones. No, I wanted to explore our house even further. Read the books we found, try to understand who and what I am and where I come from. My parents won’t tell me, so I had planned to educate myself.”

“And now that’s blown.”

Helena nodded. “The horses, too. I now realize that’s the greater punishment.”

As if on cue, Ashton strolled in and headed for them.

“I don’t think I’m ever going to get used to having a horse in the house,” Bryn muttered.

Helena got up and went to the fridge. She pulled out a plastic tub, grabbed a dish towel, and returned to her seat. Popping open the lid she took out a piece of watermelon. “The Bedouins shared their tents with their horses. It was a common practice. What about the Valkyrie? I take it you don’t let your horses in your homes, but was there ever a time?”

Ashton rested his head on her shoulder and delicately took the piece from her fingers and munched, his eyes half-closed, slobber forming in the corners of his mouth.

Bryn watched the pair; Ashton chewing and drooling, and Helena crooning nonsense to him.

“He’s so much better than a boy,” Helena said.

Bryn couldn’t disagree. “Yes, there was a time that the horde shared everything with their horses. They had to have a strong bond so the horses would answer their call, fly for them.”

“What’s changed?”

“Odin abandoned us. That’s when it all fell apart.”

“Because people stopped praying to him, believing in him.”

“Yes.”

“Seems to me that you and the horde abandoned him right back. I mean, yeah, he fell to Hades, but that was no reason to stop believing in him. Maybe the horses are afraid that you’ll do the same to them.”

“Kid, I can’t imagine the horses being so self-aware that they’d be able to come to that conclusion.”

“That seems presumptuous. How would you know what they can and do conclude? Ashton has been through a lot in his years. He was a dressage horse, yet Rota found him at a horse auction, probably to be slaughtered for meat. What kind of life had he had? Why would such a highly trained horse be abandoned to slaughter? What did he see, what did he experience, what does he think about what happened over the years? I don’t know. No one knows for sure. But I do know that because of Rota he was given a second chance and she believed in Ashton so much that he found his wings. He flew because Rota told him he could.”

May your words flow freely,

Artemis

The Zodiac Assassins series
Available on Amazon Kindle and Print, Nook and Kobo

Lyon’s Roar – https://amzn.to/2IBLeona’s Descent – https://amzn.to/2yaDfjWLibra’s Limbo – https://amzn.to/2q3VkNgLeona’s Cage – https://amzn.to/2QTbVyp

Gemini Asunder – https://amzn.to/2PyNUig

The Complexity of Emotions

It feels like it has been a while since I’ve written about emotions. They are so complex and in many ways so deceiving. These past few months, I’ve been attending doctors appointments with a close family member that may have dementia. This whole process and the mysterious ways our minds work has been so eye opening.

I always saw our emotions as a big driver in our every day lives, as a way of defining who we are. I still believe this but in watching my family member deal with their illness, it makes me realize just how fragile we can be in so many ways. A moment of feeling invisible or strong doesn’t actually make us strong. An instant of happiness doesn’t mean we are a happy person. Emotions can all encompassing but they can also be limited to a short moment in time.

All this being said, I do understand emotions are powerful in so many ways. They can make us run an extra mile or stop us in our tracks. They can leave us devastated or raise us high. The thought of losing control as our mind drifts is something that I personally find terrifying but we each have our own path to follow.

As writers, understanding emotions only makes all the better as we learn to weave our tales and pull our audience in. It’s a wonderful talent to have and one I can only strive to grow. Happy writing this week!

Stormy Weather Paranormal-Scope

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Where I live as summer comes to a close, storms cross the land and sea. Storms come into our lives as well. Be strong. Keep those you love close.

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.

Aries:
Elves are level-headed and are the calm in a room when conversations are heated. This talent of yours will serve you well this week.

Taurus:
Shapeshifters are good natured and often serve as moderators. Take a neutral view and benefit from hearing both views.

Gemini:
Mermaids swim deep to relax. There is a lot of stress right now. It’s important to stay healthy by forgetting your worries for a while.

Cancer:
Dragons soar with the air flow. An opportunity is coming your way. Research it. If it is true, go with the flow of your dreams.

Leo:
Gnomes survive by being flexible. Change is coming your way. Be ready for it.

Virgo:
Trolls turn to stone in the sun. Don’t let indecision make you stuck like stone. Find the information you need to decide.

Libra:
Pixies flutter from flower to flower. You have a lot of choices coming up. Enjoy!

Scorpio:
Nessie is a champion of tradition but always enjoys learning new things. Learn something new this week. Enhance your traditions.

Sagittarius:
Werewolves exercise to keep strong in body, mind, and heart. Check with your doctor before starting a new exercise program.

Capricorn:
The Kraken never lets little things annoy him. Be the same. Brush off the little things like rain.

Aquarius:
Faeries know to come into the light when dark times come. If you have a big problem, ask others for help.

Pisces:
Even though vampires tend to be loners, there are times when collaboration will help you more. Teamwork can be beneficial for you.

Thank you and stay safe.

-Susan
Susan Hanniford Crowley, Amazon Kindle Bestselling Author of Vampire Romance and now YA novels too.
www.susanhannifordcrowley.com
Where love burns eternal and whispers in the dark!

New Release: Lady Fallon’s Dragons for ages 13-113 is now available at Kindle and Amazon Paperback, Nook, Kobo, Smashwords, BAM online bookstore sells the paperback, Scribd.
The Vampire with a Blanket of Stars, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 3 is available in Amazon Print and Kindle, Nook, Kobo,  Apple, Walmart ebooks & Smashwords.Vampire Princess of New York, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 2 available in Kindle and Kindle Unlimited!
Vampire King of New York, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 1 now in Kindle and Print! Walmart Bookstore Online
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 Survives, Vampires in Manhattan Book 1 available in Kindle, Nook, Kobo, Smashwords, and iBooks (on Apple devices).

It’s Free Comic Book Day! By Susan Hanniford Crowley

AJ’s Comic Books

I can’t wait. I usually wake up at 5:30 PM, so for me there’s a lot of waiting involved.

I’m going to AJ’s Comics, 167 Lebanon Ave., Colchester, CT on Sat., Aug. 14th – Free Comic Book Day (at participating bookstores) AJ’s is! YAY! For this special event, they will be open 10 AM to 6 PM! For all the details, here’s their website: https://www.ajscomics.com/

So go forth and have fun. Support your local comic book store!

All the best!
-Susan
Susan Hanniford Crowley, Amazon Kindle Bestselling Author of Vampire Romance and now YA novels too.
www.susanhannifordcrowley.com
Where love burns eternal and whispers in the dark!

New Release: Lady Fallon’s Dragons is now available at Kindle and Amazon Paperback, Nook, Kobo, Smashwords, Scribd, and a Paperback through BAM’s online store
The Vampire with a Blanket of Stars, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 3 is now available in Amazon Print and Kindle, Nook, Kobo,  Apple, Walmart ebooks & Smashwords.
Vampire Princess of New York, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 2 available in Kindle and Kindle Unlimited!
Vampire King of New York, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 1 now in Kindle and Print! Walmart Bookstore Online
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 Survives, Vampires in Manhattan Book 1 available in Kindle, Nook, Kobo, Smashwords, and iBooks (on Apple devices).