Susan Hanniford Crowley's Blog: From Nights of Passion Blog, page 71

Turn On the Lights Paranormal-Scope

 

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Courtesy Photo by Jordan McQueen on Unsplash

Hurricane Isaias hit Connecticut and it was a slam dunk, even though it had been downgraded to a tropical storm. At this writing, there are around 144,000 people still out of power. Can you imagine without electricity for 6 days? Not fun.

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:

Mermaids surface to look at the stars. It is at that moment that they love their lives. Do the things you enjoy more often.

Taurus:

Fae folk are always looking at self-improvement. Take a class. Learn something new. Start a new hobby, you’ve always wanted to try.

Gemini:

Dragons are gifted in decorating. Take a good look at your home and decide on some improvements.

Cancer:

There’s no place like a Gnome’s place. The food is amazing. Try out some new recipes.

Leo:

Werewolves can bite. Don’t give credence to any gossip in chat or on the internet. If making a decision, it’s important to get the facts.

Virgo:

Pixies are hilarious. Laughter is healthy for the body. Watch funny shows and perhaps cut down on the news.

Libra:

Nessie loves swimming just below the surface of the water. It’s like the story of anyone’s life. There’s a lot of beneath the surface. Consider writing your memoirs.

Scorpio:

A faery has left you a gift, but it is hidden and subtle. Appreciate the little things in life.

Sagittarius:

Elves enjoy reading books. Read a book you’ve always wanted to. Kindle books work well too.

Capricorn:

Shapeshifters are dedicated to eating healthy. Rework your meal plans to make them healthy. Feel better.

Aquarius:

Bigfoot needs new shoes. Do you? Check out your current footwear and replace the worn-out pairs.

Pisces:

A vampire smiles at you. Someone admires you from afar. It will bring you good luck.

-Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley, Amazon Kindle Bestselling Author of Vampire Romance

www.susanhannifordcrowley.com

Where love burns eternal and whispers in the dark!

The Vampire with a Blanket of Stars, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 3 available in Amazon Print and Kindle!  New: Now in Nook and Kobo

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!

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 and Smashwords and iBooks (on Apple devices).

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A Writing Prompt to Inspire Creativity By Susan Hanniford Crowley

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By Bidgee (Own work) [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)%5D, via Wikimedia Commons

The power of the storm and what it can do to our lives is amazing. As I write this, a half a million people in Connecticut are still in the dark from Tropical Storm (with more attitude than people expected) Isaias.

Such dynamic images have inspired artists, artisans, writers, and creators in many media.

If you would like to try the writing prompt, begin by writing about the weather event and then add a person caught in the storm.

Have fun.

Stay safe from COVID 19 and also be careful, my friends, who are still in the dark.

-Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley, Amazon Kindle Bestselling Author of Vampire Romance

www.susanhannifordcrowley.com

Where love burns eternal and whispers in the dark!

New: The Vampire with a Blanket of Stars, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 3 available in Amazon Print and Kindle!  Now in Nook and Kobo

Vampire Princess of New York, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 2 available in Kindle!

Vampire King of New York, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 1 now in Kindle and Print!

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 and Smashwords and iBooks (on Apple devices).

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For The Love Of…Pinterest by Artemis Crow

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I love imagery. There, I said it. Photographs, paintings, movies and TV with rich, complicated sets and scenes are my jam. Capturing a moment in time with all its baroque glory and splendor, or simplicity and sparsity, I’ll take it all. So it’s small wonder that when it came time for series worldbuilding, I turned to Pinterest first.

With that intro, it should come as no surprise to learn that I’m also a very visual writer. When writing a scene I put myself in a character’s head, see what they see, and describe it for my readers. Websites like Pinterest and Deviant Art have helped me greatly, and I know they could do the same for you in whatever passion you pursue.

 

That being said, if you think googling is a time suck, well, hello Pinterest, and goodbye an afternoon! Seriously, if you think Alice’s fall down the rabbit hole was something…

“I’ve been falling…for thirty minutes!”

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Right Loki, make that more like five+ hours in Pinterest. That is if you’re disciplined…or lucky…or your eyes cross and the screen blurs so much you just have to stop.

Despite that pifall, Pinterest has thousands of images to scroll through and is a huge resource. It also is another facet in an author’s marketing arsenal. As I found imagery that I loved, I created boards. For the different species I created, for the Zodiac Assassins, and for the mythological gods and goddesses woven through the books. I highly recommend that all authors do this; for yourself, but more importantly for your readers so they can see for themselves the inspirations for your world and characters.

But I write contemporary, you say. Well, I say worldbuilding isn’t for fantasy and paranormal anymore! Writing a small town cozy? There are many images you could find on Pinterest for that tiny café…

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…or the old family-built drive-in theater your hero decides to renovate.

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Looking for Regency fashion? Pinterest has that, too.

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And for fellow paranormal/fantasy authors, there’s a wealth of evocative images that will inspire you.

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Save them to your boards and inspire your readers to fall down the rabbit hole of your world! Immersion. Isn’t that what we all want for our readers?

May your words flow freely,

 

Artemis

Artemis Crow

www.artemiscrow.com

The Zodiac Assassins series

Available on Amazon Kindle and Print, Nook and Kobo

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Lyon’s Roar – https://amzn.to/2IB




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Leona’s Descent – https://amzn.to/2yaDfjW




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Libra’s Limbo – https://amzn.to/2q3VkNg




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Leona’s Cage – https://amzn.to/2QTbVyp

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

Educate Yourself

Knowledge is power. I’ve heard these words since I was a little kid. I always felt I understood them and never really paid them much attention because I’ve been a voracious learner and reader my whole life. Only as an adult have I really felt I can’t keep when it comes with the desire to learn. As such I became complacent and now realize I have to repair this.

So what am I really talking about? Well, it is no secret that we have a big presidential election this year and don’t worry, I’m not going political on you nor am I picking sides— not simply because it isn’t an appropriate forum but also because I’ve found I lack the knowledge I believe I should have to blog or have a conversation about today’s politics.

Now, I know I’m not alone. We see statistics all the time about Americans (specifically in the USA) lack of knowledge about our country’s history and politics. But still, as an educated individual and self-proclaimed learner, I found myself embarrassed to admit I had a lot to learn as I started asking myself questions. Still, I am an optimist and one thing I’ve learned is that it is never too late to seek answers.

So that is my message today for all of you. We don’t and won’t always know everything and that is okay. But all throughout life there will be times we need to learn more for whatever reason (jobs, life events, causes we support, etc.) Bottomline (and I’m following my own advice here), educate yourself and understand what it is you are doing, going through or supporting. It is important and can make all the difference.

Happy writing this week!

Faery Lights Paranormal-Scope

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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:

Faery lights can lead you down the wrong path. Just because something looks beautiful, doesn’t mean it is. Beware!

Taurus:

Fae folk are always looking at self-improvement. Take a class. Learn something new. Start a new hobby, you’ve always wanted to try.

Gemini:

Elves can be solitary. Sometimes it’s great to work alone on a project. Stretch your ability.

Cancer:

Pixies try to take a bigger view of everything they do. Doing things with love will lighten your heart even on a dark day.

Leo:

Leprachauns enjoy a hearty meal, drink, and of course, dessert. Eat healthy and wise this week.

Virgo:

Gnomes love their homes and sometimes make a home on the internet. Connect with some friends on social media.

Libra:

Salamanders love dancing in fire. They love excitement. Make a plan to fulfill your dreams.

Scorpio:

Your fairy godmother would love to see you relax more. Consider naps and yoga. Release the stress in your life and feel better.

Sagittarius:

The Unseelie is the dark fae. Often they cause trouble. Be cautious of people who are argumentative or have their own agenda.

Capricorn:

A Djinn wants to grant you a wish. Choose wisely and specify that it creates no harm for yourself or others.

Aquarius:

Mermaids are swimming for safe waters. A storm is brewing in more ways than one. Be cautious in what you say to others.

Pisces:

Faeries like to borrow things and put them back elsewhere. Always put your keys in the same place. Socks? I have no answer for that.

-Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley, Amazon Kindle Bestselling Author of Vampire Romance

www.susanhannifordcrowley.com

Where love burns eternal and whispers in the dark!

The Vampire with a Blanket of Stars, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 3 available in Amazon Print and Kindle!  New: Now in Nook and Kobo

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!

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 and Smashwords and iBooks (on Apple devices).

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The Truth About Love By Susan Hanniford Crowley

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Romance writers write books that delight and entrance their readers. These books may contain suspense or mystery. It could be a thriller. Some romance novels reach beyond the borders of daily life into the paranormal or even outer space. The one thing they all have in common is that the author is a keen observer of how love develops and works in the world-what brings loved ones together.

That are so many facets of love. Today I’m going to focus on the meet-cute. If you haven’t seen the movie “The Holiday” with Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Cameron Diaz, and Jack Black, you may not be familiar with the term. The meet-cute is the first moment where two people meet and start their romance with smiles.

The thing in life is that we think we can plan these things and often it just doesn’t happen that way. Yes, some couples meet at church, camp, school, work, or at a dance. But for others, it can look like it happens by chance.

In “The Holiday,” two heartbroken women use Home Exchange to try to soothe their hearts by visiting very different locations far from home for the winter holidays. There is also the preconceived notion that a loved one would be a certain type. When you leave yourself open to meeting new people, there are new possibilities.

Love can be found in almost every place you go to. I know one couple who actually did meet online in one of those dating services.

If you want to know more about the meet-cute, here is a list of movies. See if you can find all those first moments.

Notting Hill

Serendipity

My Big Fat Greek Wedding

Sleepless in Seattle

50 First Dates

Love Actually

There’s more but if you’re interested, these movies are a great start.  Real-life meet-cutes happen, but then again sometimes life isn’t like that. More on that next week. In the meantime, remember that you are the heroine or hero of your life.

Stay safe, my friends.

-Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley, Amazon Kindle Bestselling Author of Vampire Romance

www.susanhannifordcrowley.com

Where love burns eternal and whispers in the dark!

New: The Vampire with a Blanket of Stars, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 3 available in Amazon Print and Kindle!  Now in Nook and Kobo

Vampire Princess of New York, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 2 available in Kindle!

Vampire King of New York, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 1 now in Kindle and Print!

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 and Smashwords and iBooks (on Apple devices).

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Say Something

For those of you who have read my posts, you’ve probably seen me write about the power of words and how it fascinates me that we writers can persuade, influence and immerse others in our writings and works. Words can be extremely powerful when used.

Unfortunately, there are many instances when words go unwritten or unsaid. Right now when passions are running high for an upcoming Presidential election and stress is mounting due to our devastating health crisis and economic state, we can’t remain silent. And I am not talking about protesting although there are times where  it is important for us To speak out. Today, I’m talking about communication.

Recently, it seems I’ve had more acquaintances tell me they are getting divorced. And if that isn’t sad enough, I’ve found in talking to friends that they are encountering the same thing. It isn’t so much of a surprise given the stressful ness of life in general for many and a global pandemic and recession certainly don’t help the picture. And yet, because we are all under some sort of strain, being trapped in our homes or simply too scared to risk exposing ourselves to a virus that may or may not wreak havoc with our bodies, there is a degree of understanding.

Life is rarely ever perfect and there will always be something we can argue about. Sometimes this leads to relevant change and other times, it simply clears the air. The important thing is to be having these necessary discussions. Say something, write something, just communicate overall. We need our words now more than ever. Our words equal sanity in this crazy world and they preserve our wellbeing.

Happy writing this week!

Winds Are Blowing Paranormal-Scope

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By Bidgee (Own work) [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)%5D, via Wikimedia Commons

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 are energized with home projects. Do one project at a time to obtain the desired result.

Taurus:

Asking questions is a way of getting more information. Don’t make life changes without all the necessary facts. That’s how vampires avoid the stake.

Gemini:

Faeries love their home and make them as cozy as they can. Consider what change to make that will make you happy.

Cancer:

Expand your knowledge base on a subject relevant to your career or a topic you’ve always wanted to learn about. Shapeshifters enjoy hitting the books.

Leo:

Nessie likes to stretch her energy limit. Before trying any new exercise, consult your physician.

Virgo:

Beware of false information. Trust who you trust. If you are baffled, so your own investigation. Pixies turn over every stone.

Libra:

New friends may bring fun into your life. Don’t commit unless you feel comfortable with the place to meet. Faeries love sunshine in the park.

Scorpio:

Set higher goals for yourself. Elves research new opportunities both benefits and drawbacks then form a plan.

Sagittarius:

Create a comfortable place in your home where you can read a book or listen to music. Gnomes know that this makes life more fun.

Capricorn:

Enjoy time with people you love. Dragons fly to family meet-ups where the winds blow.

Aquarius:

Trolls avoid the sun. Something about turning to stone. If you venture out, remember your mask and your sunscreen.

Pisces:

Mermaids dive deep to protect themselves from the storm. Sometimes it’s better to be private at times. Contact those who are close to you.

-Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley, Amazon Kindle Bestselling Author of Vampire Romance

www.susanhannifordcrowley.com

Where love burns eternal and whispers in the dark!

The Vampire with a Blanket of Stars, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 3 available in Amazon Print and Kindle!  New: Now in Nook and Kobo

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!

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 and Smashwords and iBooks (on Apple devices).

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Favorite Things, Part Two By Susan Hanniford Crowley

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This is the Blue Lagoon in Iceland, I love, love, loved it there!

In this part of “My Favorite Things,” I’m giving you more fun things to see.

Everyone needs to laugh sometimes just for general wellness.

My first recommendation is

Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga!

This is a rather silly, fun, and inspiring movie set in Iceland starring Will Ferrell, Pierce Brosnan, Demi Lovato, Rachel McAdams, and others. I have seen Will Ferrell movies before but never thought he had reached ultimate fun! On top of that, he accomplished that in one of my favorite places on Earth. I give it 5 Stars for Ultimate Fun!

2.  On Netflix, there is a wonderful show called

     Down to Earth with Zac Efron!

My favorite episodes are first, the one in “Iceland” and the second, the one the episode  on “Water.” The episodes are exciting, fun, and always moving. When there is talking, it is very interesting.

Even though I’ve been to Iceland, after seeing the places they saw, I really need to go again. Every stop amazed me. Even though they covered so much, I think it was only the tip of the iceberg. (Bad pun, Susan!)

In the “Water” episode, it begins with water tasting in California with special guest star actress Anna Kendrick! Then Zac and Darin Olien go on to France through the Chunnel. I found it fantastic that they said if you feel low in energy grab water. I found it amazing that Paris has free healthy water fountains throughout the city. There is just so much to this episode. They go to Lourdes, too.

-Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley, Amazon Kindle Bestselling Author of Vampire Romance

www.susanhannifordcrowley.com

Where love burns eternal and whispers in the dark!

New: The Vampire with a Blanket of Stars, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 3 available in Amazon Print and Kindle!  Now in Nook and Kobo

Vampire Princess of New York, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 2 available in Kindle!

Vampire King of New York, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 1 now in Kindle and Print!

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 and Smashwords and iBooks (on Apple devices).

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Creativity Runs Free

These days, creativity goes a long way. This week, my kids found a frog in our neighbor’s pool and for an hour, it became their new friend. Not to worry, grandma did not let them torture Mr. Frederick (as they named him) but for me, the hour they spent playing with the little frog and building a habitat for them was very enlightening. My third grader looked up how they could breathe and what frogs ate. My 1st grader suddenly became the ultimate authority as to what frogs like. They agreed by the end that we had to let him (or her—who knows?) go safely and yet this lite respite from the hot, monotonous days was very much welcome.

I have a day job and these days, I’m so thankful for this job. I do enjoy the job a lot, but as I’ve seen my kids spend so much time at home due to Covid-19 and due to virtual learning, I can’t help but wish for some more time and creativity to give them experiences and help them learn. We make do with the time we have, but inevitably it isn’t enough. As for creativity, we’ve build forts out of pillows, constructed boats from wood (small ones), played with bugs or as you heard above, frogs. I’ve learned so much about military history through Lego wars (the 3rd grader was Napoleon and the 1st grader the British). It has been fun and it has compelled us to push our thoughts beyond the every day.

So if you are like my family and you are looking for a bit of a break in the monotony (or cabin fever) these days, let your creativity run free!

Have a safe week and happy writing!