Robin Renee Ray's Blog, page 11
March 15, 2012
Funny Irish Quotes and Saying
I found these all over the net and had to snag more than a few..LOL
From the word STUPID:
Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something.
- Plato
I couldn't repair your brakes, so I just made your horn louder.
Please provide the date of your death.
Being stupid is its own reward.
What a waste it is to lose one's mind.
Or not to have a mind is being very wasteful. How true that is.
Creativity is the sudden cessation of stupidity.
Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change.
The two most common elements in the universe are hydrogen and stupidity.
Stupidity is better kept a secret than displayed.
Stop being so stupid. It's my turn.
Don't expect the unexpected unless the unexpected expects you.
It is better to remain a fool and be silent, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.
From the word ALCOHOL:
Don't drink and drive, you might hit a bump and spill your drink.
Time is never wasted when you're wasted all the time.
You know you've had a few to many when you go to the bathroom and say, "Oh St. Piss I've got to take a Patty. She's lizardin' from me leak."
One reason I don't drink is that I want to know when I am having a good time.
A meal without wine is like a day without sunshine, except that on a day without sunshine you can still get drunk.
I stopped drinking, but only when I sleep.
This is one of the disadvantages of wine: it makes a man mistake words for thought.
Cigarettes and coffee: an alcoholic's best friend !!!!
When I read about the evils of drinking, I gave up reading.
From the words Famous Irish Statements:
May you both live as long as you want, And never want as long as you live.
As you slide down the banister of life, may the splinters never point in the wrong direction.
May you get all your wishes but one so you always have something to strive for.
Only Irish coffee provides all main essential food groups: alcohol, caffeine, sugar, and fat.
May the Lord keep you in his hand and never close his fist too tight.
A Beautiful Poem:
He Wished for the Cloths of Heaven
"Had I the heavens' embroidered cloths,
Enwrought with golden and silver light,
The blue and the dim and the dark cloths
Of night and light and the half-light,
I would spread the cloths under your feet:
But I, being poor, have only my dreams;
I have spread my dreams under your feet,
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams..."
William Butler Yeats
.........
The 16th I will be sharing as many cute photos as I can find of St. Patty's Day fun, be it critters in costumes or people drinking it up..LOL Hope I can find some good stuff, and even more photos than I already have. ; )
Have a great day...Big Hugs to you all~<3
From the word STUPID:
Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something.
- Plato
I couldn't repair your brakes, so I just made your horn louder.
Please provide the date of your death.
Being stupid is its own reward.
What a waste it is to lose one's mind.
Or not to have a mind is being very wasteful. How true that is.
Creativity is the sudden cessation of stupidity.
Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change.
The two most common elements in the universe are hydrogen and stupidity.
Stupidity is better kept a secret than displayed.
Stop being so stupid. It's my turn.
Don't expect the unexpected unless the unexpected expects you.
It is better to remain a fool and be silent, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.
From the word ALCOHOL:
Don't drink and drive, you might hit a bump and spill your drink.
Time is never wasted when you're wasted all the time.
You know you've had a few to many when you go to the bathroom and say, "Oh St. Piss I've got to take a Patty. She's lizardin' from me leak."
One reason I don't drink is that I want to know when I am having a good time.
A meal without wine is like a day without sunshine, except that on a day without sunshine you can still get drunk.
I stopped drinking, but only when I sleep.
This is one of the disadvantages of wine: it makes a man mistake words for thought.
Cigarettes and coffee: an alcoholic's best friend !!!!
When I read about the evils of drinking, I gave up reading.
From the words Famous Irish Statements:
May you both live as long as you want, And never want as long as you live. As you slide down the banister of life, may the splinters never point in the wrong direction.
May you get all your wishes but one so you always have something to strive for.
Only Irish coffee provides all main essential food groups: alcohol, caffeine, sugar, and fat.
May the Lord keep you in his hand and never close his fist too tight.
A Beautiful Poem:
He Wished for the Cloths of Heaven
"Had I the heavens' embroidered cloths,
Enwrought with golden and silver light,
The blue and the dim and the dark cloths
Of night and light and the half-light,
I would spread the cloths under your feet:
But I, being poor, have only my dreams;
I have spread my dreams under your feet,
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams..."
William Butler Yeats
.........
The 16th I will be sharing as many cute photos as I can find of St. Patty's Day fun, be it critters in costumes or people drinking it up..LOL Hope I can find some good stuff, and even more photos than I already have. ; )
Have a great day...Big Hugs to you all~<3
March 14, 2012
St. Patrick's Day Fun Info
St. Patrick's Day is celebrated on March 17, the saint's religious feast day and the anniversary of his death in the fifth century. The Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday for over 1,000 years. On St. Patrick's Day, which falls during the Christian season of Lent, Irish families would traditionally attend church in the morning and celebrate in the afternoon. Lenten prohibitions against the consumption of meat were waived and people would dance, drink and feast--on the traditional meal of Irish bacon and cabbage.
Places to Spend St. Patrick's Day There are seven places in the United States named after the shamrock, the floral emblem of Ireland including Mount Gay-Shamrock, WV; Shamrock, TX; Shamrock Lakes, IN; and Shamrock, OK.Sixteen U.S. places share the name of Ireland's capital, Dublin. With 44,541 residents, Dublin, CA, is the largest of the nice, followed by Dublin, OH, with 39,310.Other towns with the luck of the Irish include Emerald Isle,
North Carolina
and Irishtown,
Illinois
. 
Facts about Irish AmericansThere are 34.7 million U.S. residents with Irish ancestry. This number is more than seven times the population of Ireland itself.Irish is the nation's second most frequently reported ancestry, ranking behind German.Across the country, 11 percent of residents lay claim to Irish ancestry. That number more than doubles to 23 percent in the state of Massachusetts .Irish is the most common ancestry in 54 U.S. counties, of which 44 are in the Northeast. Middlesex County in Massachusetts tops the list with 348,978 Irish Americans, followed by Norfolk County, MA, which has 203,285.Irish ranks among the top five ancestries in every state except Hawaii and New Mexico . It is the leading ancestry group in Delaware , Massachusetts and New Hampshire .There are approximately 144,588 current U.S. residents who were born in Ireland. Population data courtesy of the U.S. Census Bureau. ;)
Hope you enjoyed a few fun facts about the wonderful Holiday celebrating St. Patrick....
Big Hugs to you all~
March 13, 2012
Traditional St. Patrick's Day Meal Celebration
Traditional St. Patrick's Day Meal Celebration
You don't have to be Irish to join in the fun of St. Patrick's Day. (Plus, what better way to welcome the arrival of spring than by "The Wearing of the Green"?)
Mint Tea Punch and Floating Four-Leaf Clovers will have leprechauns of every age leaping for joy. Then dig in to the traditional tastes of Irish Soda Bread, Colcannon Potatoes and Spicy Corned Beef. (Recipes shown here.)
All eyes—whether they're Irish or not—will surely be smiling around your dinner table!
The Irish Soda Bread StoryThis classic quick bread from Ireland is so named because it uses baking soda for leavening. Legend has it that the X is cut into the top of the bread before baking to ward off evil spirits.
Do You Know about Colcannon?Colcannon—a combination of mashed potatoes and either cabbage or kale—is mostly associated with the harvest and is traditionally eaten in Ireland on Halloween.
Symbols of good fortune (a golden ring predicting marriage within a year, a sixpence for forthcoming wealth, a thimble for spinsterhood and a button for bachelorhood) are often hidden in the dish for folks to find.
Mint Tea Punch:
Ingredients10 cups water, divided5 bags green tea with mint1 cup sugar1 cup pineapple juice1/2 cup lemon juice2-1/2 cups chilled ginger ale4 to 5 drops green food coloring, optionalFloating Four-Leaf Clovers DirectionsIn a large saucepan, bring 5 cups water to a boil; add tea bags and steep for 5 minutes. Discard tea bags. Stir in sugar, pineapple juice, lemon juice and remaining water. Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours. Just before serving, add ginger ale and food coloring if desired. Add Floating Four-Leaf Covers. Yield: about 3-1/2 quarts.Floating Four Leaf Clover:
Ingredients4 cups plus 2 tablespoons chilled lemon-lime soda, divided12 lime slicesLime peel (about 6 inches)DirectionsPour 1/4 cup lemon-lime soda into 12 muffin cups; freeze until solid. On a work surface, cut lime slices into quarters. Rotate each quarter slice clockwise until one end of outer edge touches the center; place over frozen soda. To make a stem, cut the lime peel into 1/2-in. pieces. Place at one corner of clover. Freeze for 20 minutes. Slowly pour remaining soda into cups until lime is almost covered. Freeze until solid. Yield: 12 clover cubes.
Irish Soda Bread:
100
Ingredients4 cups all-purpose flour3 tablespoons sugar3 teaspoons baking powder1 teaspoon salt3/4 teaspoon baking soda6 tablespoons cold butter or margarine1-1/2 cups raisins1 tablespoon caraway seeds2 eggs, beaten1-1/2 cups buttermilkDirectionsIn a large bowl, combine the first five ingredients. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the raisins and caraway seeds. Set aside 1 tablespoon beaten egg. In a bowl, combine buttermilk and remaining eggs; stir into crumb mixture just until flour is moistened (dough will be sticky). Turn onto a well-floured surface; knead about 10 times. Shape into a ball. Place in a greased 9-in. round baking pan. Cut a 4-in. X, 1/4-in. deep, in the center of the ball. Brush the top with reserved egg. Bake at 350° for 1 hour and 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cover loosely with foil during the last 20 minutes if top browns too quickly. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to a wire rack to cool completely. Yield: 1 loaf.Colcannon Potatoes:
Ingredients2 pounds cabbage, shredded2 cups water4 pounds potatoes, peeled and quartered2 cups milk1 cup chopped green onionsSalt and coarsely ground pepper to taste1/4 cup butter, meltedCrumbled cooked bacon and minced fresh parsleyDirectionsIn a large saucepan, bring cabbage and water to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes or until tender. Drain, reserving cooking liquid. Keep cabbage warm. Place cooking liquid and potatoes in a large saucepan; add enough additional water to cover the potatoes. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and cook for 15-17 minutes or until tender. Drain and keep warm. In a small saucepan, bring milk and onions to a boil; remove from the heat. In a large bowl, mash potatoes. Add milk mixture; beat until blended. Beat in the cabbage, salt and pepper. Drizzle with the melted butter, bacon and parsley. Yield: 12-16 servings.Spicy Corned Beef:
Ingredients2 corned beef briskets (about 3 pounds each)1 medium onion, halved1 medium carrot, cut into chunks1 celery rib with leaves, cut into chunks1 tablespoon mixed pickling spices1/3 cup packed brown sugar1 tablespoon prepared mustard1/2 cup sweet pickle juiceDirectionsPlace corned beef in a large Dutch oven; cover with water. Add the onion, carrot, celery and pickling spices. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 2-1/2 to 3 hours or until meat is tender. Transfer corned beef to a 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish; discard broth and vegetables. Score the surface of meat with shallow diagonal cuts. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar and mustard; spread over meat. Drizzle with pickle juice. Bake, uncovered, at 325° for 1 hour, basting occasionally. Yield: 18-20 servings.I hope you have enjoyed learning a little bit more about the St. Patty's Day Holiday!
Big Hugs~
You don't have to be Irish to join in the fun of St. Patrick's Day. (Plus, what better way to welcome the arrival of spring than by "The Wearing of the Green"?)
Mint Tea Punch and Floating Four-Leaf Clovers will have leprechauns of every age leaping for joy. Then dig in to the traditional tastes of Irish Soda Bread, Colcannon Potatoes and Spicy Corned Beef. (Recipes shown here.)
All eyes—whether they're Irish or not—will surely be smiling around your dinner table!
The Irish Soda Bread StoryThis classic quick bread from Ireland is so named because it uses baking soda for leavening. Legend has it that the X is cut into the top of the bread before baking to ward off evil spirits.
Do You Know about Colcannon?Colcannon—a combination of mashed potatoes and either cabbage or kale—is mostly associated with the harvest and is traditionally eaten in Ireland on Halloween.
Symbols of good fortune (a golden ring predicting marriage within a year, a sixpence for forthcoming wealth, a thimble for spinsterhood and a button for bachelorhood) are often hidden in the dish for folks to find.
Mint Tea Punch:
Ingredients10 cups water, divided5 bags green tea with mint1 cup sugar1 cup pineapple juice1/2 cup lemon juice2-1/2 cups chilled ginger ale4 to 5 drops green food coloring, optionalFloating Four-Leaf Clovers DirectionsIn a large saucepan, bring 5 cups water to a boil; add tea bags and steep for 5 minutes. Discard tea bags. Stir in sugar, pineapple juice, lemon juice and remaining water. Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours. Just before serving, add ginger ale and food coloring if desired. Add Floating Four-Leaf Covers. Yield: about 3-1/2 quarts.Floating Four Leaf Clover:
Ingredients4 cups plus 2 tablespoons chilled lemon-lime soda, divided12 lime slicesLime peel (about 6 inches)DirectionsPour 1/4 cup lemon-lime soda into 12 muffin cups; freeze until solid. On a work surface, cut lime slices into quarters. Rotate each quarter slice clockwise until one end of outer edge touches the center; place over frozen soda. To make a stem, cut the lime peel into 1/2-in. pieces. Place at one corner of clover. Freeze for 20 minutes. Slowly pour remaining soda into cups until lime is almost covered. Freeze until solid. Yield: 12 clover cubes.
Irish Soda Bread:
100
Ingredients4 cups all-purpose flour3 tablespoons sugar3 teaspoons baking powder1 teaspoon salt3/4 teaspoon baking soda6 tablespoons cold butter or margarine1-1/2 cups raisins1 tablespoon caraway seeds2 eggs, beaten1-1/2 cups buttermilkDirectionsIn a large bowl, combine the first five ingredients. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the raisins and caraway seeds. Set aside 1 tablespoon beaten egg. In a bowl, combine buttermilk and remaining eggs; stir into crumb mixture just until flour is moistened (dough will be sticky). Turn onto a well-floured surface; knead about 10 times. Shape into a ball. Place in a greased 9-in. round baking pan. Cut a 4-in. X, 1/4-in. deep, in the center of the ball. Brush the top with reserved egg. Bake at 350° for 1 hour and 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cover loosely with foil during the last 20 minutes if top browns too quickly. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to a wire rack to cool completely. Yield: 1 loaf.Colcannon Potatoes:
Ingredients2 pounds cabbage, shredded2 cups water4 pounds potatoes, peeled and quartered2 cups milk1 cup chopped green onionsSalt and coarsely ground pepper to taste1/4 cup butter, meltedCrumbled cooked bacon and minced fresh parsleyDirectionsIn a large saucepan, bring cabbage and water to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes or until tender. Drain, reserving cooking liquid. Keep cabbage warm. Place cooking liquid and potatoes in a large saucepan; add enough additional water to cover the potatoes. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and cook for 15-17 minutes or until tender. Drain and keep warm. In a small saucepan, bring milk and onions to a boil; remove from the heat. In a large bowl, mash potatoes. Add milk mixture; beat until blended. Beat in the cabbage, salt and pepper. Drizzle with the melted butter, bacon and parsley. Yield: 12-16 servings.Spicy Corned Beef:
Ingredients2 corned beef briskets (about 3 pounds each)1 medium onion, halved1 medium carrot, cut into chunks1 celery rib with leaves, cut into chunks1 tablespoon mixed pickling spices1/3 cup packed brown sugar1 tablespoon prepared mustard1/2 cup sweet pickle juiceDirectionsPlace corned beef in a large Dutch oven; cover with water. Add the onion, carrot, celery and pickling spices. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 2-1/2 to 3 hours or until meat is tender. Transfer corned beef to a 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish; discard broth and vegetables. Score the surface of meat with shallow diagonal cuts. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar and mustard; spread over meat. Drizzle with pickle juice. Bake, uncovered, at 325° for 1 hour, basting occasionally. Yield: 18-20 servings.I hope you have enjoyed learning a little bit more about the St. Patty's Day Holiday!
Big Hugs~
March 12, 2012
A wee bit O' History of St. Patrick's Day
I have to admit, I got this information from another site, learning a great deal about this 'Get Pinched' if you don't wear green...or you do around here...Holiday. I've always loved it but never had as much background on it as I do now. This is just one of the many sites I've played on.
Found on: http://www.stpatricksdayparty.net/history.shtml The story of St. Patrick's Day begins around 385 AD with a man named Maewyn. At age 16, the Pagan Maewyn was sold into slavery, which brought him closer to God. He finally managed to escape slavery six years later and headed to a monastery in Gaul to study, where he adopted the Christian name "Patrick." Upon ending his studies, he moved to Ireland, where he felt his calling in life was to convert Pagans to Christianity. For the next 30 years, he traveled throughout the country, setting up monasteries and converting the natives. After his death in 461, he was declared a saint.
So what happened from there? How did a man who spent his entire life converting Pagans to Christianity result in a day devoted to rowdy songs, parades, and drinking green beer, a day when everyone is just a wee bit Irish? The first St. Patrick's Day Parade was in America, not Ireland. It took place in New York City in 1762, and consisted of Irish soldiers in the English military marching through the city. This was a chance for the soldiers to reconnect with their heritage. Eventually, as more Irish immigrants came to America, the parades were a show of strength for Irish-Americans and political candidates had to make an appearance at them. Now a regular annual event, people of all backgrounds celebrate this day.
Ireland, on the other hand, does not have such a long history of St. Patrick's Day celebrations. Prior to the 1970s, it was a religious occasion and, indeed, Irish law mandated that pubs be closed on March 17! Apparently, there was no green beer for those in Ireland. This changed around 1995, when the government made a push to use St. Patrick's Day as a way to drive tourism and to showcase Ireland to the rest of the world. Parades and celebrations are now common in Ireland around this day (in fact, their celebrations last several days) and some one million people took part in last year's festivities in Dublin.
When people nowadays think of this day, they get an image of the shamrock in their head. You see it on the sides of buildings, on hats and clothing, on balloons and decorations. Why? Its origins are rooted in Patrick himself. He used the shamrock as a way to show how the trinity works: three separate elements of the same entity.
So wherever you are, whether you're Irish or not, get out there and enjoy the day!
Big Hugs~
Found on: http://www.stpatricksdayparty.net/history.shtml The story of St. Patrick's Day begins around 385 AD with a man named Maewyn. At age 16, the Pagan Maewyn was sold into slavery, which brought him closer to God. He finally managed to escape slavery six years later and headed to a monastery in Gaul to study, where he adopted the Christian name "Patrick." Upon ending his studies, he moved to Ireland, where he felt his calling in life was to convert Pagans to Christianity. For the next 30 years, he traveled throughout the country, setting up monasteries and converting the natives. After his death in 461, he was declared a saint.
So what happened from there? How did a man who spent his entire life converting Pagans to Christianity result in a day devoted to rowdy songs, parades, and drinking green beer, a day when everyone is just a wee bit Irish? The first St. Patrick's Day Parade was in America, not Ireland. It took place in New York City in 1762, and consisted of Irish soldiers in the English military marching through the city. This was a chance for the soldiers to reconnect with their heritage. Eventually, as more Irish immigrants came to America, the parades were a show of strength for Irish-Americans and political candidates had to make an appearance at them. Now a regular annual event, people of all backgrounds celebrate this day. Ireland, on the other hand, does not have such a long history of St. Patrick's Day celebrations. Prior to the 1970s, it was a religious occasion and, indeed, Irish law mandated that pubs be closed on March 17! Apparently, there was no green beer for those in Ireland. This changed around 1995, when the government made a push to use St. Patrick's Day as a way to drive tourism and to showcase Ireland to the rest of the world. Parades and celebrations are now common in Ireland around this day (in fact, their celebrations last several days) and some one million people took part in last year's festivities in Dublin.
When people nowadays think of this day, they get an image of the shamrock in their head. You see it on the sides of buildings, on hats and clothing, on balloons and decorations. Why? Its origins are rooted in Patrick himself. He used the shamrock as a way to show how the trinity works: three separate elements of the same entity.
So wherever you are, whether you're Irish or not, get out there and enjoy the day!
Big Hugs~
March 10, 2012
Change of plans...sorry, just two March featured authors~Twill be St. Patty's Day fun instead. ; )
Plans for March has changed...there will be just a few featured authors and a whole lot of St Patty's Day stuff, well, as much as I can find. I've had a blast every Holiday but truly never kicked it out with the Lucky Charm dude.
He loves his pot of gold...that in itself is a story of greed and what a little Leprechaun would do to keep it.
They may be small and cute but they can be evil and scary as well!!!
But most of the stories end with a happy little Leprechaun reclining after he's counted his beloved pot of gold.
Every Wednesday this week I tell a tale with a different sort of twist. Feel free to stop by Savannah's site and see my take on what should happen to the Lucky Charm dude and his lovely pot of gold.
http://www.savannahrayne.blogspot.com
See you all later and hope you come back for some St. Patty's Day fun...and visit with what few will be, featured guest bloggers this month!!!
Have a wonderful weekend...Big Hugs~<3
He loves his pot of gold...that in itself is a story of greed and what a little Leprechaun would do to keep it.
They may be small and cute but they can be evil and scary as well!!!
But most of the stories end with a happy little Leprechaun reclining after he's counted his beloved pot of gold.
Every Wednesday this week I tell a tale with a different sort of twist. Feel free to stop by Savannah's site and see my take on what should happen to the Lucky Charm dude and his lovely pot of gold.
http://www.savannahrayne.blogspot.com
See you all later and hope you come back for some St. Patty's Day fun...and visit with what few will be, featured guest bloggers this month!!!
Have a wonderful weekend...Big Hugs~<3
March 9, 2012
Keira Kroft's last day blog touring on my blog. : (
Thank you so much for Touringon my blog Keira…I do hope you stop back by this way very soon. Where will yoube stopping next?
Keira: Nextweek I will be on the lovely Savannah Rayne's blog. As a matter of fact Savannahis busy and needs a break. So you have Wednesday and I have her blog in myhands the rest of the time starting today through next Friday. God help her.You and I left unsupervised? Uh-oh, lol.
Robin: Will you be having any Tourson your blog in the future?
Keira: Yesstarting with Savannah after St. Patrick's Day. However, I am working oninterviews and other special things to get all the HP authors involved in The Fireplace.
Robin: Inamoratasounds so intriguing…can you share a bit more on the series with us?
Keira: Yes,I would love to. In the second book One Bloody Night: Samhain, without givingtoo much away I can tell you that the vampires piss off the demons and then ultimatelySatan himself in such a way that it has direrepercussion in the third book One Bloody Night: Asmodeus. As you will seein the first book, Lucius is keeping a secret about Laura that will be revealedto her in the second book, which comes into play in the third book as well.
Robin: I'm drooling..LOL And with such a small, tiny, tease. ;) Laura is already becoming one of my all time favorite female main characters and I haven't even read the e-book, much less gotten my hands on the print. ; ) Lucky editors, maybe I should learn the art and moon-light. ;)
Robin: How many books do you see inthe future for this series? And where did it derive from?
Keira: Three.
And that's a funny story. Itall derives from how creepy the tunnels are in the mall where we have our comicbook store and how it looks at night. It's eerie and beautiful and quiet.Perfect breeding ground for evil and danger. There was actually a bat flyingaround in the creepy tunnel and I was like I so have to write a novel aboutthis, I am thinking vampires and this story and characters just popped up in myhead and I knew their story. This is the first time I have mentioned this butthere is human who becomes a prominent part of Inamorata, his name is Owen and he just a boy about 13years oldthat has a dead beat family that has him out stealing on Christmas Eve. Laura kicks his dad's ass and takes him underher wing. I will reveal more secrets as the Inamoratadays and blog tour progress.
Robin: Love the tunnel...but what you said about Owen made me want to crawl into the book and not come back into my own until I was finished reading the whole thing. Thank you so much for sharing that with us!
Robin: I know you have become a multi-genreAuthor, going from the heated contemporary romance of Glow in the Dark, to thechilling side of dark fantasy with Bad Moon Rising Over Oz, and now into theparanormal romance/fantasy of Inamorata.Do you have any other genres that you are working on, or plan on working on?
Keira: ActuallyI consider myself a romance writer because there are so many genres of romance.OBN series is paranormal romance. Almost all my books have romance in them. Asfar as more horror I have it planned but my muse seems to always lead me toromance. I do, however have an alter ego that writes children's books, her nameis K.C. Castle.
Robin: What made you think oftwisting the world of Oz into Bad Moon?
Keira:Comics books, its big thing in the comic book world. There is a series calledGrim Fairy tales, very dark, very sexy. My book is not sexy however.
Robin: Will there be anotherchildren's fantasy tale turned Keira Kroft style?
Keira: Ilove that idea, but my muse has not presented that to me yet and she isa dominating Bitch! lol :)
Robin: I heard a little rumor thatyou have created your own children's book…can you confirm that rumor? And ifso, is there anything that you can share with us at this time?
Keira: Ohyes, I have a series that has already been approved ten times over by oureditor Jen Hart. I just need an artist for it. It's about a little rambunctiousbandana wearing bluebird named Toby Tucker.
Robin: Jen is such an amazing editor and I am so proud that she is mine. I know a great artist if you're interested? ;) Toby Tucker sounds so cute!!!
Robin: Most know that Keira Kroft isyour writing name and that you are indeed Dawn Binkley, owner of HellfirePublishing and Co-owner of Hellfire Comics a store in Chicago Ridge Mall. Howdo you find the time to create worlds for our enjoyment and still find the timeto run two companies and be a wife and mother?
Keira: You'reso sweet. But I had a plan for my life. So I go with it. I have everything Iwant who wouldn't embrace that with both arms? So that makes it easy. And asyou know lots and lots of help.
Robin's reply: I love that, Keira!
Robin: Is it difficult to deal withas many people as you have to deal with on a daily bases and how do you manageto keep it all in control? The reason I ask, is because most just would not beable to with-stand the pressure. You have done such an amazing job and I forone find you to be a great inspiration!
Keira: Ilove people and I adore writers, we are a special breed aren't we?
Robin: Yes we are but it sure takes a special person to keep us all in order..LOL
Robin: What does your family thinkof you being a published author as well as a full time business woman?
Keira: Weall work hard. My husband is a full time supervisor at United Parcel Service,which means 12hrs shift /d days a week and we have the comic book store. Mydaughter is full time college student and has a job of her own as well. So weare all supportive of each other we do everything as family.
Robin: Is there any one piece ofadvice that you would like to give someone that is thinking of getting into theworld of writing?
Keira: Read.Read your ass off.
Robin: I cannot thank you enough forallowing my blog to be a part of you book tour, Keira. You have inspired somany and you continue to do so at every turn! I do hope you come back this wayand share whatever is going on in your world…it is always such a pleasure tolearn more about such a wonderful woman that can spread a world of inspirationto those who are in need.
Keira: Thankyou so much. Please have me back anytime. This was awesome. Thank youeverybody. *Keira Waves*
Thank you, Keira...Many Blessing~With those great Big Hugs~<3 It was a true 'Honor'!
Look for Keira's work at:
http://www.keirakroft.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/#!/KeiraKroft66 http://www.facebook.com/keirakroft http://www.facebook.com/pages/Keira-Kroft/171750936213533
Feel free to leave Keira acomment and get in the drawing to win either her e-book of Glow in the Dark, orBad Moon Rising Over Oz. All who have commented throughout the week will alsobe in the drawing to be the first to receive the e-book of her new release thissummer. Inamorata…Be one of the first…So be sure to go back and check out hertour this week and leave a comment on any day and get that many more entriesinto the hat for that one very special novel.
Have a great day…Be Happy,Write, Read and Support your fellow authors!
Big Hugs~
March 7, 2012
It's Bad Moon Rising Over Oz Day! Yey!Robin has been...
It's Bad Moon Rising Over Oz Day! Yey!Robin has been so kind as to let me and Dorothy visit her awesome blog today. Hi Robin *Keira Waves*
In this version of The Wizard of Oz. The Land of Oz is nothing more than a sham—wool pulled over the eyes of young Dorothy. In reality her auntie Em sold her out for some good crops and now Dorothy is literally...in Hell.
Dorothy will be around in the coming month with tips and how to survive down under.
"Is she off her rocker?" I hear you say. Surely you can't cook things like garlic bread or desserts on a spit in hell. Actually you can. And for those of you that don't have a sweet tooth.
Ingredients:-
•1 French baguette or whatever you've got left over•125g or 5oz butter•2 cloves garlic•Aluminium foilMethod:-
In a heat proof pot, warm the butter gently so that it is soft and take care not to melt it.
TIP - Soften half the butter first then if you do accidentally melt it, as I do regularly! The fire in hell gets awfully hot, you can use the heat in the melted butter to soften the other half of the butter away from any other heat.
Peel the garlic, finely chop it and mix it into the butter. Slice the bread at half inch intervals taking care to leave each slice attached to the next at the bottom and then paste the garlic butter mix into your incisions.
Wrap the whole thing in foil and toast gently over low flame for about 15 – 20 minutes turning regularly and you'll have crisp on the outside and a wonderful garlic aroma on the inside. Do remember to turn regularly because despite the protection of the aluminum foil it is still quite easy to burn your bread on a spit in hell.
Dorothy ~ Bad Moon Rising Over Oz
Bad Moon Rising Over Oz Bad moon rising over Oz is a version of The Wizard of Oz like nothing you've ever read before... And is not for the squeamish or the weak.
Auntie Em has made a deal with the devil. She gave up her niece, Dorothy's soul in return for a plentiful harvest. Em was smart and worked a clause into the contract… Satan could only have Dorothy's soul in death, but she must also agree to meet the dark lord himself and shake his hand. Everything is going splendid until… A tornado strikes, killing Dorothy, hurdling her and Toto a shape-shifting Scottish terrier, into a beautiful land of happy midgets and bright flowers.
Unaware of her untimely demise or any satanic contract, she embarks on a journey through the Land of Oz, seeking the great wizard in hopes that he will return her home. As Dorothy unwittingly marches through hell, she begins to notice that nothing and no one is what it seems and there is no turning back…
There is indeed a bad moon rising over Oz.
ExcerptThe solid structure finally landed on the ground and Dorothy woke up to her vomit covered pooch licking her face. Toto turned back into a dog and she would be none the wiser. Dorothy rose from the floor where she'd been lying in a pool of her own blood. She got up very easily, due to the adrenaline pumping through her body. She went into the living room and ran out the front door, unable to believe her eyes. Stopping, she rubbed the back off her head, feeling that it was fine. Then she stuck her hands out in front of her and examined them closely. "Toto, my fingers are fine and my head feels great, which is weird, I have blood all over me." Dorothy heard the sound of birds chirping. Lush daisies and other fragrant arrangements extended out far as the eye could see. She heard giggling and one by one, people emerged up from the flower beds'. They were much shorter than Dorothy and had petite features. They were definitely grown adults and there was a whole legion of them. Enough to fill an entire city. Dorothy thought they were so adorable with their elf like hats with little bells that jingled when they walked. An elegant woman came toward her. She was dressed in white and looked exactly like what Dorothy imagined an angel would look like. But she couldn't be a soldier of God, could she? No, I am alive. I can't be dead, can I? "Is this heaven?" Dorothy blurted. The angelic woman and the little people couldn't contain their hysterical laughter. "No, this is definitely not heaven. But you are a hero, Miss Dorothy." "A hero?" "You saved us. You killed the evil Witch of the East and you have freed our people, so it's only right that you have her shoes." The woman dressed in white explained. "I can't take her shoes, it wouldn't be right, and how do I even know if they will fit?" "They are magical shoes. Look at the way the rubies shimmer in the sunlight. Those shoes are the only thing you have to save you!" The woman said as she waved her magic wand and the shoes lifted off. "I actually brought them for you, but she stole them." The woman in white didn't explain, but she was referring to the most powerful witch to ever live. She practiced the darkest of magic's and even now in death, she ruled by the side of the dark one. When her heart was set on something or someone, she couldn't be stopped and she wanted Dorothy's soul for her master. "Those shoes don't look very comfortable. Don't you have another pair in the house?" A little man with bright green hair inquired. "You have a very long journey home." "I can go home?" Dorothy squealed. "Yes, you can. Now go, change into something comfortable," he explained. What was left of Dorothy's welcoming committee, were pushing the front of their hands forward, motioning her to go change her blood stained attire. Dorothy returned wearing a charming knee length, blue and white cotton dress, including a red bonnet that matched her shoes. Her hat was the same color, but didn't have the sparkle the shoes had. A very petite, almost pretty munchkin walked up to Dorothy. "You look very nice, but why are you in such a pretty dress and fancy shoes?" "I wanted to look nice for my family when I get back home, and besides, my feet feel wonderful." The little woman proceeded to try to pull the shoes off her feet, but Dorothy jumped back. "You don't touch those," she snapped. "But you must go to the city of Emeralds and ask to see the great wizard. He will help you get home, but it's a long journey," the small woman explained. "How do I find this Emerald place?" Dorothy couldn't wait to get home. "You must follow the yellow brick road." The group of small ones replied smiling. Their hats jingled as they disappeared back into the flowers.
Dorothy looked down and the road before her appeared to be bricks made of pure gold, traced with silver grout. A little bluebird landed on her shoulder and sang a cute song. Dorothy crooked her finger at Toto, picked up her basket that housed her lunch and they set out on their journey. As Dorothy walked away, unbeknownst to her, the flowers turned to ash, the munchkins turned to little demons with ugly, red faces. The road behind her was paved with broken bones, crushed human skulls and the sun turned to black.About me :)Keira Kroft has been and done many things in her life. She went to paramedic school and received a degree in vet assistance, She has also been a secretary and a bartender. Nothing seemed to fit except her insatiable lust for brooding "hotties", romance, and the written word.These days she can be found writing novels with the help of her furry friends, Scamper, and Sawyer. Sawyer helps by sitting on the keyboard while Scamper tries to steal Keira's food. She spends the rest of her time helping her husband manage their two businesses, along with being the administrator for a website she started that aids new and unpublished authors.For more on Keira's hottie's and the shenanigans of her whiskered assistants check out http://www.keirakroft.com/ or www.keirakroft66.blogspot.comBuy Linkshttp://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=hellfire+publishing
Thank you for stopping by.Cheers,Keira Kroft
You can find me at:www.keirakroft.comhttp://keirakroft66.blogspot.com/http://twitter.com/#!/KeiraKroft66http://www.facebook.com/keirakrofthttp://www.facebook.com/pages/Keira-Kroft/171750936213533
One lucky commenter will receive a free Kindle of The Hot Reads Collection Volume One featuring. Keira Kroft, Robin Renee Ray, Ran Cartwright, and Savannah Rayne.
March 6, 2012
Inamorata Day
It's Inamorata Day! Yey!
in·am·o·ra·ta
Inamorata definition:A female lover or a woman who is loved.
Robin Renee Ray has been so kind as to let me and my Vampires visit her awesome blog today. Thank you Robin.
Laura Easter lives in and owns a comic book store in mall. Laura knows that if she wanted to get Robin into comics she would suggest Marvel Zombies, it's only sold in graphic novel at this point, but the entire Marvel universe were zombies…Spiderman, Wolverine…all of them.
Laura Easter ~ Inamorata
Anna Claire is the immortal house maid to the Sturdevant clan. Over the following months she will share recipes and cleaning tips.
Blood Martini ~ Anna Claire's secret recipe
30 ml gin Dash of dry vermouth A splash of type O negative (Vampires of course) or strawberry syrup (for the human).
1. Pour all ingredients into a mixing glass. 2. Stir and pour into a chilled cocktail glass. 3. Garnish with a fresh strawberry.
Complete synopsis
Inamorata is the first Novel in the "One Bloody Night Series".
They are supposed to be low key and get their nightly fix from a bag. But what if they could spend a cozy evening eating an old fashioned meal and then when they were done they would simply set the place on fire and walk away—no one would be the wiser?
That's the plan when a group of rogue Vampires has poisoned the entire security staff at a Christmas Eve party at a mall in Chicago and proceed to take over for the evening and feast upon their own kind of tradition, four house keepers, a maintenance man, a girl who lives in the mall, a lonely late night worker and a couple who have escaped to the department store where she works so their spouses wouldn't be privy to their affair and some other delightfully unexpected guests.
Everything goes exactly as they expected until the group leader Lucius Sturdevant, and second oldest Vampire to date, realizes that the woman that lives in the Comic book store that is trying to figure out how to kill him is the reincarnation of Laura, the love of his life, that died in his arms of old age, because he didn't have the heart to turn her.
Coming JULY 2012
One lucky commenter will receive a free Kindle of Glow in the Dark now and Inamorata when it comes out.
Thank you for stopping by.Cheers,Keira Kroft
You can find me at:
http://keirakroft.blogspot.com/ http://www.facebook.com/keirakroft http://www.facebook.com/pages/Keira-Kroft/171750936213533
in·am·o·ra·ta
Inamorata definition:A female lover or a woman who is loved.
Robin Renee Ray has been so kind as to let me and my Vampires visit her awesome blog today. Thank you Robin.
Laura Easter lives in and owns a comic book store in mall. Laura knows that if she wanted to get Robin into comics she would suggest Marvel Zombies, it's only sold in graphic novel at this point, but the entire Marvel universe were zombies…Spiderman, Wolverine…all of them. Laura Easter ~ Inamorata
Anna Claire is the immortal house maid to the Sturdevant clan. Over the following months she will share recipes and cleaning tips.
Blood Martini ~ Anna Claire's secret recipe
30 ml gin Dash of dry vermouth A splash of type O negative (Vampires of course) or strawberry syrup (for the human).1. Pour all ingredients into a mixing glass. 2. Stir and pour into a chilled cocktail glass. 3. Garnish with a fresh strawberry.
Complete synopsis
Inamorata is the first Novel in the "One Bloody Night Series".They are supposed to be low key and get their nightly fix from a bag. But what if they could spend a cozy evening eating an old fashioned meal and then when they were done they would simply set the place on fire and walk away—no one would be the wiser?
That's the plan when a group of rogue Vampires has poisoned the entire security staff at a Christmas Eve party at a mall in Chicago and proceed to take over for the evening and feast upon their own kind of tradition, four house keepers, a maintenance man, a girl who lives in the mall, a lonely late night worker and a couple who have escaped to the department store where she works so their spouses wouldn't be privy to their affair and some other delightfully unexpected guests.
Everything goes exactly as they expected until the group leader Lucius Sturdevant, and second oldest Vampire to date, realizes that the woman that lives in the Comic book store that is trying to figure out how to kill him is the reincarnation of Laura, the love of his life, that died in his arms of old age, because he didn't have the heart to turn her.
Coming JULY 2012
One lucky commenter will receive a free Kindle of Glow in the Dark now and Inamorata when it comes out.
Thank you for stopping by.Cheers,Keira KroftYou can find me at:
http://keirakroft.blogspot.com/ http://www.facebook.com/keirakroft http://www.facebook.com/pages/Keira-Kroft/171750936213533
March 5, 2012
Glow in the Dark day!
It's Glow in the Dark Day! Yey!
Robin has been so kind as to let me and my hot fireman visit her awesome blog today.
Single mother Corey Nolan thinks that her life has made a turn for the better, when she meets three handsome firemen from Chicago's engine 25. Until her daughter's life is threatened and someone tries to burn Corey and her family alive.
Corey is a bartender and would like to share the following drink recipe with you.
750 mls southern comfort 12 ozs lemonade concentrate (thawed) 12 ozs orange juice concentrate (thawed) 2 liters of sprite2 pints of Rainbow sherbet
Place all the ingredients in a large punch bowl. It stays cold for quite a while.
Enjoy~ Corey Nolan, Character in Glow in the Dark
Jake the fireman shares this safety tip.
Jake the fireman shares this safety tip.
Make sure all family members know what to do in the event of a fire. Draw a floor plan with at least two ways of escaping every room. Make a drawing for each floor. Dimensions do not need to be correct. Make sure the plan shows important details: stairs, hallways and windows that can be used as fire escape routes.
Test windows and doors—do they open easy enough? Are they wide enough? Or tall enough?
Choose a safe meeting place outside the house.
Practice alerting other members. It is a good idea to keep a bell and flashlight in each bedroom.
Be Safe~ Jake Gilroy, Character in Glow in the Dark
Complete synopsis
Women melt around smokin' hot Chicago fire fighter Jake Gilroy like butter in a hot pan, getting him dubbed the clichéd and rather false moniker…"the ladies man". Yet, he never had an interest in anyone, until he meets Corey. She's different and doesn't seem to be turning into a pool of goo around him. He wants her and must have her. But she is already taken so he can't have her…can he?
At first Corey Nolan is resistant to Jake's advances until a series of events proves that the love between her and her dead beat boyfriend have dissipated a long time ago. It's then that she begins to think that she and Jake just might have a chance at something real. Until—it becomes clear that someone is stalking her and killing off the people she loves and that her need for Jake may be more than desire—it may be a matter of life and death...
The first Chapter of Glow in the Dark
Prologue
The doorway stood empty. The entire corridor appeared abandoned, except for the occasional nurse scurrying by, even that was very far and few between. Please God, please.Corey Nolan surveyed her languid five-year old. One minute she had been fine—in the blink of an eye she was here, hooked up to a ventilator to help her breathe, a tube stuck up her nose, another one down her throat and a needle jammed in her tiny hand. The cuff on her arm wrapped around to check her blood pressure periodically. A gray plastic clip clamped to her tiny finger measured her oxygen levels. Please, Molly needs to wake up. She wasn't sure that imploring a higher power would work. But it didn't make one bit of difference; she was willing to try anything. Whatever it took, anything she had to do… it would be done. Corey released her hands from their prayer position, and slowly stood up from the orange plastic chair, moving her head from side to side until her neck cracked. Her muscles were tight from sitting half the night in the chilly room. The neatly molded corners and freshly waxed taupe-colored floor, with scattered orange triangles and lack of curtains or any homey touches whatsoever, gave the room an unfriendly aura. The large round clock adhered to the wall revealed that it was after nine in the morning already.Where was her mother? What could be keeping her? Added fear and anxiety was not something she wanted to deal with right now. Her heart pounded as she glanced at her daughter once again. Strength and positive thinking was what Molly needed right now. Corey couldn't afford to break down.Molly was so sweet, innocent, and trusting. Corey would have done anything to protect her. It was too late. She couldn't protect Molly just like her parents couldn't protect her. She stifled a sob. Trudging to the other side of the room, she laid a hand against the locker that passed for a closet. The cold metal beneath the gray paint gave her a chill. Images of the man that had made her life unbearable for everyone she loved swarmed in her vision. His face appeared in her head, laughing at her, tormenting her."Go away!" she screamed.Slowly, she turned toward the hall wondering if anyone had heard. They would have probably thought she was crazy. They'd take one look at her and lock her up, maybe throw the key away. If any stranger witnessed her outburst, they would not have understood what the last year had been like for her—for all her loved ones.Corey threw another glance at her daughter. Her tirade didn't breed any response from a comatose Molly, or any of the staff for that matter. Jerking the door open, she grabbed the blanket and clutched it to her chest, willing the tension away. She needed to stay sane, in control—anything to help her daughter. Composing herself and releasing her tight grip, she shook the blanket open as she walked over to Molly. She then tucked her daughter in tight and read her a story, just as she had done every night for five years. Except now, it wasn't dark outside and Molly wasn't tucked safe in her own bed. She'd been told it was good to read to patients in a coma. Halfway through The Cat in the Hat, her eyes brimmed with despair, and she couldn't make out the rest of the words. "I love you," she whispered, her voice cracking. She set the book aside and stroked Molly's hair. The usual silkiness was dull and luster-lacking. Smoothing a stray strand, she drew away and straightened. Her daughter's pale face didn't move. No twitch of her eyes, no quirk of her mouth, no flutter of her lips when she breathed out during sleep. "Stay strong, Corey." The words said out loud didn't help. She should have been telling Molly to be brave, but her own strength was trickling away with every hour Molly lay silent. Desperation formed a knot in her throat. Needing a minute away to pull herself back together, she whirled around quickly, almost knocking a vase over, but catching it before it shattered to the floor—just as her nerves threatened to do. Corey could barely put it back on the bureau in one piece, her hands trembling. Stifling the sob that threatened to erupt, she bolted to the bathroom.She stood in front of the sink and stared into the mirror. Leaning in, she pulled the taunt skin under her eyes downward. The dark circles looked terrible along with the black streak marks over her skin. If Jake could see her now, he probably wouldn't think she was all that great of a catch. Damn, how embarrassing am I with all this soot on my face, my arms, and my clothes?"Who cares right now?" she mumbled, and then marched back to her daughter's bedside. She plopped down into the chair and gently placed Molly's IV-ed hand into hers. Careful not cause her daughter any more pain, she gripped those tiny, precious fingers. "I don't know what I can do? I can tell you that I will love you—for always. You breathe a special life into the large part of my heart. If you go away, it will die." Emotion choked her. She sobbed, unable to hold it in any longer. She didn't know how much time had passed. Deep breaths were the only thing that could calm her at this point. With her free hand, she pulled out her cell phone and pressed a number on the keypad. Placing the phone to her ear, she kept her gaze on Molly; her serene expression brought another rush of tension to Corey's chest. She breathed harder, trying to control the uneasy pacing of her heart."I am trying your grandmother again. She is late as usual." Molly continued to lay unmoving. Corey bit her lip as the ringing sounded through the device. Come on, Mom, where are you? I need you. This isn't like you. Faith Nolan was still not picking up. Corey dropped the phone onto the bureau and stood up, anger surging through her. With arms stretched out, she glared at the ceiling. "Is this my punishment, you tell me? Yes, you—that thing, that being I assume is watching over us, protecting us. Ha! That day I was told by my doctor that my heart was too weak to carry Molly—" She fell to her knees. "I did it anyway. So, this is it, my penance, right?"Crawling to Molly's bedside, Corey gripped her baby's small fingers. "I won't let you take her, I won't."
Available for purchasehttp://www.decadentpublishing.com/product_info.php?cPath=1_23&products_id=260&osCsid=ruha74gkufm9fa5jc0ruk2vud0
One lucky commenter will receive a free Kindle of Glow in the Dark
Thank you for stopping by.Cheers,Keira Kroft
You can find me at:www.keirakroft.comhttp://keirakroft66.blogspot.com/http://twitter.com/#!/KeiraKroft66http://www.facebook.com/keirakrofthttp://www.facebook.com/pages/Keira-Kroft/171750936213533
Robin has been so kind as to let me and my hot fireman visit her awesome blog today.
Single mother Corey Nolan thinks that her life has made a turn for the better, when she meets three handsome firemen from Chicago's engine 25. Until her daughter's life is threatened and someone tries to burn Corey and her family alive.
Corey is a bartender and would like to share the following drink recipe with you.750 mls southern comfort 12 ozs lemonade concentrate (thawed) 12 ozs orange juice concentrate (thawed) 2 liters of sprite2 pints of Rainbow sherbet
Place all the ingredients in a large punch bowl. It stays cold for quite a while.
Enjoy~ Corey Nolan, Character in Glow in the Dark
Jake the fireman shares this safety tip.
Jake the fireman shares this safety tip.
Make sure all family members know what to do in the event of a fire. Draw a floor plan with at least two ways of escaping every room. Make a drawing for each floor. Dimensions do not need to be correct. Make sure the plan shows important details: stairs, hallways and windows that can be used as fire escape routes.
Test windows and doors—do they open easy enough? Are they wide enough? Or tall enough?
Choose a safe meeting place outside the house.
Practice alerting other members. It is a good idea to keep a bell and flashlight in each bedroom.
Be Safe~ Jake Gilroy, Character in Glow in the Dark
Complete synopsis
Women melt around smokin' hot Chicago fire fighter Jake Gilroy like butter in a hot pan, getting him dubbed the clichéd and rather false moniker…"the ladies man". Yet, he never had an interest in anyone, until he meets Corey. She's different and doesn't seem to be turning into a pool of goo around him. He wants her and must have her. But she is already taken so he can't have her…can he?
At first Corey Nolan is resistant to Jake's advances until a series of events proves that the love between her and her dead beat boyfriend have dissipated a long time ago. It's then that she begins to think that she and Jake just might have a chance at something real. Until—it becomes clear that someone is stalking her and killing off the people she loves and that her need for Jake may be more than desire—it may be a matter of life and death...
The first Chapter of Glow in the Dark
Prologue
The doorway stood empty. The entire corridor appeared abandoned, except for the occasional nurse scurrying by, even that was very far and few between. Please God, please.Corey Nolan surveyed her languid five-year old. One minute she had been fine—in the blink of an eye she was here, hooked up to a ventilator to help her breathe, a tube stuck up her nose, another one down her throat and a needle jammed in her tiny hand. The cuff on her arm wrapped around to check her blood pressure periodically. A gray plastic clip clamped to her tiny finger measured her oxygen levels. Please, Molly needs to wake up. She wasn't sure that imploring a higher power would work. But it didn't make one bit of difference; she was willing to try anything. Whatever it took, anything she had to do… it would be done. Corey released her hands from their prayer position, and slowly stood up from the orange plastic chair, moving her head from side to side until her neck cracked. Her muscles were tight from sitting half the night in the chilly room. The neatly molded corners and freshly waxed taupe-colored floor, with scattered orange triangles and lack of curtains or any homey touches whatsoever, gave the room an unfriendly aura. The large round clock adhered to the wall revealed that it was after nine in the morning already.Where was her mother? What could be keeping her? Added fear and anxiety was not something she wanted to deal with right now. Her heart pounded as she glanced at her daughter once again. Strength and positive thinking was what Molly needed right now. Corey couldn't afford to break down.Molly was so sweet, innocent, and trusting. Corey would have done anything to protect her. It was too late. She couldn't protect Molly just like her parents couldn't protect her. She stifled a sob. Trudging to the other side of the room, she laid a hand against the locker that passed for a closet. The cold metal beneath the gray paint gave her a chill. Images of the man that had made her life unbearable for everyone she loved swarmed in her vision. His face appeared in her head, laughing at her, tormenting her."Go away!" she screamed.Slowly, she turned toward the hall wondering if anyone had heard. They would have probably thought she was crazy. They'd take one look at her and lock her up, maybe throw the key away. If any stranger witnessed her outburst, they would not have understood what the last year had been like for her—for all her loved ones.Corey threw another glance at her daughter. Her tirade didn't breed any response from a comatose Molly, or any of the staff for that matter. Jerking the door open, she grabbed the blanket and clutched it to her chest, willing the tension away. She needed to stay sane, in control—anything to help her daughter. Composing herself and releasing her tight grip, she shook the blanket open as she walked over to Molly. She then tucked her daughter in tight and read her a story, just as she had done every night for five years. Except now, it wasn't dark outside and Molly wasn't tucked safe in her own bed. She'd been told it was good to read to patients in a coma. Halfway through The Cat in the Hat, her eyes brimmed with despair, and she couldn't make out the rest of the words. "I love you," she whispered, her voice cracking. She set the book aside and stroked Molly's hair. The usual silkiness was dull and luster-lacking. Smoothing a stray strand, she drew away and straightened. Her daughter's pale face didn't move. No twitch of her eyes, no quirk of her mouth, no flutter of her lips when she breathed out during sleep. "Stay strong, Corey." The words said out loud didn't help. She should have been telling Molly to be brave, but her own strength was trickling away with every hour Molly lay silent. Desperation formed a knot in her throat. Needing a minute away to pull herself back together, she whirled around quickly, almost knocking a vase over, but catching it before it shattered to the floor—just as her nerves threatened to do. Corey could barely put it back on the bureau in one piece, her hands trembling. Stifling the sob that threatened to erupt, she bolted to the bathroom.She stood in front of the sink and stared into the mirror. Leaning in, she pulled the taunt skin under her eyes downward. The dark circles looked terrible along with the black streak marks over her skin. If Jake could see her now, he probably wouldn't think she was all that great of a catch. Damn, how embarrassing am I with all this soot on my face, my arms, and my clothes?"Who cares right now?" she mumbled, and then marched back to her daughter's bedside. She plopped down into the chair and gently placed Molly's IV-ed hand into hers. Careful not cause her daughter any more pain, she gripped those tiny, precious fingers. "I don't know what I can do? I can tell you that I will love you—for always. You breathe a special life into the large part of my heart. If you go away, it will die." Emotion choked her. She sobbed, unable to hold it in any longer. She didn't know how much time had passed. Deep breaths were the only thing that could calm her at this point. With her free hand, she pulled out her cell phone and pressed a number on the keypad. Placing the phone to her ear, she kept her gaze on Molly; her serene expression brought another rush of tension to Corey's chest. She breathed harder, trying to control the uneasy pacing of her heart."I am trying your grandmother again. She is late as usual." Molly continued to lay unmoving. Corey bit her lip as the ringing sounded through the device. Come on, Mom, where are you? I need you. This isn't like you. Faith Nolan was still not picking up. Corey dropped the phone onto the bureau and stood up, anger surging through her. With arms stretched out, she glared at the ceiling. "Is this my punishment, you tell me? Yes, you—that thing, that being I assume is watching over us, protecting us. Ha! That day I was told by my doctor that my heart was too weak to carry Molly—" She fell to her knees. "I did it anyway. So, this is it, my penance, right?"Crawling to Molly's bedside, Corey gripped her baby's small fingers. "I won't let you take her, I won't."Available for purchasehttp://www.decadentpublishing.com/product_info.php?cPath=1_23&products_id=260&osCsid=ruha74gkufm9fa5jc0ruk2vud0
One lucky commenter will receive a free Kindle of Glow in the Dark
Thank you for stopping by.Cheers,Keira Kroft
You can find me at:www.keirakroft.comhttp://keirakroft66.blogspot.com/http://twitter.com/#!/KeiraKroft66http://www.facebook.com/keirakrofthttp://www.facebook.com/pages/Keira-Kroft/171750936213533
March 4, 2012
Keira Kroft Interviews Robin Renee Ray
Good morning, my good friend, Robin. How are you today? You do such an awesome job blogging and your blog looks awesome. I am gathering ideas for my own blog, would you mind answering some questions?Robin: No not at all.
Keira: Where do you get your blogging ideas from?Robin: Pretty much from everywhere and everything I do. One could call me a bit scrambled…LOL
Keira: Where did you come up with the idea to use book covers to decorate your blog?Robin: I started adding book covers before I became published and it just grew. Now I do it not only to promote my fellow authors but to dress my blog up with all of their extremely hot covers!
Keira: Where do you find such cool background ideas?Robin: I search through the blogger templates but I have a friend named, Savannah Rayne that is sharing some new site for me to look into. I really like the dark look, not so much gothic, but dark fantasy. I think it fits my style of writing. Flowers and Butterflies would not work…LOL
Keira: How long have you had a blog?Robin: Since '08 I believe…but I still don't have a clue about how to use half of it. ; )
Keira: Which do you prefer, your static website or your blog?Robin: My blog hands down. My website has had technical problems forever so I just sort of ignore it. I'll create a personal book site one day, but right now…I just dig hangin' on my blog.
Keira: What blog do you visit the most?Robin: I have two and they are every day of the work week. The Herald and Hugs and Nightmare. Keira: Tell us about your favorite Robin Renee Ray Book.Robin: It may not be good to some to have a "favorite" that we should love our babies equally…LOL But, I adore my Bloodbreeders series. It is a long five book story of the walk of one woman's life in the world of darkness. One that goes from what she thinks is love to deceit, into torture then escape. Then the need to go back for revenge. And then of course, there will come the necessity to seek others and set them free from the demented ways of the creatures that my main character was forced into becoming. It keeps going from there. My favorite thing is the first five books do not come into the now time…but I am thinking about writing a book six?
Keira: May I share my favorite Keira Kroft Book? Robin: Absolutely! I would love that.
Ever since I was a little girl I have had a thing about vampires and immortality. I am writing a trilogy about a vampire that is a product of demonic curse. Lucius Sturdevant is Spanish Royalty and can live forever. What could be the downside of that? Losing the love of your life to death is defiantly number one on Lucius's list. He hides and broods, until one day…
I will be back on Wednesday with the details of my favorite book that hasn't been released yet.
One lucky commenter will walk away with a kindle of Hot Reads Horror Collection Volume One featuring both Keira Kroft and Robin Renee Ray and two other awesome authors.
P.S. I used bugs bunny pictures because I know Robin loves him and I have always fancied myself after Elmer Fudd. Unfortunately for me the wascally wabbit always get the drop on ole, Elmer… LOL :)
Thanks for joining us today!
Keira Kroft, www.keirakroft.com www.keirakroft66.blogspot.com
