Robin Renee Ray's Blog, page 9

A Review That Rocked My World

I have said from Day 1, that this author was one of the only in this age and time that could pull off a true Alfred Hitchcock read...freaking people out, myself included, without blood, gut or gore...None! Nothing in the way that my style of horror reads drives the minds of the just demented..LOL One has to be a little on the abby-normal side to read the writings of any horror/thriller author. ; ) Savannah Rayne put the crystal spin on pulling the chills up your spine in both of her short, but very visual and well written stories....though this review, which is given to The Horror Collection says it all.



My main reason for sharing it on my blog is to show my dear friend Savannah Rayne who is always telling me silly things like, "I know I'll never be as good as you guys..." and crazy stuff like that, that she is wrong... I absolutely cannot stand it when she says that because she ROCKS!!!!! LOL



Oh, Deer...It got me...Nothing gets the Horror Queen as one friend called me. ; ) This women did because she pulled off something I hadn't seen or read since I picked up my last Alfred Hitchcock or Stephen King...


5 Star Amazon
By Grampy
Review:

The short stories included in this volume vary considerably in subject matter, but they all are generally good. I especially liked "Oh, Deer"; that's got to be one of the most interesting/different/gut-churning shorts I've read in a long while. "Criminal Portrait" and "After Hours" also were pretty creepy stories. I personally didn't care all that much for "Bad Moon Rising Over Oz", but I can see how others might find it entertaining... it's definitely no bed-time story for the kiddies!

..................................................................................................................................

Everything this person said about all of our reads was wonderful....I have to agree that Bad Moon is no bed time stroy for kiddies and very much up those alley who love the twisted. *Hand in Air* LOL

BUT...I hope that this shows Ms. Savannah Rayne how wonderful she truly is...she just kicked it out of the park...and Grampy said the same thing I did...Only I added the great late Alfred my Hero so I know...I do, I've been a horror freak since 4 years in age. Parents in the front seat of our old 57 Chev. while my borther and I are supposed to be asleep in the back seat...yeah, he slept, I watched some sick diner horror flick where they took parts from those who stopped by for fries and a shake...and what I can remember, sewed them back up and let them wake up not knowing what the hell happened??? Long time ago..LOL But I truly do remember those gory parts, warped pretty much from day one, telling stories after of bears that stomped the guts out of a rabbit..Lmbo My mom still tells people I used to tell tales as such. ; )

Okay, I will let you enjoy the blurb from this wicked little read and I will leave you an Amazon link where you can snag it for $2.99 as a single for your Kindle...Talk about a book that your mom will love reading .... My mom is 76 and Oh, Deer, When It Leaves, Bad Moon Rising Over Oz...she Loved...she didn't get through mine in the collection and said Criminal Portrait was a brow raiser..LOL OKAY...She said I was to graphic and very visual..LMAO She loves my mild reads but hates my freaky gory work, ; )

Blurb: Oh, Deer

Jacob Ellis and his wife Donna live in the north woods of Wisconsin. Like most young couples, they have hobbies they enjoy. Jacob likes the outdoors, choosing four-wheeling and hunting as his forms of relaxation. Donna loves cooking, but her true passion is working in her flower garden.

That is until her labor of love becomes nothing more than a colorful, tasty treat for the white-tailed deer, who share their surroundings.

One night the pair experience more than the typical four legged visitor to their yard. The evening sets the path for Jacob’s decision to go against nature. After hearing a legend passed down through generations of the Chippewa Indian’s, Jacob must now decide if it’s just a myth or a lesson in the balance of law and justice— between people and nature.

http://www.amazon.com/Oh-Deer-ebook/dp/B007AJ91JA/ref=pd_rhf_dp_p_t_3



Blurb:
Playing in the leaves is something all children do; twins Steven and K.C. are no different. One autumn evening, the five year olds ask to go out to play until dinner is ready. What happens that night will haunt Steven for the next twenty years
.
Now with a daughter of his own, Steven is left to struggle with the painful, guilt ridden choice of keeping his daughter safe or help the brother he lost, long ago, the one person Steven always thought he would do anything to have back.

This tale solidifies the old adage, “be careful what you wish for…”

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000962909070

http://savannahrayne.blogspot.com

http://www.amazon.com/Savannah-Rayne/e/B006SA5GA0/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1

Have a great day all...Keep your eyes on this one, she has more on the way that you know I will be sharing!!!

Big Hugs~<3

The Mafia Hijacks Robin's blog for the day!

Help! The Conti’s have kidnapped Keira and hijacked Robin’s blog to tell you about their stories coming soon to Hellfire Publishing. However, they have promised succulent pasta.
I am C.J. Conti and here is my story…
It all starts the day that my mother went to the feds…
Synopsis for Death’s Reject.
Out of fear for her husband’s life, the wife of Mafia Don Carlo Conti seeks the aid of federal protection for her husband. But when she realizes it’s no more than a trap set by the FBI to turn her against her husband…it’s already too late. 
Carlo Conti faced with no other choice than to murder the love of his life or disappear. He packs up his family and flees to the beautiful country of New Zealand. After realizing that the “family” he left behind in Chicago is being wiped out in brutal mob war, he has another tough choice to make…
 If he stays he may lose it all. But if he goes back, he will lose the only love he has ever known…his wife.
Keira was last seen holding this sign...









Just a tease.

“No, no, no!” Donald Chesterton begged.“Please stopNo, Don’t.” As if his mantra was really going to stop the madman that dragged him from his bed where he lay with his wife and brought him out at nearly midnight in nothing but a t-shirt and striped boxers and tossed him the trunk of his car. He knew no one would come to help him. His wife of Italian descent had warned him against conducting business with Carlo Conti and she knew better than to call the police. So it wasn’t really necessary for Bubba Manetto to say he would carve their daughters eyes out if she did.“Where is my money?” Carlo wailed as he smacked the man tied up in the chair with the back of his right hand, the one with the big gold ring with the first initial of his family name etched in the middle of a black stone. Carlo Conti hit his delinquent client so many times that his eyes billowed to a black and purple shine and his clearly broken nose surged blood. “I keep telling you, I don’t have it.” He bravely barked, willing to give anything to be able to lift his hands up to protect his face. He knew if he received one more crack, his jaw would finally give way and he would no longer be able to beg for mercy.One of the two men dressed in the finely tailored black suits that occupied the back of the room, edged forward.Why did it have to be the big one? Donald thought. Bubba Manetto was over six and half feet tall and was known for his sadism. He once sliced a man’s ear completely off, simply because he asked Bubba to repeat himself. He picked up the steel pliers off the oversized wooden desk and he signaled to the Milo Anucci to hold Donald’s head back. “Hold him tight, I hate when they squirm.” Bubba ordered.Carlo poured himself a cup of freshly brewed Java in a mug that said world’s best dad. He took a sip of the scalding beverage and gestured to Milo to step out of the way and he tossed the rest of the contents of the mug all over Donald’s face. He squealed in agony and flipped opened his eyes to see bubba still coming toward him with the pliers still gripped in his hand with a Cheshire grin splashed across his pocked face.“Wait!Stop” he panted. “I really don’t have the money. But-But, maybe we can make a deal; I can work for you and earn it.” Hs stuttered.Carl took his index finger and traced the contours of his dark chiseled jaw. He had olive oil skin and neatly coifed hair. He was not a tall man. But he was well built and his reputation was the stuff that legends were made of. Some say he is the reincarnation of Lucky Luciano. Carlo was born many years after the death of Luciano. But Carlo was born in Lercara Friddi, Sicily the same place were Lucky was born Salvatore Lucania and they had similar facial features and the exact temperament and insatiable drive for power. He tilted his head in a yes motion. “Okay Bubba you heard the man. He is willing to work it off, so untie him.”Bubba grumbled like a spoiled child having to put down his favorite toy. “Okay Boss.” His lips shifted downward.I will never bet on a pony again as long as live. I won’t even go near a racetrack. Donald thought as he stretched. He felt stiff, like a corpse from being tied up all night and he was chilled to the bone from being nearly naked in the drafty warehouse all night.It hurt to talk otherwise he was feeling numb at this point from enduring so much a pain for so long.“I am all yours, Don Conti.” He said as he fell to his knees sobbing and thanking Carlo for sparing his life. Carlo pulled Donald Chesterton to his feet. “Fuhgeddaboudit! That is not necessary, you’re gonna work very hard.” Carlo playfully patted the side of Donald’s face. He touched him lightly, but still fresh from his beating, the soft pat felt like fire. Just wait here a second and Milo will take you home to clean up and get some breakfast. “Oh, Thank you” Donald replied feeling like he could breathe again, the worst night of his life was over.Carlo conferred with Bubba and stepped over to the side while Bubba pulled a silver plated 357 magnum that was loaded with hollow point bullets from his holster that was harnessed on his side. Donald barely had a chance to turn his head away before his body and his brains hit the warehouse floor separately. “Dice him up and toss him in different parts of Lake Michigan.” Carlo instructed. Bubba bagged up the body in a plastic sheet. While Milo mopped up the pool of blood.
CJ says...buy it, or else!
Constance would like to share her usual Tuesday night meal.

My Favorite Bruschetta Recipe
I've tried them all, and this is my favorite Bruschetta recipe. Seeding the tomatoes beforehand makes the bruschetta less watery and the flavors more concentrated. A delicious beginning to your Italian dinner party. Serves 4
Ingredients:
1 1/2 lbs. ripe Roma tomatoes
2 tbsp. finely chopped red onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 c. chopped fresh basil
2 tsp. red wine vinegar (balsamic is also nice)
3 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
Salt and Pepper
Parmesan shavings
Toasted crusty breadInstructions: Cut tomatoes in half, squeeze out seeds and excess juice. Dice, place in bowl. Add onion, garlic, basil, vinegar, salt and pepper (to taste), and olive oil. Let sit at room temperature 1 hour. Brush toasted bread lightly with olive oil. Spoon tomato mixture over bread, sprinkle with shaved Parmesan cheese. Devour. Baked Ziti with Sausage
Ingredients:
1 large onion, diced
6 cloves garlic, minced
1.5 lbs spicy Italian sausage, casings removed, crumbled
salt and pepper
1/4 c. dry red wine
1 (35 oz.) can chopped tomatoes, with juice
4 tomatoes, diced
1/4 c. chopped fresh oregano (or 2 tbsp, dried)
1 c. ricotta cheese
3/4 to 1 c. grated parmesan cheese
1/3 c. flat leaf parsley, chopped
1 lb. dry ziti pasta, cooked to al dente
1/2 to 1 pound mozzarella cheese, diced
olive oilInstructions: Heat oven to 425 F. In large skillet, heat 2 tbsp of olive oil over medium. Saute onion in oil til soft, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and sausage, sauté til sausage is browned. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Drain fat, return to heat. Add red wine, allow to boil mostly away. Add tomatoes with juice, simmer about 10 minutes, til sauce is slightly thickened. Add oregano. Taste to correct seasonings. In a bowl, combine ricotta, half the parmesan, and the parsley. Season with salt and pepper. Combine drained, cooked pasta with ricotta mixture. Add sausage and sauce. Mix. Add mozzarella. Pour into large, shallow, greased baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining parmesan. Bake uncovered til bubby and lightly browned, about 20 minutes. Serve. (Serves 4-6)

Awesome & Easy Eggless Tiramisu
Ingredients:
1 c. whipping cream, whipped til stiff peaks form
8 oz Marscapone cheese, softened
1/2 c. powdered sugar
2 tbsp dark rum (añejo works wonderfully)
1 pkg (3 oz) ladyfingers (approx. 12)
1/2 c. cold espresso
2 tsp cocoa
Instructions. Beat cheese and powdered sugar with electric mixer on medium speed til smooth. Beat in rum on low. Fold whipped cream into cheese mixture just til blended. Split each ladyfinger horizontally in half. Arrange half in the bottom of an ungreased 8-inch square pan. Drizzle with 1/4 cup of espresso. Spread with half of cheese mixture. Repeat. Sprinkle cocoa over. Cover, refrigerate 4 hours, til firm. An Italian dinner party staple. (Serves 9)   Recipes provided by
http://www.divinedinnerparty.com/    Don't forget the wine. A Nice Merlot would be perfect.

Are Things Ever in Order?

It's Sunday, a little after noon and this is the first time I have come close to doing anything in the way of work in days. Yep, blogging can be a job. My list of work is long and unwanted. ; )  And I just can't figure out where I wanna start?


Do I go play with my Bloodbreeders, as they get ready to break down book five. The end of the main characters look back on the past of her first few years in the dark world that so many see as grand and crave its allure.


Hummm, I do always save my time with the Bloodbreeders for when I am able to visit the little town of Burkett...where Renee's reality of what she was, hit! Maybe I will have some fun with my Zombies instead. I have two projects running with them and on the same premise, more or less. Both manuscript and script are at the point where the gore is getting good and writing is like drinking water..LOL I love creating gore???? ; )



I could always jump into Wings and Passion...or then again add a few pages in After Hours Delight? Hard to make up my mind when there are so many worlds to step into.



Sister's of Death is a story that I started working on shortly after I began writing..LOL Fire and Brim are super cool but very ignorant to the ways of the green grass and blue sky world. Their will was far stronger than Hell could hold and freedom from their brother, The Grim Reaper, was all they could see. Yep, I really need to finish this little novella....and I want to add it with three other short reads of mine and do a little collection.


The Director sets in wait along side When the Sun Sets, one being a thriller and the other a paranormal vampire western. I know, what the hell was I thinking..LOL I do need to take some time and just get all of the work that is halfway, to some almost complete...finished. The Night the Earth Shook is one I recently began, well, as in a year ago and I love the read. Twin vampire brothers trapped in a mountain cave until the earth shook...female frees one and both fall in love with her. It's more than half complete but my brain keeps finding a need to start another read???



BUT, for now I guess I will write the conclusion to the Curse of the Four Leaf Clover...a story I am doing for a dear friend's blog in parts. One that has taken on a life of its own and just keeps growing..LOL I am so glad Savannah Rayne more than knows how my brain works. ; )


Have a wonderful evening....Big Hugs~

Supporting Each Other

Hi all...I just wanted to say 'Thank you' to all my dear and new friends that shared and posted about my Bloodbreeder special that went on this last week. I had thought several of my fellow authors, close buddies and people that I have just started working with would have been the first to share my excitement. BUT, I could not have been more wrong. To be honest, I think I may have found a handful that posted my special on thier sites...and I am grateful for that. Even the one time touch my heart. However, it was all the new followers and new friends that went out on a limb for me and shared to their friends and it took Bloodbreeders one, down into the #5 Best-Sellers list in Horror on Amazon.

How does one say thank you for sharing when they are just figuring out who some of these people are? I wasn't shocked when I didn't see my special on the pages that I just knew it would be on. But I was blown away when I kept seeing it on people's pages who are not even on my list on any of my sites. That truly rocked my world and I am overly grateful to each and everyone of these people and their pages. My only hope is that I will be able to pay them back with supporting them in the same fashion when I get the chance.

I guess what I am saying is that sharing your fellow author is HUGE and that we should all be doing it. However, some can post for all and never get what they hope for in return??? Do we give up and stop showing that support....absolutely not....I say a person should just go out and start giving their time where it is most needed. If someone is willing to add your business to thier sites, then those are the ones that you should put your time into. AND...That is the very thing that this author is going to start doing.

So once again....THANK YOU! To all who showed me their amazing support when you had no idea who I was. Much love to those who know me well.....Many Blessings to you all with Great Big Hugs~<3

P.S. We get what we give out. Jeanette Miller

Time to get back to work~

I had the best time giving away book one in my Bloodbreeders series this past week. There are no words for how I feel about the new peeps that either followed my blog or one of my other sites since this special began...and are now what I like to call members of the BB crew. ; )  If ever the crew gets to where we can...I will open a member type site just for Bloodbreeders. Savannah Rayne gave me that idea. ; )

Anyway...I have a book to complete and season two to write and I still have to complete two short reads. *Ugh* I so forgot about those..LOL Today starts my goal of getting it all done and out of the way. ~We shall see how well that goes~ ; )

Had to say 'Thank You' to all who picked up my Bloodbreeders books, one or two. Great big hugs to you all for doing that and I truly hope you enjoy my dark fantasy. And of course, The new kids on the block! ; )

Have a great day all...I am off somewhere pretending to get some work done..LOL

Big Hugs~<3

Bloodbreeders Living in Darkness....FREE...for 5 days!!!!

What better way to say Happy Easter than for me to give away my favorite book...Bloodbreeders: Living in Darkness is the first book in the series and you can now get it for FREE from Amazon.

I like to think of my characters as the new kids on the block in the Vampire world. They don't fly nor turn to mist. They do fry in the sun and they need blood to survive....Bloodbreeders are like Vampires...but not Vampires. You'll get it after you get deeper into the series and I hope you will give more of the series a try after you read book one.

The first five books in my series is the first few years in the walk of darkness of the main female character. And the first 5 books are just one long ruuning novel split up into five.

I do hope you enjoy....Please grab it while you can!!!


http://www.amazon.com/Living-in-Darkness-Bloodbreeders-ebook/dp/B0052PK0AI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1333807070&sr=8-1

Hey what ya waitin' on....It's only FREE for 5 days!!! See ya later Doc...and Happy Easter from all we Bunnies~

Have a great day with Big Hugs~<3

(Three lucky commenters will win book two in the Bloodbreeders series....just let me know you picked up book one and you are in the drawing!!!)

Good Friday all....

You can pick up my paranormal vampire/dark fantasy intrigue on Amazon for the very low price of FREE for the next 5 days.  It is a fast pace American/Scottish, love at first site story that quickly turns into another of my twisted reads mixed... with my love of graphic horror..LOL And yep, my main male character has a Scott slang that will make you work to understand what he's saying. ; ) Tis why I love him so much....Big Hugs and snag it while you can!!!  Dark Knight of the Skye  
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00700XEZQ/ref=cm_sw_r_fa_dp_VxWFpb0TR94X9
Better run over and snag it while you can....it won't be FREE for long!!!
Have a great...Big Hugs~<3 

In Honor Of Zombie Lovers Around the World

Most know that I have a soon to be released Zombie book and that I am writing a screenwrite about Zombies. SO....I am doing a little something fun today with Easter Bunnies that all Zombie Freaks will Love!!!

Mind you...I mean no disrespect to the Holiday of Easter in no way shape or form! Just saying...

Well, it does look a bit Zombie-lishous..LOL


LOL...I think this one speaks for itself!!!


Looks like Zombie Bunny has a new Zombie friend coming out of the Zombie Egg..LOL


Can you pick the egg placed in with the other eggs by the Zombie Bunny???

My grands would not be as calm as this little kid...LOL NO WAY!!!!

Yep!!! This is more like what my little grands would be doing. Not to mention my cats..LOL


WOOOOOOO....I swear I had nothing to do with this blog. I may be a wotten wabbit....but I ain't that wotten. ; ) I need a carrot...WHERE's MY CARROT???

Have a Zombie-lishous Happy Easter!  Big Hugs~<3

Celebrating Easter

What Christian's celebrate on Easter

On Easter Sunday, Christians celebrate the resurrection of the Lord, Jesus Christ. It is typically the most well-attended Sunday service of the year for Christian churches.

Christians believe, according to Scripture, that Jesus came back to life, or was raised from the dead, three days after his death on the cross. As part of the Easter season, the death of Jesus Christ by crucifixion is commemorated on Good Friday, always the Friday just before Easter. Through his death, burial, and resurrection, Jesus paid the penalty for sin, thus purchasing for all who believe in him, eternal life in Christ Jesus.


Easter SeasonIn Western Christianity, Easter marks the end of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline in preparation for Easter. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Easter Sunday. Eastern Orthodox churches observe Lent or Great Lent, during the 6 weeks or 40 days preceding Palm Sunday with fasting continuing during the Holy Week of Easter. Lent for Eastern Orthodox churches begins on Monday and Ash Wednesday is not observed.

Because of Easter's pagan origins, and also because of the commercialization of Easter, many Christian churches choose to refer to the holiday as Resurrection Day.


Easter in the BibleThe biblical account of Jesus' death on the cross, or crucifixion, his burial and his resurrection, or raising from the dead, can be found in the following passages of Scripture: Matthew 27:27-28:8; Mark 15:16-16:19; Luke 23:26-24:35; and John 19:16-20:30.


This may not be everyone's belief but I am a true believer and very proud of that fact! And I am also proud that I have the freedom to say so on my own blog and no one can tell me different~

No...I do not go to Church on Sunday like my beautiful elderly mother along with my wonderful dad...but I am a member of the Church of Christ none the less...and love my Lord no matter!


Yep, that's a little Easter info for ya! Sure is a lot of stuff about this Holiday to find and enjoy...


Have a great day...Big Hugs~<3

A Little Easter History

The Date of Easter

Prior to A.D. 325, Easter was variously celebrated on different days of the week, including Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. In that year, the Council of Nicaea was convened by Emperor Constantine. It issued the Easter Rule which states that Easter shall be celebrated on the first Sunday that occurs after the first full moon on or after the vernal equinox. However, a caveat must be introduced here. The "full moon" in the rule is the ecclesiastical full moon, which is defined as the fourteenth day of a tabular lunation, where day 1 corresponds to the ecclesiastical New Moon. It does not always occur on the same date as the astronomical full moon. The ecclesiastical "vernal equinox" is always on March 21. Therefore, Easter must be celebrated on a Sunday between the dates of March 22 and April 25.

The Easter Bunny is not a modern invention. The symbol originated with the pagan festival of Eastre. The goddess, Eastre, was worshipped by the Anglo-Saxons through her earthly symbol, the rabbit. The Easter bunny has its origin in pre-Christian fertility lore. The Hare and the Rabbit were the most fertile animals known and they served as symbols of the new life during the spring season.The Germans brought the symbol of the Easter rabbit to America. The bunny as an Easter symbol seems to have it's origins in Germany, where it was first mentioned in German writings in the 1500s. The first edible Easter bunnies were made in Germany during the early 1800s. The first bunnies were not made of chocolate; they were made of pastry and sugar.It was widely ignored by other Christians until shortly after the Civil War. In fact, Easter by its self was not widely celebrated in America until after that time.
As I mentioned the Easter bunny was introduced to American folklore by the German settlers who arrived in the Pennsylvania Dutch country during the 1700s. The arrival of the "Oschter Haws" was considered "childhood's greatest pleasure" next to a visit from Christ-Kindel on Christmas Eve. The children believed that if they were good the "Oschter Haws" would lay a nest of colored eggs.
The children would build their nest in a secluded place in the home, the barn or the garden. Boys would use their caps and girls their bonnets to make the nests. The use of elaborate Easter baskets would come later as the tradition of the Easter bunny spread .

From the earliest times, the egg was a symbol of rebirth in most cultures. Eggs were often wrapped in gold leaf or, if you were a peasant, colored brightly by boiling them with the leaves or petals of certain flowers.
German settlers believed a white hare would leave brightly colored eggs for all good children on Easter morning. Early American children built nests of leaves and sticks in their gardens for the Easter Hare to fill with colored eggs. By the 19th century in America, the Easter Hare had become the Easter Bunny delighting children with baskets of eggs, chocolates, candy chicks, jelly beans and other gifts on Easter morning.


That's it for now, folks! I have to go and grab a carrot and get to work~
Have a great day and Big Hugs~