Crystal Green's Blog, page 19

Sneak Peek of THE SHE CODE!

Here's a sneak peek comic panel from THE SHE CODE! Watch for the digital release of my new adult/chick lit/geek lit hybrid in August. It tells the story of Mandy Halsey, a 22-year-old wannabe penciler at the beginning of the 2000s. Billy Martinez did the original added artwork--including this panel!

BTW, there'll also be some connected SHE CODE short stories and novellas, so I'll be telling you about those, too, as we get closer to their releases. :)

New Blaze out today!

I haven't had a Blaze out for about a year and a half, and today's the day my newest one hits the shelves!



You can buy here!

It’s a bridal basket auction! Bachelors, bid now and win a night you’ll never forget... Basket number 1: “Around the Girl in 80 Ways”
Forget baked goods and innocent picnics—Margot Walker’s “anonymous” basket is all about risqué and reward! Eighty pieces of paper are tucked inside, each listing a different destination. And each destination is an erotic promise...

Of course, you’ll be betting against cowboy Clint Barrows (whom the ladies consider to be walking sex in a Stetson). Clint knows Margot is the one who got away, and he’s determined to find out exactly what’s in her basket...and meet each naughty adventure with one of his own!
The sequel, MYSTERY DATE, will be out in September. : )

Blogging over at Jaunty Quills! Giveaway!

I'm over at www.jauntyquills.com today, blogging about soap operas and how they fit in with writing category continuity books like my latest Fortunes of Texas (A CHANGE OF FORTUNE). There's a giveaway, too, so come on over!

Friday dinners

Every Friday (except when I'm traveling or on heavy deadline), I like to work a half-day so I can pretend I'm a good cook and try a new recipe out in the kitchen.

I was thinking that I'd start sharing my Friday dinner treat with you! (Yeah, we'll see how many Fridays this lasts. But bear with me for now? And even though it's Wednesday, let's do this!)

Last Friday I made an easy dish that was very special to me: Shrimp Reuben Po' Boy.

A little background... I love New Orleans. I mean it--love, love, love. I was lucky enough to visit last year, and we ate a meal at Antoine's, where they served this Po' Boy. What I have in the recipe below is probably my own take on the sandwich since I didn't get the recipe from Antoine's. Also, I kind of like the taste of breaded and fried shrimp better than regular shrimp. I paired it with a Riesling to balance the sauerkraut and served it with a side of homemade kale chips, which I'll include below, too.

Shrimp Reuben Po' Boy

fresh submarine roll or similar (the bread makes the sandwich!)
Remoulade sauce (recommended: Arnaud's sauce, available online and in some stores)
enough shrimp to cover your roll
Swiss cheese (I use 3 slices)
enough sauerkraut to cover the roll (to taste)

Slather the bottom of the halved roll with Remoulade sauce. Pile on the shrimp, sauerkraut, and Swiss cheese, then heat in microwave until the cheese melts.

Get ready for pure yumminess.


kale chips

Heat oven to 200 degrees. Tear kale into pieces and lay it out over a cookie sheet. Drizzle olive oil over the pieces, then sprinkle sea salt to taste. Put in oven for 10 minutes. Take out, turn over leaves, and put in for another 10 minutes until crisp. (Watch the amount of oil you put on--you don't want soggy leaves. Crispy is good!)

Have fun!

First Ghost for Hire cover!

This is the first in my new Ghost for Hire series from Roc! Jensen Murphy is, yes, a ghost, and she's on the trail of a could-be murderer. Is he guilty? Or is she "booing" the wrong man into a confession?

February, 2014, is the release date!

Here's the full back blurb:


You know the theory that ghosts are energy trapped when someone dies violently? It’s true. I know it for a fact...
My name is Jensen Murphy, and thirty years ago I was just an ordinary Californiagirl. I had friends, family, a guy who might be The One. Ordinary—until I became a statistic, one of the unsolved murders of the year. Afterwards, I didn’t go anywhere in pursuit of any bright light—I stayed under the oak tree where my body was found, and relived my death, over an over. So when a psychic named Amanda Lee Minter pulled me out of that loop into the real world, I was very grateful.
So I’m now a ghost-at-large—rescued by Amanda (I found out) to be a supernatural snoop.  I’m helping her uncover a killer (not mine—she promises me we’ll get to that) which should be easy for a spirit.  Except that I’ve found out that even ghosts have enemies, human—and otherwise…


I've turned in the second book and am awaiting a date for that one, too. :)

Hope you like!

It's almost time for the Romantic Times convention! This ...

It's almost time for the Romantic Times convention! This year, it's in Kansas City, and if you're going to be there, I hope you get to come to one of my panels and you say hi. :)

Wed. 2:30 - 3:30 (as Crystal Green) Harlequin Soiree

Thurs. 1:30 - 2:30 (as Crystal Green) What You Need to Know About Writing Category Romance

Fri. 3:45 - 4:45 (as Chris Marie Green/Christine Cody) Paranormal Paramour: Can You Bring Him Home to Mother?

For more on RT, go to http://www.rtconvention.com/. See you there!

Hottttt New Blaze Cover!

That's what I'm talking about. Check out the bathtub antics in July!

Reading for my Who's Your Baddy workshop

If you were in my Who's Your Baddy workshop today, here's the source page....


The Sociopath Next Door by Martha StoutMindhunter by John Douglas and Mark OlshakerThe Gift of Fear by Gavin de Becker
Recommended reading beyond the core books:The Killing Joke, written by Alan MooreCrime Classification Manual (a detailed inventory of criminal personalities by John Douglas, etc.) PDF online at http://murders.ru/Classific.pdf


Thanks for being there, and good luck with your baddies!

Song List for Pied Piping the Muse workshop

If you've come here to access the playlist I referred to during the California Dreamin' conference "Pied Piping the Muse" book camp workshop, you're in the right place!  Here 'tis:


Songs used during workshop:

"Charging Fort Wagner" from the Glory soundtrack by James Horner

“Main Theme” from the Sleepy Hollow soundtrack by Danny Elfman
“Main Title” from Rain Man by Hans Zimmer
(if time allowed)“Ebudae” by Enya (setting)
 “The Yearning/Sirens Suite” from the Sirens soundtrack by Rachel Portman (character)
 Suggested Song/CD List
“La Resa Dei Conti” by Ennio Morricone from the For a Fistful of Dollars soundtrack (western epic, action)
Batman soundtrack by Danny Elfman (dark hero, action)
“Carmina Burana” by Orff (epic action/battle, victory)
“Imperial March” remix by Rage Against the Machine (futuristic, dark, gritty, adventure)
 “An Epitaph to War” (melancholy, epic hero) by James Horner from the Glory soundtrack
“Spanish Guitar” by Bo Diddley (new-wave Western setting or hero)
“Main Title” from Game of Thrones (epic adventure) by Ramin Djawadi
“The Raiders’ March” (epic hero) and “Truck Chase”? (action/chase, adventure) by John Williams from the Raiders of the Lost Ark soundtrack
“Ode to Joy” choral by Ludwig Von Beethoven
“Anakin’s Theme” by John Williams from the Star Wars, Episode I: The Phantom Menace soundtrack
“Main Theme” from A Dangerous Mind soundtrack (inspirational, Ivy-league setting, a bit eerie)
“Main Title” by Danny Elfman from the Sleepy Hollow soundtrack (horror, menace, scary chase)
“Main Theme” by John Williams from the Schindler’s List soundtrack (major heartstring plucking)
“Hoedown” by Aaron Copeland (western imagery)
“Main Theme” from the How the West Was Won soundtrack (epic western, cowboy hero)
“Main Theme” from the Silverado soundtrack (western imagery)
“Exotica” (mysterious, sensual, modern) and “Something Hidden” (exotic, mysterious, sensual, tragic)   from the Exotica soundtrack by Mychael Danna

 "Main Theme” from The Natural soundtrack (mid-western imagery, Americana)
“Main Theme” by Hans Zimmer from the Crimson Tide soundtrack (meltingly gorgeous hero, action/adventure)
“Introduction (Titles)” by Danny Elfman from the Edward Scissorhands soundtrack
“The Imperial March” (epic black moment, menace) from The Empire Strikes Back soundtrack by John Williams
 “You’re So Cool” by Hans Zimmer from the True Romance soundtrack (whimsical romance, innocence)
“Flight to Neverland” by John Williams from the Hook soundtrack (whimsy, innocence, adventure)
Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring and Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and Lord of the Rings: Return of the King by Howard Shore (epic action/battles, fantasy)
“Early 18th Century Gypsy Music” by Bubak and Hungaricus found on the Amadeus soundtrack (wild bohemian celebration)
 “Han Solo and the Princess” (epic romance) from The Empire Strikes Back soundtrack by John Williams
“Main Theme” by John Williams from the Born on the Fourth of July soundtrack (tragic hero, sadness, heartbreaking reflections)
“March Past of the Kitchen Utensils” (whimsy) from the Sirens soundtrack by Rachel Portman
“The Chairman’s Waltz” (romantic, tragic, flowing) from the Memoirs of a Geisha soundtrack by John Williams
“Libra Me” by Elliot Goldenthal from the Interview with the Vampire soundtrack (melancholy, horror, vampire, gothic)
“Cursum Perficio” by Enya from Watermark (action/battle, fantasy)
“Dracula – The Beginning” and “Vampire Hunters”  (menace, horror, vampire) and “The Brides” (dark seduction, romantic horror, vampire) by Wojciech Kilar from the Bram Stoker’s Dracula soundtrack
“Main Title” (epic hero, romance, adventure) and “Promentory” (romance, adventure) by Trevor Jones and Randy Edelman from The Last of the Mohicans soundtrack
“Harvest” (melancholy mid-west) and “Days of Heaven” (melancholy mid-west) by Ennio Morricone from the Days of Heaven soundtrack
“Aquarium” by Camille Saint-Saens (atmosphere, dreamy, sensual yet innocent)
“Duel of the Fates” by John Williams from the Star Wars, Episode I: The Phantom Menace soundtrack (epic action/battle)
All of “Requiem, K. 626” by Mozart found on the Amadeus soundtrack (sublime melancholy, action/adventure dark moment, dark forces, aftermath of a mentor’s death)
“Love Theme” by John Williams from the Star Wars, Episode II: Attack of the Clones soundtrack (epic romance)
“Progeny/The Wheat” (exotic epic setting), “The Battle” (epic action/battle, epic hero), “Barbarian Horde” (epic action/battle, epic hero) by Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerrard from the Gladiator soundtrack
“Humming Chorus” by Puccini from Madama Butterfly (romance, melancholy)
“Main Title” by Jerry Goldsmith from the Basic Instinct soundtrack (classy, mystery, suspense)
“Main Title” by Ennio Morricone from TheGood, the Bad, and the Ugly soundtrack (mysterious/dark hero, western setting)
“Forrest Gump Suite” by Alan Silvestri from the Forrest Gump soundtrack (mid-western setting, innocence)
“Main Title” (gentle Irish pluck, sweeping romance, inspirational) and “Tryouts” (inspirational action) by Jerry Goldsmith from the Rudy soundtrack
“Overture” by Maurice Jarre from the Lawrence of Arabia soundtrack (epic exotic setting, sweeping romance, epic hero, sheik stories)
“Main Title” by James Horner from the Willow soundtrack (swashbuckling action/chase, fantasy, romance)
“Main Theme” by Jerry Goldsmith from the Patton soundtrack (epic military hero)
“Paranoia Prima” by Ennio Morricone from the Grind House/Death Proof soundtrack (eerie, dangerous, bad-ass)
Black Hawk Down soundtrack by Hans Zimmer (intense action/ battle, exotic setting, mournful, soulful farewell)
The Last Samurai soundtrack by Lost Summer (hero, epic battles, eastern influence)
The Passion of the Christ soundtrack by John Debney and Mel Gibson (hero, inspirational, exotic locale)
The Aviator soundtrack by Howard Shore (action, Hollywood/Coconut Grove vibes)
Sideways by Rolfe Kent (jazz, lounge-lizard groove)
Music by Tangerine Dream in general (for instance, Risky Business)  (dreamy, modern, exotic, futuristic)
Music by Vangelis in general (for instance, Chariots of Fire, Mutiny on the Bounty, Alexander)  (dreamy, exotic)
1492: Conquest of Paradise soundtrack by Vangelis (dreamy, inspirational, seafaring)
Blade Runner soundtrack by Vangelis (dreamy, futuristic, sexy, noir, action)
Music by Brian Eno (for instance, Music for Films, More Music for Films)   (dreamy, modern, exotic, futuristic)
King Arthur soundtrack by Hans Zimmer (hero, epic battles, knights…)
The Ring/The Ring 2 soundtracks by Hans Zimmer (eerie, action and suspense)
Lemony Snicket’s: A Series of Unfortunate Events soundtrack by Thomas Newman (menacing, playful darkness)
First Knight soundtrack by Jerry Goldsmith (romance, knights…, heroic)
Congo soundtrack by Jerry Goldsmith (Africa, exotic, adventure, suspense)
Van Helsing soundtrack by Alan Silvestri (adventure, monsters, menace)
Finding Neverland soundtrack by Nick Ingman (gentle, elegant, old fashioned, tragic)
Hero soundtrack by Tan Dun, Itzhak Perlman, Kodo (heroic, epic battles, eastern influence)
Troy soundtrack (heroic, epic battles, exotic locale, tragic)
The Merchant of Venice soundtrack, David Juritz, leader (historical – Europe, elegant, tragic)
“Main Title” by Hans Zimmer from the Rain Main soundtrack (sexy, exotic, urbane)


 Pied-Piping the Muse Notes
The Mozart Effect – This term is based on studies done in the 1950’s with         children who had speech and communication disorders. 
“Rules” for meditation exercise:
1.      Have a partner select music that will focus on your purpose.  (For example—tell her that you’re working on a werewolf story and you’d like it to be seductive, suspenseful, and gothic in tone.)  Partner keeps the title(s) a secret so you can avoid any preconceptions about what you’re going to hear.2.      Listen to song more than once. a. First time – absorb the music by just listening. 
b. Second time – record your impressions in a variety of ways: word pictures (phrases, sentences, words, details), sketches.  Don’t break the flow of your writing!!!
c. Third time – interpret your impressions by adding notes, completing    sentences, and adding more details or deleting what doesn’t fit.Listen again if needed….3.      Remember to use the five senses.4.      Allow yourself to get corny and feel the music.  Live the song.
Have fun!

California Dreamin' Conference this weekend!

Hope to see some of you in Santa Ana this weekend at the sold-out California Dreamin' Writers Conference book signing! It's Sunday 1-2:30 at the Doubletree near the Orange County airport.

http://socalrwa.org/hotel/