Lisa G. Riley's Blog, page 7

Valentine’s Day

Today’s a day we get bombarded with everything seemingly having to do with love. I thought I’d add my two cents and share some music that I like. Hollywood going back and mining their vaults for material from simpler times with remakes of the movies About Last Night and Endless Love made me think of several tunes I used to like for their simplicity. First one up (see above) is “You’re Still the One” by Shania Twain (the video is just sexy). Two others that came to mind are by “Love Will Never do Without You” by Janet Jackson (this video is SO Hot!) and “Baby, Baby” by Amy Grant (just adorable). You got any favorites?

Tagged: Amy Grant, Janet Jackson, life, music, Shania Twain, Valentine's Day, videos

Know where I can get difficult-to-find, yet brilliant, movies?

Ever want something so bad that you drive yourself out of your mind with desire for it? And then have it’s very unattainability make it even more desirable? Such is the case for me regarding the film Thirteen by David Williams. Here are partial descriptions:

He {David Williams} cast neighbor Lillian Folley and her daughter, Nina Dickens (the title refers to her age), as the mother and daughter leads in the film. The two had previously appeared in Lillian, Williams‘ first feature, which dealt with Lillian’s adoption of Nina. The dialogue in Thirteen was unscripted…Shortly after the film opens, we learn from Lillian’s laconic narration that the quiet, moody Nina has run away from home. Williams cuts back and forth between the outpouring of concern Lillian gets from friends and family and Nina’s low-key adventures on the road. Just as the social workers are about to begin their investigation in earnest, Nina nonchalantly comes home. Lillian is so relieved that her anger immediately dissipates. The automobile-obsessed Nina then decides to do everything she can to earn money to buy a car. At first Lillian thinks this is a passing fancy, like many of Nina’s interests, but it soon becomes clear that Nina’s determination is very strong. Soon she’s earning money posing for a local artist, and looking after neighborhood children and pets. She even (unsuccessfully) applies for a job as a real estate agent. Lillian is proud of her daughter’s industriousness, despite her obvious inability to drive. (Fandango)

David’s camera follows Nina as she embarks on a journey of adulthood – she runs away and lives on her own only discover that she misses Lillian.   When she returns home Nina becomes inspired to get a job and save up money to buy a car.  Although we follow one year of her life, Nina learns so many lessons from her jobs and the adults who help her along the way.  Some moments overflow with perfect sincerity and humor - such as when Nina poses for the family’s artist friend.  Nina proceeds to negotiate $4.00 an hour for her modeling services – especially since she has to stand. (James River Film Journal)

The idea of this child fascinates me, and would love to know what her life is like as an adult — the movie was made in the late 90s.  She’s clearly self-contained and determined. I really want to see this movie (wouldn’t mind seeing Lillian, either). The only place I can find it is on amazon…in French in a DVD format that won’t play on standard US DVD players. My understanding of French is so-so, and I’m sure there are English subtitles, just as I’m sure I could probably get a PAL DVD player, but I would much rather have it in English.

Anyone out there know of a place that sells hard-to-find movies?

Best,

Lisa

Tagged: entertainment, movies, other artists, personal, wishes, yearning

Meet RaeLynn Blue’s Lee Stone and Tank Begaye

Great Valentine’s Day story, and it’s only 99 cents until Friday, the 28th! Check it out:

Lee Stone didn’t want a heart-shaped box of boring chocolates for Valentine’s Day. She didn’t want a trip to Vegas. She’d been there and done that. What she longed for was one Valentine’s Day that didn’t invite tragedy and chaos. The last three years with her boyfriend, Tank Begaye, had been host to a blizzard, a fire, and a heart attack. For once, she wanted to spend the day nestled in her lover’s arms.

Tank Begaye had weathered the long-distance relationship with Lee for years. Now, he meant to make her a permanent fixture in his life—as his wife. Avoiding the cliché Valentine Day’s proposals at restaurants and public landmarks, Tank knew exactly where to go—his family’s Hogan, deep in the heart of the Navajo Reservation. Surrounded by his ancestors’ spirits, he would ask Lee to join their family’s circle.

Excerpt:

© RaeLynn Blue 2014

Scarlet streaks flushed to pink and vibrant orange as the day bled from dawn to dusk. The colors painted the horizon along the burnt dust of the northern edge of the Navajo Nation’s reservation land. At over a mile high, this section of the high desert stretched out in all directions, racing toward its postcard edges. Picturesque, perfect, and patient, the land had witnessed death, destruction, and desperation. So why the H.E. double hockey sticks did Tank have her out here? The bright sunlight, crisp air, and fluffy white clouds belied the near twenty-three degree temperature. February became cold around these parts. The season didn’t care at all that today was Valentine’s Day.

Lee Stone frowned as the bite of another cold blast tore across the mesas and threatened to tear through her coat. Shuddering inside her parka, she could not fathom another Valentine’s Day mired in tragedy or random acts of chaos. Slivers of icy wind streaked through her ebony parka and her sweater, directly to her very bones. With her fingers growing numb inside her leather gloves, she yanked her hat farther down over her ears, and not for the first time, cursed the Valentine’s Day gods. It appeared that for the fourth year in a row, her sweetheart day would end in utter disaster. She looked around.

What could possibly be out here?

Biting her lip, she cast a glance at Tank Begaye. One eyeful of him never satisfied her. It never quenched her constant craving for him. His cowboy hat was tugged low over his eyes, and his arrow-straight black hair tied in a ponytail that hugged the nape of his neck. After four years, most couples’ fires had cooled to a comfortable temperature. Not theirs. Her desire burned blue-hot for him, just like the first day they met. Feeling the familiar tug of hunger skirt across her clit, she squeezed her thighs together before taking the next step forward. Her gaze moved downward from his neck to his leather-clad back, wide and delicious.

Whatever plans he had, she knew that the calloused hand of Fate would knock them off, scattering them into oblivion and the Navajo desert. They crested a ridge that looked out over the valley below. Speckled with Western-style houses, Hogans, and mobile homes, the sheep and yuccas outnumbered the living structures.

“Tank…” She detested the whine threading through her voice, but the suspense threatened to overtake her.

He gazed out toward the valley below and hummed. “It’s beautiful here.”

When she sighed, a stream of condensed air flew from her lips. They’d met at a freak party in Las Vegas and she’d lassoed his heart. He lived in Colorado and she resided in New Mexico. Each year they planned to meet on Valentine’s Day, and each year Fate fucked it up. The first year a blizzard tore through the Southwest and dumped a foot and a half of snow on the Four Corner region. The second year, a fire exploded in Tank’s ranch-style home the day before he’d planned to leave. Last year beat the mother of all tragedies. Tank’s ancient grandmother died two days before V-day. He was devastated. Maybe that was why he had them out here on the rez.

Road weary and exhausted from hiking through the high hills and low valleys of the reservation, Lee put her freezing hands into her pockets and fondled the thin, gift-wrapped box. She’d bought Tank a necklace, one with turquoise and silver crafted by a Zuni silversmith. As a Navajo, Tank had access to Native American crafts, but she’d had this piece crafted just for him. One of her students in Gallup was Zuni and her father a silversmith. Despite the cold outside burning her nose and making her ears sting, the gift warmed her.

“Where are we going?” she asked, calling above the sharp whistle of the wind.

He turned to her in that slow, seductive manner of his. “It’s a surprise.”

She bit back the retort she had in her throat. His sable-brown eyes peered out from beneath the shadow of his cowboy hat. Heat washed over her as if he’d touched her. Feeling better, Lee smiled and found her hope reassured. He did that all the time, sometimes with his voice over the cell phone, and other times with his eyes via Skype. The long distance between them had made maintaining their love a challenge, but when they were together, like this, it was all worth it—every mile, every minute, and every bit of money to keep and nurture what they had. She huddled deeper into her coat. Still, this hiking thing was not how she’d intended to spend her Valentine’s Day.

“This had better be good,” she mumbled.

He nodded and took her hand into his big one. His much larger hand engulfed hers.

“How much farther?”

“Just down this side path.” He inclined his head to the west.

Through the sparse grouping of trees, she saw the small, single-story structure. The door faced east, and puffs of fluffy smoke huffed out of a black circular chimney. Tank stepped in front of her, and led her down the narrow pathway that wound through the desert’s untamed brush. Lee had taught in New Mexico for the last fifteen years, so she recognized the Navajo Hogan when she saw it. A five-sided structure sat alone on the flattest section of the land. Packed adobe covered some of the walls, but harsh New Mexico winters had worn some of it down. The gusty winds whipped it down over the decades.

Lee had no idea what to expect and her feet failed to move. Tank must have felt her hand fall away, and he turned to her, concern on his face.

“What’s going on?” She couldn’t shake her rearing. There were places black folks just didn’t go. Besides, sacred places like Hogans and cemeteries were not normal destinations for Valentine’s Day.

Tank sighed. “It’s Valentine’s Day…”

“Not a sacred Navajo day…” she interjected.

He grinned at that. “No, no it isn’t.”

“So…”

“So follow me and I’ll give you a surprise.”

Sounds good, right? You should totally get you some!

Native Hearts at Mocha Memoirs Press, LLC

Native Hearts at  All Romace ebooks

Native Hearts at amazon.com

Tagged: good stuff, guest author, NativeHearts, RaeLynnBlue

a big difference of opinion

I recently received a message from a reader who said that though she was a fan, she couldn’t see herself paying the price I’d set for one of my books. That was the first clue that we hold different opinions: she thinks I should undersell my work, thereby cheating myself out of making a decent living. I don’t.

Of course I’m sure the thought that underselling my work would in effect be me denying myself a living wage didn’t cross her mind. And why should it? She just wants what she considers a good deal. She closed her message by saying it would be fine if I called her cheap. I didn’t. Whether she buys a book or not is completely up to her, and she has to do what’s in her own best interests. If she doesn’t believe my work is worth the price that I set for it, then it isn’t in her best interests to purchase it.

I also have the right to do what’s in my best interests. If someone doesn’t want to pay what in this case was less than the cost of a sandwich or a Starbucks coffee, then I can’t make her change her mind; I won’t even try. What I can do is value my work enough to set a price for what the work is worth. I am a self-employed writer, and while on some level I write for fans, the first person I write for is me, and selling my work for less than what it’s worth would be cheating myself.

In the current climate where anyone who wants to publish a book can publish a book, more and more authors are being expected to sell their books at a cheaper price than what they’re worth. I’m not going to do that. I will always (unless I have a sale) price my work at a price that will take into account the time it took to write and sometimes research it, and the costs (in time and money) for covers and editing. I write for pleasure, yes, to satisfy my muse, but I also want to make money. So whether the reader or I like it or not, my writing is not just my art, it is also a business, and again, I’m not going to cheat myself.

It’s common sense not to expect everyone to like my work. It’s also common sense not to expect that everyone who likes my work will always buy it, and I don’t. I will not publish a book until it is ready for publication, and in turn, those who want to buy it, will. Because it’s worth the price on the cover.

Later peeps,

Lisa

Tagged: business, ethics, the industry, the work, value

A Luvverly Week

(photo courtesy of treesflowersbirds.com)

This has been a good week so far. In fact, it’s been just downright luvverly, and because of that I’m discounting a couple of my books (but more on that later in the post). And what about the little guy pictured above? Doesn’t he just look like things in his corner of the world are luvverly? He also looks a bit…well, smug but I don’t share that feeling. I just feel good and grateful. To explain, the things that happened really brightened what might have been an otherwise ordinary week. First, the royalty statement. It seems I’ve picked up more readers in both Great Britain and Germany. Actually, I think this is the first time I’ve actually gotten das Geld from Germany, but of course I’ll take all those converted Euros! Gimme, gimme, gimme!

Also in news this week, I’ve gotten a flood of new fans on Facebook and followers on Twitter — an absolute FLOOD! I know what the cause of the majority of these new connections was, and thanks to the Tall, Dark and Alpha contest, I’ll be looking more into the whole notion of a rafflecopter for future promotion.

Thank you so much (so, so, so much!) to everyone who connected with me this week (and are still connecting) and to my new readers! To show my appreciation, I’m offering two of my books from the Friends and Lovers series at a discount until Tuesday, January 28th. I’m offering You are Mine and A Mighty Good Man. They’re part of a series, but they can each be read as a stand-alone.

Here’s to having a luvverly week, and thank you again!

At amazon

At ARe

At Barnes & Noble

Tagged: A Mighty Good Man, appreciation, Caroline and Brian, discount, Friends and Lovers, luvverly, Tracy and Jack, You are Mine

You Really (REALLY) Need to Get in on This

Theodora Taylor, L.V. Lewis, Roslyn Holcomb…there are some fabulous authors offering even more fabulous books in this, the Tall, Dark and Alpha Giveaway. Find out more about it here and good luck!

Who doesn’t like Now and Laters?

There is definitely more to this conversation. You don’t want to miss out on this book.

 

 

 

 

 

Tagged: Craven, goodbooks, otherauthors, Rumors of Wars

Just HAVE to share (only ’cause it’s awesome, that’s all)

I’ve been traveling for the holidays, otherwise I would have put this up earlier. Some of you may remember that Roslyn Holcomb and I released a historical paranormal romance called Stolen a couple of years ago. Well we’ve recently gotten our rights to the book back, and decided to re-release it.  Here it is with a gorgeous, brand-spankin’ new cover by the uber-talented Whitney Holcomb. Didn’t he do an awesome job?

The book is available at the usual places:

amazon

ARe

B&N

Here’s the summary:

Despite the forces allied against her Grace Adams is determined to become a conductor on the Underground Railroad and also a doctor. She is Eshu, able to shift into any animal form at will, and she knows this ability will help her in her difficult missions. Then one tragic mistake alters the trajectory of her ambition. Grace has not only to demonstrate her ability as a conductor, but also to resist the sensual allure of her passion for Dr. Parker Quinn.

Parker is a stationmaster on the Railroad and resistant to the notion of a woman, especially his woman, engaging in such a dangerous undertaking. But her passion only makes him more determined to have Grace for his own, despite the scandal and the laws against miscegenation.

Although Grace loves him, she doesn’t want to marry. She knows the domineering Dr. Quinn will be even more restrictive than her father, but he won’t be deterred. It will take all of their passion and determination to survive social scorn and legal challenges while they make both their goals come true.

Ros and I had a great time writing the book, and we hope you guys enjoy(ed) the story!

 

Best,

Lisa

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tagged: eshu, grace, quinn, stolenrerelease, summary, underground railroad

“A Mighty Good Man” and “You are Mine”

    

 

 

 

 

 

Over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend a lot of people bought, and perhaps read, two books from my Friends and Lovers series: A Mighty Good Man and You are Mine. Thanks very much for doings so! The books are stand-alone novellas that offer peeks into the lives of characters that proved to be quite popular in other books. Again, thanks very much, and I hope everyone is having a great weekend!

Best,

Lisa

Tagged: A Mighty Good Man, Friends and Lovers, Sales, Thanks, You are Mine

First Snow

Today we’ve gotten what the weather forecasters would call the first measurable snow of the season. I usually like the first snow. I find it picturesque and generally view it as a harbinger of fresh possibilities. The first snow usually makes me feel like I have another chance to accomplish something…anything. It doesn’t have to be spectacular or life-changing, just a change from the normal. Like the first day of really warm weather, the first snow to me just means another chance. Period.

This year, though, I looked at it and thought: “meh.” I can’t be a hundred percent sure, but I think it’s because I’ve had a year that’s gone slightly off course, and I’m still playing catch-up. Also, mentally, I am totally unprepared for the frigid weather that a Chicago winter brings. I’d better get prepared, though, because it clearly ain’t going anywhere.

Later

Tagged: personal, random thoughts