Karilyn Bentley's Blog, page 23

.@VickiBatman - Is the party over? After Christmas blues #MFRWorg #RLFblog #plottingprincesses

Last week, I returned from a vacation after Christmas. We'd left Christmas afternoon and drove six-seven hours to see Handsome's mom and other family members. The next day, we drove to our vacation destination.

Where we stayed was snow-covered and quite beautiful. In fact, we had mostly gray days with flurries and a snow during our stay. All I wanted to do was stay in bed and read.

Then we drove home with tiny-tiny sleet pelting the windshield. The roads were clear--thankfully. We drove over a pass and into sunshine spreading into a valley. That didn't last long. A thick fog blanketed everything. Normally, we see hills and antelopes. I could see the cars in front of me and considered it lucky we could accelerate to 60. We did make it home, tacking an extra hour on our return.

And what did I find upon my return from relaxing, reading and stitching needlepoint? Christmas. Nothing had been put away. All exactly where I'd left it.

Sigh. And that got me to thinking that all I did this year was rush-rush toward Thanksgiving, then Christmas and didn't enjoy the journey. And rush-rush to leave only to come home to have to put things away.

I'm vowing to do better. Maybe I need to plan better. Maybe I need to relish the simpler things.

So think of me today as I finish packing away the holiday decorations. I'm serving cocktails if you want to join in the fun!

How about you? Did you rush-rush through the holidays?

Vicki Batman is back working on her 2nd romantic comedy mystery and a short story for submission. Find her latest, Temporarily Employed at: Amazon .

Tales from the Crate - Games Puppies Play #crazy dog by Karilyn Bentley

Crazy Puppy with new ball-ball and rope bone
As you probably know, we are the proud owners of a crazy puppy we lovingly refer to as The Kraken. Despite owning several dogs over the course of our marriage, we have never adopted one that liked to play with anything except pizzle sticks and beef bones. So image our surprise when Crazy Puppy played fetch without being taught. We were ecstatic. For all of a day. She is obsessed with ball-ball. Or frisbee. Or any object she can fetch, return to you and ram into your leg. While still chewing. With that in mind, here is a list of some toys/games one can play with a puppy.

Ball or Frisbee: Your puppy will love to play fetch with either object. She might even return the ball/Frisbee for more playtime. This sounds great until she rams the toy into your leg while chewing. Be sure to carry band-aids and neosporin at all times.

This is a pix of her starting to destroy ball-ball. She likes to pull off all the green fuzz.



Nylabone: Comes in a variety of flavors and types. Be sure to get an age appropriate one. Once a puppy's permanent teeth come in they can no longer chew on the puppy nylabone. Well, they can chew on it, but will ingest it in the time it takes you to throw out the wrapper. According to the vet and the wrapper, do not let puppy eat the bone.

Kong ball: Fill with yummy treat and watch as both dogs try to steal the other one's Kong. Other than the loud bark-fest, chewing is lots of fun for puppy. The Kong will even substitute as a fetch object. 

Ice: Cheap and fun for puppy. Take a piece of ice and a tile or linoleum floor. Slide the ice across the floor and watch puppy chase it. This game involves chase and chew, two fun games for puppy.

Despite having enough toys and bones to qualify as a toy store, your puppy will invent games to play with you. Here are some of Crazy Puppy's favorite games.

Landscaping: Puppies like to help you landscape. Unfortunately their idea of a nice looking lawn and your idea are usually in direct opposition. Be prepared to holler no, stop, a variety of commands and leave it for long hours at a time while your puppy happily digs a hole to the center of the earth. Plenty of articles are written on why your puppy digs and how to stop it, none of which work. Accept that instead of lush and green your lawn now looks like a field of prairie dogs dug a city. Be sure to monitor puppy as she loves to pull out and eat all the building materials left behind when your house was built. This includes, but is not limited to, small hunks of concrete, bricks and rusted nails, none of which puppy needs to chew on and some of which are dangerous for puppy.

Plant trimming: This is similar to landscaping, but involves eating the vegetable garden. Puppies will eat anything in the garden except for kale. Tomatoes, corn, lima beans and asparagus are favorites and will be demolished on sight. An early freeze won't kill the Swiss Chard, but don't worry. You have a puppy.

The Towel Game: Puppies love towels, paper or cloth. This game happens when it rains and puppy's feet are muddy. Try to wipe off feet while puppy circles around trying to grab the towel out of your hand. This game involves a degree of dexterity for the human who must avoid puppy's gnashing teeth while grabbing puppy's foot and ridding it of mud.

What games do your pets play with you?

Karilyn Bentley
Newest Release, Demon Lore!
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.#PlottingPrincesses ~ Alicia Dean: will she expire without coffee? #Author #Interview #MFRWorg

Kicking off 2015 with an author interview! The Plotting Princesses welcome Alicia Dean. Let's get to know her:
Alicia Dean lives in Edmond, Oklahoma. She has three grown children and a huge network of supportive friends and family. She writes mostly contemporary suspense and paranormal, but has also written in other genres, including a few vintage historicals.






Favorite movie: Gone with the WindFavorite book: Mystic River
Last book read: Guardian
Favorite color: Red
Stilettos or flip-flops: Neither (so what do you wear, Alicia?)
Coffee or tea: Strong Coffee
E-book or paperback: E-book
Pencil or pen: PenFavorite song: Something Elvis – Can’t choose oneStreak or not: Nope!Favorite dessert: Red Velvet CheesecakeChampagne or gin: ChampagneParanormal or Historical: ParanormalGinger or Mary Ann: Mary AnnFavorite TV show: DexterHot or cold: ColdPOV: Third personI'd die if I don't have: Coffee


Can she let go of the past, before it destroys her future?

Excerpt from End of Lonely Street: 
“Don’t. Please, don’t.” Hearing Noah say the words tore her apart, even though they were the words she wanted to hear. “It doesn’t matter anymore. I can’t be with you.” Regret ripped through her heart “Not ever.”He gripped her fingers and placed a soft kiss onthe tips. Toby shuddered and tried to draw in a breath.“Don’t say that.” His words were a tormented whisper. “Please don’t say that. I can’t lose you forever. I won’t.”She squeezed her eyes shut. “I can’t, don’t you see? Every time I think of you…with her. I get sick to my stomach. And every time I see you, I think of thatnight.” She opened her eyes and stared directly into his. “Looking at you makes mesick.”He flinched. “You can’t mean that.”“I do. Don’t you understand? My mother has tainted you…tainted us. She taints everything she touches, and I’ll never be free of her.”He compressed his lips, his voice harsh when he spoke. “That’s your choice. You can’t define yourself by your mother’s actions.We’re responsible for our own lives, our own destiny.”She snorted a laugh. “That sounds awful nice, butI haven’t ever had control of my destiny, my life. I’m tethered to my mother as long as she’s alive.”She turned away from hFind Alicia at: www.AliciaDean.comFind End of Lonely Street at: http://amzn.com/B00QQO3BK0Contact Alicia at:  AliciaMDean@aol.com
Thank you for being with the Princesses today, Alicia. How long have you been writing?    

Zeus - Father of Gods and Men

If you’re looking for a blog on mythology, you’ve come to the wrong place. Zeus, is our brand new puppy that we brought home on December 7th when he was eight weeks old. Our older dachshund is named Ashley. We now have A-Z weenie dogs. When you get a new puppy, you should be careful what you name him. Puppies seem to take on the personality of their name. In mythology Zeus was considered “King of the Gods.” Our Zeus is just a puppy, but he now reigns supreme over our household. He has taken all of the older dogs toys, her bed, he has us jumping at all hours day or night and the common words in our house are “No Zeus. Stop Zeus.” He’s part lover, part terror, part sweet baby. In fact, my son has renamed him Zeusifer – after Lucifer. At this stage of his life, everything goes into his mouth including fingers, toys, electrical cords, furniture, blankets, stuffing (don’t ask) leaves, sticks, grass. You name it and the puppy has tasted it. His teeth are like little razor blades and you don’t want any of your body parts in his mouth.Our older dog has been very patient with him, but she’s growled at him several times when his teeth sank into her nose. And she has held him down a time or two to stop him from biting her. But recently I watched her playfully chasing him through the house, and sighed with happiness. She’d been lonely since our other dog passed ten months ago and it was so good to see her playing once again. When we brought Zeus home, he was so quiet in the car that my husband told me later that he was worried he wouldn’t have any personality. As soon as this dog adjusted to his environment and knew he was wrapped around our hearts, the personality emerged.  And Oh My God! We are in so much trouble. He plays full speed as hard as he can and then he finds you and whines until you pick him up. Once he is in your lap or your arms, he goes to sleep and nothing you do will wake him. He is out until his body recharges and then time to play again. After our last Dachshund died I wasn’t certain I wanted another dog. Putz, who is in my novella Cupid’s Revenge, was the sweetest dog we’d ever owned and we were heartbroken when he died. We had him for fourteen wonderful years and I couldn’t bear the thought of another dog taking his place. And once you begin the journey with a pet, you know that at some point they will pass over the rainbow bridge and leave you behind grieving for them.Zeus has roared into our life, giving us joy and love and making us laugh at his silly antics. He gazes at you with the sweetest face and you just want to squeeze him he’s so precious. And then he bites you. Tell me about your Pet. Are you a dog or cat animal lover? What’s your pet’s name?
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.@VickiBatman ~ Wishing you Happy Holidays & sharing a movie! #MFRWorg #RLFblog #Christmas

Every year, I travel to a small town for their Christmas Candlelight Home Tour. We visit historical homes that have been decorated for Christmas. After my friends and I tour the homes, we go to the park. It sits in a square surrounded by very old houses and a church. Quite picturesque. 
Here's the entrance with two soldiers standing by:




My sister introduced me to a very short holiday movie produced by Warner Bros, Star in the Night. This is my gift to you:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXjdB...



To you and yours, I wish a very 

#PlottingPrincesses - Chrys Fey: Can 30 Seconds be a lifetime? #MFRWorg #romanticsuspense

The Plotting Princesses welcome Chrys Fey with 30 Seconds. Welcome, Chrys!
Chrys Fey is a lover of rock music just like Dani Hart in 30 Seconds. Whenever she's writing at her desk, headphones are always emitting the sounds of her musical muses -especially that of her favorite band, 30 Seconds to Mars, the inspiration behind the title.  


30 Seconds is her second eBook with The Wild Rose Press. Her debut, Hurricane Crimes, is also available on Amazon.



Speed Round:

Favorite movie: Little Women
Favorite book: Naked in Death by J.D. Robb 
Last book read: Broken Branch Falls by Tara Tyler 
Favorite color: Neon-Green 
Stilettos or flip-flops: Sneakers 
Coffee or tea: Tea 
E-book or paperback: BOTH! 
Pencil or pen: Pen
Favorite song: The Kill by Thirty Seconds to Mars
Streak or not: NOT!
Favorite dessert: Cheesecake 
Champagne or gin: Champagne
Paranormal or Historical: Paranormal
Ginger or Mary Ann: Mary Ann
Favorite TV show: Charmed
Hot or cold: Cold
POV: Third
I'd die if I don't have: Family


Blurb from 30 Seconds: When a woman finds herself in the middle of a war between a police force and the Mob, 30 SECONDS is a long time.

Excerpt from 30 Seconds: 

She panted with fear. What if they see the chest? What if we get caught? What if my breath stinks and I’m breathing right into Officer Hottie’s face? She shut her mouth and let oxygen flow through her nose.

Her eyesight slowly adjusted to the darkness and she could see Officer Herro’s silhouette. His head was turned and he was listening to the thuds of heavy boots getting louder; the intruders were coming their way.

Then the thunder of footsteps sounded right next to them. “There’s no one here, Red,” someone announced.

“Look for documents,” a man ordered, who Dani could only assume was Red. “I want the name of the person I’m going to kill.”

A moment later, there was a reply. “All the mail is addressed to a Dr. Hart.”

Hearing her name said aloud by one of the men who had ransacked her place made her want to gasp. Her mouth fell open and her breath was reversing into her lungs, but before she could make a sound, Officer Herro lowered his lips to hers, silencing her. Stunned, she could only lie beneath him with her eyes wide and her body tense. She couldn't believe he was kissing her. She wanted to push him back, but knew if she did he might hit the inside of the chest, giving away their hiding place. That was when she realized he was kissing her so she wouldn't gasp.

She let her body relax. After her initial shock faded, she was able to feel his lips. They were comforting and caused a reaction deep inside her. She couldn't stop her lips from reacting to his. It was an innocent connection, a soft touch of lips. Until his hand slid from her shoulder to her neck and the kiss deepened into something else.


Find Chrys at: website
Find 30 Seconds at: buy link at TWRP
Connect with Chrys at: email

.@VickiBatman - Delving into Christmas Past - Candlelight Home Tour #MFRWorg #historicalcities #historicalsites

Delving into Christmas Past – Candlelight Home Tour
Every year, I travel with funsisters to a small town for their Christmas Candlelight Home Tour. Usually, homes predating 1850, which have been restored, are featured. My friends and I make stops along our route to pop in our favorite antique malls to search for new finds. We have a quick lunch, shop a bit more, and then finish our drive. After we arrive at our destination, we purchase our tour tickets and check in at our bed and breakfast.

Most of the time, we stay at the same B&B. The hostess’ mom researched many of the historical plaques for the community. We usually eat at the yummy Italian restaurant and every time, wonder how the ricotta layer is so light. Then we tour two homes. Afterwards, we go to the park and wander through the Christmas tree land.


We stay up late, giggle, eat chocolate and catch up with our lives. But rise and shine comes with breakfast at 9. We tour our favorite stores (homemade pralines, fudge, more treasures purchased). A bite for lunch. Rest. And dinner at our other favorite restaurant which is housed in an old large Prairie style house.  We finish up our tour and head back to our temporary home for more chocolate and fun.Here are a couple of decorations from this year’s tour. Some were handmade!



       All too soon, Sunday arrives and we head for home. I adore this special time with friends.
Do you travel places to see special lights and attractions? leave a comment with your email and I will do a drawing for a copy of Season of Magic which features my story, "Holiday Disaster."  * Happy Holidays! *    

Demon Lore is available NOW! by Karilyn Bentley #urbanfantasy #TWRP #plottingprincesses

I'm happy to announce that the first book in my urban fantasy series, Demon Lore, is out now! Squeeeeeee!!!!! Isn't the cover awesome?


This is the story of Gin Crawford and her transformation from nurse to demon slayer (or huntress as she likes to call herself). Here's the blurb:

Gin Crawford has enough problems dealing with her empath abilities. Finding out she's the world's newest demon-slayer is the last thing she needs. Unfortunately, when she slips on a mysterious bracelet she is given no other choice. On the plus side, her new gig comes with Tall, Dark and Handsome, a mage who may or may not have her best interests at heart. Thrust into a power-play between good and evil, Gin must choose a side before she becomes the next victim in the ongoing battle.

And the excerpt:

I check out my appearance in the mirror behind the door, smoothing down a fly-away strand. Good enough for a romp in the sheets. Swinging the door open is the work of a moment and it dawns on me I should’ve looked through the peephole first.

The evil man-thing stands on my porch, his lips turning in a menacing smile of death. I don’t need to
touch him to know he wants me dead. Muscles freeze, trapping my breath in my lungs. Like a rabbit in view of a wolf, I’m immobilized, waiting for death’s blow. Time slows, his gaze locks on mine, trapping me in place.

Move, move, move! My mind screams as the man’s fingers twitch.

But the spike of adrenaline explodes into my limbs too late to stop the backhand blow slamming across my jaw.

I superman it halfway across the living room. Land on the hardwood floor in a thud of pain-ridden limbs. My jaw morphs into a screaming ball of nerves. My head no sooner hits the floor than I hear the bracelet scream, a high-pitched wail quivering through my skin like vibrations from a tuning fork. The bracelet tightens around my wrist, cutting off the circulation, and then it loosens with a pop at the same time I hear the door click closed.

Ohgodohgodohgod, I’m going to die. I don’t want to die. No, no, no, no, no. Pain and terror hold me
crumpled on the floor as my mind crawls backward in time.

But I’m no longer a child, fearful of fists and words, cowering on the ground.

I’m a fighter.

My head spins, but I refuse to lie on the floor waiting to be killed, so I attempt to stand. Evil Guy
laughs as I ass-plant it. Laughs as a moan escapes my lips. He takes a step toward me, right arm drawn back for a hit. His fist hurls toward my face, but I manage to block it with my left arm. My right arm, the one with the bracelet, shoves forward, slamming into his chest.

His black eyes widen, mouth open in surprise, his hands fluttering to his chest before dropping. I stare at my hand, stare hard, for I’m as surprised as Evil Guy. The bracelet had become a sword, a long, thin spike of metal extending from the silver links, straight into Evil Guy’s heart.

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@KathyIvan - Suspense. Mystery. Romance. What a fun package! #PlottingPrincesses #MFRWorg #romanticsuspense

Suspense.  Mystery.  Romance. 
There's something about those words that stir the imagination.  Being able to craft a story filled with the right elements, a blending of all three, reminds me of baking.  All the ingredients have to be added in exactly the right amounts in order for your delicious confection to come out perfect (and in my case hopefully edible). 
I love layering in all the nuances to my stories, adding a dash of mystery to keep the reader turning the pages.  Did I write enough intrigue and danger within the world I've created that the reader absolutely, positively, unequivocally cannot stop reading when they reach the end of the chapter, and must turn the page to find out what happens next.  Don't you love that feeling? 

There are differing techniques I use while I'm writing.  If it's a mystery, the reader can't know whodunit until the very end—the big black moment.  I'll feed little hints and clues along the way, but I never come right out and say Mr. X is the villain.  That's left up to the reader to figure out and if I've done my job right they'll admit they never saw the ending coming. 
Now suspense for me is a totally different mindset.  I've got no problem telling the reader right up front who my bad guy or gal is and the horrible things they've done to earn that moniker.  Then it's up to the hero and/or heroine to not only catch the evil-doer, but stop whatever nefarious scheme they've concocted and foil it, making sure that evil is denounced and trounced and everybody lives happily ever after. 
But, and this is a big one for me—there always, always has to be a romance in my books.  Romance is my passion, for both writing and reading.  I don't want to read a book that doesn't have a good solid romance as a cornerstone of the story, and my romantic suspense writing needs that touchstone not only for my readers but for my own satisfaction.  Besides, watching the sexual tension ratchet up between your hero and heroine while they're running away from the maniacal mobster bent on their immediate destruction gives me a vicarious thrill.  (Hey, if I'm the heroine and I'm gonna be chased by some crazy guy determined to end my life, I darn well better have a handsome hero beside me, although hopefully I'm kick-ass enough to save myself when the situation arises.) 
Suspense.  Mystery.  Romance.  My ingredients for a truly good book. 

#PlottingPrincesses welcome guest author Anne Ashby, a fan of Kris Kristoffersen #MFRWorg #RLFblog #romance

Anne Ashby is joining the Plotting Princesses today. Let's get to know her:

Anne Ashby lives in New Zealand and writes clean contemporary romance using her homeland as an added point of difference to her stories.  Her interest in family, genealogy and rugby often feature. "Leath's Legacy" is her sixth book.  

Favourite Movie: The Sound of MusicFavourite Book:  Any by Essie SummersLast Book Read: A Mother’s Wish by Debbie MacomberFavourite Colour: YellowStilettos or Flip-flops:  Flip-flopsCoffee or Tea:  NeitherE-book or Paperback:  PaperbackPencil or Pen:  PencilFavourite Song: Any by Kris KristoffersenStreak or not:  NotFavourite Dessert: Pavlova Champagne or Gin: NeitherParanormal or Historical: Neither, Contemporary onlyGinger or Mary Ann: Mary AnnFavourite TV Show:   Packed to the RaftersHot or Cold: HotPOV: MaleI’d die if I don’t have: My Family

Leath's Legacy:  Hope of allaying their guilt drives them in a collision course
Excerpt From Leath’s Legacy:“What do you want?” he demanded. “Name your price and I’ll match it.”Her eyes boggled and her eyebrows rose. Was he serious? Yes, it appeared he was, from the way he waved an agitated arm around.“Come on. Name it,” he snapped. “Everyone has their price. What’s yours?” His Machiavellian smirk conveyed his certainty.Frowning, Leath stared up at him. “You mean if we asked for, what, ten million dollars, you’d give it to us?” She shook her head. “You’re crazy.”She didn’t believe for a moment he’d seriously consider that sort of amount and gasped when he replied almost immediately.“That’s your price, ten million?”“No, Mr. Buchanan, that’s notour price!” Leath feared he might reach for his cheque book. “That was just a stupid figure plucked out of the air. We’ve already given you our answer, twice.” Seeing a very slight slump in his shoulders and something odd in his expression, Leath softened the blow. “I’m sorry if you’re disappointed.” She even smiled up at him, “but it’s not going to change. We like the place.”“But you have to sell it to me!”Stepping back at the ferociousness in his voice, Leath bit her lip.“I have to have it.”His apparent desperation caused a sympathetic response from her. “I’m sorry.” She felt compelled to soften her voice. “We’re not selling.”“But you must.” He stretched out and would have grabbed her arms if she hadn’t stepped back once more. “It’s oursand I mean to have it back.”

Find Anne at: website            Connect with Anne at: emailFind Leath' Legacy at: The Wild Rose Press
So Anne, why Kris Kristoffersen songs?