Karilyn Bentley's Blog, page 27

Michelle Miles: How to Behave in Public

This past weekend, the husband and I went to see the Dallas performance of Phantom of the Opera at the very beautiful Winspear Opera House. It’s a newer venue here in the area and I’d been wanting to check it out. I bought the tickets way back in May and had been looking forward to it since then. Plus, it was a great cultural date with the husband.

It was an afternoon performance. We dressed business casual for the event. I actually wore heels.
We arrived about an hour early. We weren’t the only ones hanging around there. It was already starting to fill in with people. Our seats were on the third level, so we headed up there to hang out and people watch, an activity we both enjoy.

What amazes me about people in general is when they go to these types of events, they wear everything. There was a lady in a lacy, very low cut dress. Her boobs were so big, they were about to pop right out. I don’t know. Maybe I’m old-fashioned, but this was just inappropriate to me.
There were people dressed in jeans—inappropriate. If you’re going to spend that much money for an event, have the decency to wear nicer clothes, at least. Jeans don’t belong there. I don’t care how comfy you want to be.

And then there was the dad talking to his 9 year old daughter. She was dressed in jean shorts, an oversized tank and sneakers. “You’re nine now. You need to start dressing better when you come to things like this.” And he waved to the general patronage milling around the lower level. He had taken her aside to give her “the speech” and then they walked off. I don’t know if he realized we were standing there, but the husband heard every word. Not that he was being mean to his daughter, but he was trying to make a point. To that I say – Bravo! He was dressed in khakis and a button down dress shirt.

Our row was interesting – it was one long line of seats. We didn’t want to climb over a bunch of people to get to them, so we went around to the other side. We finally got settled, but there were the usual folks who were last minute arrivals that made everyone in the row – because their seats were in the middle – get up. There isn’t a lot of leg room in these places, don’t you know. 
Anyway, a woman and her young daughter plopped down a couple of seats to our right behind us. The girl was rather rambunctious before the show started. I kept thinking she would cool it once the performance got underway.

But here I have to pause. This is Phantom of the Opera not Toy Story for crying out loud. There is mild violence (gunfire, images of people hanging). Why on earth would you bring CHILDREN to something like that? My kid is nearly 13 and I wouldn’t even think about taking him. Because I know he’d be bored to tears. And a kid under 10? They’re going to fidget, talk and experience general boredom as well.

Anyway, the show starts and the first act is quite long – over an hour. The kid talks through some of it. The mom replies. They are mildly annoying and somewhat loud but thankfully the production was loud enough to cover their talking.

Intermission came. Husband and I chatted about how rude it was they were talking during the performance. Then he poked fun at me because I get so irate about it – even when we’re at home and he’s talking during my show. I think I’m just watching the showing and ignoring his talking but he KNOWS that inside I’m just about to explode. I hate that he knows me so well. Totally not fair, that. ;) We had some laughs about it.

Act Two starts. It’s shorter, faster paced. But the mom and the kid TALKED THROUGH THE ENTIRE THING. I was beside myself. The mom was actually explaining the story to the kid. Now, to my mind, if you have to explain it, then the kid is likely way too young to be at something like that. And the fact that you are so inconsiderate that you are TALKING IN A NORMAL VOICE during the performance just blows my mind. I paid to hear THE PERFORMANCE, not their frigging conversation.

At one point, it got so bad, I turned around and shushed them. I couldn’t stand it anymore. They did dial it back a little but they still talked.

When my son was very small, I’d take him to the movies. I made it very clear to him that there was no talking whatsoever during the movie. And if he got fidgety, I’d leave. Even to this day, he doesn’t talk during movies. The only time he DOES is during the trailers and even then he’s leaning over to whisper. He gets it.

So, how to behave in public? Be considerate of those around you. Keep your pie hole shut. And if you’re taking a kid with you to something like that and you have ANY DOUBT that the kid won’t understand or behave, do your fellow patrons a favor and leave them at home. Because I paid good money to hear the performance, not your conversation.

Michelle Miles write fantasy, paranormal and contemporary romance. Her biggest pet peeve are people who talk through movies and live performances. Even her husband isn't immune to her shushing. Visit her website for more on her and her books.

#PlottingPrincesses are pleased as punch with special author Tina Donahue and Make Me Surrender #MFRWorg

The Plotting Princesses welcome a special guest, author Tina Donahue, to the blog. 


Let's get to know Tina: She is an award-winning, bestselling novelist in erotic, paranormal, contemporary and historical romance for Samhain Publishing, Ellora’s Cave, Siren Publishing, and Kensington. Booklist, Publisher’s Weekly, Romantic Times and numerous online sites have praised her work. Three of her erotic romances (Adored, Lush Velvet Nights, and Deep, Dark, Delicious) were named finalists in the 2011 EPIC competition. The French review site, Blue Moon reviews, chose her erotic romance Sensual Stranger as their Book of the Year 2010. The Golden Nib Award at Miz Love Loves Books was created specifically for Lush Velvet Nights, and two of her titles (The Yearning and Deep, Dark, Delicious) received an Award of Merit in the RWA Holt Medallion competition (2011 and 2012). Take Me Away and Adored both won second place in the NEC RWA contest (different years). Tina is featured in the 2012 Novel & Short Story Writer’s Market. She was the editor of an award–winning Midwestern newspaper and worked in Story Direction for a Hollywood production company. 

Favorite movie: Argo 
Favorite book: 1984 
Last book read: Intensity 
Favorite color: Yellow 
Stilettos or flip-flops: Flip-flops 
Coffee or tea: Coffee
E-book or paperback: Both 
Pencil or pen: Pen
Favorite song: Roar
Streak or not: Not
Favorite dessert: Chocolate
Champagne or gin: Champagne
Paranormal or Historical: Paranormal
Ginger or Mary Ann: Ginger
Favorite TV show: Suits
Hot or cold: Cold
POV: Third
I'd die if I don't have: Internet

Blurb from Make Me Surrender:

She has a proposition…to win their attention, passion, hearts. 



Like a well-rehearsed dance team, Mercy and Jill turned to the left. Beyond the saloon was a cabin Mercy hadn’t noticed. Travis and Dutch crossed its brief porch, filled trash bags in each hand, their chests tantalizingly bare.

“Wow,” Jill whispered.

Mercy leaned into her friend for support, dizzy at the sight of all those male muscles. Travis’s chest was deliciously broad, his hard pecs lightly dusted with dark hair. It trickled in a line down his firm torso to beneath the waistband of his low-slung jeans. The tat on his bicep was pure male. Bold and wild.

Mercy whimpered then studied Dutch. She whimpered again.

His chest was nothing but smooth, golden skin, his tiny nipples the color of milk chocolate. At the top of the stairs, he stopped and turned, facing the cabin’s front door.

Mercy sucked in a breath. A stunning tat covered his entire back from shoulders to waist, even spilling onto his biceps. Most of it was of a soaring eagle. The rest, lines and whorls.

Jill moaned. “You are so lucky.”

Mercy’s cheeks hurt from grinning so hard. She moved closer, unable to help herself.

Travis reached the bottom step. Finally seeing her, he stopped so abruptly Dutch ran into him.

“Hey,” Dutch complained, his voice carrying across the front lot. “Move.”

Travis didn’t budge. He regarded Mercy’s face and mouth, lingering there.




99¢ for a limited time11 NEW romances by today’s hottest romance authors
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Barnes and Noble 
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Find Tina at: 
Email: tina@tinadonahue.com 
Website: http://www.tinadonahue.com/  
Blog: http://www.tinadonahue.com/blog/ 




Thank you, Tina, for being with the Plotting Princesses today!

Is guest author Laura Strickland a Mary Ann or Ginger? An interview at #PlottingPrincesses #MFRWorg #historical

Hi, Laura, and welcome to the Plotting Princesses where we pride ourselves in asking funny questions! 

Let's get to know Laura better: Laura Strickland is the author of Scottish romance Devil Black as well as The Guardians of Sherwood Trilogy consisting of Daughter of Sherwood, Champion of Sherwood, and Lord of Sherwood. She is currently working on the second book of a new Steampunk romance series.

Is she a Mary Ann or Ginger?


Speed Round:

Favorite movie: “Lord of the Rings”  
Favorite book: “The Diamond in the Window” by Jane Langton 
Last book read: “The Well of Lost Plots” by Jasper Fforde 
Favorite color: Green 
Stilettos or flip-flops: Flip-flops 
Coffee or tea: Tea 
E-book or paperback: Paperback 
Pencil or pen: Pen
Favorite song: “By Weary Well” by Robin Williamson
Streak or not: Not!
Favorite dessert: Red Velvet Cake
Champagne or gin: Champagne
Paranormal or Historical: Historical!
Ginger or Mary Ann: Mary Ann
Favorite TV show: Coronation Street
Hot or cold: Cold
POV: First Person
I'd die if I don't have: Time to write.





Blurb from Lord of Sherwood: Only the magic of Sherwood can bring them together, and only their union can complete the spell woven so long ago…


Excerpt: 

She ate a sticky bun and watched a couple behind the next stall as they indulged in a kiss and cuddle. The restlessness she felt increased.


What would happen if she tried to purchase a mug of ale? She had to exercise some caution—her father had threatened more than once lately to send her away to the good sisters at the nearest nunnery. And she would rather end her own life than be confined in such a place.


She watched a rough man, a farmer from one of the villages, perhaps, buy a flagon of ale for himself. Before he could drink it she edged up and spoke from the corner of her mouth.


“I will give you twice what you just spent, in exchange for that.”


Startled, he turned his head and their eyes met. He wore a squat woolen hat over hair like brown straw. His eyes were brown also, almost the exact same shade as the ale. They moved over her face slowly and then down to her bosom, where they lingered.


“Well, now.” He grinned, revealing a big gap between his front teeth. He hesitated, “My lady.”


Anwyn dug into her pocket pouch and brought forth a coin. “Here, trade me.”


“You want my ale, do you?” His gaze shifted to her mouth. “Tell you what, let’s share it. We shall go someplace quiet—”


“The coin,” Anwyn insisted.


He shook his head and stepped closer, his eyes issuing a dare. “Not for no coin, but I will give you this flagon for a kiss, my lady.”


Find Laura at:
Website: LauraStricklandBooks

Email: Laura Strickland

Find Lord of Sherwood at:
Buy Link: Lord Sherwood Guardians

Where do YOU Read?

What’s your favorite place to read? Fess up... Are you a book snuggler, like me? Do you take one to bed with you? Do you read under the covers? At the Park? 

Are you a sunny porch with a cup of tea reader? Do you have book tucked in your purse and whip it out whenever the opportunity to read arises? 
Do you read in the carpool lane? Are you a beach reader? Do you prefer the quiet of the library for your reading adventures? What about the easy chair in the living room, is that where you curl up with a good book?
Take our survey and let’s see where readers enjoy their books the most:
Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey , the world's leading questionnaire tool.

As for me, I read everywhere and anywhere. I crave stories that make me feel strong, brave and happy. I love how the pages of a book can sail me off to a long lost time in history or an exotic foreign land that I would never get to explore in person.
By reading I feel as if I've lived a thousand lives.

--Kathleen Baldwin  (KathleenBaldwin.com)

Author of award-winning Lady Fiasco, Book One in the Amazon Bestselling My Notorious Aunt
Traditional Regency romance series.

School Supplies -- Office Supplies -- My Addiction

Yes, August is upon us and soon it will be back to school time. Time to start thinking about new clothes, new shoes and school supplies. Getting my new school supplies was always the highlight of getting ready to go back to school.Even now I seem to have this fetish thing with office supply stores. You walk in and automatically I start getting excited and thinking what do I need. There’s a smell that just says spend money now. Automatically, I grab a basket and start to fill it up and this stuff ain’t cheap.On my desk at home, you will see an electric pencil sharpener. An electric stapler – love it. A cute little posted note purse, a timer and a beautiful paperweight given to me by an old friend.Inside the desk drawers are organized with my trays and I have one whole drawer of posted notes. Yes, that’s right. Love the posted notes. A writers must have. In our office, my ever handy dandy superman husband built us shelves in our closet. At each end, there are racks and also additional shelves above the main shelf where I store books. But the shelves on each end are filled with office supplies. Yes, we are well stocked with file folders, tape, pens, pencils, highlighters (hundreds), paper, labels…you name our office is well stocked. If there is an apocalypse I can write on for a long time. You would think my office would be lovely and so organized. Not! It was until about two years ago when suddenly I started loading up on swag. There’s no place to store the postcards, the bags, the lipsticks, banner, etc. Plus I keep swag that I’ve received from other authors to mail out and also to see what other people are doing.
After I finish the four books I’m writing this year, I’ve promised myself that this office will be de-cluttered. That will last for about as long as it takes me to get back to my favorite office supply store. Then I will take a deep breath, smell the goodies and just know that there is something in that store that I can’t live without.What about you? Do you love office supply stores? Did you love back to school goodies?  
 Sylvia has a new book coming out in August...she hasn't decided which one. But look for an announcement on August 22nd. Sign up for her newsletter to receive all the latest book news.  www.SylviaMcDaniel.com

.#PlottingPrincesses - welcome Ashantay Peters who wows!!! us with her new book

The royally fun girls, the Plotting Princesses, welcome author Ashantay Peters to the blog. She's got tons of stuff up her sleeve. Check out her bio:
Ashantay Peters lives in the North Carolina mountains, where she loves escaping into a well-written book. She loves to hear from readers and promises not to stalk anyone who contacts her. 


Speed Round:

Favorite movie: His Gal Friday  (BTW: Vicki loves this movie)
Favorite book: any by Amanda Quick 
Last book read: The Secret Language of Leah Sinclair 
Favorite color: Rainbow! 
Stilettos or flip-flops: Neither 
Coffee or tea: Water 
E-book or paperback: Paperback 
Pencil or pen: Pencil
Favorite song: Bad Love
Streak or not: Not
Favorite dessert: Fruit
Champagne or gin: Champagne
Paranormal or Historical: Historical
Ginger or Mary Ann: Mary Ann
Favorite TV show: Dead Like Me
Hot or cold: Hot
POV: First
I'd die if I don't have: Light





Blurb from Death Rub: Class reunions can be murder even after finding the perfect dress.


Excerpt from Death Rub: 

“Maggie.”  His voice had deepened, leaving a caress I must have imagined around my name. We stood watching each other, not really sure how to proceed after years of mistrust between us.


Travis cleared his throat. “Listen, I want to, um, apologize.” 


I didn’t pretend a misunderstanding. I’d already had a crappy day and game playing lay beyond my capability. “Not necessary. Lots of years ago.”


“Well, I do want to talk.” He stepped off the porch, moving closer. “See, I was a rat bastard. I knew it at the time, but I dunno. Must’ve been too stupid and young and didn’t know how to fix my mistake.”


“Must have been” my ass. “Your hormones made you do it, right? Dumping me after two years and talking about a future together? For someone you knew would put out instead of waiting for me, and marriage the way you promised. That your story?”


His face reddened but he didn’t answer.


I snorted before I could stop myself. “So now you want to make nice, have me accept your apology and you can walk away with a clear conscience, right?”


“Well, yeah. I guess. I mean I’d like you at the reunion. You know. Like friends.”


“Like friends.” 


“Uh huh.” 


Okie dokie then. My blast from the past just wanted to have fu-un. 



Website: www.ashantay.com
Buy Link: The Wild Rose Press
Email: ashantay.peters@gmail.com 

Thank you, Ashantay, for sharing all your good stuff at the Plotting Princesses today. Much success with your book!

#PlottingPrincesses: guest author Rebecca Stevenson is Under the Princess Crown #MFRWorg #RLFblog #interview

The Plotting Princesses are thrilled to have author, Rebecca Stevenson, be under the Princess Crown today!
Here's a bit about her: Rebecca Stevenson is a freelance editor and writer whose frequent visits to New England have become the inspirations and settings for her stories. She is a member of RWA and DARA and currently lives in Texas with her husband.

Speed Round:  

Favorite movie: Now, Voyager   
Favorite book: Peace Like a River by Leif Enger 
Last book read: Blue Hole Back Home by Joy Jordan-Lake 
Favorite color: Red 
Stilettos or flip-flops: Flip-flops 
Coffee or tea: Both 
E-book or paperback: Paperback 
Pencil or pen: Pen
Favorite song: In My Life (Beatles)
Streak or not: Not
Favorite dessert: Cheesecake
Champagne or gin: Wine J
Paranormal or Historical: Contemporary
Ginger or Mary Ann: Mary Ann
Favorite TV show: Downton Abbey
Hot or cold: Hot 
POV: first and third (sometime second) J
I'd die if I don't have: a creative outlet


Blurb from Another Summer:

When literary agent Tracy Ratcliffe travels to the sleepy village of Wentworth Cove, Maine, for a much-needed vacation, the most excitement she’s expecting is a sunset walk along the beach.

Tracy wound her way through the streets of Camden, passing candle stores, antique stores, coffee shops and eateries, in what proved to be a futile attempt to purge Wentworth Cove and all that happened there from her mind. Unable to run from the memories and getting no satisfaction from browsing the quaint little shops, she resigned herself to going to the library a full two hours before she was supposed to meet Lucas and Gina.

After all, she mused, her life was measured in libraries, wasn’t it? The library of her childhood, the one her mother now presided over. She had grown up there, reading everything from Beatrix Potter and Lewis Carroll to William Faulkner and James Joyce. The high school library where she had effectively hidden from normal teenage life for four years. The library at Boston College, her safe haven away from the chaotic madness of dorm life. John’s library in Kennebunkport, representing the chapter in her life that she was so desperately attempting to get away from.

And now the library in Camden—representing what? The unknown? Where was she going from here? How had she gotten into this mess? Just a few weeks ago she was a relatively satisfied literary agent at a prestigious agency in Boston, hoping to spend a few weeks away from the city, then go home refreshed, eyes rested, brain rested, ready to work again.

Now she was standing on a street in a town where she knew no one, watching tourists file off a bus in front of her, wondering where they came from, where they were going, and if any of them had ever felt as alone as she did right now.


Find Rebecca at: http://www.rebeccastevensonwriter.com

Find Another Summer at:
Kindle: http://amzn.com/B00L1LISZQ Nook: http://barnesandnoble/B00L1SZQ Paperback: http://amzn.com/1625260822


Thanks for being with the PP gals today, Rebecca!

Sit back, relax with the Plotting Princesses! #MFRWorg

The latest information, tidbits, and of course, books is in this special Summertime edition of the Plotting Princesses newsletter.

Take a peek. You never know....

http://ymlp.com/zu0ELp

Life Hacks You'll actually Use

You've probably seen or heard about life hacks, which are essentially super-cool ideas to make your life a little easier. You may have seen a few on tumblr, or pinterest. Heck, there are entire websites devoted to them. But if you're like me, you scroll through blog posts titled 153 best life hacks at the speed of light, all the while thinking, "Holy cow, I've got to use some of these!", only to promptly forget every single one of them to stumble through the rest of your thoroughly un-hacked life. If an idea requires me to collect something, prepare something a month in advance, or doesn't provide semi-instant gratification, I'm out. I'm just too busy. Which is why I give you this post... a bite-sized sample of life hacks YOU MIGHT ACTUALLY USE.

Number 5



Number 4:


Number 3



Number 2


Number 1




Happy hacking!

Hugs,
Kelly

 

#PlottingPrincesses : Under the Royal Crown author interview with J. C. McKenzie. Shift Happens. #MFRWorg

The PP gals welcomes J. C. McKenzie for our speedy Under the Crown Interview. Welcome, J.C.

Born and raised on the Haida Gwaii, off the West Coast of Canada, J.C. McKenzie grew up in a pristine wilderness that inspired her to dream. She writes Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance. Lover of the ocean and all things chocolate.

Speed Round:

Favorite movie: Willow Favorite   

Book: Mermaid’s Song, by Alida Van Gores
Last book read: Gull Harbor, by Kathryn Knight
Favorite color: Blue
Stilettos or flip-flops: Flip flops, FTW!
Coffee or tea: Coffee
E-book or paperback: ebook
Pencil or pen: pencil
Favorite song: right now? Boa Sorte, Vanessa de Mata & Ben Harper
Streak or not: Streak
Favorite dessert: Anything chocolate
Champagne or gin: Gin
Paranormal or Historical: Paranormal
Ginger or Mary Ann: Mary Ann
Favorite TV show: BIG BANG THEORY!
Hot or cold: Cold
POV: First
I'd die if I don't have: My loving family



Blurb from Shift Happens:
When an assignment goes wrong, Andy must find out why or face eternal enslavement.

I grunted and shut my eyes. Of course, imprisoned in a Were house. These buildings were pretty damn close to indestructible and near impossible to break out using strength—a must for house training new Weres. They could get pretty uncontrollable. Good thing I never counted on brute force to get me out of trouble.
“Is there anything I can get you?” he asked.
“Clothes,” I said without thinking.
A shadow passed over me. My eyes flew open. Wick leaned in and placed a hand on each side of my head. Bracing his weight, he bent closer. A smile tugged at his lips, now inches away from my own. His white teeth flashed. “Nervous?”
“You wish.” Butterflies danced the mamba in my stomach. Oh God, he totally nailed it.
His face darkened and he lowered his body. His peppermint breath brushed my face. “You should be.”
A shiver ran through my body at the promise in his words.



I'm also running a giveaway July 16th - August 6th.
The prizes are: 1 x $25 gift card to Amazon and 1 x signed print copy of Shift Happens (USA/CAD only. If winner is international, they'll receive a digital copy of Shift Happens)
<a id="rc-987e273" class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/disp..." rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><script src="http://plottingprincesses.blogspot.co... OR: The direct URL for the giveaway is: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/disp...


Find J.C. at: http://www.jcmckenzie.ca

Buy Link: The Wild Rose Press


Thank you, J. C., for being with the PP gals today!