Karilyn Bentley's Blog, page 42

Tales from the Crate by Karilyn Bentley

In case you didn't know, we lost our "little girl" in February. Clara, aka Jaws, had been with us for eleven years and it was quite the emotional hit to lose her. I'd like to honor her by telling a, hopefully, humorous story about her favorite thing to do: hunt.

Until Clara came into our life, I never thought about dogs hunting. On their own, I mean. Sure, I knew plenty of people who went hunting with their dogs and the dog would retrieve whatever the owner shot. I knew dogs liked to chase rabbits and cats. But I never realized they liked to catch critters and bring them to their owners as some sort of trophy prize. I thought only cats did that. Talk about being wrong!

Our first experience with our newly adopted dog's hunting prowess came at night when she delivered us a baby rabbit. This was pre-Lasik so I didn't realize what she had in her mouth until she got even with me in the doorway. I'm surprised the neighbors didn't call 911 when I screamed loud enough to wake the husband (which was a wonder in itself, he used to sleep like the dead). This "find" was followed by an early "dinner" of rabbit the next day and then several months later by a dead squirrel. In my house. When my hubby was on business trip. Luckily there wasn't a lot of blood. Just a lot of bleaching after I got the poor squirrel out of the living room.

But neither of those catches top the morning dove.

On a cold winter's afternoon, one where there was actually snow on the ground here in TX, I looked out the window and noticed Clara facing off with a morning dove by the edge of our pool. Next thing I see is the bird dive bombing the dog, who in self-defense grabs its wing and tosses it into the pool. Then she stands at the edge of the pool as if waiting for it to come back out so she can finish it off. Unfortunately, birds don't swim like ducks. I go racing out of the house, pull Clara inside, grab the skimmer and put the poor injured bird in the monkey grass under the bushes lining the pool.

Except I forgot about the dog door. Which is open and flapping in the breeze as Clara races through it, ducks into the bushes and, like a scene from a horror movie, grabs the bird by the wing and drags it into the dark recesses of the undergrowth. Where she promptly picks it up and prances to the dog door with a screaming human hot on her tail.

Somehow I manage to get her sans dove into the house and put the dove back in the bushes where I figure it will either heal and fly off or the local stray cats will eat well.

Flash forward to the next day. The dog door is kept down, which upsets Clara who stalks the door and peers outside all that night and the next morning. She then seems to forgot about it. I have a party to go to and because she had a tendency to eat the house if you forgot to open the dog door, I leave it open, figuring the bird is gone since I no longer see it. When I come home a couple of hours later, the back door is open, the alley gate is open, feathers are all over the living room and there is an ugly red blotch on Clara's bedding. The Hubster comes darting through the door about then in his socks no shoes, out of breath and upset.

Yep, Clara found the dove I thought flew off and put it out of its misery in my living room. So my poor hubby came home from a long business trip and had to clean up a mess, which he took out to the alley trash. However, he forgot to shut the gate, then let the dogs out and Clara decided to take herself for a walk. I spent the next twenty minutes or so chasing her through the allies and streets in the dark until she got tired of me chasing her and let me catch her.

And that is the story of Clara and the Morning Dove. Do you have a pet story to share? I'd love to read it. Pets crack me up!

Karilyn Bentley
www.karilynbentley.com

PP Phyllis Middleton: My Writing Tools - Old Fashioned OR Techie???

Okay, we know the obvious writing tools.  Computer, pencil/pen, paper, perhaps a typwriter and most importantly, a creative thought.  But that’s not what I’m talking about. Just the other day, Princess Vicki Batman sent an email to the Princess realm about writing software.  Pondering on what to write on this blog, a light bulb went off in the brain.
What do readers know about an author’s process in her / his writing?  Do they want to know?  Even other writers learn from authors such as methods, tools, time management, etc. So, I thought I’d pass along my favorite and others I’ve tried. My favorite writing tool AKA software is….drum roll, please….
Dragon Natural Speaking Software.
I started with the Nuance Software Company back in 2007 when I purchased version 3. It wasn’t at all great back then, let’s face it, it sucked because it sparsely recognized my words and trying to teach it words took longer than me typing them. And that is saying a LOT, since I'm a very slow typist. Like on a good day, when my brain and fingers are in total sync, I type 40 to 45 words a minute!  Version 3 was slower.
Still, I loved the idea they were trying to make work, so I tried it again with version 7 a few years later. There was some improvement, but just not enough. But my typing speed picked up a little. Again, better than Version 7
Alas, I kept trying. They came out with version 10 and BINGO, it works. It really works! Okay, I’m doing this now. I’m writing with Dragon and it’s so cool.
Then Nuance puts out Version 11 which is suppose to 90 something percent better. Well, I gotta try this, So I purchase Version 11 and promptly received an additional .5 downloaded upgrade.  I now have 11.5 and I love it!
They came out with a version 12, but 11.5 is doing the job for me. It types faster, it recognizes most everything I say until I throw a weird word in there, but once I train it, the word is golden. This software is golden.  I am a happy camper.
I highly recommend Version 11 and up. No, I don’t work for Nuance, nor do I get a kick back. They just kept at it until they got it ‘write’...Ha, ha.
I chose to go the dictation style writing…again, my fingers can’t go as fast as my thoughts. Plus, I’ve been writing long hand since I was 13 years old. I can write pretty darn fast, not that you can read it, but it is down. Then I simply read into the microphone and presto! My story is in the computer.  I know that Princess Liz Lipperman writes her novels in the same fashion. 
Other writing and editing software I’ve tried have been: Dramatica; Write Way Pro; Storybook; New Novelist; Master Writer; Contour; White Smoke, Rainbow edit; AutoCrit and Master Edit to name a few.
So this obviously leads to questions of the day. What software have you tried? What do you like? What is working best for you? Are you old fashion or new techy?

Golden Wedding Anniversaries

This is the month of brides, and while we celebrate new beginnings, it’s also great to celebrate couples who have been together for many years. My aunt and uncle will celebrate their fiftieth wedding anniversary on June 15th, and all the family is gathering to honor them on this very special occasion.
I’ve known four couples to make it to their fiftieth wedding anniversary. Both sets of grandparents, my parents and now my aunt and uncle. So I asked my uncle to tell me why he thought that their marriage had lasted when others have not. He gave me such a wonderful detailed description that I don’t have the room to put everything he said here. 
His first recommendation is that young people wait and not be in a hurry to marry, but instead be in love, not lust.  Look for a partner who is honest, trustworthy and is committed to the relationship. Look at their parents to see what kind of example they are setting and what kind of home they have established for their children. These characteristics will be passed down to any children the two of you have, so be certain their son or daughter is right for you.  Once you’re certain, this is the right person, then commit 100% to making the love of your life happy.  
Always put your mate first and remember what they want. You’re on this journey of life together, and the decisions you make as an individual will affect your partner. Their needs should be put before your own.
My aunt is his best-friend. They have always shared and talked about everything and prefer to spend time with each other rather than anyone else. He went on and on about what a fabulous wife my aunt is and how she established a loving home for their children and was a great example to them and a wonderful help mate.  He said, “Donnette has been a great wife because she always puts me first and supported me in whatever decisions that we have made.”
As I read his email, he brought tears to my eyes, when he said this about my aunt, “She has made me happy by loving me and being affectionate at the right times, a good listener when needed, a partner when necessary and a partner in the marriage and home. She has been right beside me holding my hand in the good times and in the bad times. She has been an extension of who I am. I have been the most blessed person on the earth and God brought the most wonderful person into my life to share it with me and made me a much better person.”
The most important reason they have been together for fifty years is that they always kept God in their marriage. They have attended church and been involved in church wherever they lived.
Yes, God has played a big part in their relationship, but there is another line in his email that said a lot about my uncle as a husband. He says, “I don't know whether I have been a good husband or not, but I know that I have committed myself to my family, which is my wife, children and parents. A good husband has lots of characteristics such as Godliness, love, honesty, faithfulness, and a good provider.”
Uncle Stan, I’m certain that if I asked my aunt, she’d say you’ve been an excellent husband. Thanks for the both of you being such a great example of love and marriage and sharing with us today. May you have many more wonderful years together.
Sylvia McDaniel likes to write about brides and happily ever afters.  Check out her latest release, The Wanted Bride on Amazon http://ow.ly/lG7AR or Barnes and Noble http://ow.ly/lG7Gg.

Plotting Princesses: Extra! Extra!

Extra! Extra!
The PP June Newsletter…
 
 
Is out! Catch up on what's happening with the Plotting Princesses. We have links to great articles written by PPs Liese, Kathy, Vicki, and an extra special one about the PP at RomCon written by Michelle. There's breaking news and sneak peeks at great covers.
 
Go to: http://ymlp.com/zJJ72d
  
Thank you for your support!

Interview With a Cowboy

Hi everyone. Since I’m just a writer and let’s face it, books are almost always more interesting than my life, I brought along a Texas cowboy, Dylan McKeon, to chat with you today.  Dylan is the sexy hero in Rocking Horse Cowboys.  I’ll start out and ask him a few questions to make him feel comfortable, or not.  Then  we'll open it up for everyone to jump in and ask him a few of their own.

Hi Dylan and welcome to The Plotting Princesses.  We’re happy you could join us today.  Feel free to put your cowboy hat on that table and relax.  Don't let all us ladies intimidate you.  I must say, your cover is getting oodles of positive attention these days.Dylan:  Really?

Me:  Seems there’s just something about you Texas cowboys.

Dylan:  You got me on that one. Pretty routine life.

Me:  So, let’s get started.  When you were a child, what did you want to be?

Dylan:  A cowboy like my dad. Then by the time I reached high school, anything but.

Me:  Didn’t want to be a cowboy or didn’t want to be like your dad?

Dylan:  Neither.

Me:  Okay...and now?

Dylan:  I’ve tried pretty much everything else. Ranching’s a living. It’s what I do.

Me. So what do you do to unwind at the end of the day? Do you have a favorite watering hole where you like to grab a beer?

Dylan:  Don’t drink.

Me:   Okay, so no alcohol. What about dancing? Do you enjoy taking a lady out on the dance floor for a little Texas two-step?

Dylan:  Sure. I’ll dance to anything from Strait to Seger to Springsteen. My parents had eclectic taste.

Me:  What would make you ask a woman out on a second date?

Dylan:  A woman who didn’t get all ruffled and bent out of shape if things didn’t follow the script.  Someone who enjoyed the adventure as much as the destination.

Me:  Have you ever been deeply and totally in love?

Dylan:  Once.  She left.

EXCERPT:“No damn way!” Dylan McKeon blinked at the lawyer then turned his glare on his mother. “Did you instigate this?”Daisy grinned back at him with all the innocence he knew his mother did not possess. “I’m as surprised as you, sweetie. Who’d have thought your father would do such a thing?” Judging by the upturned corners of her glossed lips, she did.

“Why would Dad leave half the ranch to Jordan?” It made no sense. Jordan had walked out of Dylan’s life over two years ago and he hadn’t seen neither hide nor hair of her since. Dylan turned back to the lawyer. “Is that all? What other death bed insanity did he pull?”His father’s attorney and longtime drinking buddy ran a finger down the paper and flipped the page. “A few specified items and his vast music collection he left to Daisy.” He nodded to Mom. “All other personal property, vehicles, farm equipment, livestock, bank accounts go to Dylan McKeon, his only son. With the one specification.”

Dylan swallowed the bile in his throat. No way in Hell he was going to allow Jordan Harris to reap a cent off of his or his father’s hard work. “Fifty percent of the McKeon family’s ranch? We’ll see about that.”

CONTACT:  www.pamelastone.netSo ask away folks.  Any questions for our cowboy?

HOW ABOUT A LITTLE QUICKIE? by Kathy Ivan

I hope everybody had a wonderful holiday weekend and spent a little extra quality time with family and friends. Memorial Day is the official start of the summer season and I thought what better way to start off the Princesses summer blog than with a little writing exercise. LOL
So, let’s all put on our creative writing hats and do a bit of writing today. I’ll start you off with a few sentences, just to get the ball rolling.

You can take the story in any direction you want. It can be contemporary romance, suspense, paranormal, futuristic, mystery, or comedy. Whatever and wherever your creative flow directs it, we’ll all follow along and join in the fun.

Let’s make it simple. In the comment section of this post, read the story as it progresses. Each person who wants to join in can add up to 5 sentences to the story (at a time). Feel free to keep coming back and see what direction each person takes our story. We’ll keep adding to it all day long. You can definitely add to the story more than once. The more the merrier. . .let's just keep it going and going and going.

It’s that easy. Read what’s already been added, and then put your own spin on it. Dialogue, introspection, setting, weather. Everything and anything goes.

BUT PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS IS AN OPEN BLOG – SO NO PROFANITY AND NO EXPLICIT SEXUAL LANGUAGE/SITUATIONS. People under 18 have free access to our blog so we want to make sure to keep everything PG rated.

Okay – let’s here our jumping off point -- start of the story.

A flash of light illuminated the interior of the car quickly followed by the rumble of thunder, so loud it vibrated the floorboards. The wipers slicked back and forth in a rhythmic pattern across the windshield, squeaking as they pushed the rain away and displaying the enormous movie screen. A static-filled speaker filled the car with music as the credits rolled. Sarah looked in the rear-view mirror at the three sleeping children sprawled in the back seat fast asleep. She couldn’t hide the little smile tugging at the corners of her lips; they’d missed the ending of their favorite movie—again.

Kathy Ivan is busy at work on multiple projects, writing like crazy on her romantic suspense and her paranormal romances. Her latest release, Second Chances, a paranormal romance, is available now at all e-retailers.

PP Guest: Amazing, award-winning author, CARA MARSI & Franco's Fortune

The PPs welcome one of Vicki's TRUE friends today. She's an amazing award-winning author and loves to write short fiction-CARA MARSI!!!

How did you get from your day job to writing romance?  I fled my fabric-covered cage a few times, but they found me and brought me back. It wasn’t easy, but I finally managed to escape the corporate world for good. I wrote for years while working fulltime. Reading and writing romance fed my soul and kept me sane.
What are your three favorite books of all time? Green Darkness by Anya Seton; A Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux (Vicki's too!!!); Captains and the Kings by Taylor Caldwell.

Morning, afternoon, or evening person? Afternoon. I pretty much stumble around in a daze in the morning until I’ve had a few cups of coffee. Then I exercise, do email and promos, and finally in the afternoon my mind is sufficiently free to allow my imagination to take hold and I write.
Music--with or without? What kind? Without. I don’t like distractions. However, my Australian cousin Luciana’s partner Michael is an international tenor, and he made me a CD of him singing opera. When I’m stuck on a scene I like to listen to Michael.
First or third POV? Mostly third, but I enjoy writing first person also. I’ve published around a dozen short stories in the confession magazines, all in first person.
How's tricks? Do you juggle multiple projects? Actually, I’m not too bad at it. After spending my life in the corporate world, I learned to handle multiple projects.
What's harder: beginning, middle, or the end? Middle. I always know how a story will begin and end. It’s the darn sagging middle that gives me trouble.
Revisions: Love 'em or hate 'em? Love ‘em. You almost have to drag me to the computer kicking and screaming to get that dratted first draft out.
How did you come up with that title?  Best advice anybody ever gave you? One of my critique partners came up with the title of my latest, Franco’s Fortune, Redempton Book 2. My hero’s name is Franco Callahan (half Italian/half Irish). The heroine’s name is Jo Fortune. Hence, Franco’s Fortune. Best advice ever was something I read early on--“Writers who give up never publish.” That’s been my mantra. 
Fill in this blank: My ideal fictional hero would think me gorgeous no matter… If he sees me with my hair half-dried. All wet or styled is okay. Halfway through styling, not so much.
What's your favorite dessert?  Crème Brulee
Do you write at home or someplace else? Home. My desk overlooks a small rose garden. Most exciting thing to happen out there was when I watched a fox bury a dead squirrel under a rose bush. It’s an improvement over writing in the dark, crowded basement, as I used to. Or in that fabric-covered cage at work.
What's your favorite type of hero/heroine and why? I like heroes and heroines with flaws (don’t we all?). I like them to be vulnerable in some way, but totally redeemable. I don’t want to read about women or men who are perfect, especially the women. Perfect men? I could take a few of those once in a while.
Excerpt below:
“Heard you need a bodyguard, Callahan.”
The sultry female voice jerked Franco’s attention from his computer. He swiveled his chair and glanced toward the doorway of his office. A thrill shot through him at the sight of the petite redhead, arms folded across her chest, leaning impudently against the doorjamb. He tamped down the excitement she always aroused in him and narrowed his eyes.
“Well, if it isn’t Josephine Fortune. What are you doing here?”
She stepped into the room and deposited her duffel bag on the floor. “I’m real glad to see you too, Callahan. And the name is Jo.”
The tough little spitfire never wore anything other than camouflage fatigues, T-shirts, and combat boots. He couldn’t help noticing the way her khaki-colored T-shirt stretched over her firm breasts and the way her full, pink lips--kissable lips--parted. She wasn’t his type he reminded himself. His type was tall, blonde, leggy, and a tigress in bed--not a fiery redhead more comfortable on the shooting range than between satin sheets. He shot her an insolent smile, retreating into the playboy persona he showed the world.
Her green eyes, translucent and light as a spring leaf, studied him. “Logan and Doriana sent me to protect your sorry ass.”
His eyes never leaving hers, he stood. “I told them I don’t need protection. I’m sorry you had to come all this way. Go back to Tucson.”

Find Cara's books at:
Amazon
iTunes
Smashwords
BarnesandNoble
Kobo

Find Cara at:
Website

Thanks, Cara, for being here today. You are wonderful!

 

Where in the world are the Plotting Princesses?

Hello, beautiful readers!

The Plotting Princesses are making an appearance! Next month, some of us will be venturing to Colorado Springs to attend RomCon from Friday, June 21 to Sunday, June 23.

We’ll be there to chat with readers, hand out swag and participate in games with giveaways! I will be participating in the Slayer game and you can win some fabulous prizes from me which include signed books as well as gift cards.

Here’s a list of the PP gals attending the conference and what we’re up to:

Vicki Batman: First Kiss, Bingo, book signingKarilyn Bentley: Slayer gameElizabeth Essex: Book signingKathy Ivan: Book signingSylvia McDaniel: First Kiss, Bingo, book signingMichelle Miles: Slayer Game, book signingLiese Sherwood-Fabre: book signing
We hope you can join us for the fun! Tickets are still available for the event if you can make it out to see us. We would love to see as many friendly reader faces as possible. Click here for more information about the event.

Hope to see you there!

Vicki Batman on: Indy has it right-I Hate Snakes

Indy has it right-I hate snakes
 
On my way home from the craft store, I drove past the apartment complex I lived in with my BFF when we were free and single gals. The complex has been torn down and a huger new one is going up. Seeing the spot brought back a memory.
Once upon a time, we used to have a big parties and invite everyone we knew. Sometimes, the only place to stand was on the fireplace hearth. One year, her co-worker's boyfriend showed with a boa constrictor dangling over his shoulders.
The reptile was not invited.
I suggested he stay out by the pool with his "buddy" for the party. He did.
But that got me to thinking about other close encounters of the slinky kind.  
As a kid: while picking blackberries at my aunt's farm, we were warned to "watch out for cottonmouths." As a kid: while swimming in a lake to "watch out for water moccasins."
As a teenager: while working at an amusement park, the foreman of a ride bashed a water moccasin at my feet.
As a mom: watching my son and friend leap over one in the middle of the road I had just used.

I think snakes are creepy and do know they do good as well as have defense mechanisms. I just don't want to be around when they feel compelled to do so.
How about you? Hate snakes?
 
BTW: this link goes to Indiana Jones trivia-http://www.funtrivia.com/en/Movies/In...
  Vicki Batman prefers cats and dogs over snakes. She's working on holiday stories now while imbibing in a diet Coke or two. Find her at the PP and at: vickibatman.blogspot.com/ @VickiBatman and on FB as sassy writer of sexy and funny fiction.

The Wanted Bride

What if you found out five minutes before you were to walk down the aisle, that your best-friend is pregnant by your fiancé? Everyone is seated in the church, the music is playing and then your best friend turns to you and says, she’s pregnant. What would you do?   In my new book, The Wanted Bride , Valerie Burrows runs out the door jumps into the fiancé’s vintage Corvette to escape. Except the car breaks down in downtown Dallas.  I won’t tell you how Valerie reacts, but there is a reason this book is called The Wanted Bride .  It’s what everyone feels like doing on a really bad day, but doesn’t. Except Valerie has reached the end of her limits and she gets her revenge.   If you like sassy heroines and tales of women who change, then you’ll enjoy The Wanted Bride .  Here’s an excerpt.   “I need a one-way ticket to anywhere,” Valerie Burrows commanded the girl behind the bus counter in downtown Dallas. A charred piece of her wedding veil sagged onto her face. Impatiently, she flipped the singed lace away, her throat closing off the tears that threatened her vision.  On what was supposed to be the happiest day of her life, she reeked of smoke, not flowers, saw red not white, tasted bile not cake.  Glancing up from the counter the clerk’s eyes widened, making Valerie acutely aware of her appearance. On what was supposed to be the happiest day of her life, she felt traumatized, not joyous.  “Whe...re do you want to go?” the clerk stammered.  “Anywhere, as long as I leave in the next five minutes,” Valerie insisted, wishing people would stop staring. So she looked like a crazy woman. After this morning maybe she was a little loco.  “The bus to Amarillo is loading now,” the agent advised, her large brown eyes riveted to Valerie. “I have one seat left. The one-way fare is sixty-five dollars.” Though she preferred to travel by plane, there was no time or way to get to the airport. She could take the bus or stay and face the consequences of her actions.  Valerie dug the cash out of her Bottega Veneta purse and handed the money to the ticket agent. “I’ll take it.”  Dirty lace from her wedding veil fell onto her face again, so she yanked the offending garment off her head and threw the veil on top of her matching Louis Vuitton luggage.  The beautiful lace of her Vera Wang wedding gown was streaked with gray and black.  Burn streaks made a crazy pattern on the silk that didn't accessorize the seed pearls.  The clerk handed her the ticket, sympathy in her dark eyes. “The bus is ready. You’re the last one to board.”  Not even time to change. Head held high, spine locked in place, she limped to the white steel carriage, her suitcases trailing behind.  She glanced up to see faces pressed against the glass windows of the bus, gaping at her like she was a freak show.  Hadn’t these people ever seen a runaway bride in real life before? Julia Roberts may have made the movie, but she didn’t own the copyright to wedding disasters.  With her carry-on bag hanging from her shoulder, Valerie marched up the steps of the waiting bus as if she walked around in a wedding gown every day. The babble of sixty voices ceased as she handed the driver her ticket.  He mumbled, “Lord, I need to retire.”  Her silk dress pressed against her legs and swished as she made her way to the only empty seat on her getaway bus. Thank God she’d ditched the petticoats in the Corvette.  A gray-haired woman glanced at her as she put her luggage in the overhead bin.  “Hm hm hm, I can’t wait to hear this story,” the elderly Hispanic woman said.  “Are you all right?”  Valerie plopped in the seat, her ruined silk gown making a mighty swish. She exhaled loudly, her heart aching, her eyes blurring with unshed tears. For the last hour she’d been holding her breath while making her escape.  But now, now all the pain she'd carefully controlled broke free and she chuckled. Hysterical laughter rumbled from deep inside her, echoed through the bus. A single tear rolled down her cheek.  “I am now.”  

The Wanted Bride is currently available on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/The-Wanted-Bride-ebook/dp/B00CF9F6G2 Barnes & Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-wanted-bride-sylvia-mcdaniel/1115150522 Ibooks, Smashwords and Kobo. Everyone who leaves a message will be entered into a drawing and I will give away one free copy of The Wanted Bride.