Liz Crowe's Blog, page 29
March 29, 2012
Across the Beer with Jennifer Probst!
Welcome to my Beer Bar Jennifer! What can I pour you to start.
Rubs hands together in anticipation. Why have I never been here before - this is awesome! Well, I already got yelled at previously for drinking beer with fruit, so in preparation of this interview I have studied up. I will start with....a Wolverine Dark Lager! Thank you, my lovely!
I have your new 1NightStand queued up on my Ipad to read...can't wait! tell us about it.
Oh, yeah! Play Me continues the Steele Brothers series with Rome Steele. Here's a blurb to whet your appetite, or in this case, your whistle...
Professional gambler Sloane Keller is tired of dating weak willed men and longs to meet a man who challenges her dominant personality and forces her to submit. As the queen of the cards, she's used to making her own rules, and craves the excitement of Vegas. But her inner heart cries out for someone who can be her match, both inside the casino and in the bedroom.As the new dealer in town, Roman Steele is burnt out on women looking for a quick penny and a man to follow. He craves a woman with fire in her soul and a keen intellect who can challenge him. When his brother recruits Madame Eve to help, Rome is amazed at the complicated woman he gets to spend the night with. But when the evening is over, will she be gutsy enough to offer him forever?
This one notches up the steam level a bit more from Catch Me, and these two can really butt heads...and other anatomy parts...
(*ponders the other anatomy parts a second*) What did you write first? Hot romance or "sweet?" which do you prefer to read and write?
I published my sexy contemporary romance, Heart of Steel, but the books after that one kept getting rejected for various reasons. Then the erotic romance genre exploded, and I always enjoyed writing the sex scenes! Red Sage was the new publisher on the block back then and I became intrigued by trying my hand at something that would push my limits...so I wrote a little novella called Masquerade and they bought it. It was published in Secrets, Volume 11 which was a huge thrill. Then I did a crazy thing...got married, bought a house, had a baby, had another baby, got two dogs, and got my master's degree. Finally, I went back to writing and published more erotic and more sexy contemporary. As for my favorite? I like to switch back and forth because I never get bored! There's always some spice to my work whether it's sexy or erotic.
A kid's book eh? cool. And what's that cute puppy dog cover about?
Yeah, I'm all over the place, aren't I?! I co-wrote the children's book, Buffy and the Carrot, with my twelve year old niece. She was telling my boys and my nieces this story about a silly rabbit who falls in love with a carrot, and everyone just cracked up at the ending. I decided to write the book with her. Took a year, we got a family member to do the illustrations and now we do book signings at libraries and she has the experience of being a published author. It was worth the work and effort to see someone young learn the business.As for A Life Worth Living, a dog's voice kept whispering in my ear while I tried to write my romance novel. Quite annoying. I finally gave up and wrote his story about his experiences as a shelter dog. Had no idea what to do with it though! Decided to self publish it and donate half of the proceeds to the animal shelter where I got my dogs. This little story took off and hit #1 on Amazon in its category, so I'm thrilled to be able to present a nice check to the shelter, and raise awareness for animal shelters!
Whoops! empty glass--what can I pour you next?
So glad you asked, I'm getting thirsty talking about myself! Ummm, let's go with the Premium Lager this time, I want to try as many as I can before I get home.
Do you have other 1NightStand projects in mind? I have enjoyed writing for that series myself.
I love that series! I just finished your book Caught Offside and thought it was amazing...and now looking forward to your new one! Dare Me is the third in the Steele Brothers series scheduled to come out end of April 2012. That book pushes more limits in the BDSM world. I'm interested in writing two more for the series to continue so I'm excited about it!
I don't have any 1NS books coming out anytime soon but I am glad you enjoyed Caught Offside!
What's next up for you? Another hot one?
My next release is actually a sexy contemporary which is the sequel to the #USA Today bestseller, The Marriage Bargain. It's called The Marriage Trap for the Indulgence line at Entangled, and showcases Maggie and Michael's story. I also have a short, sweeter romance coming out for the holidays from The Wild Rose Press called The Holiday Hoax.
If you had to pick one, tell us about your favorite heroine and why she made the cut.
As an author, it's a hard question because we love them all. But I have to say Maggie Ryan from my upcoming book, The Marriage Trap made the cut. She is an amazing character - complicated, prickly, hiding a mushy heart. She has a sharp wit and sarcasm that kept me on my toes. She was a fun, challenging character to write, and kept launching herself onto the page with dramatic flair!I also do love Sloane Keller from Play Me...she's got that strong personality I adore in my heroines, and gives my hero a run for his money!
Okay, nightcap time. What's your poison?
Liz, my wonderful bartender/hostess, you pick for me. Give me something with a hit that I'll remember - I'm not driving tonight. And thanks so much for having me here, I'm coming back soon to visit. Think I've found my new favorite place to hang out!
Here, let's share this: a small glass of my brewer's extra special Bourbon barrel aged Imperial Dark Lager...yumm..thanks for hanging out Jennifer!
Rubs hands together in anticipation. Why have I never been here before - this is awesome! Well, I already got yelled at previously for drinking beer with fruit, so in preparation of this interview I have studied up. I will start with....a Wolverine Dark Lager! Thank you, my lovely!
I have your new 1NightStand queued up on my Ipad to read...can't wait! tell us about it.
Oh, yeah! Play Me continues the Steele Brothers series with Rome Steele. Here's a blurb to whet your appetite, or in this case, your whistle...Professional gambler Sloane Keller is tired of dating weak willed men and longs to meet a man who challenges her dominant personality and forces her to submit. As the queen of the cards, she's used to making her own rules, and craves the excitement of Vegas. But her inner heart cries out for someone who can be her match, both inside the casino and in the bedroom.As the new dealer in town, Roman Steele is burnt out on women looking for a quick penny and a man to follow. He craves a woman with fire in her soul and a keen intellect who can challenge him. When his brother recruits Madame Eve to help, Rome is amazed at the complicated woman he gets to spend the night with. But when the evening is over, will she be gutsy enough to offer him forever?
This one notches up the steam level a bit more from Catch Me, and these two can really butt heads...and other anatomy parts...
(*ponders the other anatomy parts a second*) What did you write first? Hot romance or "sweet?" which do you prefer to read and write?
I published my sexy contemporary romance, Heart of Steel, but the books after that one kept getting rejected for various reasons. Then the erotic romance genre exploded, and I always enjoyed writing the sex scenes! Red Sage was the new publisher on the block back then and I became intrigued by trying my hand at something that would push my limits...so I wrote a little novella called Masquerade and they bought it. It was published in Secrets, Volume 11 which was a huge thrill. Then I did a crazy thing...got married, bought a house, had a baby, had another baby, got two dogs, and got my master's degree. Finally, I went back to writing and published more erotic and more sexy contemporary. As for my favorite? I like to switch back and forth because I never get bored! There's always some spice to my work whether it's sexy or erotic.
A kid's book eh? cool. And what's that cute puppy dog cover about?
Yeah, I'm all over the place, aren't I?! I co-wrote the children's book, Buffy and the Carrot, with my twelve year old niece. She was telling my boys and my nieces this story about a silly rabbit who falls in love with a carrot, and everyone just cracked up at the ending. I decided to write the book with her. Took a year, we got a family member to do the illustrations and now we do book signings at libraries and she has the experience of being a published author. It was worth the work and effort to see someone young learn the business.As for A Life Worth Living, a dog's voice kept whispering in my ear while I tried to write my romance novel. Quite annoying. I finally gave up and wrote his story about his experiences as a shelter dog. Had no idea what to do with it though! Decided to self publish it and donate half of the proceeds to the animal shelter where I got my dogs. This little story took off and hit #1 on Amazon in its category, so I'm thrilled to be able to present a nice check to the shelter, and raise awareness for animal shelters!
Whoops! empty glass--what can I pour you next?
So glad you asked, I'm getting thirsty talking about myself! Ummm, let's go with the Premium Lager this time, I want to try as many as I can before I get home.
Do you have other 1NightStand projects in mind? I have enjoyed writing for that series myself.
I love that series! I just finished your book Caught Offside and thought it was amazing...and now looking forward to your new one! Dare Me is the third in the Steele Brothers series scheduled to come out end of April 2012. That book pushes more limits in the BDSM world. I'm interested in writing two more for the series to continue so I'm excited about it!
I don't have any 1NS books coming out anytime soon but I am glad you enjoyed Caught Offside!
What's next up for you? Another hot one?
My next release is actually a sexy contemporary which is the sequel to the #USA Today bestseller, The Marriage Bargain. It's called The Marriage Trap for the Indulgence line at Entangled, and showcases Maggie and Michael's story. I also have a short, sweeter romance coming out for the holidays from The Wild Rose Press called The Holiday Hoax.
If you had to pick one, tell us about your favorite heroine and why she made the cut.
As an author, it's a hard question because we love them all. But I have to say Maggie Ryan from my upcoming book, The Marriage Trap made the cut. She is an amazing character - complicated, prickly, hiding a mushy heart. She has a sharp wit and sarcasm that kept me on my toes. She was a fun, challenging character to write, and kept launching herself onto the page with dramatic flair!I also do love Sloane Keller from Play Me...she's got that strong personality I adore in my heroines, and gives my hero a run for his money!
Okay, nightcap time. What's your poison?
Liz, my wonderful bartender/hostess, you pick for me. Give me something with a hit that I'll remember - I'm not driving tonight. And thanks so much for having me here, I'm coming back soon to visit. Think I've found my new favorite place to hang out!
Here, let's share this: a small glass of my brewer's extra special Bourbon barrel aged Imperial Dark Lager...yumm..thanks for hanging out Jennifer!
March 27, 2012
Across the Beer Bar with Liz and the Original Super Couple
Liz: Oh Em Gee. Seriously, I am like, bouncing up and down in my seat here, getting as close to a squee as I will allow myself (remember: I sell beer. I do not squee. I usually curse).I have at my Tap Room Beer Bar, none other than Doug and Julie! I mean, (ahem) Bill Hayes and Susan Seaforth-Hayes, one of the big time super couples of daytime romance AND the ONLY daytime stars to ever appear on the cover of Time Magazine.
Now allow me to preface this with my own memories. Long about 1976 my family moved from Alabama to Kentucky where my dad was head of the music department of a small college. I was young and old (enough) to really be unhappy about moving from my friends and had settled in bound and determined NOT to like it, NOT to make any new friends and to get back to Alabama as fast as I could eventually. My mom was home with my baby brother, trying to keep him calm and settle a recalcitrant daughter into school. Yeah. Right.
It was about this time I discovered Salem, and the Hortons and Bradys and I let myself get sucked into the extreme romance of daytime television. I won't kid you guys, watching your lives unfold helped me adjust, and I made friends with other girls just as obsessed and, but for a brief flirtation with GH (boo—hiss) Days remains my favorite. I don't watch it like I used to but I keep up, trust me.
So, let's get started. Guys, welcome to my beer bar! What can I pour for you to start?
Hey, great to visit in your charming pub-site! [Susan settles onto a stool.] This very morning we are celebrating the launching of our debut novel, TRUMPET, and the arrival three hours ago of our eighteenth great-grandchild! It may sound as though we hobbled in, but actually we are quite spry, and let's say… rich in life experience. A brew like champagne is welcome. Susan: "Do you have any Spotted Cow? That's a local beer we slurped down in Milwaukee last year." [Bill shakes hands with all the customers and sidles over.] Bill: "In honor of the British setting of TRUMPET, I'll have a half-pint of lager. With a little head. Lager is perfect with a little head."
Liz: Okay well done. But first I should clarify. I only sell the beer we make on site. So "no" to spotted cow although that is a lovely option whilst in Wisconsin. No, we are home to the Craft Lager Revolution and have 9 different versions of that German style of beer on tap.
And Bill, (pats his hand and winks) that is a lovely way to ask me. This Beer Wench always gives perfect head. So, here you go…slides 2 glasses across to her guests. For Susan, a Wolverine Dark Lager, roasty and delicious. And for Bill the clean crisp perfection of my flagship brew: Wolverine Premium lager.
You are not here to discuss your lives as Doug and Julie (pumps fist) but to talk about your new project. You have written a book! And one of my publishers has released it this week. Tell us about how the whole thing came about.
We wanted to create a heroine facing all the challenges of today, but set in the licentious world of Regency London. Our first book (LIKE SANDS THROUGH THE HOURGLASS) was a double memoir (sold well!). We had a great experience writing together, so we plunged into fiction. Whew! Fiction is another cat entirely. TRUMPET allows us to examine parallels with a romantic age and our own more brutal one. In fact, both are pretty crazy!
Liz: And Your heroine? Lizzie (pumps fist again). This is her story, right?
Lizzie Trumpet is not a Jane Austen lady, but a feisty girl breaking into the colorful world of the stage.
Susan [leans over her frosty mug.]: Elizabeth was my mother's name; she was an actress at fifteen, then a soap opera writer. I started acting at four. Being actors, Billy and I wrote what we know and researched the history for seven years.
Bill [looks over the room.]: (we) Traveled all over the world, Egypt, Waterloo, London, Charleston. Spent all our money. We were nuts!
Susan [calms him with a smile—Liz tries not to swoon instead fans herself and keeps saying Doug and Julie Doug and Julie like an mantra] Yes, darling." Well, to become an actress in 1803 made you an outcast, no matter how brilliant your talent. Our plot takes the gorgeous Lizzie from the heights of fame in London to the insides of the pyramids of Egypt and back again. It covers eighteen years of English history and many real historical figures and delicious men along the way. There definitely are romantic moments.
Bill: [eyeballs his second beer] Could I have a little more head next time?
Liz: (motions for bartender to try the pour again) How do you write—sitting at 2 different computers and coming up with separate scenes? One of you typing while the other is the muse?
Susan: Separate inspirations; then we edit each other. If I discover a fascinating happening from 1812, it will turn up in our character's life. And three of Bill's dreams are in it, word for word. Real emotions and snappy dialogue are very important to us. We read all our work aloud.
Bill: [looks up, foam on his lips—once again Liz is struck dumb the surreal nature of the moment] There's a minimum of screaming and yelling.
Liz: Yes. Leave the screaming to us.
Susan [shifts shyly on her seat]: Creating a work of art," …and that's what TRUMPET is to us…, creating a book has entwined us more closely, and this after thirty-seven years of marriage!
Liz: Oh look, empty glasses….what can I pour for you next?
Susan: More of the same. Maybe some chips?
Bill [hopefully]: Got any bangers and mash?
Liz: Bill, for you anything. But, ah, no. No food. We are just a "beer bar" but after we are done here I will take you down the street for a killer meal at Zingerman's Roadhouse. Okay seriously the "big pink sausage" thing…Susan. That rocked…
Our Lizzie meets people Bill and Susan know in real life. One is the pianist, conductor, voice coach we call Carlo Tomassi. To sing well he advises Lizzie to open her mouth nice and wide as though swallowing a big pink sausage. Picture it. Some of the best lines are from our friend, once spoken to me, including, "Darling girl, when you take that breath, no floppen-titzin!" We wonder: will actors from DAYS OF OUR LIVES recognize themselves? Answer: we'll see, won't we?
Liz: I think I just had a heart attack. Seriously.
I always tell people who like to watch daytime drama that what I write (contemporary romance) is pretty much that, only in book form. The enduring popularity of both forms of entertainment is telling I think about how people do like to see "real life" people with their "real life" (mostly---all that coming back to life stuff is not so great to my mind) problems. Are you guys big readers? If so, who are your favorite authors.
Susan: We read constantly.
Bill [ponders as he sips]: Since I was a teen I've loved THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO by Dumas—cliff hangers, rich characters, romance and adventure…a great story of vengeance. Our Lizzie tussles with vengeance quite a bit.
Susan: Bill is currently re-reading GONE WITH THE WIND, eating it up.
Bill: We both love the work of Patrick O'Brian. LOVE it! [Some old codgers in the back of the bar, guys over sixty in captains hats, nod approvingly.] Susan is also moved and inspired by Ann Pachett (BEL CANTO) and Kaye Gibbons. We haven't read much romance; we admire the folks who grind it out, but have spent most of our time with other writing.
Liz: How did you come to work with Decadent Publishing?
Last summer we met Heather Bennett at a book signing for the DAYS 45th anniversary coffee table book, where our memoir was on the table. Heather: "Say, I didn't know Doug and Julie wrote." Answer: "Well, we do." "Got anything else?" "You betcha." "Get back to you in ten days." She did, and signed us up. This breezy beginning led to a grinding rewrite with Decadent editors, who live far far away and only deal in romance. We had never dealt in romance per se, just performed it and lived it for decades. So,…it took a while to speak in the same language. [Susan shakes her head, sighing deeply.]
Susan: "How about another beer?"
TRUMPET is not strictly a "romance novel," the genre Liz knows so well and produces by the case, where hero and heroine overcome obstacles and end happily in bed. Our story is a great, ambitious read, full of adventure, spice, facts and humor. It's the kind of book with memorable characters we love to get lost in.
Liz: Okay, well, someday you will read mine dear hearts (pats their hands) and see NONE of my books end very neatly with happily ever after. And in defense of "romance" (at least the stuff I write) if it's well-crafted it WILL have complex characters, adventure, spice and all of the above. But we'll save that for another discussion (raises and eyebrow and tries not to get defensive with publisher glaring at me from the corner)
We have several connections…the most recent of which is we share an editor at Decadent. How has that process been for you? It can be a little brutal…
Bill: Yes, we had to take a tutorial in 'point of view' and 'head-hopping.' That slowed our progress during the editing phase.
Susan: We enlarged our editor's awareness of archaic vocabulary.
Liz: And Bill and I could be related…one side of my family is from Western Kentucky originally, the other from Louisville (GO CARDS---sorry, I have basketball Tourettes). Share that connection with our no-doubt eager readers.
Bill: Yes, Kentuckians are very close. Liz Crowe lived in Owensboro, KY, for several years. And my dad—William Foster Hayes II—was born and raised in Owensboro, lived on Parrish Avenue. Susan and I went to see the house a few years ago, met the folks who lived there. It was great to walk through the home that my father and his family lived in. Family means a lot to me. I'm William Foster Hayes III, and my great grandson is William Foster Hayes VI. My Granddaddy—William Foster Hayes I—a lawyer, wrote the history book SIXTY YEARS OF OWENSBORO. So, if Liz and I aren't related, we should be.
Liz: Oh hell, now I'm not mad at you anymore about that "romance novel" thing. (blinks rapidly)
And finally, guys, I'm just telling you now, you are my second fav super couple. I love me some Bo and Hope…just sayin. Can you share one really outstanding memory from your time on Days of Our Lives? (pretty please)
Susan: Once upon a time at NBC Burbank. DOOL taping. A wedding shower scene. Entire female cast assembled. Take One: Dignified Sister Marie enters the party set, trips, and falls on her ass, legs in the air. Hilarity results. As we are setting up for Take Two, Suzanne Rogers (Maggie Horton) says, 'When Marie hit the floor, I peed!' Hopeless hysteria followed. Had to take a twenty minute break. Ah, those were happy days!
Bill: I have many. Doug and Julie wedding #1 (1976). Doug and Julie wedding #2 (1981). The variety show (1979). Tom and Alice's anniversary party. Singing at Doug's Place. But the one that really is vivid to this day is the scene at the Hessian Inn. Doug and Julie had been separated for a couple years, were on a buying trip, tried soooo hard to not get involved. But it all was too romantic; heart trumped head; Doug picked Julie up and laid her on the bed. Oooooooh!
Liz: (sighs and wipes a tear….God I loved that show) And now, the nightcap! What is your poison?
Bill: I've had enough. I'm starting the think of limericks and toasts we used to laugh at back when I was in the Navy.
Susan [says someone nonsense about a brandy drink but is cut short by Liz who presents her and Bill with a small glass of her carefully aged Imperial Dark Lager from Kentucky Bourbon barrels---the whole bar claps with glee]: It was great getting to know Liz, whom I remember from those writing exercises about the guy in the plane with the miserable headache and the lady drooling over him. [She slugs back her drink.] Really, Liz turned out to be a lot of fun.
Bill: Time to go, sweetheart. [They help each other off the stools and sway towards the exit. High fives from the codgers and old time fans. Susan turns back dreamily.]
Susan: I loved the snug atmosphere. Thanks for the cheer, Liz!"
Liz: (faints as her bartenders keep asking "who were those people?")
AND NOW folks, it's prize winning time.
Leave a comment with YOUR BEST DAYS OF OUR LIVES MEMORY (no matter what generation of Hortons and Bradys you know). We have several kick ass prizes to share:A copy of Bill's CD: "This is Bill Hayes" (autographed)A copy of their memoir "Like Sands Through the Hourglass"A Beer Wench tee shirt (priceless, really—sending Susan hers too)A copy of your choice of Liz's Decadent backlist (one of the Turks in anticipation of the upcoming pequel: The Diplomat's Daughter OR Caught Offside—soccer HEAT, yes indeedy.
I'LL NEED SNAIL MAIL ADDRESSES EVENTUALLY BUT START BY LEAVING ME YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS AND I'LL CONTACT THE WINNERS DIRECTLY ON SUNDAY: April 1, 2012.
TRUMPET, by Bill Hayes and Susan Seaforth-HayesAvailable NOW from Decadent PublishingBuy Link: http://www.decadentpublishing.com/product_info.php?products_id=504&osCsid=2o85cijavocg3ptecdinkncif3
Blurb:Brilliant and sassy Elizabeth Trumpet fantasizes starring on the London stage, but to become an actress in 1803 is tantamount to losing her virginity in the most debasing way. After watching her mother die and her father lose his mind, the courageous sixteen-year-old must find a way to save her family. She scores her first acting job as a fencer—the deadly skill she learned from her brother training for the military. Blessed with talent and a rare singing voice, Lizzie pursues her career, learning from theatrical characters high and low. When reckless actor Jonathan Faversham sets eyes on Miss Trumpet, he knows he's found the partner of his life. But Faversham carries ruinous baggage from a dark past. Entangled in lust and ambition, Lizzie gives him her heart and they reach the heights together. Until Lizzie gets more applause than he… From the magnificence of Regency palaces and the Theatre Royal Covent Garden to the sun-baked pyramids of Egypt and the arms of a real-life Samson, Lizzie is never far from trouble. As her brother rides to glory with Wellington in the Napoleonic Wars, great events threaten her survival. Danger lurks behind stage curtains, when a madman sets fire to take her life and she lifts a sword in revenge.
Excerpt:"Listen child, I know what to do. Dress to look adorable and present yourself at the Sadler's Wells Theatre. They'll be putting together the summer spectacle now." Lizzie looked dumbfounded. "Sadler's Wells? Auntie, that place is for acrobats and dancing dogs." She had never been allowed near the Wells, because of its rowdy reputation. Secretly, Georgie had once crept into a show and enthralled his sister with what he had seen: bawdy singers, a knife-thrower, dancing girls and, most wonderful, the brave-hearted collie Moustache leading a troupe of performing dogs. Drury Lane and Covent Garden audiences, though noisy, were completely out-shouted by the unbridled behavior of Sadler's Wells crowds. In the rural suburb of Islington, spectators were gleefully raucous and sexually uninhibited. The ambience was so casually iniquitous the Wells management offered escorts after dark, to conduct patrons in safety to the center of London. "Besides, Aunt, if Covent Garden refused me, where they know me for William Trumpet's daughter, what would I do at the Wells? Be a barmaid?" "I'm certain you're superior to all those acrobats and dogs you mention, but the fact is you've never walked across any stage except in your imagination. Your mother was so set against your being an actress she stopped you playing a fairy in a Christmas panto when you were but three. I remember well. What a lot of screaming that led to!" Lizzie could just recall the screaming, getting slapped by Jessie and slapping her mother back. She quickly dismissed the recollection. "Papa said Sadler's is infamous, no better than a raree-show with music." "And just down the road, too. As good a place as any to learn performing, and isn't that what you want?" Lizzie had hidden her dreams of the stage from her mother, but Peg was not so easily misled. "I have no stage training." "They'll train you! You are young and pretty as a petunia!" Peg slapped the table. "Ye'll keep a smile on your face and your big yap shut. Look sharp and be willing. Not too willing, mind. The Wells is not quite a brothel, despite what happens in the bushes every night. But that's life, darlin'. Men will take their cocks out in a lively atmosphere." Lizzie had heard such salty talk from her aunt before, but never in regards to herself. It was sobering. But exciting. "And if I fail to be chosen, no one will ever know?" "You'll be chosen, darlin', if ye but try."
SUSAN SEAFORTH HAYES began acting at age four with the New York Metropolitan Opera inMadam Butterfly and has been performing ever since. Born in California to an actress mother, she attended Los Angeles City College focusing on history. Cast as "Julie" in NBC's long running Days of our Lives, Susan received four Emmy nominations for best actress in daytime and married the man of her dreams, co-star Bill Hayes. Their romance produced the best-selling autobiography Like Sands Through the Hourglass and forty years of theatrical adventures together. Hayes has addressed the House Judiciary Committee, served on the board of the Screen Actors Guild, been a docent of Western History, and traveled the globe as a cruise ship lecturer. She lives in Studio City, continues to play "Julie," attends the opera, and always keeps a good book handy.
BILL HAYES has been a singer/actor his entire adult life, performing in all forms of entertainment—hundreds of recordings, topped by Best-Record-of-1955 'The Ballad of Davy Crockett;' over a hundred plays and musicals, including Broadway (Me and Juliet, Brigadoon), and a national tour(ByeBye Birdie); films (Stop! You're Killing Me, The Cardinal); literally thousands of hours of television (Your Show of Shows, Days of our Lives), and a surprising list of variety, dramatic, game, and talk shows); concerts and cafes (solo, also with Florence Henderson, Ann Blyth, Gogi Grant and wife Susan). For four years, Hayes was spokesman for Oldsmobile. He has earned Bachelor of Arts, Master of Music, and Doctor of Education degrees, written songs, and--with Susan--published a successful memoir called Like Sands Through the Hourglass. His five children produced twelve grands and eighteen great-grands. He still goes to tap-class.
March 26, 2012
Across the Beer Bar with KAREN COTE!!!
Welcome to my beer bar Karen! What can I pour for you to start?
Well, I've learned I need to keep my wits about me around you so I'll take anYou have THE COOLEST blog ever...the whole "tv" thing? that is sweet. How did you come up with it?
LOL. Actually, I started it when I was in real estate and wanted to connect with my clients in a more personal way. It was a good concept but it fit better in my fanciful land of Romantic Suspense and writing world.
The cover of your book Erotic Deception is very hot. Is it your first book?
Yes and thank you. Savannah Safi designed it at MuseItUp Publishing. She is the epitome of an artist with a vision.
Do you write full time? If not, what is the Day Job?
Yes…finally. After years of working in almost everything except what I loved most, thanks to my very own hero, I've been able to stay home and focus on my passion.
Oh look, an empty glass--what can I pour for you next?
Uh…ya gots any spinach dip?Oy. No. This is not a restaurant. We make beer. We serve beer. I have some vendors who bring in food for you to buy (like a pop up restaurant) but otherwise, you are on your own for food. Here...pushes glass across the bar....try my Premium Lager, light, crisp, easy drinking. It's been called a "lawn mower beer" by some...until I bonk them on the head with a bottle.
Tell us a little about the Writers Pen for Charity.
Writers Pen for Charity actually came about when I entered the different yahoo loops and noted how much writers were doing for charities and even offering their work up to support them. Writers Pen + Charity = a good marriage.
You have a superb grasp of what it takes to market books in this fast moving, constantly communicating world. Is marketing your background?
Why--thank you! I'll take that as a huge compliment coming from you. Although I don't have a marketing background, I do feel it's important to bring value and I appreciate the principals and laws behind it. I also feel it's important to be a resource and not a salesperson.
Got a new book coming out soon?
I actually have an anthology out called Writers On the Wrong Side of the Road. My particular short story is a thriller with a title of Seven Deadly Sins. More dark than I normally write. I am currently working on a Romantic Suspense I'm very excited about.
Okay, time for a nightcap--what's your poison.
I'm gonna get daring…hot chocolate with marshmallows sound lovely…hehehe. Thank you so much my dear friend. This was fun and I loved the different questions.Oh dear Lord. Are you people DEAF? BEER BAR...here: gives Karen a small glass. Sip this. It's a bourbon barrel aged stout. Killer. *hot chocolate* Jesus.
Blurb of Erotic Deception:
Her brother was dead. He'd practically raised her and stood by her during a miscarriage that left her barren. He'd been the sole person she'd had left in this world. How had Dr. Lily Delaney with a PhD in Psychology missed the psychotic signs of Anthony Capriccio, the Kansas City District Attorney and her ex-fiancé? Now at twenty-nine she was on the run to hide from the impending threats to her own life. But on the road to a safe secluded lake community, Lily crashes into the path of a new dangerous element, literally. One with deep blue eyes who totes a badge and carries a gun. And would their budding relationship be threatened when Lily finds out her own doctor had lied and discovers she really can have children? How would the sheriff take knowing she'd gotten pregnant when she'd already heartily assured him she wasn't?
After his experience as a detective in Kansas City, Missouri, Jet Walker enjoyed his life as sheriff of the quiet lake community, Windom Hills. However, when Lily Delaney literally crashes into his car and life, his world disrupts into chaos. Couldn't the woman do anything normal? Between fighting to protect her and fighting against his growing attraction for her, the previous peace Jet had found was now falling apart. And how could he possibly trust another woman after the trick his ex-wife played in trying to pass off another man's child as his?
Check out Karen's AWESOME website here:
http://www.karencote.tv
Well, I've learned I need to keep my wits about me around you so I'll take anYou have THE COOLEST blog ever...the whole "tv" thing? that is sweet. How did you come up with it?
LOL. Actually, I started it when I was in real estate and wanted to connect with my clients in a more personal way. It was a good concept but it fit better in my fanciful land of Romantic Suspense and writing world.
The cover of your book Erotic Deception is very hot. Is it your first book?
Yes and thank you. Savannah Safi designed it at MuseItUp Publishing. She is the epitome of an artist with a vision.
Do you write full time? If not, what is the Day Job?
Yes…finally. After years of working in almost everything except what I loved most, thanks to my very own hero, I've been able to stay home and focus on my passion.
Oh look, an empty glass--what can I pour for you next?
Uh…ya gots any spinach dip?Oy. No. This is not a restaurant. We make beer. We serve beer. I have some vendors who bring in food for you to buy (like a pop up restaurant) but otherwise, you are on your own for food. Here...pushes glass across the bar....try my Premium Lager, light, crisp, easy drinking. It's been called a "lawn mower beer" by some...until I bonk them on the head with a bottle.
Tell us a little about the Writers Pen for Charity.
Writers Pen for Charity actually came about when I entered the different yahoo loops and noted how much writers were doing for charities and even offering their work up to support them. Writers Pen + Charity = a good marriage.
You have a superb grasp of what it takes to market books in this fast moving, constantly communicating world. Is marketing your background?
Why--thank you! I'll take that as a huge compliment coming from you. Although I don't have a marketing background, I do feel it's important to bring value and I appreciate the principals and laws behind it. I also feel it's important to be a resource and not a salesperson.
Got a new book coming out soon?
I actually have an anthology out called Writers On the Wrong Side of the Road. My particular short story is a thriller with a title of Seven Deadly Sins. More dark than I normally write. I am currently working on a Romantic Suspense I'm very excited about.
Okay, time for a nightcap--what's your poison.
I'm gonna get daring…hot chocolate with marshmallows sound lovely…hehehe. Thank you so much my dear friend. This was fun and I loved the different questions.Oh dear Lord. Are you people DEAF? BEER BAR...here: gives Karen a small glass. Sip this. It's a bourbon barrel aged stout. Killer. *hot chocolate* Jesus.
Blurb of Erotic Deception:
Her brother was dead. He'd practically raised her and stood by her during a miscarriage that left her barren. He'd been the sole person she'd had left in this world. How had Dr. Lily Delaney with a PhD in Psychology missed the psychotic signs of Anthony Capriccio, the Kansas City District Attorney and her ex-fiancé? Now at twenty-nine she was on the run to hide from the impending threats to her own life. But on the road to a safe secluded lake community, Lily crashes into the path of a new dangerous element, literally. One with deep blue eyes who totes a badge and carries a gun. And would their budding relationship be threatened when Lily finds out her own doctor had lied and discovers she really can have children? How would the sheriff take knowing she'd gotten pregnant when she'd already heartily assured him she wasn't?
After his experience as a detective in Kansas City, Missouri, Jet Walker enjoyed his life as sheriff of the quiet lake community, Windom Hills. However, when Lily Delaney literally crashes into his car and life, his world disrupts into chaos. Couldn't the woman do anything normal? Between fighting to protect her and fighting against his growing attraction for her, the previous peace Jet had found was now falling apart. And how could he possibly trust another woman after the trick his ex-wife played in trying to pass off another man's child as his?
Check out Karen's AWESOME website here:
http://www.karencote.tv
March 25, 2012
Way to Ruin the Moment...
Greetings and welcome to Six Sentences from the eagerly anticipated third book in The Realtors series....
Jack.
Sara.
Still trying to connect....
"Blind leading the blind, eh Gordon?" He glared at her, then sighed. She cursed herself for ruining a perfectly nice moment. "Something like that. But I gotta go--hospitals make me antsy. You've got a virtual arsenal of people out there dying to get in here and help you, and none of them too happy about me being here it seems."
Be sure and check the 'REALTOR EXTRAS' here.
And more from many other talented authors at: www.sixsunday.com
cheers
Liz
Jack.
Sara.
Still trying to connect....
"Blind leading the blind, eh Gordon?" He glared at her, then sighed. She cursed herself for ruining a perfectly nice moment. "Something like that. But I gotta go--hospitals make me antsy. You've got a virtual arsenal of people out there dying to get in here and help you, and none of them too happy about me being here it seems."
Be sure and check the 'REALTOR EXTRAS' here.
And more from many other talented authors at: www.sixsunday.com
cheers
Liz
March 19, 2012
Going Back to Cali--And Funnies From Me Mum (and a bonus)
so this song is really burrowing into my brain right now....
and this....
well, sure this too...
but really....
so if you hadn't guessed it, I'm headed west tomorrow. Hopping the (really fucking) early plane at Detroit and winging my way out to the Left Coast. It's ostensibly a "Pre-trip" to determine if I would ever be willing to live there. It's kind of a long story...for another time.
I personally plan to use the time on the plane and while said Unit is actually working to WRITE! Can't wait. Working on my follow up novel to The Realtors series (Closing Costs Book 3 releases in ARC March 25). here is a taste....because I am a tease....
The Young Rob.....
The Essence of Time. The Realtors: Book Four
taking it back a few years....
The room teemed and heaved with bodies, lights, booze and energy. Rob sipped from his red cup, observing, finding a target. As a pledge in the fraternity he had zero play. Less than zero really. But the female options in the room kept eyeballing him. So he felt good about his odds. He stood up straighter, arranged his face in "I don't give a shit" lines. Easy. He raised the cup to his likely target across the room, letting her see him flicker his gaze up and down her luscious form. "Nice one." Some guy moved up beside him. Rob glanced over, annoyed at the distraction. "Watch me work." The tall, gangly, black haired fellow pledge started towards Rob's target. But stopped when Rob put a firm hand on his arm.
"Hold up dude. That one's mine."
The guy looked back at him, his blue eyes twinkling. "Not likely." Rob raised an eyebrow.
"Watch me work, asshole. Take notes." And he made his way across the room, absorbing the eyes of every female as he narrowed in on the girl of the night.
Later, sitting on the roof of the Phi Kappa Tau house on the campus of Michigan State University, listening to the clamor of a busy college campus die down in the early morning hours of a Saturday, Rob looked over as his new friend crawled out of the nearest open window. He smiled at the guy, held up a hand. "Tag, my friend."
The guy slapped his hand, then stretched his long legs out, sighing with contentment. Rob took another hit of the joint, let the night air cool his bare chest. He turned, held out a hand. "Rob Frietag. Nice to meet you." The guy laughed so hard Rob was half afraid he'd tumble off the roof onto the quad below. Finally he stopped, and accepted what Rob passed over to him.
"Yeah, you too." He took a long hit, let the smoke trail out his nostrils before answering. "I think we may have hit on something here. She was…"
Rob kept his eyes trained on the horizon. "Worth the effort, I'd venture."
He took the joint back, shooting the guy he'd just double teamed a girl with a dark look. But the man's open, handsome face stared back, making Rob chuckle. "You got a name, partner?"
They both looked back at the female noises floating out of the window behind them. "Jack. Jack Gordon. And I think we have a lovely four years ahead of us." Rob turned away again, letting the combination of post-orgasm and weed coat his aching brain. Jack kept talking. "You are off the hook man. Truly. I though I had game but you, you define the word 'game'." Rob looked over his bare shoulder, taking in Jack's long lean torso, his jeans clad legs.
"I guess." He looked away again. "Sounds like you might be up again Jack."
Jack gave him a funny look and leaned up. "You okay?"
"Yeah Jack. I've got life by the throat. Every fucking day."
"Nice."He heard the man sigh, stand and go back inside, to the sounds of feminine squeals and deep, masculine laughter. And he sat, and contemplated how this new chapter of his life had started.
And we end Monday with a couple of super duper funnies....because I loves my followers/fans/readers/stalkers/creepers!
Here is the situationYou are on a Horse, galloping at a constant speed.
On your right side is a sharp drop off, and on your left side is an Elephant traveling at the same speed as you. Directly in front of you is a galloping Kangaroo and your horse is unable to overtake it. Behind you is a Lion running at the same speed as you and the Kangaroo.
...What must you do to safely get out of this highly dangerous situation?
See answer below.
Get your drunk ass off the merry-go-round.
and....
A group of 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders, accompanied by two female teachers, went on a field trip to Churchill Downs to learn about thoroughbred horses but mostly to see the horses.
When it was time to take the children to the bathroom, it was decided that the girls would go with one teacher and the boys would go with the other. The teacher assigned to the boys was waiting outside the men's room when one of the boys came out and told her that none of them could reach the urinal.
Having no choice, she went inside, helped the boys with their pants, and began hoisting the little boys up one by one, holding on to their 'wee-wees' to direct the flow away from their clothes.
As she lifted one, she couldn't help but notice that he was unusually well endowed.. Trying not to show
that she was staring the teacher said, 'You must be in the 5th grade.'
'No, ma'am', he replied. 'I'm riding Silver Arrow in the seventh race, but I appreciate your help.'
PLUS
A woman was having a daytime affair while her husband was at work. One rainy day she was in bed with her boyfriend when, to her horror, she heard her husband's car pull into the driveway.
'Oh my God - Hurry! Grab your clothes and jump out the window. My husband's home early!'
'I can't jump out the window. It's raining out there!'
'If my husband catches us in here, he'll kill us both!' she replied. 'He's got a hot temper and a gun, so the rain is the least of your problems!'
So the boyfriend scoots out of bed, grabs his clothes and jumps out the window! As he ran down the street in the pouring rain, he quickly discovered he had run right into the middle of the town's annual marathon, so he started running along beside the others, about 300 of them.
Being naked, with his clothes tucked under his arm, he tried to blend in as best he could. After a little while a small group of runners who had been watching him with some curiosity, jogged closer.
Do you always run in the nude?' one asked.
'Oh yes!' he replied, gasping in air. 'It feels so wonderfully free!'
Another runner moved a long side. 'Do you always run carrying your clothes with you under your arm?'
'Oh, yes' our friend answered breathlessly. 'That way I can get dressed right at the end of the run and get in my car to go home!'
Then a third runner cast his eyes a little lower and asked, 'Do you always wear a condom when you run?'
'Nope..just when it's raining.'
and this....
well, sure this too...
but really....
so if you hadn't guessed it, I'm headed west tomorrow. Hopping the (really fucking) early plane at Detroit and winging my way out to the Left Coast. It's ostensibly a "Pre-trip" to determine if I would ever be willing to live there. It's kind of a long story...for another time.
I personally plan to use the time on the plane and while said Unit is actually working to WRITE! Can't wait. Working on my follow up novel to The Realtors series (Closing Costs Book 3 releases in ARC March 25). here is a taste....because I am a tease....
The Young Rob.....
The Essence of Time. The Realtors: Book Four
taking it back a few years....
The room teemed and heaved with bodies, lights, booze and energy. Rob sipped from his red cup, observing, finding a target. As a pledge in the fraternity he had zero play. Less than zero really. But the female options in the room kept eyeballing him. So he felt good about his odds. He stood up straighter, arranged his face in "I don't give a shit" lines. Easy. He raised the cup to his likely target across the room, letting her see him flicker his gaze up and down her luscious form. "Nice one." Some guy moved up beside him. Rob glanced over, annoyed at the distraction. "Watch me work." The tall, gangly, black haired fellow pledge started towards Rob's target. But stopped when Rob put a firm hand on his arm.
"Hold up dude. That one's mine."
The guy looked back at him, his blue eyes twinkling. "Not likely." Rob raised an eyebrow.
"Watch me work, asshole. Take notes." And he made his way across the room, absorbing the eyes of every female as he narrowed in on the girl of the night.
Later, sitting on the roof of the Phi Kappa Tau house on the campus of Michigan State University, listening to the clamor of a busy college campus die down in the early morning hours of a Saturday, Rob looked over as his new friend crawled out of the nearest open window. He smiled at the guy, held up a hand. "Tag, my friend."
The guy slapped his hand, then stretched his long legs out, sighing with contentment. Rob took another hit of the joint, let the night air cool his bare chest. He turned, held out a hand. "Rob Frietag. Nice to meet you." The guy laughed so hard Rob was half afraid he'd tumble off the roof onto the quad below. Finally he stopped, and accepted what Rob passed over to him.
"Yeah, you too." He took a long hit, let the smoke trail out his nostrils before answering. "I think we may have hit on something here. She was…"
Rob kept his eyes trained on the horizon. "Worth the effort, I'd venture."
He took the joint back, shooting the guy he'd just double teamed a girl with a dark look. But the man's open, handsome face stared back, making Rob chuckle. "You got a name, partner?"
They both looked back at the female noises floating out of the window behind them. "Jack. Jack Gordon. And I think we have a lovely four years ahead of us." Rob turned away again, letting the combination of post-orgasm and weed coat his aching brain. Jack kept talking. "You are off the hook man. Truly. I though I had game but you, you define the word 'game'." Rob looked over his bare shoulder, taking in Jack's long lean torso, his jeans clad legs.
"I guess." He looked away again. "Sounds like you might be up again Jack."
Jack gave him a funny look and leaned up. "You okay?"
"Yeah Jack. I've got life by the throat. Every fucking day."
"Nice."He heard the man sigh, stand and go back inside, to the sounds of feminine squeals and deep, masculine laughter. And he sat, and contemplated how this new chapter of his life had started.
And we end Monday with a couple of super duper funnies....because I loves my followers/fans/readers/stalkers/creepers!
Here is the situationYou are on a Horse, galloping at a constant speed.
On your right side is a sharp drop off, and on your left side is an Elephant traveling at the same speed as you. Directly in front of you is a galloping Kangaroo and your horse is unable to overtake it. Behind you is a Lion running at the same speed as you and the Kangaroo.
...What must you do to safely get out of this highly dangerous situation?
See answer below.
Get your drunk ass off the merry-go-round.
and....
A group of 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders, accompanied by two female teachers, went on a field trip to Churchill Downs to learn about thoroughbred horses but mostly to see the horses.
When it was time to take the children to the bathroom, it was decided that the girls would go with one teacher and the boys would go with the other. The teacher assigned to the boys was waiting outside the men's room when one of the boys came out and told her that none of them could reach the urinal.
Having no choice, she went inside, helped the boys with their pants, and began hoisting the little boys up one by one, holding on to their 'wee-wees' to direct the flow away from their clothes.
As she lifted one, she couldn't help but notice that he was unusually well endowed.. Trying not to show
that she was staring the teacher said, 'You must be in the 5th grade.'
'No, ma'am', he replied. 'I'm riding Silver Arrow in the seventh race, but I appreciate your help.'
PLUS
A woman was having a daytime affair while her husband was at work. One rainy day she was in bed with her boyfriend when, to her horror, she heard her husband's car pull into the driveway.
'Oh my God - Hurry! Grab your clothes and jump out the window. My husband's home early!'
'I can't jump out the window. It's raining out there!'
'If my husband catches us in here, he'll kill us both!' she replied. 'He's got a hot temper and a gun, so the rain is the least of your problems!'
So the boyfriend scoots out of bed, grabs his clothes and jumps out the window! As he ran down the street in the pouring rain, he quickly discovered he had run right into the middle of the town's annual marathon, so he started running along beside the others, about 300 of them.
Being naked, with his clothes tucked under his arm, he tried to blend in as best he could. After a little while a small group of runners who had been watching him with some curiosity, jogged closer.
Do you always run in the nude?' one asked.
'Oh yes!' he replied, gasping in air. 'It feels so wonderfully free!'
Another runner moved a long side. 'Do you always run carrying your clothes with you under your arm?'
'Oh, yes' our friend answered breathlessly. 'That way I can get dressed right at the end of the run and get in my car to go home!'
Then a third runner cast his eyes a little lower and asked, 'Do you always wear a condom when you run?'
'Nope..just when it's raining.'
March 17, 2012
Easter Eggin' For The Win!
1. Check out the Sweet "Exclusive Content" pages for Floor Time and Sweat Equity!
2. Collect your letter of the day for the Easter Egg Hop! The Brewing Passion Letter is:A3. Leave me a comment to be entered to win $10 in ARe Omni Bucks! To enter the Grand Prize on the 8th of April you will need to collect 39 letters hidden on the different sites through the tour.Check out the list by clicking the link below and be sure to collect the other letters to be eligible for our mammoth grand prize packages – trust me you do not want to miss out on the packages!
http://read2review.com/events-reading-group/current-events/easter-egg-treasure-hunt/AND, for commenting here today on what you are doing to celebrate SPRING FEVER....you could win a $10 ARe Omni Bucks Gift Card...be sure and leave your email addy.cheersLiz
2. Collect your letter of the day for the Easter Egg Hop! The Brewing Passion Letter is:A3. Leave me a comment to be entered to win $10 in ARe Omni Bucks! To enter the Grand Prize on the 8th of April you will need to collect 39 letters hidden on the different sites through the tour.Check out the list by clicking the link below and be sure to collect the other letters to be eligible for our mammoth grand prize packages – trust me you do not want to miss out on the packages!
http://read2review.com/events-reading-group/current-events/easter-egg-treasure-hunt/AND, for commenting here today on what you are doing to celebrate SPRING FEVER....you could win a $10 ARe Omni Bucks Gift Card...be sure and leave your email addy.cheersLiz
March 16, 2012
May The Road Rise to Meet You...
But Not Give You any Road rash...
Welcome to the St. Paddy's Day Blog Hop.
Yeah, it's that time of year again. One I, in my role as craft brewery owner and marketer like to call "Christmas/NewYears/Thanksgiving" all on on day! A.k.a. The Official Start of the Beer Drinking Season. as if if ever ended but you get me.
Please take note of this next bit as it is crucial to your hipness factor:
THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS GREEN BEER.
There is of course, macro brewed swill ("beer flavored water") that has been dosed with green fool colorants (watch out for those) but honestly, if you are walking around with something green in a beer glass I sincerely hope that it is a misplaced appletini. And if it is that, then we have more work to do regarding your "hipness factor." It may take some time.
The Guinness Brewing Co. in Dublin does a lovely job spending the bulk of their advertising budget during this time of year. Between the "March Madness" roundball orgies and the Day itself, they reach zillions of potential and future drinkers with pretty damn funny messages.
fyi: The Wolverine State Brewing Company makes a black lager that is better. But I can't afford national advertising...yet.
Here's another one for a giggle:
and for those of love Man Love.....hahahahahaha:
and in the WTF category...
and if you really wanna know about The Craic:
and the best, least produced one of ALL!!!
Today We Are All Irish
Drink Responsibly! And if you are ever in the Ann Arbor, Michigan Area, check out my brewery!
www.wolverinebeer.com
www.a2beerwench.com (Liz's Evil Brewing Alter Ego)
My series The Realtors includes:
Floor Time
Sweat Equity (Sizzling HOT READ OF THE MONTH for March!)
and the upcoming Closing Costs
They are getting RAVE REVIEWS....and the main characters work for STEWARTS REALTY CO.
The largest, most successful (and fictional) Real Estate brokerages in the Metro Detroit Area.
Owned by second generation broker Gregory Sean Stewart you can BET that he throws a HELL of a St. Paddy's Day Party at the office. As a matter of fact, it's company policy that it is an official Day Off for all office staff.
You can order Stewart Realty merch here!
including some kick ass "character cards" (something a little different) but you gotta turn off the Zazzle "Safe" filter to see 'em.
In honor of today's HOP I am giving away ONE FREE COPY OF FLOOR TIME AND...$10 ARe Omni Bucks to a lucky commenter (that's 2 prizes people)
Slainte!
Liz
Be sure and hit the other cool stops on this hop:
Welcome to the St. Paddy's Day Blog Hop.
Yeah, it's that time of year again. One I, in my role as craft brewery owner and marketer like to call "Christmas/NewYears/Thanksgiving" all on on day! A.k.a. The Official Start of the Beer Drinking Season. as if if ever ended but you get me.
Please take note of this next bit as it is crucial to your hipness factor:
THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS GREEN BEER.
There is of course, macro brewed swill ("beer flavored water") that has been dosed with green fool colorants (watch out for those) but honestly, if you are walking around with something green in a beer glass I sincerely hope that it is a misplaced appletini. And if it is that, then we have more work to do regarding your "hipness factor." It may take some time.The Guinness Brewing Co. in Dublin does a lovely job spending the bulk of their advertising budget during this time of year. Between the "March Madness" roundball orgies and the Day itself, they reach zillions of potential and future drinkers with pretty damn funny messages.
fyi: The Wolverine State Brewing Company makes a black lager that is better. But I can't afford national advertising...yet.
Here's another one for a giggle:
and for those of love Man Love.....hahahahahaha:
and in the WTF category...
and if you really wanna know about The Craic:
and the best, least produced one of ALL!!!
Today We Are All Irish
Drink Responsibly! And if you are ever in the Ann Arbor, Michigan Area, check out my brewery!
www.wolverinebeer.com
www.a2beerwench.com (Liz's Evil Brewing Alter Ego)
My series The Realtors includes:
Floor Time
Sweat Equity (Sizzling HOT READ OF THE MONTH for March!)
and the upcoming Closing Costs
They are getting RAVE REVIEWS....and the main characters work for STEWARTS REALTY CO.
The largest, most successful (and fictional) Real Estate brokerages in the Metro Detroit Area.
Owned by second generation broker Gregory Sean Stewart you can BET that he throws a HELL of a St. Paddy's Day Party at the office. As a matter of fact, it's company policy that it is an official Day Off for all office staff.
You can order Stewart Realty merch here!
including some kick ass "character cards" (something a little different) but you gotta turn off the Zazzle "Safe" filter to see 'em.In honor of today's HOP I am giving away ONE FREE COPY OF FLOOR TIME AND...$10 ARe Omni Bucks to a lucky commenter (that's 2 prizes people)
Slainte!
Liz
Be sure and hit the other cool stops on this hop:
March 15, 2012
Across the Beer Bar with D.L. Jackson
Welcome to my beer bar D.L. what can I pour you to start? Give me a shot of Tequila. LOL. Not much of a beer drinker and you're more likely to get me to part with my secrets with that.
well....obviously you have not read any of the previous interviews.*WHACKS BAR*Brewery.Beer.Here---drink some water or try a beer. Those are your choices.You know what's IN proper tequila, right? *shudders*
Tell us about your journey to publication. Easy? Fraught? Well, I've always wanted to be an author. In high school I had notebooks full of stories, but when I graduated, I joined the Army and I stopped writing to serve my country and raise a family. I didn't pick it back up again until seven years ago. It was difficult. I didn't realize the differences between creative writing and writing for business applications. I was horrible with the head hopping, telling, data dumping and modifiers. If there was a "Thou shall not" writing commandment, I think I broke it. My first novel was a 110k monstrosity. I cringe just thinking about it. Sometimes I pick it up and think I can do something with it, but end up laughing instead. It's my first mile marker on my road toward success. I think I'll leave it be.I kind of bogged down after I wrote that book, then I joined this online critique group, I'd heard about on Ms. Snark. It's called Critique Circle. That's where I met my three IPs, indispensible peers, Barbara Elsborg, Arlene Webb and Laurie Green. Two of them also write for Decadent. Arlene taught me a lot about wordiness. I'm lucky I don't have brain damage for all the times I got smacked upside the head. She's truly Queen of the Chops. That woman knows how to trim to make something lean and mean. *Stop rolling your eyes, Arlene.*Barbara taught me to write the sex scenes, and convinced me to get a little dirtier, break out of my sweet romance shell. She is one of the best at writing these scenes. She can make dirty debauchery look good. She also taught me to write character driven stories. I don't know how many times she's come back to me and asked me, what are they thinking? I see action, but I don't have a clue what they are feeling right now. She's also blonde, gorgeous and has big bosoms. *Okay, I said it, Barbara. Please let go of my arm.*Laurie, well, she's the science fiction geek and Double Golden Heart finalist, soon to be triple—I believe. Anyway, she challenged my science, made me think about it, how to back it up and incorporate it into fiction and still make the impossible, believable. However, she still can't convince me travel outside the galaxy isn't possible. *Sorry, you knew it was going to come back to that. I still say if they had cell phones in Salem in the 1700s you've have been tried as a witch. Fantasy is just that until it's proven fact.* Anyway, she also hates modifiers. You can never slip one past her—okay, once I did, but she said only because it worked. Picky, picky. LOLWith science fiction romance, sometimes you have to explain the science, so your readers can understand your world and do it without coming across as data dump. Laurie helped me to do this well.Without my IP's I probably wouldn't be here. They got me through some rough stuff, learned some tough lessons along with me. It was amazing to start this journey with them. When we first met, none of us had published material. Barbara published first. Then I sold a short story. Then Arlene. Laurie went a different route, seeking an agent and publication into one of the bigger New York houses. She's well on her way there.As for your question. It's been a roller coaster ride. An up and down journey I wouldn't trade for anything. My mistakes taught me that I'm not perfect and can always do something better. My writing can always be cleaner.My motto is: Your First Draft is Always Shit. I think Hemmingway said that--it's the only thing he's written that I like.
And your first book was what? Slipping the Past. It's a futuristic/dystopian erotic romance that had futuristic enforcers called reapers for their abilities to take souls.BLURB:Some love affairs last a lifetime…others never end.
Fifty years into the future, if you're one of the damned, you don't run for your life, you run to save your soul. Jocelyn Miller is wanted for crimes she committed before she was born. Homeless, blind and out in the elements on one of the coldest nights of the year, her desperation results in a bad decision. When Jocelyn and her brother Nate rob a convenience store, Jocelyn comes face to face with her worst nightmare and greatest love, a reaper named Gabriel.
Gabriel Solaris is an Enforcer, a genetically enhanced psychic often referred to as a reaper for his ability to take souls, and he's charged with collecting Jocelyn's. When he finds Jocelyn outside the store, he's sure she's up to something illegal. Proving it isn't necessary. He holds a warrant and it's all he needs. But the closer Gabriel gets to Jocelyn, the more he begins to question his duty and why he believes her claims of innocence. When Jocelyn tells him she loved him once, Gabriel loses control and kisses her. Instead of taking her soul, he gives her a week to prove innocence in her past-life crimes, something he has no authority to grant.
I loved Cinderella Wore Combat Boots. What gave you the idea for it? My son. He's a Marine. My husband and I are both Army vets. I wanted to write a story about men and women in uniform. Since he was deployed to Afghanistan at the time, my mind was on him all the time. So, the story had to be about Marines. I figured I'd write something that served two purposes. The first was to show women in the military and break the stereotypes. The second was to help wounded vets. I wrote this story to raise money for The Wounded Warrior Project. I'm giving my profits to this worthy organization.BLURB:Sometimes Fairytales come true.
First Sergeant Cori Valentine faces a bleak future. She's turning forty in three weeks and life as she knows it is over. An injury received while on deployment has earned her an early retirement from the Marine Corps, something she's not sure she'll survive. Things get even better when interfering Marines set her up on a blind date for a party she doesn't want. The guy has to be a total toad to want to go out with her. Right?
When Madame Eve informs Retired SEAL, Sol Keller she's found his perfect match, he doesn't believe it, but takes up the challenge. One look at the First Sergeant in a sexy dress and combat boots has him wondering if fairytales really can come true. Madame Eve might be the legendary Fairy Godmother, and Cori his Cinderella. Sol intends to show the Marine beauty a Prince Charming she'll never forget, and that retirement isn't the end of her story but merely the beginning.
And Seducing Liberty is on my TBR list. Tell us about that one.I love historical stories and I wanted to flex my paranormal mind at the same time. So I mixed time travel and cloak and dagger from the American Revolution, and squeezed it into a 12k 1NightStand story. Seducing Liberty has both a contemporary setting and setting in New York in 1775. I touch on Washington's Culper spy ring, something I'd like to explore more later on down the road. Maybe in a bigger story.
Whoops empty glass! what can I pour for your next? I'll take another, but probably ought to call that my last. You don't need me dancing on your bar and taking my clothes off. Tequila does wicked things to my propriety filters.SMACK HEAD IN FRUSTRATION...people please, "Beer Bar" is in the flipping title of this interview.Here: more water for you.Because if 2 Tequilas makes you dance on the bar we obviously gotta work up your tolerance level...leave that to me.
And this latest release from something called "Carnality" series...tell us all about that.
Hmmm, speaking of propriety filters.Here's where I put all that naughty stuff Barbara taught me to work. The edge stories are short 3-5k stories that, and I quote from a recent review, "pack a gut punch of lust." Here's the link to the full review: http://yougottaread.com/review-carnal-desires-by-d-l-jacksonThe three stories I have now, the last, Carnal Denial, is releasing this Friday, are about an incubus an succubus who work out of a strip club called The Devil's Den. The same incubus and succubus are in all the stories in the Carnality series.
I admire all you Edge authors. I cannot make that format work for my muse...What are your publishing goals? Nothing has changed. My course remains forward. I still have a goal to snag an agent and a contract at a big publishing house, but every other writer out there does too. I want each and every story to be something I can be proud I wrote. Since the beginning of the year, I've published three stories and I have three under contract. I think that's the most I've had in a year and I'm not stopping there. I intend for 2012 to be a stellar year. I have several projects wrapping up and some great stuff sitting on the horizon. I also just sold another military 1NS story that promises to be as fun as its title.
Time for a nightcap. What's your poison?Better give me a soda. You don't need a ruckus in here. THROWS HANDS UP IN DISMAY....
Here's where you can find D.L.:http://authordljackson.comhttp://backwardmomentum.blogspot.comhttp://paranormalromantics.blogspot.com
And at the Decadent Site.
well....obviously you have not read any of the previous interviews.*WHACKS BAR*Brewery.Beer.Here---drink some water or try a beer. Those are your choices.You know what's IN proper tequila, right? *shudders* Tell us about your journey to publication. Easy? Fraught? Well, I've always wanted to be an author. In high school I had notebooks full of stories, but when I graduated, I joined the Army and I stopped writing to serve my country and raise a family. I didn't pick it back up again until seven years ago. It was difficult. I didn't realize the differences between creative writing and writing for business applications. I was horrible with the head hopping, telling, data dumping and modifiers. If there was a "Thou shall not" writing commandment, I think I broke it. My first novel was a 110k monstrosity. I cringe just thinking about it. Sometimes I pick it up and think I can do something with it, but end up laughing instead. It's my first mile marker on my road toward success. I think I'll leave it be.I kind of bogged down after I wrote that book, then I joined this online critique group, I'd heard about on Ms. Snark. It's called Critique Circle. That's where I met my three IPs, indispensible peers, Barbara Elsborg, Arlene Webb and Laurie Green. Two of them also write for Decadent. Arlene taught me a lot about wordiness. I'm lucky I don't have brain damage for all the times I got smacked upside the head. She's truly Queen of the Chops. That woman knows how to trim to make something lean and mean. *Stop rolling your eyes, Arlene.*Barbara taught me to write the sex scenes, and convinced me to get a little dirtier, break out of my sweet romance shell. She is one of the best at writing these scenes. She can make dirty debauchery look good. She also taught me to write character driven stories. I don't know how many times she's come back to me and asked me, what are they thinking? I see action, but I don't have a clue what they are feeling right now. She's also blonde, gorgeous and has big bosoms. *Okay, I said it, Barbara. Please let go of my arm.*Laurie, well, she's the science fiction geek and Double Golden Heart finalist, soon to be triple—I believe. Anyway, she challenged my science, made me think about it, how to back it up and incorporate it into fiction and still make the impossible, believable. However, she still can't convince me travel outside the galaxy isn't possible. *Sorry, you knew it was going to come back to that. I still say if they had cell phones in Salem in the 1700s you've have been tried as a witch. Fantasy is just that until it's proven fact.* Anyway, she also hates modifiers. You can never slip one past her—okay, once I did, but she said only because it worked. Picky, picky. LOLWith science fiction romance, sometimes you have to explain the science, so your readers can understand your world and do it without coming across as data dump. Laurie helped me to do this well.Without my IP's I probably wouldn't be here. They got me through some rough stuff, learned some tough lessons along with me. It was amazing to start this journey with them. When we first met, none of us had published material. Barbara published first. Then I sold a short story. Then Arlene. Laurie went a different route, seeking an agent and publication into one of the bigger New York houses. She's well on her way there.As for your question. It's been a roller coaster ride. An up and down journey I wouldn't trade for anything. My mistakes taught me that I'm not perfect and can always do something better. My writing can always be cleaner.My motto is: Your First Draft is Always Shit. I think Hemmingway said that--it's the only thing he's written that I like.
And your first book was what? Slipping the Past. It's a futuristic/dystopian erotic romance that had futuristic enforcers called reapers for their abilities to take souls.BLURB:Some love affairs last a lifetime…others never end.
Fifty years into the future, if you're one of the damned, you don't run for your life, you run to save your soul. Jocelyn Miller is wanted for crimes she committed before she was born. Homeless, blind and out in the elements on one of the coldest nights of the year, her desperation results in a bad decision. When Jocelyn and her brother Nate rob a convenience store, Jocelyn comes face to face with her worst nightmare and greatest love, a reaper named Gabriel.
Gabriel Solaris is an Enforcer, a genetically enhanced psychic often referred to as a reaper for his ability to take souls, and he's charged with collecting Jocelyn's. When he finds Jocelyn outside the store, he's sure she's up to something illegal. Proving it isn't necessary. He holds a warrant and it's all he needs. But the closer Gabriel gets to Jocelyn, the more he begins to question his duty and why he believes her claims of innocence. When Jocelyn tells him she loved him once, Gabriel loses control and kisses her. Instead of taking her soul, he gives her a week to prove innocence in her past-life crimes, something he has no authority to grant.
I loved Cinderella Wore Combat Boots. What gave you the idea for it? My son. He's a Marine. My husband and I are both Army vets. I wanted to write a story about men and women in uniform. Since he was deployed to Afghanistan at the time, my mind was on him all the time. So, the story had to be about Marines. I figured I'd write something that served two purposes. The first was to show women in the military and break the stereotypes. The second was to help wounded vets. I wrote this story to raise money for The Wounded Warrior Project. I'm giving my profits to this worthy organization.BLURB:Sometimes Fairytales come true.
First Sergeant Cori Valentine faces a bleak future. She's turning forty in three weeks and life as she knows it is over. An injury received while on deployment has earned her an early retirement from the Marine Corps, something she's not sure she'll survive. Things get even better when interfering Marines set her up on a blind date for a party she doesn't want. The guy has to be a total toad to want to go out with her. Right?
When Madame Eve informs Retired SEAL, Sol Keller she's found his perfect match, he doesn't believe it, but takes up the challenge. One look at the First Sergeant in a sexy dress and combat boots has him wondering if fairytales really can come true. Madame Eve might be the legendary Fairy Godmother, and Cori his Cinderella. Sol intends to show the Marine beauty a Prince Charming she'll never forget, and that retirement isn't the end of her story but merely the beginning.
And Seducing Liberty is on my TBR list. Tell us about that one.I love historical stories and I wanted to flex my paranormal mind at the same time. So I mixed time travel and cloak and dagger from the American Revolution, and squeezed it into a 12k 1NightStand story. Seducing Liberty has both a contemporary setting and setting in New York in 1775. I touch on Washington's Culper spy ring, something I'd like to explore more later on down the road. Maybe in a bigger story.
Whoops empty glass! what can I pour for your next? I'll take another, but probably ought to call that my last. You don't need me dancing on your bar and taking my clothes off. Tequila does wicked things to my propriety filters.SMACK HEAD IN FRUSTRATION...people please, "Beer Bar" is in the flipping title of this interview.Here: more water for you.Because if 2 Tequilas makes you dance on the bar we obviously gotta work up your tolerance level...leave that to me.
And this latest release from something called "Carnality" series...tell us all about that.
Hmmm, speaking of propriety filters.Here's where I put all that naughty stuff Barbara taught me to work. The edge stories are short 3-5k stories that, and I quote from a recent review, "pack a gut punch of lust." Here's the link to the full review: http://yougottaread.com/review-carnal-desires-by-d-l-jacksonThe three stories I have now, the last, Carnal Denial, is releasing this Friday, are about an incubus an succubus who work out of a strip club called The Devil's Den. The same incubus and succubus are in all the stories in the Carnality series.
I admire all you Edge authors. I cannot make that format work for my muse...What are your publishing goals? Nothing has changed. My course remains forward. I still have a goal to snag an agent and a contract at a big publishing house, but every other writer out there does too. I want each and every story to be something I can be proud I wrote. Since the beginning of the year, I've published three stories and I have three under contract. I think that's the most I've had in a year and I'm not stopping there. I intend for 2012 to be a stellar year. I have several projects wrapping up and some great stuff sitting on the horizon. I also just sold another military 1NS story that promises to be as fun as its title.
Time for a nightcap. What's your poison?Better give me a soda. You don't need a ruckus in here. THROWS HANDS UP IN DISMAY....
Here's where you can find D.L.:http://authordljackson.comhttp://backwardmomentum.blogspot.comhttp://paranormalromantics.blogspot.com
And at the Decadent Site.
March 12, 2012
Mondays SUCK....Screw It I've Got Cover Art
Love doing these downtown Detroit events!In the scheme of things, Daylight Savings Time did not affect me much. Luckily for people waiting for beer at a race Sunday morning, my iPhone is a hell of a lot smarter than me (I'm still resetting clocks this morning).
Had the First Born and Carrier of the Crowe Name's early birthday. His friends asked me I planned it so he'd turn 21 the day before St. Paddy's. (He's 20 this year)
The boy. And his annoying sisters.So I wasn't prepared to hit Monday morning feeling like I was run over by a Mack truck. We had a lovely weather day yesterday but it lead to an early onset of allergies for me so I spent a huge bulk of much needed sleep time last night with runny eyes and nose. And now it's raining.
Then, I turn on BBC radio like I always do and what do I hear? MORE HYPE about Fifty Shades of Gray. Yes, I am jealous. Yes there are way better books that these on this topic. Yes I am competitive, and perhaps all these newly horny housewives or whatever will dash over to All Romance Ebooks now and start snapping up MY books too. So good. But blech.
Plus, I heard that New Belgium has chosen it's distributor network for Michigan and is invading...erm...coming here in August. This is a Beer Wench rant I will spare you but it did not help my Monday Morning Mood.
So, in an effort to blow all that negative energy out the window of my soul, I have decided to chat a little about my upcoming Ellora's Cave release: Lust On Tap.
This is the WORKING blurb:
Helena Turner did not believe in prince charming or happily ever after. But when Dustin Prufrock swept into her life, all bets were off. Their shared passion for each other and Prufrock Brewing turned their lives around. Her fairy tale seemed to stutter however, when faced with the fact she would never carry her husband's child.
Erik Aldrich, German brew master for the largest craft brewer in the U.S. had all the trappings of success. But unhappiness and dissatisfaction haunted his nights. When he reconnects with Dustin at a national beer fest, the spark they shared years ago is rekindled. With Helena as the added combustion, it seems full circle is accomplished. But tragedy lurks around the corner.
Years later, Helena and Erik reunite to bring Prufrock back to its former glory with the help of a young assistant brewer. Can Jonas Calone be their catalyst for letting Dustin go and the resurrection of love once found, then lost for them both?
I have another brewery based story in my editor's hands as well, so hopefully that one will hit her sweet spot and together EC and Liz can launch it's own flurry of "hey, breweries and brewers are HOT" viral and then national/international attention. Those housewives will NOT know what hit them, trust me. The View, Letterman, Conan, Ellen...watch out! Liz is gonna light it up for ya.
Make it a great week!Liz
March 11, 2012
Oh Craig..Such a Lovely Distraction....
So Sara...you have broken up with Jack. What now? Well, there is always Craig Robinson, young, blonde, office colleague and part time musician...This from their first "date." Figures Jack would be at the same restaurant...
"I'm sorry, I don't mean to, you know," Craig shrugged as Sara stared at him."Act like you're a dog who felt the need to piss on my leg," she muttered, ignoring Jack's laser-like stare from across the restaurant. He laughed at that, and hauled her to her feet, pressing her close."Yeah, I forgot for a minute to hide my territorial dog from your inner bitch."
She let him kiss her, just a light teasing press of lips before he stepped away, running his hand through that mop of thick blonde hair.
"Let's get ice cream or coffee, to to a movie, I don't care, something so I can prove my good intentions."
FROM THE SIZZLING HOT READ OF THE MONTH At Sizzling Hot Reviews: SWEAT EQUITY!
read more amazingly cool snippets this week: www.sixsunday.com
thanks again for stopping by and for your comments...next week we will start sampling from the final chapter of the Realtors Trilogy: Closing Costs.
