Barbara Edwards's Blog, page 31

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Published on December 15, 2011 08:21

December 12, 2011

Fruitcake? Not me!

Oh no, the dreaded fruitcake!

Every Christmas table has been blessed with a fruitcake. Every family has the sory of the fruitcake that is re-gifted for years. A form of immortality I think.

You have to understand about fruitcake. It is a mix of candied fruit, nuts, raisins, and a very thick cake batter that is baked then soaked in brandy. Or rum. Or sherry. For weeks. Or months. Or a year if no-one wants to eat the heavy thing.

This year I baked a ten pound fruitcake. Honest. That was the name of the recipe. And it felt like ten pound after I finished.

I wrapped it in sherry soaked cheesecloth, wrapped it with foil and put it in a cool place to flavor. Every week for three weeks, I re-soaked the cheesecloth and therefore the cake. It smelled delicious.

The day before my family gathered for Christmas dinner I decorated the top with green and red cherries. It looked so festive!

My Fruitcake

Understand, my sons are willing to try anything I put on the table. I expected the fruitcake to be a big hit; instead it was, ah, something else.

Everyone protested being too full to try a piece.

Hard to keep up the denial as they scoffed up the cheesecake, the apple pie, the mince pie, and the oatmeal-raisin cookies.

A good-hearted daughter-in-law cut two slices and quartered them on a plate. The plate circled the table of twenty guests and returned with one piece gone. I think my grandson fed it to the dog.

I wasn't disappointed. Not much.

The funny thing is that as the evening progressed and we drank coffee and chatted, the fruitcake quarters disappeared along with several more slices.

When we shared out the left-overs so I wouldn't eat them all, several more slices went out the door.

Will I be making fruitcake next year? Maybe. It might be more fun to make a Boche de Noel (Christmas Log). I'll see.

Hope your Holiday, be it Christmas, Hannukah or something else, be joyous.

You can find me and my books at:

Author Website: http://barbaraedwards.net

Ancient Blood http://on.fb.me/naHRY5

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B003F6ZK1A

Filed under: family and friends Tagged: Barbara Edwards,, Christmas, family dinner, fruitcake

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Published on December 12, 2011 16:25

December 8, 2011

Finding the Perfect Christmas Tree

Putting up a Christmas tree can be a big production. Although many people are going with the artificial, lighted tree, I still love picking out a tree.

I'm fortunate because I don't have to go to a corner tree lot for a tree that was cut a month ago, shipped in a truck and stood against a wire fence.

I go to the Christmas tree farm and prowl the acres of trees for the one right for my living room.

Wander acres of Christmas trees

It has to be this tall and that wide with lots of branches for all the ornaments we collected over the years. Although any seven foot tree will do, the fun is in wandering around for hours debating which one has the exactly perfect shape.

What should it be this year?

A Fraser Fir? These grow so tall and full they are called the Cadillac of trees. The branches have flat needles that are silver-blue on the underside. They can hold the heaviest of ornaments with grace.

How about a Blue Spruce? This old-fashioned Christmas tree has short hard needles that can be awkward to hang ornaments on. I think it's a challenge to have the kids work on this one. They complain it bites. It can be bluish or green in color.

A Balsam? This tree tends to be the one at stands. It can be a good choice, but the bottom must be recut and kept watered.

White Spruce have short hard needles, with branches not good for heavy ornaments.

A Concolor Fir? I consider this my favorite tree. The thick branches are filled with long blue- green needles and can be crowded with decorations. It has a wonderful citrusy scent that fills the house. It will last for months.

Any tree needs to be kept watered. If the place is on the cool side that helps keep it fresh.

And if you're into recycling, place the tree in the center of your yard after the holidays for the birds. How about hanging suet and birds seed packets on the branches?

Add months to the pleasure of Christmas.

Find me and my books at: Author Web: http://barbaraedwards.net

Blog: http://barbaraedwardscomments.wordpress.com

Ancient Blood http://on.fb.me/naHRY5

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B003F6ZK1A

Filed under: family and friends Tagged: Ancient Awakening, Ancient Blood, Balsam, Barbara Edwards,, birds, blue spruce, Christmas tree, concolor fir, decorations, fraser fir,

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Published on December 08, 2011 10:12

December 5, 2011

Ready for Christmas?

Christmas is a special time of year for me. Putting up the lights, arranging the lawn decorations, dragging the boxes from storage, wrapping gifts

Making Christmas wreaths

and making wreaths to hang on the door fill my life with joy.

I love decorating the Christmas tree. When I was a child, blown glass reindeer and lights that bubbled hung from the branches. Silver tinsel twisted and spun in the slightest breeze. If a light went out, my father unscrewed the bulb and replaced it. Half the decorations were hand-made. All my school efforts dangled in the front.

So when I married and my Mom gave me an ornament with the date I was thrilled. I hang that tiny elf swinging on a star near the top of my tree every year. It was joined by an elf with my daughter's name.

My Mom started a lovely tradition. She gave each of the children an ornament with their name and the year. I kept it going after she died.

So as the children grew, a soccer player dangled here, a wrestler there, several girls dressed as ballerinas stepped high. A typewriter joined them, then a book. A black dog with a bone commemorated Farful our old dog. The paper chain decorated with Christmas stickers from my daughter's third grade loops between branches. Over the years, the tree became so crowded the branches bent toward the floor.

So when my children married, it wasn't too difficult to hand off a box of ornaments with their name and the past years to the couple. Time rushes by. Every Christmas I see those old ornaments with a sad sigh, until one of my grandchildren points with an excited grin.

Do you remember?

"Do you remember that one, Nana?"

Filed under: family and friends Tagged: Barbara Edwards,, children, Christmas, decorating, grandchildren,

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Published on December 05, 2011 09:46

December 2, 2011

The real reason for Thanksgiving

Everyone is writing about Thanksgiving, but what do we really know?

The Indians and the Pilgrims sharing a great feast to celebrate the harvest is the popular tale. There is evidence of a different story, a love story to be exact.

Several years before I wrote my first book, I visited Sturbridge Village in Massachusetts. It's a pretty place on the Connecticut-Massachusetts line. They have an excellent collection of historical items.

In the museum was a display of letters written by the children and grandchildren of the original settlers. The Pilgrims didn't leave many personal writing, probably since they had no spare time or energy for simple pleasures. Or maybe their letters were sent back to Europe.

I spent several hours reading the missives. They described incredible hardship and fortitude by a people who didn't understand how terrible the conditions would be. Since the spelling, language and writing were all in a manner suited to that age, they were difficult to understand.

Then I found it. The truth about Thanksgiving and what they were celebrating.

Do you remember the story of Squanto teaching the Pilgrims to plant corn? Popular writing says he did it out of the goodness of his heart. Guess what? The truth is Squanto was a lovelorn suitor for the hand of a widowed Pilgrim lady.

Indian culture demanded he show his future in-laws that he could feed the family. Squanto was under the mistaken belief the Pilgrims were one family. Remember they called each other brother and sister?

So what did he do? He taught them how to provide for themselves.

The letters say he married his fair lady. Other letters mention several marriages. Many died that first winter and those left were starving. In those harsh, desperate times I bet those women thought themselves blessed.

The biggest quandary was what to call their children. Were they Indians? Or Pilgrims? The solution seemed to be to call them what they desired.

As a love story, it can't be beat.

Happy Thanksgiving.

And those letters were on loan and no longer on display.

Filed under: history Tagged: Barbara Edwards,, letters, love, Squanto, Sturbridge Village, Thanksgiving

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Published on December 02, 2011 05:50

November 9, 2011

KC Klein interview and give-away

Help welcome my guest, KC Klein, author of Dark Future.

Barbra, thank you so much for having me here. I really appreciate the opportunity to connect with readers and tell them a little about my debut novel, DARK FUTURE. I would love to give away a copy of my e-book to one commenter. So readers, please leave a comment with your email address so I can send you a copy.

What do you find the most difficult about being a writer?

It is definitely balancing the life of writing with working outside the home and taking care of a family. Case in point, today I picked up my kids from school with no bra and fluffy pink slippers. At least I don't have to do the walk of shame before the other moms.

I just slow down long enough so the kids can hop in.

What is your hero's biggest challenge?

ConRad can come across as cold and uncaring—he has the weight of human salvation on his shoulders. So who could blame him if he comes across a tad abrupt, but it still creates great tension between him and the heroine.

What is your heroine's biggest flaw?

She is a self-proclaimed coward. She's lived a life of self-indulgence and never really had to step up and do something for the greater good. It's my favorite of moment DARK FUTURE when she starts to live for others and not just herself.

What prompted you to write this story?

My first baby was colicky. There was a block of time I couldn't fathom a full night's sleep or that I would ever read a book again. I desperately needed an escape, so I created a world that was darker, grittier, and had worse things happening than clothes that smelled of

spit up and a non-existent sex life.

What is your least favorite genre? Would you ever consider writing it?

I guess I would have to say mysteries. They've never floated my boat. I think in order to write mysteries you have to be a pretty smart cookie to keep the reader guessing until the end. There's just no way I could pull that one off.

Who has helped you the most?

Hands down my husband. He has allowed me to have a full, 360 degree life. He picks up the slack so I can have all the things I love in my life and have writing too.

Do you have a favorite theme? Eg: love conquers all; good vs evil; How do you

use it?

Themes are funny things. I think it takes a few books before a writer figures out what themes they are drawn to—at least it took me that long. I think my theme is how much are you willing to sacrifice for love? I've always loved that question and self-sacrifice seems to pop up in my books quite often.

What have you learned about yourself from your writing?

That I want it. That I want to write more than I have ever wanted anything before. That I'll give up and take on a lot in order to tell stories. That this isn't just a passing fancy, this

is a part of who I am.

Why will your reader think your book is different?

I hope readers will think DARK FUTURE is different, but also hope they will love it. My book is darker than a lot of books out there. By dark I don't necessarily mean in content, though there is mature subject matter. My characters are dark. My hero and heroine are

not optimistic people. These are people who have gone through hell and expect

only the worse to ever happen to them and to those they love. The fact that

these two people get a chance at a happily-ever-after is the best part of

writing DARK FUTURE. I believe what this book says is that if these two people

can claw themselves to happiness, than anyone can. J

I love to connect with readers so please find me on Twitter @kckleinbooks and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/AuthorKCKlein

and also my website www.kckleinbooks.com

Also one more thing, DARK FUTURE is going on sale in print as of Nov 8th. So if you don't like the e-version now you can order the print version.

Thanks again for having me!

And thanks for being here. Because of the power outages, I'd like to leave your interview open for a couple days for readers to comment and enter your give-away.

Book Blurb

Awakened in the middle of the night by a future version of herself, Kris Davenport is given a mission: go forward in time to save the world—and His life. Of course, her future self

doesn't tell her who he is, just sends her into an abyss and straight into an alien invasion.

He turns out to be ConRad Smith, the callous, untrusting Commander of Earth's army and the world's last defense. There's only one way to know for sure if this strange woman is an

alien spy—slice her throat. Except, he didn't anticipate the heat he would feel

as he interrogates the hot-tempered, warm-blooded woman. For a man whose sole

focus has been survival, she's more temptation than he can handle. But a world

on the brink of destruction leaves no room for love…and time is running out.

Excerpt:

"Mmm, you taste human. Like salt or more like … warm sunshine?" He pinned me with his gaze. His eyes spoke a primal language. Desire warred with anger; need against punishment.

I looked away. Embarrassed. Violated. His body crushed mine, suffocating in its

nearness. I couldn't move. I couldn't even breathe without crushing my breasts

against him. I always considered myself strong and physically fit, but he

subdued me with barely any effort. Heart racing, I panicked.

The feeling of no control would break me—complete powerlessness always did. I used whatever weapon was available; whatever maneuvers would give me a fighting

chance. This was no different. I turned my head, opened my mouth against his

neck, and … sunk my teeth in.

He cursed. Grabbed hold of my shirt, picked me up, and slammed me back against the wall.

A painful whoosh came from my lungs. My vision rocked—brain swished inside my

skull.

"You bit me." He sounded shocked.

My head hurt so bad I had to blink hard to keep my eyes in their sockets. "You

licked me," I shouted back.

He assessed me, aqua blue eyes hooded with thick, long eyelashes, for what seemed

like an eternity. "I will ask you one more time. Who are you?"

"I've told you everything." My voice sounded desperate, tired, even to me. "I went

running and fell into the dark … I'm a doctor at a hospital. If you don't

believe me, just call them. I've worked there for years."

He stood still, his body hard against mine, creating an insurmountable barrier.

His face so close I could see his pupils enlarge, almost hiding the hard blue

of his irises. The rage in him lived and breathed. One hand ran along my scalp

in a mock caress, grabbed hold of my hair and pulled.

"Liar," his voice barely a whisper, the knife was back … shaking at my very exposed,

very vulnerable artery. "There hasn't been a hospital anywhere on Earth since

the year 2075." And in one efficient movement, he drew the knife across my

throat.

Twitter: @KCKleinbooks

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorKCKlein

website: www.kckleinbooks.com

Buy link: for ebook http:

//www.amazon.com/Dark-Future-ebook/dp/B005JSMM8Q

Buy link for print: http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Future-Kc-Klein/dp/0062117041

Filed under: My Favorite Books, writing Tagged: Barbara Edwards,, dark, Dark Future, fear, KC Klein, paranormal

https://www.facebook.com/index.phplh=aff5af5597a9298aa284fe98afb4dea6!/pages/Ancient-Blood-by-Barbara-Edwards/122722171136047?sk=wall

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Published on November 09, 2011 10:58

November 7, 2011

Building a Book Bible by Barbara Edwards

Ancient Awakening started as a romance and a stand-alone book. It quickly changed, became complicated and detailed. The different characters blurred after several chapters and I realized I needed a better way to keep track of eye color, hair style, physical

description and other pesky details. I've used character sheets, interview

sheets, lists and found they didn't meet my needs.

Then another author mentioned using a 'bible' and the light bulb flashed over my head. What could be easier than a method I could do on the fly?

After creating a new document I quickly skimmed what I had already written. To make it easy to find, I used bold for the character name. It was easy to copy/paste sections of description any time I mentioned him/her.

Let me amend that. I copy the information when I go back to do a simple edit. I never stop the writing process for editing. It breaks the flow and I don't recommend using anything

that does that.

I also found it helpful to have a timeline of events. Mine is at the front of the 'bible,' but you can put it anywhere.

Once I decided Ancient Awakening was the first of a series set in Rhodes End, I added the town as a character. I'm also drawing a map using my characters actions. You'd be surprised to know how hard it is to recall if you turn right or left out of the driveway to get

to the cemetery.

Rhodes End Series: Book Two Since I've worked on Ancient Blood, Book Two and Ancient Curse, Book Three, the information is invaluable. I have opened 'bible' two and three,

copied the appropriate character descriptions as needed, and keep on writing.

I've found it helpful to add research details. So many times I've wasted time hunting for that important detail because I couldn't recall the spelling, the year, whatever.

The 'bible' is meant to be a flexible tool. I recommend it.

Blurb for Ancient Blood: Lily Alban escapes a murderous stalker, but his vicious attack leaves her with the ability to see auras. She finds safety in

the tiny hamlet of Rhodes End where a stranger stands out like a red light. Try

as she might to deny her growing desire for Cole, she seeks his help but soon

discovers the man she loves is not a man at all.

Werewolf Cole Benedict resists his attraction to Lily. A botanist researching the healing herbs to find a cure for Lycanthropy, he's determined to protect Lily from her stalker as well as himself even in human form, but instinct takes over when he changes to his inner beast.

Together they must use their extraordinary gifts to catch Lily's stalker before he attacks again, but revealing their secrets to one another could destroy their growing love or save them both.

Excerpt:

"Lily?" His strong hands gently

cupped her shoulders.

"Don't, please don't."

She pulled away, fully intending to

flee. Her resistance shattered, and she turned into his embrace. It was too

late to escape. Pressing against his strength, she wound her arms around his

neck and pulled him closer. His erection prodded her stomach, and she moaned. A

heavy groan filled his throat as he lifted her from her feet. He kicked the bag

aside as he sat her on the counter.

"I can't wait," he growled. His

flaring aura spiraled with colors she couldn't name. She caught her breath. One

hand burrowed through her hair, keeping her still as he stepped between her

thighs. "You're all I could think about all day."

Clasping her bottom, he slid her to

the edge of the counter. With his lips claiming her mouth, he unbuttoned her

slacks, than lifted her slightly to push them down and off.

The cold surface only made her more

aware of his scorching heat. His rough denim pants scraped her inner thighs in

contrast with the silky hair under her palms. Her pulse leaped, and she gasped.

His male scent mixed with hints of the wild forest filled her nostrils. When

his fingertip explored the heated moisture gathering at her juncture, she

tightened her thighs around his hips.

Barbara Edwards

The

Wild Rose Press: Ancient Blood, a Black Rose

Buy

link http://tinyurl.com/3f627vh

"Like" Ancient Blood on my Facebook Bookpage

Author Website: http://barbaraedwards.net

Blog Site: http://barbaraedwardscomments.wordpress.com

Ancient Blood http://on.fb.me/naHRY5

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B003F6ZK1A

Buy link for Ancient Blood http://tinyurl.com/3f627vh

Filed under: writing Tagged: Ancient Awakening, Ancient Blood, Barbara Edwards,, book bible, cemetery, Characters, paranormal, Rhodes End, The Wild Rose Press, writing

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Published on November 07, 2011 10:31

October 24, 2011

Scary starts with S

Did you ever notice that the scariest words start with S? Take

S-s-s-spooky. Just the word sends shivers down my spine. So I took that idea

Halloween Eve

and made a list I find scary.

10. Spook is another name for a ghost, but where ghost

conjures up cute images like Casper, in my mind spook is the sheet-clad figure

shifting through shadows.

9. Swamp is the site for slithery, slimy, sucking muck. The

victim always stumbles into the swamp, tries to escape and sinks.

8. Sarcophagus is more frightening than a simple tomb or

crypt. Picture the stone lid sliding aside for Dracula to ease out in his

nightly hunt for blood.

7. Shadows move and shift in the darkness. Shadows conceal

the evil things we strain to see. Shadows appear in places they don't belong.

Shadows dog our steps.

Paranormal Romance

6. Shape-shifters are more terrifying than werewolves since

they can assume any form.

5. Skeletons are a Halloween favorite to hang outside. They

rattle in the wind. Or make a click-click-clicking noise as they sneak along

the hallway of the old mansion.

4. Skulls are skinless, eyeless, sometimes toothless shapes,

all that remain of the place considered strong enough to protect our brains.

Skulls remind us of their past humanity.

3. Snakes are slithery and slippery. Asps hiss.

2. Stake is not exactly scary until you put it in the

context of killing Dracula or staking out your enemy on an anthill.

1. Samhain (pronounced Sow-een) is the Druid or witch

celebration of the holiday we renamed Halloween. Samhain is the time when the

curtain between worlds is thinnest and allows the creatures from the other side

to come into our world. Souls, demons, incubi, ghosts can roam freely and

do. Fear they will not return is the

reason for November 1st to be called All Souls Day and a day of

prayer in many religions.

I'm sure you can think of more s's. You're welcome to add

them to my list.

Barbara Edwards writes paranormal romance.

Ancient Blood, Book Two Finding Rhodes End Series-blurb

Lily Alban escapes a murderous stalker, but his vicious attack

leaves her with the ability to see auras. She finds safety in the tiny hamlet

of Rhodes End where a stranger stands out like a red light. Try as she might to

deny her growing desire for Cole, she seeks his help but soon discovers the man

she loves is not a man at all.

Werewolf Cole Benedict resists his attraction to Lily. A botanist

researching the healing herbs to find a cure for Lycanthropy, he's determined

to protect Lily from her stalker as well as himself even in human form, but

instinct takes over when he changes to his inner beast.

Together they must use their extraordinary gifts to catch Lily's

stalker before he attacks again, but revealing their secrets to one another

could destroy their growing love or save them both.

Buy link for Ancient Blood http://tinyurl.com/3f627vh

Author Web: http://barbaraedwards.net

Blog Site: http://barbaraedwardscomments.wordpress.com

Ancient Blood http://on.fb.me/naHRY5

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B003F6ZK1A

Buy link for Ancient Blood http://tinyurl.com/3f627vh

Filed under: psychic ability, writing Tagged: Ancient Awakening, Ancient Blood, Barbara Edwards,, cemetery, fear, ghosts, Samhain, skeleton, snakes, stake, The Wild Rose Press, werewolf, writing

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Published on October 24, 2011 15:14

October 17, 2011

Playlists & Writing by Sarah Grimm

PLAYLISTS & WRITING

I can't remember a time when music and writing weren't a very large part of my

life. Growing up, our house was

constantly filled with music. From Barbra Streisand to Pink Floyd, there was

always some music playing. On the rare occasion the stereo was silent, my

sister was usually singing or one of us was practicing an instrument. That's

just how life was in my house, and I wouldn't have had it any other way.

As an adult, I still surround myself with music. Even now as I type this, Shinedown is streaming

through the new plasma TV in my bedroom. The only problem? I keep singing along

when I should be typing, which is exactly why the only time music isn't

blasting through the speakers in every room of our house is when I'm writing. When I write, I need complete silence. Sad,

but true. That's not to say that music doesn't inspire my writing, because it

does. In a big, big way.

I began building stories around song lyrics as far back as the fourth

grade. A particular lyric or phrase

would stand out, and the next thing I knew, I had built an entire scene around

that phrase. The song would get stuck in my head and the next day I would have

a few chapters scribbled in my notebook based on the theme. In the fourth grade,

I wondered if I was the only one who did this. As an adult, I know I'm not.

A lot of authors write to specific playlists – a set of songs that inspire

them. Some even have playlists set to a particular book they're working on –

songs that help them get into the right mood and focus on the characters. I'm

one of those writers. Possessing a deep love of music, I can't NOT have a playlist

of songs that capture the feeling of the book and the characters I'm working

on. Usually, I select a multitude of songs to capture both the hero and

heroine. But sometimes…sometimes I only listen to one or two songs before I sit

down to write.

Music plays an essential role in AFTER MIDNIGHT. Based on a rock musician

and a piano phenom, how could it not? So my playlist for AM must be littered

with songs, right? Rock, classical, alternative or country, they're all

represented? You'd think so, wouldn't you?

In actuality, of all the stories I've written, all the songs I've listened

to across all the genres, I have but one song that truly captures Isabeau, and

therefore, After Midnight. When I hear it, no matter what I'm doing, I'm drawn

right back into the lives of Isabeau and Noah. The only thing is…right from the first time I

heard it, I did not encounter Izzy's feelings for a man, but for the one thing

that has been both the best gift and worst torture in her life – her piano.

Evanescence "My Immortal"

I'm so tired of being here

Suppressed by all my childish fears

And if you have to leave

I wish that you would just leave

Your presence still lingers here

And it won't leave me alone

These wounds won't seem to heal

This pain is just too real

There's just too much that time cannot erase

[Chorus:]

When you cried I'd wipe away all of your tears

When you'd scream I'd fight away all of your fears

And I held your hand through all of these years

But you still have

All of me

You used to captivate me

By your resonating light

Now I'm bound by the life you left behind

Your face it haunts

My once pleasant dreams

Your voice it chased away

All the sanity in me

These wounds won't seem to heal

This pain is just too real

There's just too much that time cannot erase

[Chorus]

I've tried so hard to tell myself that you're gone

But though you're still with me

I've been alone all along

[Chorus]

~*~*~*~*~

Thirteen years—that's how long Isabeau

Montgomery has been living a lie. After an automobile accident took her

mother's life, Izzy hid herself away, surviving the only way she knew how. Now

she is happy in her carefully reconstructed life. That is until he walks through the door of her

bar…

Black Phoenix singer/front man Noah Clark came

to Long Island City with a goal–one that doesn't

include an instant, electric attraction to the dark-haired beauty behind the

bar. Coaxing her into his bed won't be easy, but he can't get her pale, haunted

eyes nor her skill on the piano out of his head.

Can Noah help Isabeau overcome the past? Or will her need to protect her secret

force her back into hiding and destroy their chance at happiness?

~*~*~*~*~*~

Sarah Grimm is an award winning author of contemporary

romance and romantic suspense. She lives in West

Michigan with her husband, two sons and three miniature

schnauzers. Between mom's taxi service, parts runs, and answering the phone for

the family marine repair business, Sarah can be found curled in her favorite

chair, crafting her next novel.

Find Sarah here:

Website: http://www.sarahgrimm.com

Blog: http://www.authorsarahgrimm.blogspot.com

Group Blog: http://www.smutwriterssoapbox.blogspot.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SarahGrimm.Author

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/SGrimmAuthor

Buy link: http://bit.ly/phYExX

Filed under: My Favorite Books, writing Tagged: After Midnight, music, romance, Sarah Grimm, writing

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Published on October 17, 2011 06:32

October 16, 2011

Maybe psychic ability can be inherited

I'm truly curious about how many authors can claim psychic abilities. I woke this morning wondering if I have to admit I have some psychic talent.

It's like rattling my closet skeletons. I'm so nervous. People will think I'm weird. I'll be pointed at on the street and have to move or change my name. Boy, am I going off on a

tangent.

Writers are the most accepting people in the world. We understand what makes people different and value all the quirks. It all adds to the characters and plot we create.

I use psychic abilities to round out my characters, but it's usually a secondary part of their personality. Annie knows her child is threatened. Rachel senses her twin's feelings. That's

recorded and researched ability. Lily sees auras, but not on everyone or even

when it will reveal the villain.

I don't share those talents, but I do know how it feels to have that unexplainable episode occur. I am puzzled, even confused. For a minute I question why the people around me didn't see or hear that 'other'. I always have a lag time. My reality has to accept the unreality as real.

Confusing? Oh yes. I think my mother had a talent, too, but she died young and I didn't know enough to ask. She always explained to me that it was all right. I remember once waking from a vivid dream of a recently deceased person who grabbed my arm. I had a finger pattern of bruises on my bicep. Mom said I was the only one she could reach and

to pray for her soul. Scary now that I look back.

I have vivid dreams that sometimes do come true. I also dream my story before I start

writing. Along with a few other things I didn't mention. Let me know what you think. Do you use psychic abilities is your stories? Do you have one?

Ancient Blood by Barbara Edwards Paranormal romance

Werewolf Cole Benedict resists his attraction to Lily. A botanist

researching the healing herbs to find a cure for Lycanthropy, he's determined

to protect Lily from her stalker as well as himself even in human form, but

instinct takes over when he changes to his inner beast.

Together they must use their extraordinary gifts to catch Lily's

stalker before he attacks again, but revealing their secrets to one another

could destroy their growing love or save them both.

"What

makes you so important? Or is this another secret?"

Cole's eyes darkened. "Lily. I'm pushing the

line with you. Give me some slack."

"I want answers, Cole." She grabbed his arm

as he turned and pulled him to a halt.

He gently, carefully drew her fierce grip

into his grasp. His golden eyes heated as he lifted her hand to his lips. "I

already told you, Lily. You'd have to mate with me to learn all my secrets."

Urgent need raced from his lips to her

center. His scorching gaze melted her from the inside out. All her being longed

to step into his arms, to become one in a way she'd never known. She trembled

as she recognized the danger.

Author Web: http://barbaraedwards.net

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