Ute Carbone's Blog, page 45

Please Welcome Catherine Cavendish

Visit Cat at her  website I'm very pleased to have Catherine Cavendish as a guest today. She's a wonderful writer of horror tales.











Here's what Cat has to say about procrastination:





Methinks I Doth Procrastinate…
Livvy screamed. The shadows had moved…
OK. Not a bad opening line. Well, half a line actually. There it sits. All alone. On page one. Looking a tad lonely as it waits for something else to happen.
You know what it’s like. That first day on a new writing project. The ideas are all there (some of them anyway). If you’re a pantser like me, they’re a bit jumbled. Like spaghetti. But I like spaghetti, so that doesn’t worry me.
I stare at the screen. What’s going on in those shadows? Hang on, do the shadows move – or should it be something in the shadows that moves. My hands address the keyboard (‘hello keyboard’. No, that’s just plain daft). I type: Livvy screamed. Something in the shadows had moved.
Good grief! Is that a cobweb on the ceiling? Must get rid of it. Immediately. Where’s the brush?
Ten minutes later.
No, I don’t like something in the shadows had moved. Too long-winded. Lacks punch. I hit the ‘undo’ button and smile. Yes, equilibrium restored. But, hang on. Why the past tense? Why not the present? Will that work better? What time is it? Must just check my emails…
Half an hour later: Livvy screams. The shadows are moving.
 Um, no. Sounds like they’ve grown legs. What time is it now? Must check my Amazon rankings. Maybe someone’s bought a book?
Five minutes later. Deep sigh. Oh well, never mind. I type: Livvy screams. The shadows move.
No, that won’t do at all. Now it sounds as if her screaming has caused them to move. And if that’s the case, what on earth was she screaming about? Heavens, look at the dust on that table! Must get rid of it.
An hour later, I put the duster, polish and vacuum cleaner away and settle back down to the ever-flashing cursor and the screaming heroine. The shadows move. Livvy screams.
Who is Livvy anyway? Shouldn’t I be thinking about what she’s wearing, what the room looks like, her favourite colour, music, alcoholic beverage, where she went for her summer holidays? I have a picture of her in my mind but… I type: Livvy shook her long red hair and gazed around the modern bedroom with its Ikea pine furniture and peach painted walls. In the backgroun,d her favourite album of the moment, “21” by Adele, was on the final track - “Someone Like You”. Suddenly, she stopped. Stared. Screamed. Something in the shadows had moved.
Well, it’s longer. I have more words on my page. But you can’t say ‘suddenly’ like that. Holds up the action. And let’s face it, that is one long-winded opening. I sigh…
Mimi (my cat) jumps on my lap. A tentative paw touches the keyboard.  An interesting, if unpronounceable, new word appears - nghjkgerghj. Can I work that in somewhere? Only if Livvy turns out to be a Klingon.
I have long thought Mimi has designs on writing her autobiography, but so far, her forays into typing have resulted in gobbledegook.
She turns those emerald eyes of hers on me.  ‘Purrrrrrrrr. Mrrow?’
‘Want a cuddle then?’
‘PURRRRRRRRR’.


Catherine's latest novella The Devil Inside Her Elinor Gentry’s world collapsed when her husband and only daughter were killed in a car crash two years ago. Her recurring nightmares have left her exhausted and her debts are crippling her. Then, for no apparent reason, the nightmares turn into pleasant dreams and she can start to take back control of her life.
But then a string of horrific and unexplained suicides and a horrifying discovery about Elinor lead her best friend, Marnie, to seek help from the one person who has seen all this before. Hazel Messinger knows that Elinor’s newly found wellbeing is not what it seems.
A demon is at work here and it is a race against time to save Elinor’s soul...  The Devil Inside Her is available at Amazon, Amazon UK, Barnes and Noble and other online bookstores

Please Welcome January Bain

I'm very pleased to have January Bain as a guest today. Her new paranormal romance, Forever Man was released earlier this week by Champagne Books.
Here's what January has to say about Forever Man:
July 2, 2012 THE BIG DAY AKA The scariest day of my life…My name is January Bain and I love to write. There, I’ve confessed my addiction! And now my first book is about to be released and I would dearly love to share my storytelling journey with you.
Where did the idea come from? I remember it as clear as if the moment had just happened: I was watching The Green Mile, and was mesmerized by the idea that the gentle giant, imprisoned unfairly in jail for a crime committed by an another, could heal others by taking on their illness and then just letting the evil flow back into obscurity by exhaling through his lungs. I coveted that gift with every fiber of my being. I had just lost two beloved brothers to cancer and had to stand by and watch it happen. My heroine, Ellie Hightower, was going to have it so much better than me! She was going to have the gift of healing and save those she loved. I know why I write romantic stories—the happy, guaranteed ending.
It’s been an interesting journey, this getting a book polished and ready to be published. Though the learning curve has been pretty steep, I have had the blessing of working with great people who have made the journey a whole lot easier. A special thanks to my wonderful editor, Judy Griffith Gill and her expertise. She has made me a far better writer.
And to all my wonderful friends at The Writers Vineyard, your support and friendship has meant more to me than you can know!
I would also like to thank J. Ellen Smith, our esteemed publisher for her invaluable guidance in getting my first novel to the public.
And most of all, my very own “Forever Man”, my wonderful husband, Don, who has made the journey of life the best it can be!
Excerpt from FOREVER MAN:
ProloguePure evil waited, hushed and cold in the perfect darkness. The steady drip, drip on the coffin lid above was soundless next to the crashing waves of the sea. But the creature within was aware and knew what the substance was: life-giving nourishment.The blood was pooling, seeking a way into any tiny fissure that it could search out with thin hungry fingers. The resurrection was painstaking. Each life-giving drop dripped onto the needy beast which absorbed each molecule like a monstrous sponge as it built up, layer by layer. The vampire waited patiently—certain of its imminent resurrection.After all, it had already waited centuries, what were a few more hours to recover what had been lost…
Excerpt Two: Please God, let this beautiful creature be okay. A surge of pure power seemed to drive through my hands into the dog as I concentrated my thoughts on it and then all I could see and feel was hot, white light surrounding me for a few brief incredibly thrilling seconds. The light blinded me, its power as strong as the noonday sun. A sense of pure aliveness electrified me, as if I was at the pinnacle of my strength and could rise up and fill the world with goodness and healing. Then, just as suddenly, the floodgates in my mind closed and the white hot energy retreated back into my hands that began to shake violently with the excess energy.The sensation left as abruptly as it had come and I fell back exhausted from the effort. The dog whimpered, shook itself and sat up. It looked at the two of us as if nothing had happened, its brown eyes shining and its tail wagging as if it didn’t even remember the last few minutes of its life.The woman,her eyes huge in her round face, looked at me with complete wonder. “How could this be? One minute I thought it was dying, then you came along and now it’s up and fine? It doesn’t make any sense.” The woman shook her head, unwilling to believe her own eyes.
Best regards,January BainStorytellerwww.januarybain.caThe Forever SeriesForever ManForever WomanForever Clan
Short Bio:
January Bainhails from Manitoba, Canada. Married to the love of her life, her husband Don, she has combined her love of romance with her interest in the paranormal and vampires to produce the FOREVER SERIESof books. She teaches English and Computer courses during the day, and writes at night. She hopes to touch your heart with this third book in the series, Forever Clan and would very much enjoy hearing from her readers. www.januarybain.ca

Please Welcome Krista Ames

I'm very pleased to have Krista Ames, Author of Second Chances, as my guest blogger today. She's got some terrific recipes, so put on your chef's hat and your apron and read on!

 
Hi everyone and thanks for stopping by.  I’m Krista Ames and today I’d like to share a couple of my family’s favorite recipes.  In my household of 6, recipes tend to migrate toward easy so my 13 year old can help with the cooking.  She may make it sound like a chore but I can see the grin she’s hiding so I know she’s secretly loving it.  That girl can make a mean meatloaf!  Today however, I’d like to share one of her favorite recipes that she loves to eat more than make.

Cream Cheese Bars2 (8oz) pkgs. Cream Cheese(softened)(I microwave 30sec to 1 min.)2 tubes Croissant Rolls¾ c. sugar½ stick butterCinnamon-sugarPreheat oven to 350deg. Mix sugar and cream cheese, set aside.  Spray bottom of 13x9 pan.  Spread 1 can of Croissant rolls in bottom of pan.  Cover the rolls with the cream cheese mixture.  Carefully spread the 2nd can of Croissant rolls over the top of the cream cheese mixture.  (I do this last task in triangle sections.  I spread them out on a cutting board then place them on top so the cream cheese is all covered)  Sprinkle cinnamon sugar all over the top and dot with butter.Bake 20-25 min. or until rolls are browning.  Cool before cutting and serving.
They are so good and I always have to make two batches, one for my house and one for the get-together we’re going to that way my family doesn’t eat all of the one we are to share J

Another simple recipe I’d like to share is::
Pineapple Cake
Cake2c. flour1 tsp. baking soda2 c. sugar2 eggs1 can crushed pineapple and juice (Large can)Mix all ingredients well.  Bake at 350 deg. 30-35 min. in 13x9 pan or Texas sheet cake Frosting1 (8 oz.) pkg cream cheese½ c. powdered sugar½ stick butter1 tsp. vanillaBeat all til creamy, frost while cake is hot!

** Besides being a mom of 4 and loving to cook, I’m also a published author which I’m so excited about.  So, if it’s ok I’d like to share my most current release, “Second Chances” available now through Ruby Lioness Press.  
Blurb:  If you could get a Second Chance...When the love of Dana's life leaves without a word, she is forced to move on with her life.  Despite loving him, she believes she will never see him again but, little does she know, she's being set up for a night that will change her life forever.Nicholas, A Navy man, did the only thing he could to save the woman he loved.  Driven by a secret, he disappeared and now returns, years later, with hope for love.  With one opportunity, will he be able to make things right, or is it just too late?  Will she deny any desire for Second Chances?

Excerpt:: He watched her knees buckle a bit as Dana clutched at Amy’s arm, never taking her eyes off him. She said something he couldn’t make out—he never was good at reading lips. He was good at reading body language, however, and he knew in an instant what she meant to do just as she turned and made a dash for the patio door. Instinctively, he propelled himself forward, his body miraculously unfrozen. He had to go after her. He was the reason she was bailing after all. He knew from the look on her face. He passed Dave and Amy and shook his head when Dave tried to speak. “Don’t. I’m sorry. I have to go after her.”He closed the sliding door behind him and stood on the deck, searching the darkness. She wasn’t there. She couldn’t have gone far. She didn’t know anyone else here, and he doubted she was familiar with the area. He descended the stairs and walked out onto the yard along the water’s edge. Where’d she go? He started walking and, with relief, caught sight of a silhouette against the water toward the end of his property. He approached her quietly. She stood, arms hugging tightly around her middle, and held her shoes in her hand while the gentle waves splashed up and over the seawall. Damn, he wanted to touch her. It’d been so long. He couldn’t deny the growing ache pushing against his heart and a sudden tightening of his groin at the sight of how well that dress fit her curves, but this definitely wasn’t the time for his libido to come to life. He wanted to turn her, hold her in his arms, and nuzzle her beautiful neck just below her ear like she’d always loved. Would she still like it? Maybe she wouldn’t. Maybe he didn’t know her anymore, but he couldn’t stop himself. God, he wanted this woman still. He wanted her to know how very sorry he was for hurting her, and why. But she wouldn’t welcome his touch, especially now. He was certain of it. She’d likely administer a low blow, which he would totally deserve, and bolt. She was unpredictable that way. He loved that about her, too.He was only human, however, and he couldn’t not touch her. She knew he was there—he’d seen her form go stiff at his presence. Careful not to scare her, he slowly ran his fingertips over her bare shoulders and down her arms, feeling her shiver at his touch before she took a step away. “Don’t, Nicholas,” she said in a low, shaky whisper.
You can find “Second Chances” at any one of these locations.http://rubylionesspress.com/shop/second-chances/
http://www.amazon.com/Second-Chances-ebook/dp/B007KO5OMI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1332256535&sr=8-1
 www.smashwords.com/books/view/142186
www.allromanceebooks.com/product-secondchances-753069-149.htmlhttp://www.manicreaders.com/index.cfm?disp=bookDetail&bookid=24210
www.barnesandnoble.com/w/second-chances-krista-ames/1109557099?ean=2940014310932&itm=1&usri=krista+ames
I love to have visitors so please make sure you stop and see me at any of these places.  Feel free to follow my blog, twitter, facebook etc., never know when I might have a contest or a giveaway and I’d love to hear from you J
Twitter:  www.twitter.com/kristaames
Facebook:  www.facebook.com/kristaames
Goodreads:  www.goodreads.com/kristaames
Blog:  www.apassionforromance.blogspot.com
Web:  www.kristaames.com
Email:  krista@kristaames.com
Amazon Author Page:  http://www.amazon.com/Krista-Ames/e/B004FLQ9XM/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

It's Summertime!

Click on image for more fun and prizes!Enter the raffle copter drawing between now and July 4 for a chance to win an Amazon Gift Certificate!

Hi and welcome to the Celebrating Independence Day Blog Hop! I'm really glad, delighted in fact, that you've stopped by my blog for a visit.
Only one question: Why aren't you at the beach????

It's summertime, after all. The only time of year when 'go jump in the lake' becomes an invitation rather than an insult. Time to grab a sand chair, a towel, a little SPF 900 sun block and head on out to your favorite beach.  Smell the hot dogs, listen to the kids laugh, feel the hot sun. You know, summertime stuff.

 Not to worry. If you can't get to the beach, I'll take you there, virtual style.

Close your eyes. No wait! Read this and then close your eyes. Picture a warm sunny expanse of beach. Feel the sand between your toes. A breeze comes up and stirs the sea grass behind you. The lemonade you're drinking is icy cool; the glass sweats in your hand. Overhead, a seagull glides in lazy circles...
See, you feel better don't you?

And here, just to keep you in the mood, are pictures of Race Point Beach, the beautiful Cape Cod beach near Provincetown, Massachusetts where my book The P-Town Queen is set. And if that's still not enough, I've added a video of  the ocean at Cape Cod. Ahh,  just listen to those waves.


Relax Enjoy












Unwind


Can't go to the beach without some good beach reads! Maybe you'll check out the P-Town Queen? Enter for a chance to win an Amazon Gift Certificate.

Sizzling Summer

This July, I'll be participating in Romance Reviews Sizzling Summer ReadsCheck out the site and join in the fun! Click on the link for more information   
More than 400 participating authors and publishers!!!
More than 400 prizes to be won!!!

Interview at Passion for Romance

I'm over at Krista Ames Passion for Romance Blog today. Stop by, say hello and check out the grilled chicken recipe!

The P-Town Playlist: The Downeaster Alexa

Boats figure heavily in The P-Town Queen: Nikki's brothers and her father are fisherman. She's a shark researcher.  In fact The P-Town Queen is,  in the book, the name of a boat. So this Billy Joel song was a natural for the P-Town Playlist

 






Nikki Silva feels like she’s blown up her life even as her brothers tease her about blowing up a boat called the Mona Lisa. Divorced, funding for her shark research cut off, she’s moved back to Provincetown to live with her father in her childhood home. Nikki hopes to regain herself. She’s written a grant proposal for the newly formed Massachusetts Bay Commission to fund a study that will get her back to the sort of research she loves. The commission is run by her ex-husband Ned, who would rather have a migraine than give money to his ex-wife.
            Marco Tornetti wants to turn a hole-in-the-wall Newark spaghetti joint into a trendy bistro. His silent partner, Fat Phil Lagosa, wants to use the place to solicit questionable business deals.  When Fat Phil accuses Marco of a double cross and has him taken for a ride by one of his hit men, Marco knows he’s in too deep.
            Marco escapes the hit man and takes the first bus out of the Tri-state area, a bus chartered by the Greater Teaneck Gay Men’s Choir and headed for Provincetown. Marco figures that Phil would never look for him in Provincetown‘s gay community. But when he meets Nikki and falls hard for her, he finds that pretending to be gay isn’t as easy as it would seem.

You can purchase  The P-Town Queen at:http://champagnebooks.com/shop/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=583http://www.bookstrand.com/the-p-town-queenhttp://www.amazon.com/dp/B0088QAL6Ghttp://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-theptownqueen-819120-149.html

Introducing....Superman!!

Okay, I know you don't need to be introduced to Superman. You all ready know who Superman is. This is just my way of sharing the news.
I have a brand new romantic comedy coming your way!

It's called Searching for Superman
Here's what it's about:

Stephanie Holbrook has finally found a job she really loves: working as an assistant to Conrad Finch in a small regional theater that’s about a three dollars and a power outage from being torn down.  Stephanie wishes her love life would be as perfect as her job. She’ll be thirty on her next birthday and she still hasn’t found Mr. Right.  According to Stephanie, Mr. Right has to be strong and brave, with great values and good looks. A guy a lot like Superman.              When Doug Castleberry shows up at her niece’s birthday party dressed as Superman, Stephanie is positive he’s not the real deal. Sure, he’s great with kids and he’s kind of cute.   But he’s just a high school teacher making extra money by dressing up for kid’s parties. Hardly the strong, brave, and drop-dead gorgeous guy she’s looking for.            As the theater teeters ever closer to the edge of disaster, Doug proves to be a better man than Stephanie had ever imagined. Could he be the Superman she’s been looking for all along?
It's coming to Champagne Books in June of 2013. I know, I know, it's a while to wait. You'll just have to be patient. Put it on your TBR list and, if your list is long as mine, it'll be at the top of the list right around the  time it comes out! This is not the Rialto theater from the book. It's the wonderful and fully restored Palace Theater in Manchester, NH.
PS If you'd like something to read in the meantime, my romantic comedy The P-Town Queen is downloadable at most online bookstores!

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Blog Hop

Click on image for more girls havin' fun!

Nikki

The lovely Nikki Silva, shark researcher extraordinaire  and star of The P-Town Queen is being interviewed by Mary Contrary of the cable access show, Mary Tells it All about the love of her life, Marco Tornetti AKA Parker Bench.
Parker







Nikki's Theme Song: Tom Petty,  I won't back down




So, Nikki, can I call you Nikki? How did you an Marco first meet?
I hired him for a job that didn't exist. It's kind of a long story.

Ooh, intriguing.  It was love at first sight, wasn't it ?
Not exactly. I mean, yeah, he was a great looking guy. What with that dark hair and those green eyes. And a body Michelangelo might have carved. But for a long time, I thought he was gay. So I kept my attraction to myself.

Why did you think he was gay? And how did you figure out he wasn't?
He told me he was gay. He was using an alias, too. I knew he was lying about a lot of things, but I didn't figure he'd lie about the gay thing. My gay brother, Billy, figured it out before I did. Guess I'm not as good at observation as I thought I was.

Too, too, funny. It did all turn out well, though didn't it?
Yes, but it wasn't easy. You'll just have to read the book to get the whole story.

You heard it here first, folks! Get the book and learn the whole story!




 Visit Girl's Just Wanna have Fun for more!

The P-Town Playlist: I Run to You

Now and again, I like to share the music I listen to while writing.
For P-Town, the music was upbeat, mostly, and a mix of music styles from rock to pop to country.
I don't have a lot of country tunes on my i-pod, but I like this one,  I Run to You, by Lady Antebellum.  It kind of embodies the spirit of the book