Deborah Court's Blog, page 5
December 27, 2011
Everyone's a winner!!!
Dear Readers,
I hope y'all had a great holiday season with your loved ones!!!
Let's announce the winners of our recent book giveaway of Lynette Sofras's "The Apple Tree"!
And the two winners are ... tadaaaa!!!
There are not only two, but FIVE giveaways! As it's still the Christmas season, Lyn and I have decided that you are all winners and will each receive a free copy of 'The Apple Tree'! I hope you enjoy reading the novel as much as I did.
Hey - there's even more to come! Since we're still feeling extremely Christmas-y today, every winner will get a copy of my book, "Bound to the Prince", too!
And here are the lucky winners:
Gena Robertson
Jenny Twist
Sharon Baker (we need your e-mail addy, Sharon!)
Shelby Forbes
Iris Blobel
For all other readers who'd like to check out Lynette's wonderful book, you can order it here:
Kindle version
Nook version
Smashwords (all other versions)
Lyn's Book at Goodreads
Thanks for participating, and happy reading! If you liked the book, please leave a short review for Lyn on Amazon, Goodreads or B&N, it will be much appreciated.
Yours truly,
Deborah
December 19, 2011
Guest Blog by Author Eri Nelson
Today I'm honored to welcome my first guest blogger! It's Author Eri Nelson, who is also the editor of an amazing new magazine, featuring new authors and introducing their work to readers. It's called "Supporting Authors One Read At A Time Magazine", and you definitely should check it out!
During the last months, Eri has been very busy buildung up a wonderful new network for authors and readers - in my opinion, an amazing idea! You can find Eri's book, "The Call from Within (Dearhart Clan Series), here!
Welcome to my blog, Eri, it's a pleasure having you here!
xoxoxo
Deborah
*****
Hi, my name is Eri Nelson. I have the privilege to be the creator of an online magazine called "Supporting Authors One Read At A Time Magazine". Being an author myself has open my eyes to the difficulty in promoting yourself to readers. With all the avenues out there, I was hoping to embrace one that would not only promote one to two chosen authors but perhaps a whole network of authors. It was and is important to me to keep this type of venue free to all who wish to be involved and free to read.
Why keep it free? When you are starting out as a first time author, your first acknowledgment is how a limited budget does not go very far as to advertising. Riches and fames are wonderful however it is not all ways the start to many a writer. Often success for an author is based on an enjoyable read. Therefore, it was with this thought that I wanted to keep this magazine free to be a part of and free to read. Our main purpose is to support authors if we are able to do that while promoting each other's work then we have earned a much greater reward.
When the idea first came to me in October 2011, it was in a blog format where we highlighted two authors in a Q & A layout once a month, http://www.wonderfulreadofthemonth.blogspot.com/. This was to be shared within a network of authors whom post the same blog or their variation on the two highlighted authors within their individual blogs/websites. Admittedly, this is up to their discretion as to when they chose to post the Q & A's from both authors. The only requirement is that it must be with designated month in which to post.
Later that October I was offered a chance to be mentioned in Night Owl Book Lovers online magazine. Which was based through an amazing site call ISSUU. This opportunity gave me an idea in which to highlight more authors outside the typical Q & A. However, we still highlight two authors within our network a month course now we take it a tad farther. With the help of over fifty authors, we have the greatest privilege to showcase short stories, informative articles, book reviews, book blurbs, and ads that link to where you can buy a number of your favorite author's books.
Our last month's issue, November 2011, I am very proud to say is still increasing in views. On my last check, it had 3752 views. We would be very proud to pass that on to all of you, http://issuu.com/erinelson/docs/november_issue_2011?mode=window&backgroundColor=%23222222 Currently our December 2011 issue has reached 819 views as of December 13, 2011. You can view our Holy Jolly issue at http://issuu.com/erinelson/docs/december_2011?mode=window&backgroundColor=%23222222
Thank you so much for this distinct privilege to proudly display all our authors within the "Supporting Authors One Read At A Time Magazine". Our blog http://www.wonderfulreadofthemonth.blogspot.com/ that serves as our bookshelf/magazine rack is a great place to follow all the blogs within the network. We are always eager to welcome all new coming authors so please check us out and if you are interested feel free to fill out the form on our site. Or you can contact me directly at dearhart@dearharts.com.
December 15, 2011
Interview with Author Lynette Sofras and Book Giveaway!
Dear Readers,
today I am delighted to welcome a friend and fellow author to my blog, Lynette Sofras! Her new contemporary romance, "The Apple Tree", is released on December 16th! The book was the Grand Prize Winner of the Inspired Romance's Kick Off! Writing Contest and is a wonderful read for anyone who's a true romantic at heart.
"The Apple Tree" will be available tomorrow (just click on the cover). You should read it during the holidays, preferably cuddled up in a comfortable chair at the fireplace. I most definitely will! ;-)
You should also check out Lynette's awesome blog here, and read her witty insights about life and writing.
To celebrate the release of her new book, Lynette is giving away two e-book copies of "The Apple Tree"! To enter the giveaway, just leave a comment with your e-mail address. Good Luck!!!
Yours truly,
Deborah
Could you please tell us something about you?
First of all, thank you dear Deb for inviting me to your wonderful blog!
Well, I've spent most of my life in England, apart from six years living in Greece. I returned to England when my son was just a baby and trained as an English teacher. I was able to give up teaching a couple of years ago in order to satisfy my lifelong dream – to be a writer.
When did you decide on being an author?
I don't think I would be exaggerating much to say it was around the time I was first able to write stories at school – probably around the age of 5 or 6! I've always loved writing and it's always been my dream to spend my days doing just that. In fact, I remember writing an essay about my future when I was about 10 and I described myself living in a remote cottage, writing in my twilit garden – and my English teacher wrote "bad for the eyes"! Teachers, eh?!
What inspires you to write?
Reading good fiction always spurs me on, but what inspires me has to be dreams. All my story ideas seem to come in my sleep.
What is the premise of your book?
'The Apple Tree' is about second chances. We all make mistakes and sometimes these scar us quite badly. But we can learn and grow stronger from them and we all deserve a shot at true happiness. The question is, do we recognise it when it's offered to us and do we deal with it in the right way? My heroine, Juliet, made her mistakes because she didn't trust her own judgement and allowed other people to influence her. Only through a great deal of heartache can she learn to accept herself and be accepted for who she is. But it's not all grim – I hope the humor also peeks through.
What is your favorite passage in the book?
There is a scene near the end, where Juliet is tending her parents' grave and Nicholas finds her. By this time they have become almost like strangers again, neither one knowing what the other is thinking or feeling. He no longer understands her while she believes he hates her.
Are you a plotter or a pantser?
I'm a bit of both, actually. It's important for me to know where a story is going, but I hate rigorous planning – I much prefer to let a story evolve and am always open to letting my characters lead me astray…which they often do!
How do you develop your characters?
I don't – they seem to develop themselves. I know many writers say that and it's absolutely true. But I do like to put my h & h through the emotional wringer before letting them find true happiness!
How did you come to write romance?
We all love a bit of romance – it's what makes the world go round. I love to explore emotional intensity, relationships fraught with conflicts, trusting that they will be resolved, but never quite being sure they will until the moment happens. It wasn't planned – it just happened.
Which books/authors influenced you most and why?
All the classics, without a doubt. I do enjoy the Brontës and Jane Austen for the way they explore and portray their characters' emotions in such a restrained way. (And of course, Deborah Court – I have read your novel several times and don't think you have yet received the full praise you deserve for the way you craft your prose!)
Which is your favorite hero/villain in a movie or TV series?
Lol – nice question! Until your Elathan hits our screens, I'll have to stick with Captain Jack from 'Torchwood' - because he's both hero and villain!
Is there a contemporary author, musician or actor you particularly admire?
Contemporary authors: lots! Ian McEwan and Audrey Niffenegger are the first two to spring to mind. (But I also admire you, Deb – for your passion and dedication to your writing!)
How do you celebrate Christmas?
Quietly! Christmas is a family time and I love to keep it that way, spending it with those I love best in the world in a truly traditional style.
Thank you for this great interview, Lynette! It was a real pleasure to have you here.
*****
Excerpt from "The Apple Tree"
She gazed at a street lamp in front of her, watching the moths jostling for position as they flapped round and round. She thought Nicholas was like that light, attracting all the moth-like creatures, the Annabels, the Clarissas, the Livvies and probably many more, all irresistibly drawn to his lovely flame. He could have married any one of them and made the same mistake as her. Had he always been entirely truthful with them all? Had he never come close to feeling that intensity of emotion he seemed to have shared with her, close enough at least to have wrong-footed somewhere en route? Could he really know himself so well and be so perfect? Robert certainly thought so. He made him sound like a saint. Saint Nicholas—no, sorry, got one of those already—and he was a do-gooder too!
Some ten or fifteen minutes must have passed and Julie wondered if Livvie and Nicholas had finished 'catching up' and whether Nicholas had been left with sufficient strength to have maneuvered her car from the drive without further damage to either it or the van. Damage her insurance company would now have to sort out for her.
"There you are!" he exclaimed from a point close behind her. "I've seen to your car for you."
"And Livvie too, I trust?"
He actually managed the merest flicker of a smile, if it wasn't just a tic in his cheek, that is. Livvie's 'catching up' must have been very therapeutic, Julie thought.
"She's an old friend," he explained dismissively, to no-one in particular.
But not very old, Julie thought. Then she caught her breath as Nicholas came to sit on the bench beside her. At last he was coming to his senses!
"Can I ask you one question, Julie? Was it because you thought I was a simple gardener that you felt you had free license to trample on my feelings?"
She groaned. "Oh Nicholas, you know that isn't true."
"Then it seems I know very little," he replied dryly. "I suggest you go home now before you freeze to death."
She jumped up from the bench, her feet, in their light, strappy sandals smarting with the cold as she planted them solidly in front of him and gazed down at him. "My marriage was over long before I met you. It was a mistake that should never have happened. I was ashamed of it. It was like my career in a way. Passing your exams doesn't automatically make you a good doctor in exactly the same way that signing a book in a registry office doesn't automatically mean that you'll have a good marriage, or even a proper one! Simon and I were never really husband and wife, we were just good friends."
"Simon?" He nodded and repeated the name in a voice heavy with sarcasm. "Simple Simon? Simply making mistakes?"
Julie knew he was referring to her observation that sometimes people simply made mistakes in their choice of marriage partners, so the insult was double-edged. "You have no right to insult him." she reproached quietly.
"No, of course not. He's your husband."
"No, Nicholas. Not anymore, but he is my friend."
"Really? That's what I thought I was. It seems you treat all your friends the same way. Badly! In my book, friends don't cheat and lie. You should have told me instead of deliberately letting me believe you were someone…something else"
"How could I, knowing your views? I grew too attached to you."
"All the more reason for telling the truth, don't you think?"
"But I couldn't bear to risk losing what we had."
"We could never have anything built on a foundation of lies. If I asked your husband, would he tell me you were never really his wife? Would he betray you the way you betrayed him? Do you hate all men, Julie? Or is it that you simply don't know the difference between right and wrong, or the truth and lying?"
She was as wounded by his tone as much as his words but still pressed on, her voice little more than a shaky whisper. "I don't hate you, Nicholas. I love you."
"I'll leave your keys on the bench." His voice sounded icy.
She backed away a pace and stared down at her feet in misery. Was there nothing she could say to move this man with whom she had shared so much love? Had she really damaged their relationship so irrevocably? How could he have changed so much, her tender lover? Had she done that to him?
She wanted a glimpse of the old Nicholas to reassure herself that he had existed and she hadn't dreamed him up. This cold, hard stranger bore no resemblance to him.
When she raised her head, Nicholas was no longer there. She had told him she loved him and he had simply walked away. How much more humiliation could she take?
December 3, 2011
Bound to the Prince Print Version out!
Although e-books are highly popular these days (I, for instance, don't go anywhere without my Kindle! LOL), many readers still prefer real books, and who should blame them? It's still a wonderful, almost sensual feeling to hold a book in your hands and turn the pages. ;-)
The book is available at Amazon now!
Of course, you'll still find the e-book versions for Kindle, Nook, and all other readers. For even more links, head over to my website, www.deborahcourt.com. Enjoy a happy holiday read!
Yours truly,
Deborah Court
November 9, 2011
New short story online!
if you love vampires, please head over to EricandSookieLovers.com and read my new story, "Piece of Glass".
Enjoy!
Yours truly,
Deborah
November 1, 2011
Elven Lovers and Legends of the Fae
Now that the day o...
Now that the day of Samhain - or Halloween, as we call it - has passed, I like to look out of the window in the late afternoon and watch the fog rolling in over the fields. The world seems to be gently sleeping, covered in a thick white cloud of magic. Even the colors of nature look otherworldly and more intense. In those moments, I ask myself if it could be true that right now the veil between our world and that other, unknown one - the realm of the spirits - is indeed so thin that creatures we only know from old stories could cross the boundaries.
Perhaps one of them, a Fae prince, might see a human woman standing on a bridge, staring down into the swirling mist, and desire her so much that he decides to steal her from her own world and take her down to his underground lair. This is exactly what happens in my Paranormal Romance, "Bound to the Prince." But we'll come back to that a little later.
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The Sidhe (pronounced '"Shee") are described as tall and handsome, they dress richly and accounts of their halls are of beautiful places abounding with delicious foods and drinks. These noble Fae descended from the Tuatha De Danann, who conquered Ireland ages ago but, after being defeated by the Milesians, retreated to their own world: underground caverns or springs and to the land of Tír na nÓg, a mythical island to the west of Ireland. Thus they became the legendary race of immortals, strong and noble but also clever and cunning. Being able to walk among humans disguised by their magic glamour, they might steal babies from their cribs and leave changelings in their places; and woe to the traveler who wandered too far into an area that belonged to the Fae! Both male and female Sidhe occasionally seduced humans and took them to their magic realm, sometimes even marrying them.
In "Bound to the Prince" I used some of the elements of Celtic mythology that inspired me, and wove them into my story. With Fearann, I wished to create a medieval fantasy world with elves who were not those ethereal beings we know from Tolkien, but warriors - strong, honorable and passionate. But when it comes to the women they love, they are as down-to-earth as the next man. However, they know how to use their magic to their advantage when they seduce a human. Being immortal has given them a lot of time to practice, after all.
Yours truly, Deborah Court
Artwork by Gabby Leithsceal - Check out her incredible art at Deviantart or at Hidden Realm Entertainment, a petition site to bring back Prince Nuada (with an awesome trailer).
October 29, 2011
The Versatile Blogger Award - I received it!!!
Thank you to my friend and awesome writer, Lynette Sofras, author of "The Apple Tree". You should really check out her wonderful blog at http://manicscribbler.blogspot.com/
She awarded me with
"The Versatile Blogger Award."
I feel very honored to receive this award and glow with pride today, especially since my blog is quite new. I'll do my best in the future to write blog entries worthy of those of the very talented bloggers who have been selected before me.
Here are the Versatile Blogger Award rules:1. Thank the person who gave it to you and link back to them.2. Share seven things about yourself.3. Pass the award along to other, recently discovered blogs and let them know about it.
Ok - now I'll share seven things about me. And I bet that you'd like to know something interesting, not what I had for breakfast. Hmm ... let's dig around in forbidden memories and scandalous secrets ...
The first thing I wrote was a quite awful fantasy comic book inspired by the movie "Willow".I have watched the BBC production of "Pride and Prejudice" about 43568 times (yes, the Colin Firth version) and felt every time that the only thing really missing was a passionate, mindblowing Mr.&Mrs.Darcy kissing scene at the end (please don't shoot me, dear Jane Austen purists ;-) ).
Often I am forced to write my books while my Siamnese cat, Tinkerbell (well, my 6-year-old daughter named her - I would have preferred "Miss Marple") constantly tries to lie down directly on my right hand, demanding to be cuddled.Long ago, I won a local Merengue dance contest in the Carribean! But that was before I married a man who never dances. Not even on his own wedding - well, there were a few seconds of forced waltzing because my male relatives threatened to kill him if he wouldn't. ;-)Inside, I've always stayed about 15 years old so I still go "squeeee" while watching "The Vampire Diaries" or "True Blood". Oh, and I might like to listen to boy band music when I'm alone but of course, I'd never admit it.
Besides my second life as a notorious romance writer, I work as a health professional specializing in homeopathic remedies and have two wonderful children who completely drive me crazy most of the time.When I have some spare time (wish this could be more often) and I'm online, I love to watch Youtube videos and read blogs or fan fiction. It's amazing how many talented, creative people are out there. The internet gives them a great platform to express themselves.
Here are some bloggers whose articles I particularly enjoy, and I'm awarding each of them the Versatile Blogger Award. Of course, there's no special order:
Frederick Lee Brooke: http://www.frederickleebrooke.com/
Erika (The Fanfiction Vixen Blog): http://iamerika100.wordpress.com/
Proserpine: http://proserpinecravedfor.blogspot.com//
Deanna Raybourn: http://www.deannaraybourn.com/blog/
Congrats! Giving away this award is as much fun as receiving it! <3<3<3
"The Versatile Blogger Award."
October 26, 2011
Creatures that go BUMP in the Night!!!
Enjoy!
Guest Blog "Elven Lovers and Legends of the Fae" with Book Giveaway
October 22, 2011
Book Giveaway on Proserpine Craving Books!!!
this week I'm giving away three copies of "Bound to the Prince" (in any ebook format or PDF), along with mp3s of my book soundtrack song "Bound to You" by Jezebel. Enjoy, and check out Proserpine's awesome blog:
http://proserpinecravedfor.blogspot.c...
Good luck!
I also have news for those of you who still prefer a "real book" to ebook versions - the print version of "Bound to the Prince" will be published soon. ;-)
Yours truly,
Deborah Court
October 11, 2011
Between the Sheets with Elven Warriors
Now I've got your attention, right? At least if you're a woman. Did you see all of those pictures right inside your mind, did you perhaps imagine yourself being held by strong male arms, engaged in a kiss so sweet, so seductive that it can make a woman weep with pleasure? Immortals are good kissers, ladies. After ages of eager practice you should certainly expect them to be.
But I bet that you imagined even more than I wrote. For instance, you probably didn't just see a forest, you saw an enchanted forest, with golden leaves, fairy lights and magical creatures inhabiting those old trees. You saw the magnificent body of your elven lover, his long, braided hair covering your entangled bodies, brushing over your skin like the most exquisite silk. Or you saw the underground lake, steam rising up from the surface which reflected the beautiful structures of the stalagmite formations on the ceiling above you. And you saw those black sheets, on a huge four-poster wooden bed, richly adorned with elven symbols.
It's magic. It's telepathy. But that's exactly what turns us on when it comes to sex, ladies. Something out of the ordinary. We want to be treated like a queen, no, a goddess, cherished and desired; and taken to places so beautiful that it takes our breath away.
Let's face it - we women want it all when having an erotic fantasy. Yes, we love our romance spiced up with frequent sex scenes, and yes, besides the lovey-dovey we want to read something really kinky at times. Secretly, we yearn for a man who just takes what he wants, who's possessive and totally in control of the situation. In bed, we love being weak, but we would never, ever, betray that to the men in our lives. Our primal instincts drive us to mate with the strongest, the fiercest male in the tribe; yet the modern woman in us needs him to be helpful with the kids and household. But the true question is: Will Conan the Barbarian still look sexy to us after we tamed him and made him take the dirty laundry down to the basement?
Because of this conflict, we love to read stories that take us to magic worlds and allow us that guilty pleasure of behaving like a cave woman again, choosing the alpha male who makes us swoon with his mere presence. When you write erotic scenes, no matter if it's paranormal romance, fantasy or any other genre, you have to keep that secret nature of women in mind. Indulging in such fantasies can be nearly as good as the real thing, and we truly deserve it, after all we have to achieve in our everyday lives; our daily routine filled to the brim with work, our careers, caring for our children and beloved ones (even if they are not so very alpha most of the time).
Being a writer, it is my greatest joy to help you escape for a while - into a world beyond your wildest dreams, swept away by one of my magnificent elven warriors. I promise that your naughty little secret will be safe with me.
For who could deny a woman the innocent pleasure of reading a book?
Yours truly, Deborah Court
This guest post was written for and first published on Bitten by Paranormal Romance Blog. Special thanks to Laurie! ;-)
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