Tara Fox Hall's Blog
November 21, 2023
Please Vote for my Book Cover!
They say not to judge a book by its cover but I need you to do just that. If you liked the cover of my book, Dare To Tell, please vote for it for the Cover of the Month contest on AllAuthor.com!
I’m getting closer to clinch the "Cover of the Month" contest on AllAuthor! I’d need as much support from you guys. Please take a short moment to vote for my book cover here:
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August 11, 2023
January 12, 2023
Infusing Words
A few inspirational words to ring in 2023!
INFUSING WORDS
Feelings come through words, the way feelings come through music or images. It’s just more easy, more immediate with music and images. Music itself moves, just alone with the music. Certain tempos and melodies inspire, the best with almost instantaneous effect. Your heart beats faster, your breathing quickens, your mind is an animal that raises its head with ears pricked, eyes wide and awake, intent on the sounds.
Everyone has felt that with their favorite songs, that instantaneous taking up a few notches of being aware, your nerve endings singing with energy and excitement.
There’s the next level, for all of us who create. Enjoying the moment is one thing, causing it in yourself and in others is an even bigger rush. It’s a huge undertaking to infuse emotion into words so that others reading catch the sentiment…and are completely swept away by it. Taking everything that makes a person feel that euphoria and weaving it into a song or a story or a scene that transcends its medium is unbelievably thrilling. You know you’ve done it when you can’t wait for that specific scene in a book or movie or line in song that you wrote…and neither can the people who experienced your work. Once you achieve it, it’s addictive to want to make something that moving again. It’s not enough to tell a story or make a song that people buy, you want that level of utter emotional connection where people want to experience what you made again and again. Its either 100% addictive or it begins to feel not good enough.
I will argue though there is one more level…that is the connection made between two creators, when they turn their powers of creation towards one another. Those powers meet and amplify the emotion, and the world falls away. There is just that moment, that feeling of shared creation, and it encompasses everything, even as it excludes everything. It’s not enough to experience it, everything else must stop, sometimes even breathing, to be one with the moment.
This dance or exchange begins with an overture by one of the creators. There’s always the possibility that it won’t be answered; whether the other creator can’t match the first for passion or doesn’t want to offer up that much of their soul to someone else, much less also the world, for viewing/experiencing. There’s no faking this, nothing but bare self which must be given freely, without restraint. It takes confidence and also willing risk to make an offer that’s likely not to be returned. In those few instances when this invitation is accepted, there is perfection, harmony in the mixing of both desires as they weave together and ascend higher than either effort could ever do alone. The shared joy in being part of this is intoxicating, life-changing. It’s enough to make you literally shake, or silently sob. It’s the sweetest achievement, and one of the moments in life to treasure.
INFUSING WORDS
Feelings come through words, the way feelings come through music or images. It’s just more easy, more immediate with music and images. Music itself moves, just alone with the music. Certain tempos and melodies inspire, the best with almost instantaneous effect. Your heart beats faster, your breathing quickens, your mind is an animal that raises its head with ears pricked, eyes wide and awake, intent on the sounds.
Everyone has felt that with their favorite songs, that instantaneous taking up a few notches of being aware, your nerve endings singing with energy and excitement.
There’s the next level, for all of us who create. Enjoying the moment is one thing, causing it in yourself and in others is an even bigger rush. It’s a huge undertaking to infuse emotion into words so that others reading catch the sentiment…and are completely swept away by it. Taking everything that makes a person feel that euphoria and weaving it into a song or a story or a scene that transcends its medium is unbelievably thrilling. You know you’ve done it when you can’t wait for that specific scene in a book or movie or line in song that you wrote…and neither can the people who experienced your work. Once you achieve it, it’s addictive to want to make something that moving again. It’s not enough to tell a story or make a song that people buy, you want that level of utter emotional connection where people want to experience what you made again and again. Its either 100% addictive or it begins to feel not good enough.
I will argue though there is one more level…that is the connection made between two creators, when they turn their powers of creation towards one another. Those powers meet and amplify the emotion, and the world falls away. There is just that moment, that feeling of shared creation, and it encompasses everything, even as it excludes everything. It’s not enough to experience it, everything else must stop, sometimes even breathing, to be one with the moment.
This dance or exchange begins with an overture by one of the creators. There’s always the possibility that it won’t be answered; whether the other creator can’t match the first for passion or doesn’t want to offer up that much of their soul to someone else, much less also the world, for viewing/experiencing. There’s no faking this, nothing but bare self which must be given freely, without restraint. It takes confidence and also willing risk to make an offer that’s likely not to be returned. In those few instances when this invitation is accepted, there is perfection, harmony in the mixing of both desires as they weave together and ascend higher than either effort could ever do alone. The shared joy in being part of this is intoxicating, life-changing. It’s enough to make you literally shake, or silently sob. It’s the sweetest achievement, and one of the moments in life to treasure.
October 15, 2020
Fairfield 80th Celebration: Monster Catbed Project!
Happy Halloween! My project for Fairfield’s 80th year in business (They make stuffing and batting!) celebration was a literal monster Catbed! To my surprise, this bed is also my cats’ new favorite bed in the house. Want your own? See instructions below!
https://www.facebook.com/TerrorFoxHal...
You Will need:
1. 1.5 - 2 yards of main fabric for monster bed/head (I used old home decor material I had)
2. 1/10 yard of white cotton polyblend fabric for teeth (I used scraps from my ragpile)
3. 1 set eyes ( I used Pop! Halloween Monster Wiggle eyes from Joanne Fabrics, but stuffed animal eyes could be used...and more than 2!)
4. 2 - 4” velcro and glue (these can be omitted if you used stuffed animal eyes. Velcro is used to attach the cardboard/plastic Pop! Eyes while letting them be removable because this bed needed to be machine washable. Glue is for adhering one side of velcro to the cardboard back of the eye.
5. 64oz or more polyester stuffing (Most of the stuffing goes into the monster’s head, so if you make a smaller head than I did, you could get away with 32oz)
6. Thread and needle and scissors (sewing machine is a plus)
Instructions:
1. fold main bed/monster head in half and Cut fabric in a 2.5’ x 2’ oval. Cut additional pieces from leftover scraps to make the protruding face of the monster, any shape you choose is fine, be creative! cut teeth from white fabric (triangle with one rounded out side). Pin together.
2. cut velcro to fit eye size and glue one side to back of eyes. Pin other side to monster head fabric reposition as needed. Sew on.
3. Mark where you want teeth to go. (I originally made velcro teeth filled with catnip, but they didn’t look good, and the cats pulled them right off. So I remade teeth with polyester stuffing and sewed them on over the velcro).
4. Sew the bed together inside out, then turn rightside out. Sew inside the oval all the way around 2.5” from the edge. Stuff with stuffing. Sew opening closed.
5. Look at your monster, And reposition where teeth will go if needed. Sew together teeth, stuff them, and sew onto bed.
6. Use additional thread and needle to “dart” fabric in places so monster head is positioned how you want it, and there is enough space (but not too much!) for a cat body to get into the bed between fangs.
7. Find a cat and show him your creation!
https://www.facebook.com/TerrorFoxHal...
You Will need:
1. 1.5 - 2 yards of main fabric for monster bed/head (I used old home decor material I had)
2. 1/10 yard of white cotton polyblend fabric for teeth (I used scraps from my ragpile)
3. 1 set eyes ( I used Pop! Halloween Monster Wiggle eyes from Joanne Fabrics, but stuffed animal eyes could be used...and more than 2!)
4. 2 - 4” velcro and glue (these can be omitted if you used stuffed animal eyes. Velcro is used to attach the cardboard/plastic Pop! Eyes while letting them be removable because this bed needed to be machine washable. Glue is for adhering one side of velcro to the cardboard back of the eye.
5. 64oz or more polyester stuffing (Most of the stuffing goes into the monster’s head, so if you make a smaller head than I did, you could get away with 32oz)
6. Thread and needle and scissors (sewing machine is a plus)
Instructions:
1. fold main bed/monster head in half and Cut fabric in a 2.5’ x 2’ oval. Cut additional pieces from leftover scraps to make the protruding face of the monster, any shape you choose is fine, be creative! cut teeth from white fabric (triangle with one rounded out side). Pin together.
2. cut velcro to fit eye size and glue one side to back of eyes. Pin other side to monster head fabric reposition as needed. Sew on.
3. Mark where you want teeth to go. (I originally made velcro teeth filled with catnip, but they didn’t look good, and the cats pulled them right off. So I remade teeth with polyester stuffing and sewed them on over the velcro).
4. Sew the bed together inside out, then turn rightside out. Sew inside the oval all the way around 2.5” from the edge. Stuff with stuffing. Sew opening closed.
5. Look at your monster, And reposition where teeth will go if needed. Sew together teeth, stuff them, and sew onto bed.
6. Use additional thread and needle to “dart” fabric in places so monster head is positioned how you want it, and there is enough space (but not too much!) for a cat body to get into the bed between fangs.
7. Find a cat and show him your creation!
May 11, 2019
Catalyst!
CATALYST
Everyone feels it, as the winter months stretch and crack with melting ice at the first taste of spring. I watched my young cats scamper around on the crusty snow, climbing the leafless trees and sniffing at the bits of old grass starting to show. No sooner are they in today then they are back to the door, asking to be let out again! Because the breeze is warm this late morning, warming by the hour, drawing everything alive out from our winter hibernation to experience the beginning of renewal.
For months it has been dark and cold, getting hammered with storms one after another. Dressing in layers when we emerge, but choosing more often than not to stay in, and huddle under a blanket, binge-watching and eating whatever is handy. We have been waiting, captives of the short days and long nights, for the turn of the seasons to free us. Yes, winter might have a few more snowstorms to throw at us before retiring. But with the increase in sunshine, and the temperatures, there’s reason to celebrate the arrival of spring.
This heady realization is a catalyst with a slight lead lining, true. All those things that were put off all winter —“I’ll do that when its spring!”—now need to be made into a list, for most of us a rather long one. Spring itself, in full burgeoning flower, is usually my most frantic time of the year. Those brief months of late April and May usually pass in a whirlwind blur of days and dreamless nights of exhaustion.
And yet…spring is my favorite season, because its nature’s invitation to WAKE UP and GET MOVING! I love the greening of the earth, the exciting tasks of formatting the garden, purchasing seeds, planting, and seeing the first sprouts. I enjoy the first mowing (provided the lawnmower behaves), and the beginning of woodcutting (ditto for the chainsaw and logsplitter). I look forward to getting out the paint and making my home and outbuildings look fresh and new, maybe even adding a few new bats onto the woodshed mural. Even spring cleaning, complete with clothes turnover, is fun, because I enjoy work that ends with something more beautiful than what I began with, for my efforts. I love work at our family cottage, the ritual raking of the leaves and cleaning the shoreline with my mom, and whomever stops by to help us or chat.
Take this brief time on the cusp of spring to thing about all you’d like to do this summer. Make a list, and then another of all the things you’ll need to make it happen. Then just go outside, close your eyes, and take a big lungful of fresh crisp air, and hold it, letting the energy seep into your bones. Then let it out, and go enjoy the day!
Everyone feels it, as the winter months stretch and crack with melting ice at the first taste of spring. I watched my young cats scamper around on the crusty snow, climbing the leafless trees and sniffing at the bits of old grass starting to show. No sooner are they in today then they are back to the door, asking to be let out again! Because the breeze is warm this late morning, warming by the hour, drawing everything alive out from our winter hibernation to experience the beginning of renewal.
For months it has been dark and cold, getting hammered with storms one after another. Dressing in layers when we emerge, but choosing more often than not to stay in, and huddle under a blanket, binge-watching and eating whatever is handy. We have been waiting, captives of the short days and long nights, for the turn of the seasons to free us. Yes, winter might have a few more snowstorms to throw at us before retiring. But with the increase in sunshine, and the temperatures, there’s reason to celebrate the arrival of spring.
This heady realization is a catalyst with a slight lead lining, true. All those things that were put off all winter —“I’ll do that when its spring!”—now need to be made into a list, for most of us a rather long one. Spring itself, in full burgeoning flower, is usually my most frantic time of the year. Those brief months of late April and May usually pass in a whirlwind blur of days and dreamless nights of exhaustion.
And yet…spring is my favorite season, because its nature’s invitation to WAKE UP and GET MOVING! I love the greening of the earth, the exciting tasks of formatting the garden, purchasing seeds, planting, and seeing the first sprouts. I enjoy the first mowing (provided the lawnmower behaves), and the beginning of woodcutting (ditto for the chainsaw and logsplitter). I look forward to getting out the paint and making my home and outbuildings look fresh and new, maybe even adding a few new bats onto the woodshed mural. Even spring cleaning, complete with clothes turnover, is fun, because I enjoy work that ends with something more beautiful than what I began with, for my efforts. I love work at our family cottage, the ritual raking of the leaves and cleaning the shoreline with my mom, and whomever stops by to help us or chat.
Take this brief time on the cusp of spring to thing about all you’d like to do this summer. Make a list, and then another of all the things you’ll need to make it happen. Then just go outside, close your eyes, and take a big lungful of fresh crisp air, and hold it, letting the energy seep into your bones. Then let it out, and go enjoy the day!
February 7, 2019
Year of the Demon is Now Available!
Year of the Demon
Book 2 of the Unhallowed Love Series is NOW Available!
Join the Book blog Tour at the lonk below!
https://bookunleashed.com/post/blog_tour/sign-up-year-of-the-demon/
Book 2 of the Unhallowed Love Series is NOW Available!
Join the Book blog Tour at the lonk below!
https://bookunleashed.com/post/blog_tour/sign-up-year-of-the-demon/
November 18, 2018
Make Me Behave 2 is now available!
Preorder now at Amazon and wherever other ebooks are sold! https://www.amazon.com/Make-Behave-Ta...
Print copies will be available by Thanksgiving!
Tara Fox Hall
February 27, 2018
Immortal Reckoning RELEASE!
IMMORTAL RECKONING
Tara Fox Hall
Series: Promise Me Series Book 18 (Origin Story)
Genre: Paranormal, Historical Fiction, Suspense, Romance
Publisher: Melange Books
Publication Date: February 27, 2018
Genre: Paranormal, Historical Fiction, Suspense, Romance
Publisher: Melange Books
Publication Date: February 27, 2018
Through the love and loss of the ages, immortality brings only one certainty: vengeance.
Disinherited and poverty stricken, bastard Danial clutches at the slim chance to earn a living as a guard, until a night attack leaves both him and his half-brother Devlin vampires. After finding true love with the aristocrat Lacey, Danial comes to the attention of James, the devious Vampire Lord of France. Enslaved by James, his love murdered, Danial plots to escape, his complex plan of years finally succeeding only to result in all of Europe’s demonic forces on the hunt for him.
After a reunion and subsequent falling out with Devlin, Danial travels to the new world of America in pursuit of a new life. Settling in the west, Danial forms alliances with native vampire Valerian and the witch Cheyenne to survive a game of cat and mouse with Devlin and protect his new love Kathryn amid his rapidly changing world. Triumphant yet nursing a broken heart, an undeterred Danial protects his friends and thwarts his enemies, determined to find a life of peace…until unexpected news comes of James’s presence, the one man on whom Danial has waited centuries to get revenge.
Excerpt
I woke at dusk, to men shouting. Flames were flickering in torches on the wall.
I ran toward the noise, coming face to face with Cerdan, in all his armor. “You bastard,” he said, baring his fangs and pointing his sword at me. “You have much to answer for.”
I didn’t reply, just braced for attack.
He circled me. “Hunters have attacked all over France. Easily a hundred werewolves are dead, and as many humans. Cannibal is missing, and presumed dead. Veronique is safe, but some of my best men are dead.”
“Leave now, or you will die, too.”
Cerdan lunged for me, and I evaded him, grabbing up a sword. He parried my thrust, then attacked in earnest. I defended myself, but he was older, and faster. He spitted me on the end of his sword in a few moments. With a shove, he pinned me to the oak door of the rectory. “I’ll bring your upper half back to James, so he can know you were faithful to death,” he said with an evil laugh, drawing his dagger. “A small comfort, to be sure.”
As he went to cut me, a dozen red furry forms launched at him, biting ferociously. He cut them to pieces, littering the ground with dying foxes as the bites rapidly healed up. But as he turned to deliver my killing blow, an arrow burst through his neck, the bloody head appearing under his chin. He staggered, but didn’t go down.
Charlise appeared, a bow in her hand. She stepped in front of me, and put another arrow through Cerdan’s right eye, then his left one. He cursed her, blinded, trying to pull them out. She turned to me and tugged at the end of the sword, freeing it. “Kill him,” she said, giving me the sword.
Other Books in the Series
In the Promise Me series, Sarelle, a mortal woman, encounters a wounded (and sexy and handsome) vampire, Danial. Without knowing who he really is (a murderer for hire, for one), Sarelle begins a romantic relationship with him a little too fast. Interestingly, Sarelle also finds herself attracted to Danial's best friend, the werecougar, Theo. What will happen to Sarelle's relationship with Danial? Where does Theo fit in? Amidst new obstacles and relationship problems, Sarelle has to decide where her future lies.
BOOK ONE
Amazon Link
Amazon Link
BOOK TWO
Amazon Link
Amazon Link
BOOK THREE
Amazon Link
Amazon Link
About Tara Fox Hall
Tara Fox Hall’s writing credits include nonfiction, erotica, horror, suspense, action-adventure, children’s stories, and contemporary and historical paranormal romance. She is the author of the paranormal fantasy Lash series, the paranormal romantic suspense Unhallowed Love series and the paranormal romantic drama Promise Me series. Tara divides her free time unequally between writing novels and short stories, chainsawing firewood, caring for stray animals, sewing cat and dog beds for donation to animal shelters, and target practice. All of her published children’s stories to date are free reads on www.childrens-stories.net.
Tara Fox Hall's Email: tarafoxhall@gmail.com
Official website: http://www.tarafoxhall.com
Social media links: Smashwords | Barnes & Noble | Melange Books | Goodreads | Amazon | Facebook | Twitter
Book Tour Schedule
Follow the Tour: March 1 - 21, 2018
Visit each tour stop daily and discover more features, excerpts, reviews, interviews, fun facts and more!
To check the latest tour schedule, visit the Immortal Reckoning Book Page at Book Unleashed.
Giveaway
WIN $77.70 AMAZON GIFT CARD
Contest runs from February 13 - March 21, 2018.
In partnership with
February 13, 2018
Immortal Reckoning is now Available for Preorder!
IMMORTAL RECKONING
by Tara Fox Hall
Series: Promise Me Series # 18 (Origin Story)
Genre: Paranormal, Historical Fiction, Suspense, Romance
Publisher: Melange Books
Publication Date: February 27, 2018
Genre: Paranormal, Historical Fiction, Suspense, Romance
Publisher: Melange Books
Publication Date: February 27, 2018
Through the love and loss of the ages, immortality brings only one certainty: vengeance.
Disinherited and poverty stricken, bastard Danial clutches at the slim chance to earn a living as a guard, until a night attack leaves both him and his half-brother Devlin vampires. After finding true love with the aristocrat Lacey, Danial comes to the attention of James, the devious Vampire Lord of France. Enslaved by James, his love murdered, Danial plots to escape, his complex plan of years finally succeeding only to result in all of Europeís demonic forces on the hunt for him.
After a reunion and subsequent falling out with Devlin, Danial travels to the new world of America in pursuit of a new life. Settling in the west, Danial forms alliances with native vampire Valerian and the witch Cheyenne to survive a game of cat and mouse with Devlin and protect his new love Kathryn amid his rapidly changing world. Triumphant yet nursing a broken heart, an undeterred Danial protects his friends and thwarts his enemies, determined to find a life of peace...until unexpected news comes of Jamesís presence, the one man on whom Danial has waited centuries to get revenge.
About Tara Fox Hall
Tara Fox Hallís writing credits include nonfiction, erotica, horror, suspense, action-adventure, childrenís stories, and contemporary and historical paranormal romance. She is the author of the paranormal fantasy Lash series, the paranormal romantic suspense Unhallowed Love series and the paranormal romantic drama Promise Me series. Tara divides her free time unequally between writing novels and short stories, chainsawing firewood, caring for stray animals, sewing cat and dog beds for donation to animal shelters, and target practice. All of her published childrenís stories to date are free reads on http://www.childrens-stories.net.
Tara Fox Hall's Email: tarafoxhall@gmail.com
Official website: http://www.tarafoxhall.com
Social media links: Smashwords | Barnes & Noble | Melange Books | Goodreads | Amazon | Facebook | Twitter
Giveaway
WIN $77.70 AMAZON GIFT CARD
Contest runs from February 13 - March 21, 2018.
In partnership with
February 3, 2018
Immortal Reckoning Blog Tour!
The cover reveal for this will be taking place in the next few days, to kick off my blog tour and Rafflecopter contest for $77.70!
https://bookunleashed.com/books/immor...
https://bookunleashed.com/books/immor...
