Cathy Spencer's Blog, page 22
July 5, 2013
THE MOVIE GAME, July 5, 2013
OK, today's movie is a little harder to guess. Remember, it was made from a book. Please send your guess by the "Contact Cathy" app to the right of this post and win a free copy of my e-book short story collection, Tall Tales Twin-Pack, Mysteries, if you guess right.
Here's the answer to last week's post.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Here's the answer to last week's post.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
July 3, 2013
Great Summer Reading for Half the Price from Books We Love
Books We Love is having a huge sale of all its e-books, including those by yours truly, at Smashwords for the month of July. The great thing about Smashwords is that they format books for all e-readers, plus you can choose to read the books online or download a pdf. Just click on this link, find the books you want to buy, and you'll be given a coupon code to use for half-off the price when you check out. Just in time for great summer reading!
http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/bookswelove
July 1, 2013
Sneak Peek Sunday, THE MARRIAGE MARKET
It's a "Sneak Peek Sunday" excerpt from my regency romance novel, The Marriage Market.
"After a time the light began to fade, and Wovington set his documents aside. He had been concentrating on his work so heavily that he had forgotten about Victoria. Glancing at her now, he saw that she had fallen asleep. He eased the papers back into his case and tucked it under the bench before stretching out his cramped legs. The evening had grown quite chilly, and he fastened his coat up to his throat. He noticed that the blanket had slipped from Victoria’s waist, and pulled it back over her lap, tucking it carefully around her. In the stillness of the carriage, he could hear Victoria’s soft breathing and smell her light floral scent.
He turned sideways to study her peaceful face. He had not been alone with Victoria since business had taken him away from Bath before her engagement to David. While away, he had decided that he was more in love with Victoria than with any other woman he had ever known, and had come back determined to woo and win her. How shocked he had been to discover that he was too late; that his good friend had already captured Victoria’s heart. Out of loyalty to David, he had tried to shut away his feelings and replace them with brotherly affection, but he found it less painful to avoid Victoria’s company whenever possible. Today was an aberration, but he had intended to form a barrier between them with a briefcase of legal papers and meaningless chatter. He had not anticipated this intimacy.
She had removed her bonnet and a curl had worked its way loose from the others. He reached toward it, hesitated, and then picked up the strand between his thumb and forefinger. He caressed its softness and brushed it away from her face as he had seen David do just a few hours before. Her skin felt soft and warm to his touch. He watched her in the fading light, her chest rising and falling rhythmically, her lashes brushing rosy cheeks. He leaned toward her, feeling the warmth of her breath upon his face. Victoria sighed in her sleep. Pausing for a long moment above her, the last of his resistance crumbled. Bracing one hand on the wall behind her head, Wovington lowered his face and kissed her tenderly upon the mouth.
Victoria dreamt that she was under the fir tree in the garden with David again. The air was cool, but she was warm in his arms. He kissed her. She wrapped her arms around him and returned his kiss, her body swaying with the motion of the carriage. Sudden realization flooded her mind. She was not in the garden with David. She was in the chaise headed home to Eston House, and the man kissing her was not her husband! Her eyes flew open and she arched back into the seat with a gasp. Bracing her palms against Wovington’s shoulders, she pushed him away with all her strength. He fell into a corner of the seat and remained there, immobile in the shadows. Neither said anything for a shocked moment. Only their ragged breathing was audible.
Regaining her ability to speak, Victoria said, 'Mr. Wovington, are you mad?'"
The Marriage Market, published by "Books We Love," is available as an e-book from Amazon, All Romance eBooks, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, and other e-book retailers. Smashwords also publishes a version that can be read online or as a PDF if you don't own an e-reader.
"After a time the light began to fade, and Wovington set his documents aside. He had been concentrating on his work so heavily that he had forgotten about Victoria. Glancing at her now, he saw that she had fallen asleep. He eased the papers back into his case and tucked it under the bench before stretching out his cramped legs. The evening had grown quite chilly, and he fastened his coat up to his throat. He noticed that the blanket had slipped from Victoria’s waist, and pulled it back over her lap, tucking it carefully around her. In the stillness of the carriage, he could hear Victoria’s soft breathing and smell her light floral scent.
He turned sideways to study her peaceful face. He had not been alone with Victoria since business had taken him away from Bath before her engagement to David. While away, he had decided that he was more in love with Victoria than with any other woman he had ever known, and had come back determined to woo and win her. How shocked he had been to discover that he was too late; that his good friend had already captured Victoria’s heart. Out of loyalty to David, he had tried to shut away his feelings and replace them with brotherly affection, but he found it less painful to avoid Victoria’s company whenever possible. Today was an aberration, but he had intended to form a barrier between them with a briefcase of legal papers and meaningless chatter. He had not anticipated this intimacy.
She had removed her bonnet and a curl had worked its way loose from the others. He reached toward it, hesitated, and then picked up the strand between his thumb and forefinger. He caressed its softness and brushed it away from her face as he had seen David do just a few hours before. Her skin felt soft and warm to his touch. He watched her in the fading light, her chest rising and falling rhythmically, her lashes brushing rosy cheeks. He leaned toward her, feeling the warmth of her breath upon his face. Victoria sighed in her sleep. Pausing for a long moment above her, the last of his resistance crumbled. Bracing one hand on the wall behind her head, Wovington lowered his face and kissed her tenderly upon the mouth.
Victoria dreamt that she was under the fir tree in the garden with David again. The air was cool, but she was warm in his arms. He kissed her. She wrapped her arms around him and returned his kiss, her body swaying with the motion of the carriage. Sudden realization flooded her mind. She was not in the garden with David. She was in the chaise headed home to Eston House, and the man kissing her was not her husband! Her eyes flew open and she arched back into the seat with a gasp. Bracing her palms against Wovington’s shoulders, she pushed him away with all her strength. He fell into a corner of the seat and remained there, immobile in the shadows. Neither said anything for a shocked moment. Only their ragged breathing was audible.
Regaining her ability to speak, Victoria said, 'Mr. Wovington, are you mad?'"
The Marriage Market, published by "Books We Love," is available as an e-book from Amazon, All Romance eBooks, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, and other e-book retailers. Smashwords also publishes a version that can be read online or as a PDF if you don't own an e-reader.
June 29, 2013
Novels Now Available on Smashwords, Etc.
All 3 of my novels published with Books We Love are now available on Smashwords, and migrating to other e-book retailers, too. The great thing about buying from Smashwords is that they format the books for a variety of e-readers, as well as making the novel available to read online.
Here are the book links:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/330950
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/330662
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/330954
Here are the book links:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/330950
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/330662
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/330954
June 28, 2013
THE MOVIE GAME, June 28, 2013
Here's the picture for Friday, June 28, 2013.Can you guess the name of this film?Remember, it was made from a book.
Send your answer through the "Contact Cathy" appto the right of this post and win a free copy of my short-story collection,
Tall Tales Twin-Pack, Mysteries.Good luck!
Here's the answer to last weeks' post: GONE WITH THE WIND.Friday, June 21, 2013
Send your answer through the "Contact Cathy" appto the right of this post and win a free copy of my short-story collection,
Tall Tales Twin-Pack, Mysteries.Good luck!
Here's the answer to last weeks' post: GONE WITH THE WIND.Friday, June 21, 2013
June 26, 2013
How to Make a Living with Your Short Story Writing by Dean Wesley Smith
Dean Wesley Smith has written another intriguing blog, this time about making a living from your short story writing. Even if you're a novel writer, check it out!
http://www.deanwesleysmith.com/?p=9457
June 21, 2013
THE MOVIE GAME
Every Friday, I'm going to post a picture from a movie that was made from a book. See if you can guess the movie. Those who guess right will win a copy of my e-book collection,
Tall Tales Twin-Pack, Mysteries
. The answer will magically appear with next week's post.
Friday, June 21, 2013
Send your answer through the "Contact Cathy" appto the right of this post.Good luck!
Friday, June 21, 2013
Send your answer through the "Contact Cathy" appto the right of this post.Good luck!
June 19, 2013
Kristine Rusch and Dean Wesley Smith
http://www.deanwesleysmith.com/
http://kriswrites.com
Someone from the Calgary chapter of Romance Writers of America (CaRWA) first brought an article by Kristine Rusch to my attention. The article was called "Shifting Sands" http://kriswrites.com/page/2/?s=Shifting+Sands, and it was about how changes implemented by the big American distributors were allowing book stores to have access to all printed books, including those by indie authors. I've read more articles by Ms. Rusch and her partner, Dean Wesley Smith, since then, and I always take away some worthwhile tips.
In exchange for sharing their experience and knowledge, this dynamic duo have a link to Paypal where you can leave them a "tip." Smart business practice.
I recommend their blogs to my fellow authors. It's a brave new world of book writing and publishing, and these two seen to have a handle on it.
Cheers!
June 14, 2013
All Authors Blog Blitz
Guest Post from Author S.A. Rolls
A Brand New Ending by S.A. Rolls
Synopsis: "Phoenix Harper never imagined her life would come to this: A life not worth living anymore.
After a failed suicide attempt, Phoenix is sent to be observed at a local psychiatric hospital. There she meets Braeden Harris, a hospital aide with his own haunting past. Not long after their first encounter, they feel an unexplainable pull towards one another. Will fate bring them together, or will outside forces tear them apart?"
Excerpt:
"I don't want to go anywhere, Braeden. Wherever you are is where I want to be."
I think my heart does a back flip. "You have no idea how happy that makes me, hearing you say that."
She gives me a sly smile, her fingers playing in and around mine.
"Can't describe how amazing this feels," she speaks. "I've never had anyone care for me like you do."
"That's a shame," I respond quickly. "You deserve so much more than that."
"Do I?"
I lean over her so that our faces are close but I make sure to do it gently, afraid that she might retreat from my touch.
"Yes," I say softly as our eyes are locked on each other.
We hold our position and I can tell she is nervous, but I want her to make the first move. I made the mistake of pushing it on her the first time and I won't be doing that again. I can feel the heat of her breath on my face, its oddly intoxicating. But I hold still. I start to count the number of my heartbeats when I suddenly feel force against my lips. I hold back the smile, my hand coming up to cup her cheek. I start to move my lips against her, the waves of ecstasy flowing through my body. After a second, her lips start to move in unison with mine. I've kissed lots of women, but it's never felt quite like this. I don't know how long it lasts, but I refrain from sticking my tongue in her mouth, fearing that may be too much. I then swear I feel her moan in my mouth, and it's the most incredible fucking turn on I have ever heard in my life. She must have realized it too considering she pulled her lips off mine, her hands coming up to her mouth.
Author Bio: "S.A. Rolls is a native of the Bay Area, where she attended culinary school and obtained a degree in baking and pastry. When she is not baking, she spends her time reading and writing. Stephanie reads anything - from biographies of her favorite president to the most popular YA series. Inspired by her surroundings, she has written her first novel, based in San Francisco, her favorite city. She currently lives with her boyfriend and their five-year-old pug."
A Brand New Ending by S.A. Rolls
Synopsis: "Phoenix Harper never imagined her life would come to this: A life not worth living anymore.
After a failed suicide attempt, Phoenix is sent to be observed at a local psychiatric hospital. There she meets Braeden Harris, a hospital aide with his own haunting past. Not long after their first encounter, they feel an unexplainable pull towards one another. Will fate bring them together, or will outside forces tear them apart?"
Excerpt:
"I don't want to go anywhere, Braeden. Wherever you are is where I want to be."
I think my heart does a back flip. "You have no idea how happy that makes me, hearing you say that."
She gives me a sly smile, her fingers playing in and around mine.
"Can't describe how amazing this feels," she speaks. "I've never had anyone care for me like you do."
"That's a shame," I respond quickly. "You deserve so much more than that."
"Do I?"
I lean over her so that our faces are close but I make sure to do it gently, afraid that she might retreat from my touch.
"Yes," I say softly as our eyes are locked on each other.
We hold our position and I can tell she is nervous, but I want her to make the first move. I made the mistake of pushing it on her the first time and I won't be doing that again. I can feel the heat of her breath on my face, its oddly intoxicating. But I hold still. I start to count the number of my heartbeats when I suddenly feel force against my lips. I hold back the smile, my hand coming up to cup her cheek. I start to move my lips against her, the waves of ecstasy flowing through my body. After a second, her lips start to move in unison with mine. I've kissed lots of women, but it's never felt quite like this. I don't know how long it lasts, but I refrain from sticking my tongue in her mouth, fearing that may be too much. I then swear I feel her moan in my mouth, and it's the most incredible fucking turn on I have ever heard in my life. She must have realized it too considering she pulled her lips off mine, her hands coming up to her mouth.
Author Bio: "S.A. Rolls is a native of the Bay Area, where she attended culinary school and obtained a degree in baking and pastry. When she is not baking, she spends her time reading and writing. Stephanie reads anything - from biographies of her favorite president to the most popular YA series. Inspired by her surroundings, she has written her first novel, based in San Francisco, her favorite city. She currently lives with her boyfriend and their five-year-old pug."
June 12, 2013
New Covers for my Twin-Packs from Angel Creations
I met a talented author/cover creator duo from Goodread's Indie Authors discussion group. Their names are Amos and Cassidy, and together they are Angel Creations. They just designed new covers for my Tall Tales Twin-Packs, one of which I had formerly designed on my own and the other with Kindle's cover creator, and I'm delighted with their work. If you're looking for a cover for your book, I highly recommend them; they're easy to work with, quick, and they do good work.
