Sharon Ricklin's Blog

Food for Thought

In Greek mythology Ambrosia is considered the food and drink of the gods. It is often depicted as bestowing longevity or immortality upon whoever consumes it.  The Ravens (a secret society of vampires) use donor blood and call their ruby-red liquid Ambrosia.  This nectar is life sustaining on its own, but contrary to popular belief, vampires also eat solids. Because of their heightened senses, the Ravens are acutely aware of how things taste, and take much pleasure in consuming a wide variety of foods. Fortunately, these ravenous vampires do not gain weight.

In book 1 ( Ravenswynd Legends ) Elizabeth believes she’s just met the man of her dreams. Before she can get to really know him, she receives an invitation to a clandestine party – where legend has it – is hosted by vampires. The invitation promises a good time, good food and drink, and the choice to become “one of them”.  She, her twin sister Melinda, and best friend Fiona decide to attend, and as you can imagine - their lives will never be the same.  Vampires also have an appetite for changing things…




Champagne flows freely. Platters of sizzling hot fillet mignon, (grilled to perfection, juicy and rare) are served, along with baked potatoes, baskets of hot, buttery bread, salads, and chocolate fudge cake. Everyone’s having fun…at first.


But the evening grows ominous, and chances are, they may never get home; Melinda is getting drunk, Fiona's gone missing, and a nightmarish clown is stalking Elizabeth. But even more terrifying - this sinister vampire thirsts for much more than what's flowing through her veins…

Book 2, Ravenswynd Dreams, opens with a romantic and mouthwatering honeymoon.Upon entering the suite, Elizabeth notices the sweetscent of fresh fruit: grapes, strawberries, cherries and mangoes, apples and bananas. Also, a gift-basket containing a bottle of champagne with a variety of crackers, sharp cheese, smoky sausages, and dark chocolates. (For needed nourishment…later on.) Several scrumptious meals will be consumed.

On a night out on the town they enjoy jellied ham hock, a glazed leek and mushroom tart, and for the main course - rack of lamb with a crispy herb crust, Boulangère potatoes, and butternut squash.  They drink a fine bottle of Chablis, and for dessert - hot fudge sundaes smothered in rich chocolate and warm toffee. The honeymooners will also feast on a delectable lunch that includes savory lobster for two, a bottle of red wine, and five-layer chocolate cream pie for dessert.  I don’t know about you, but my mouth is watering now.
                                 
I bet you didn’t know that vampires love chocolate. After moving to the UK and meeting the rest of the vampire society at Ravenswynd, Elizabeth is pleased to learn this fact. She often finds the cook whipping up batches of chocolate mousse or Tiramisu cheesecake for dessert. She also discovers a little known secret: immortality isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Her dreams become real-life nightmares, and she finds herself up to her neck in a mind-bending abduction…

In book 3, Ravenswynd Visions, an enchanting trip to the Hebrides brings magnificent sights and more luscious foods. Not only is the lodge’s fridge stocked with a basket of plump strawberries, Hebridean handmade chocolates, and a bottle of fine Italian wine, Elizabeth is surprised to find that their violet-eyed prophetess, Sibelle can cook. She serves fresh fruits, bacon and eggs, grilled tomato, toast and marmalade, with cups of steaming hot English tea. On the side - tall glasses of Ambrosia - a most delicious donor, of course.




She also serves them a disturbing prophecy in the form of a rhyming riddle. This fills Elizabeth with a dreadful sense of foreboding; she knows that Sibelle is never wrong.  And sometimes evil returns when you least expect it…
In book 4, Ravenswynd Destinies, a tasty breakfast includes fresh fruit-stuffed cantaloupe:  each half filled with oranges, apples, peaches, blueberries, and strawberries, topped with honey- yogurt dressing, and on the side - scoops of fluffy scrambled eggs and ham.


At an elegant restaurant, Lizzy orders pan-fried Gressingham duck breast with star anise and blood-orange sauce – (It’s a real thing!) This comes with potatoes Dauphinoise and chef’s vegetables.  Her husband orders the Prime Scottish sirloin steak (so melt-in-your-mouth divine, that Lizzy wishes she’d ordered it as well.)
                        













Alas, there is more to our story than food... A forbidden trip to the U.S. enrages a clandestine ring of Vampire Hunters, putting everyone in danger.



After another mystifying prophesy, heart-twisting and astonishing revelations will change everything…
* * * * *
Food for thought: Book 1 of the Ravenswynd Series is FREE everywhere!

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Thanks for reading! 

I write paranormal, time-travel, and contemporary romance...

I write paranormal, time-travel, and contemporary romance novels!
Be sure to click through the pages above for more information, including links to my novels, book-trailers, excerpts, reviews, etc.  
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If you're so inclined, you can even share something you like or think is worthy of sharing!


All of my books at a glance.



Quick Links:

Amazon Author Page

Barnes & Noble Page

Smashwords Interview and Book Page



Questions? Feel free to email me any time. I will get back to you asap. (See contact form below)




Thanks for visiting!

Changes!

Due to a recent divorce, my author name has changed. If any of you are searching for
Sharon Ricklin Jones
she is no longer...(well, I'm here, just have a new name) :)

Sharon Ricklin

Changes

So...I've moved again.

This time it's just me and my mom. And, assuming most of you follow my facebook profile and/or author page, you probably already know why. I'm not one to post blatant updates...but I have hinted here and there... and if you can read between the lines you know I'm now separated and quickly moving toward a divorce. 

After 31 years it came as quite a surprise. At first everyone was in shock.  It all makes sense now, but I will spare you the gory details as I am attempting to get on with my life and stay positive.

Sadly, I have not written a word since publishing my last book. Hopefully as things begin to settle down, I'd like to get back to finishing Island of Time. Yes, another time travel, but at this moment I can't see any romance in this one...

Ironically, my first time travel - River of Time - ended up being quite a prophetical novel. So if you really want to see some of the gory details, read it! I was editing (actually completely removing) my dedication (which was to him) and skimmed over some of the book, having forgotten some of the particulars myself. I was completely flabbergasted by the similarities of Maggie's discoveries regarding her ex, and mine. Very strange, indeed. But, enough looking back.



It's high time to move

 I must 


And believe there's a



Here are some photos of my new apartment in Waukesha


My room

Our little kitchen...with a dishwasher!
Mom's room
 living room and the door to the garage. 
Living room, looking into the dining room.
Dining room/my writing area
AND, the best part about my move...I'm closer to the kids and grandkids now!!!

Me and Annabelle Lee ♥


Wish me luck!and thanks for reading.

NEW RELEASE!

Please check out my latest time travel romance novel!! 
Cover by:Selfpubbookcovers.com



Ripley Tremont has been missing since April of 2016. There's been talk about kidnapping, murder, and a possible cover-up. The most often circulated rumors are the wild claims of alien abduction.  Although she did not leave home of her own volition, Ripley won't becoming back, and looking for her would be a waste of time. Ripley Tremont is alive and well, and living in the year 2416.
Back of the book blurb:
Imagine what it might be like after taking a nice hot shower, to open the curtain and find yourself in another dimension in time and space. Everything and everyone you ever knew – is gone. 
That is exactly what happened to me - Ripley Tremont. One minute I’m drying off with a soft, fluffy towel, the next – I’ve traveled far into the future and end up in a strange new world. Worse yet, this particular planet remains locked in a state of perpetual winter - and not like the wimpy earth winters I was used to either. Being outside for more than a few minutes is downright hazardous, unless you’re into becoming an ice sculpture. Which I sort of was, for a while… As if being transported to a frozen world wasn’t bad enough, I’ve learned that I’m residing within the only livable place on the planet, and, it just happens to be a prison! The guards are androids that seem far too human, and some of the convicts are sinister extraterrestrial beings, but all the weirdness aside – I guess things could be worse – at least I’m alive. There are a couple of humans here, brothers no less, and they’re as different as night and day. Strangely enough, they’ve told me I need to write a book about my experience here so we can send it back in time. So here it is…By the way, the future is amazing! Wish you were here!
Book Trailer Video:



Frozen in Time is available everywhere:
Amazon   (Paperback or Kindle)
Barnes & Noble   (Paperback or Nook)
Smashwords  (Several e-book formats, including e-pub and pdf)
AllRomance  (Several e-book formats, including HTML and Adobe Acrobat)
iTunes  (For Mac users: iBooks, or iOS device)
Createspace (Print on demand)
And, lets not forget the GOODREADS GIVEAWAY!! (Click to Enter) .goodreadsGiveawayWidget { color: #555; font-family: georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; text-align: left; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; background: white; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidget p { margin: 0 0 .5em !important; padding: 0; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidgetEnterLink { display: inline-block; color: #181818; background-color: #F6F6EE; border: 1px solid #9D8A78; border-radius: 3px; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; outline: none; font-size: 13px; padding: 8px 12px; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidgetEnterLink:hover { color: #181818; background-color: #F7F2ED; border: 1px solid #AFAFAF; text-decoration: none; }
Goodreads Book Giveaway Frozen in Time by Sharon Ricklin Jones Giveaway ends November 30, 2016.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads. Enter Giveaway


If you do happen to read my book, please be sure to leave a review for me! 
And, thanks for reading!!!

I Meme It!

A Post About Memes





Don't you just love memes? We probably see hundreds of them each time we scroll through facebook, twitter, or even pinterest. 


     Wait!

If you've been living under a rock for the past few years, a meme is a virally transmitted cultural symbol or social idea. There's usually a picture with one or two sentences, most often they're intended to be funny, but now and then, they might be more philosophical or may even ridicule human behavior.

Some memes are political in nature, some are  just pets with silly thoughts.




Here are a few of my favorite writing memes: 




I've even made a couple of my own:



(I made the one at the top of this post too!)

Some memes are there just for a giggle or two:







Some are meant to be deep and thoughtful...


  Or inspirational:


And some just tell it like it is: 




     

Speaking of books... I'm going to get back to writing now...


  
Have a terrific day, and don't forget:




Have YOU made any memes? Feel free to post them in the comments!

SMASHWORDS SITE-WIDE PROMOTION

HUGE SUMMER SALE  SMASHWORDS!
All of my e-books are 25% off for the entire month of JULY!
The prices you see below are before the discount. To receive the 25% off:
Click on each book link, then when you check out, be sure to use the CODE for your 25% off!
Book One, Ravenswynd Legends is FREEBook Two, Ravenswynd Dreams will be marked FREE when you use the CODE.

THE CODE IS THE SAME FOR ALL OF MY BOOKS: SSW25










My prices have never been this low, and for the first time ever, you can own the entire Ravenswynd Series for $3.73. All I ask is that you give an honest review on Amazon and/or Goodreads! 
Thanks so much! 
Enjoy!

I'm Guest Blogging Today!

Hey all you awesome followers!

Today I am a guest blogger at Shelley Workinger's Blog. It's a Fun-Food-Filled blog, called BWATE, which is short for 

But What Are They Eating?




It's really cool, and you should seriously check it out. (And not just my post, but you should follow her so you can get updates too.) 



And, while you're there, check out some of the previous posts - they're all awesome! 



(It's one of those blogs where you wish you'd thought of it first...and I guarantee, you will be hungry after reading it)







Here's the link:       BWATE




Have fun!





And thanks for reading!

The Dreaded One-Star Review

You work your butt off writing, editing, formatting, uploading, connecting, promoting, marketing, advertising...etc...
And finally, this happens: 

The coveted 5-Star Review
 People actually like your book! You're on cloud nine.
 Rejoicing commences.

Image courtesy of stockimages at FreeDigitalPhotos.net



Along with their 5 star reviews, some of them write lovely words:

"This was a beautiful love story, but with a twist. Loved every moment of it." 

"...a definite page-turner"

"...loved the characters" 

"...full of excitement and romance"




You might also get several of these: 



The not too shabby 4-Star Review

And you're like, I can live with that. After all, they include more lovely words:

"This is a really well written book and at times very poetic."

"The story surprised me with the depth of its descriptions."

"...I found this read very enjoyable"



You don't even mind seeing this:



The okay 3-Star review
Especially when they so kindly include this:
"This was actually a sweet love story"




However, finding a couple of these may cause a bit of anxiety:



The unappealing two-star review

One reviewer writes: "Started out good but then became boring. Hero was too uptight and snobby for my taste."
(The complete opposite of the 5-star reviewers above)  



By the way, did you know there are people who (obviously) do not comprehend what a BOOK SERIES is?  For my novel, Ravenswynd Legends, book ONE, a two-star reviewer actually said: 
"...left you without solid closure with the villain of the story. The end was very blaaaa. In fact, when I reached the end, I turned the page expecting (the) story to continue but it didn't, it just ended."
(If they had turned the next page, they would have seen the excerpt for book TWO and realized that the story does, indeed, continue.) If thay had paid attention to the front cover, they would have seen the words: Book One. By this time, I'm really trying not to scream...

Sigh.

I'm quite sure that most people understand what PARANORMAL ROMANCE means. There will be things that are not normally seen in the real world, you know, like vampires, a mind-reader, beings with special "talents", maybe a prophetess who knows the future, time-travel. And there will definitely be romance. (You know, hugging, caressing, kissing, etc.)

Another two-star reviewer complains that the "love scenes dominated the storyline,but were too sickly to read", and "the story line was unbelievable (even for a fantasy)". 

And, You find yourself screaming at the computer screen: "That's what paranormal romance is!" 

But...onward you go...

You publish books two, three, and four! You eventually decide to set book one at the low, low price of $FREE, hoping to get more folks interested in the rest of the series...
       And then... 
             after several thousand                                        downloads...




WHAM...

              this happens:



The dreaded one-star review

And you're crying, "WHAT?! WHY?!" 

Apparently everyone gets them now and then. 

Here's a note I found (on Goodreads) under my one star review:

Ok, you got a bad review. Deep breath. It happens to every author eventually. Keep in mind that one negative review will not impact your book’s sales. In fact, studies have shown that negative reviews can actually help book sales, as they legitimize the positive reviews on your book’s page.

Ummm, okay.

Now don't get me wrong. I appreciate the folks who actually explain WHY they give negative reviews; everyone has their own opinions. You really can't please everyone -right?  But the ones who blast your review page with one lonely star, and give absolutely NO explanation...those people are on my list. (just kidding.) But it is infuriating...and I'll admit I am compelled to check out their other reviews...just to see what kind of books they like or dislike. And when I do that, if I find that this person is in the habit of giving one or two stars with no further explanation, it makes me wonder why they bother reading novels at all, since they (apparently) hate everything their eyes come in contact with. 
For example: 
One of my one-star reviewers also gave a no explanation-one-star-review for 
The Golden Compass, The Hobbit, and Schlinder's List. It seems like they seriously have an insatiable need to voice their low opinions for everything they read, regardless of the popularity of the book, or the genre. 

Enormous Sigh

But here's what helps me get past my negative reviews. (This may help readers understand what we writers go through as well.) 
Spend a little time on Amazon or Goodreads, or wherever people rate/review books. Find a book that you absolutely loved. Check out the reviews. It will surprise you to see the one or two star reviews, and when you read their reasons why, you will be like, 

"WHAT?!  WHY?!"




Happy reading!

New Review

I received a lovely email from a lady who read Garden of Time. She's not familiar with GoodReads, but said I could post her email anywhere I chose. So, here it is:

" I just finished Garden of Time and I wanted you to know how much I enjoyed it.

I just loved the story, the element of time travel, and all of the details of an era that existed long ago. Your characters were so fully drawn. I especially adored the two little girls, Cora Mae and Lilly Ann. I will miss them as well as Mack and Emma. I am a docent at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and love art, so of course I was drawn to the "journey of the painting". What a gorgeous, happy setting!

Keep up the terrific work. I will definitely recommend the book to friends! "

Quite awesome, me thinks!