Harmony Kent's Blog, page 122

Welcome #Author Traci Sanders & Living-Write-Life

Hi, everyone, & welcome to Harmony’s place today.

It gives me great pleasure to welcome author Traci Sanders, who is celebrating the launch of her latest series: WRITE IT WRITE!

Volume I – Before You Publish – Tips on grammar, writing, and editing
Volume II – Beyond The Book – Tips on publishing, marketing, and networking to build your brand
Volume III – Living The Write Life – Tips on making the most of your writing skills

TIP 359: 8 ways to save money
(that can be put toward publishing costs)
This tip, and many others on how to survive authorhood can be found in Living The Write Life: Tips on making the most of your writing skills, now available in digital and paperback format.

https://www.amazon.com/Living-Write-Life-making-writing-ebook/dp/B01MUXVIAK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1490711705&sr=8-1&keywords=living+the+write+life

1.       FOOD: Cook at home as often as possible. Plan a menu that includes every meal for the week and stick to your grocery list. Allow yourself to eat restaurant food only once per week—better yet, once per month. I have found that food cooked at home tastes fresher and is much healthier for your body because YOU control the sodium, sugar, and fat. Have a meal-prep day. Cut your vegetables and prepare sides ahead of time—perhaps on a Saturday or Sunday (for the entire week). Go ahead and set the meat out for that morning and let it be marinating for dinner that night. Then all you have to do is throw it on the grill or in the oven and cook when you are ready. Don’t plan your meal for that week based on Buy-One-Get-One-Free specials at your local grocery store. Instead, plan it with whatever meals you’d like. Then, go purchase the Buy-One-Get-One-Free items to use in stocking your freezer or pantry—basically … overstock. You’d be surprised how quickly your stockpile grows. After a couple of months of doing this. You will realize that your grocery bill will shrink because you will have an ample supply of some items each week. And NEVER shop when you are hungry!

2.       PLAN AND BUDGET FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS: You know these things are going to come up every year–birthdays, anniversaries, and the big one … Christmas! Try to either set aside a “discretionary fund” for these expenses and add a little to it each month, or buy these items when you see them on sale and save them for the upcoming occasions. For instance, shopping for Christmas decorations, cards, and presents, immediately after Christmas can save you a significant amount of money. The same goes with Halloween costumes. The stores need to get rid of the merchandise quickly to avoid returns and restocking.

3.       UTILITIES: In winter, wash and dry clothes during the day to help warm the house. It will keep your thermostat at a steady temperature, which prevents the unit from having to work as hard. During summer, try to only do laundry after the sun goes down, and try to limit it to one to two loads per night. Ask your utility company to come do an “energy conservation” check in your home. They will check for any area that allows leaks of energy—such as windows, doors, etc., which can save you a significant amount of money in the long run on your utilities.

4.       INDULGENCES: Love that special gourmet coffee from Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, etc.? Now it is sold in retail stores like Kroger and Publix. If you are a huge coffee drinker and simply must have that “treat” every morning to function, make it at home—add whatever flavored creamer or whipped cream you like.

5.       FUEL: Fill your car up on gas as often as possible, rather than putting in ten to twenty dollars’ worth here and there. Kroger has a great incentive plan where you earn fuel points for spending a certain amount of money in their store. It’s best to wait until the end of the month to fill up your tank because you get the biggest discount. Instead of ten cents per gallon savings, it can be a significant as sixty or seventy cents’ savings per gallon!

6.       SHOPPING: Shopping online for clothing, shoes, etc., can save you a significant amount of time—and fuel. Instead of standing in line at retailers, not to mention the stop-and-go effect on your fuel usage, and wear-and-tear on your car, you can buy many things with the touch of a button these days. And many companies give you added discounts and free shipping! I highly recommend (ebates.com) https://www.ebates.com/r/TRACIS511?eeid=28187

7.       They reimburse you between 2 percent and 7 percent on every purchase you make, for companies they are affiliated with.

8.       CLOTHES: Sell some things you no longer wear or need on e-Bay or Amazon. My rule is, if you haven’t used it or worn it in two seasons, you probably aren’t going to. Give someone else a chance to benefit from it.

9.       PAY YOURSELF: Every time you don’t dine out at a restaurant, forego that gourmet coffee in a store, resist the new shoes you saw in the mall, or didn’t buy that gorgeous bracelet from HSN; reward yourself by putting the money you would have spent on that item in a jar, or better yet, in an interest-earning account.
 
BONUS: Saving money is not a big thing—it’s a lot of little things that add up. It’s choices we make every moment of the day. To eat out or not, to use the stove or the grill, remembering to leave the water running just a little during the winter to keep the pipes from freezing up or not, to allow our kids to play several sports or simply focus on one at a time.
 
These spending habits boil down to—individual needs, personal preferences, and will power. When we choose NOT to go over budget, we are not depriving ourselves of things—we are empowering ourselves with financial security and peace of mind.

About the author:
 
Traci Sanders is a multi-genre, multi-award-winning author of ten published titles, with contributions to three anthologies. 
An avid blogger and supporter of Indie authors, she writes parenting, children’s, romance, and nonfiction guides.
Her ultimate goal is to provide great stories and quality content for dedicated readers, whether through her own writing or editing works by other authors.
Twittter handle: @tmsanders2014







 
Traci is giving away two prizes during this tour:
*ONE unsigned paperback copy of Before You Publish– Volume I 
*ONE unsigned paperback copy of Beyond The Book –Volume II 
To enter, all you have to do is email me a proof of purchase of a digital copy of either of these two books during the tour.
I will draw TWO winners total, at the end of the tour.
Please email your proof of purchase (can be a screenshot) to tsanderspublishing@yahoo.com.
GOOD LUCK!






by

Monday Musings Forty-five: Square Peg

Square Peg

 

For each of us, there comes a time in life when we need to let go of the unnecessary drama. For each of us, there comes a moment when we see how we’ve bent ourselves into a shape that fits the people around us rather than ourselves. For each of us, there comes a point when we see that this has to stop. That we need to unbend. That we need to stop trying to fit the square peg into the round hole.

This will not prove easy, and at times, will feel impossible. However, we must persevere. Some people will only love you if you fit into their box. Don’t feel afraid to disappoint; it’s not healthy to let those sorts of people have that amount of influence over your life.

It is only when we begin to unbend and find our own shape that we discover who we are meant to be. As with Monday Musings Twenty-nine, we need to find our life purpose. Only then will we find contentment and peace.

All it takes is that first moment of seeing, and then making the decision to take the first step toward change. In the words of the Buddha, One moment can change a day, one day can change a life, and one life can change the world.

The greatest prison that we can live in is the fear of what people think. As with Monday Musings Thirty-nine, we don’t need to play the blame game. The only folks that truly matter will encourage you to be yourself and rejoice when you blossom.

The Dalai Lama once asked, ‘What is love?’ And then went on to say, ‘Love is the absence of judgement.’ If we find ourselves surrounded by people who judge us and pull us down, then perhaps the time has come to dig deep for the courage to instigate change.

When you come to a point where you have no need to impress anybody, then your freedom and contentment and peace will commence. In this instance, a good question to ask is, ‘Is it worth it?’ It’s never easy to take a good honest look at our lives, but in the end, it makes for the easier path and the greatest happiness.

In the wise words of Zen:

‘Anything that costs you your peace is too expensive.’

If you’ve missed my previous Monday Musings, you can find the links here: http://www.harmonykent.co.uk/category/monday-musings/ 

by

#StoryEmpire Road Show! Welcome Joan Hall

Good morning, everyone!

What a week this is going to be … myself and a group of five authors, known collectively as STORY EMPIRE, have gotten together and gone on a roadshow. Throughout the week, we will offer book deals and giveaways and prizes. Today, I am delighted to host author Joan Hall 

Take it away, Joan …

 

Hi everyone! Joan here for this last day of the Story Empire Road Show. Can you believe the week has already passed? I want to thank Harmony for hosting me today.

People often attribute the phrase “kill your darlings” to author Stephen King. He was actually quoting another author, William Faulkner. During the editing process, there are times when writers need to eliminate unnecessary scenes—even entire chapters. Often, we are quite fond of these scenes and don’t want to let go. Hence the phrase, “kill your darlings.”

The following scene is one that I deleted after the first draft of Unseen Motives. By removing this scene from the final draft, I was able to eliminate one point of view character without taking anything from the story.

***

Angelica Rossi watched the driver load the bags into the trunk of the taxi from her second story window. After her conversation with Jorge the evening before, she had remained in her room. She didn’t intend to come out until he left.

It came as no surprise when he asked her to leave. She’d seen it coming. Jorge had been restless the past few months and she sensed he had grown weary of their relationship.

She was also tired of him. Yes, she lived in a fancy house, wore the finest clothes, and could lounge on the beach all day if she desired. But in many ways, she had felt like a prisoner. They never went out to dinner. Jorge had forbidden her to have any contact with her family and friends. Their only visitor was his “so called” business partner.

The fact she had convinced him to take a cruise came as a surprise. She hoped it was a sign he would begin to socialize more often. However, once they boarded the ship, he spent the entire time in their cabin. He feigned illness, but she knew better. It was almost as if he were hiding from someone.

After they returned from the cruise, she contacted her brother Antonio and told him she suspected Jorge was living a secret life. Antonio had connections. He would learn the truth.

Angel waited until Jorge climbed into the back seat of the limo. Business trip, nothing. He was up to something.

She walked outside to the swimming pool, slipped her cell phone from her pocket and pressed the speed dial button for Antonio. “He just left for the airport.”

“Okay, we’re on it. I’ll call you later.”

Angel slipped off her swimsuit cover and walked to the deep end of the pool. It would be an hour or more before he called back. She dove in and swam a few laps before climbing into the adjacent hot tub. The warm water relaxed and soothed her. She would miss this life of leisure, but she had to get away.

Two hours later, her phone rang. “We tracked him at the airport. He boarded a non-stop flight for Atlanta, Georgia with a connecting flight to Dallas, Texas.”

“You’re sure he got on the plane?”

“Positive. The plane departed twenty minutes ago. We’re tracking the flight.”

“Thanks.” She ended the call and went to her room.

After a quick shower, Angel walked downstairs to find the housekeeper, Lucia.

“Lucia, I feel like having something special for dinner tonight. Would you be so kind as to go to the market and pick up a few things?”

“Yes, Miss Angel.”

She handed the list to Lucia and waited until she was gone before entering Jorge’s study. Lucia wouldn’t talk, but Angel didn’t want to place her in a difficult position. Jorge had ways of getting what he wanted and intimidation was one of his tactics.

Not that it mattered if Jorge learned of her snooping. She would be far away when he returned. She sat down at the desk and smiled as she booted up the computer. Jorge would be surprised to know she could easily crack most computer passwords. It didn’t take her long to figure out his.

She wanted to find something that might give her a clue as to his background. His bookmarked sights revealed nothing. But when she looked at his browsing history she found an interesting pattern.

Why would he be so interested in a small Texas town? Antonio said Jorge had a connecting flight to Dallas.

She clicked on several links and came to an online edition of the Driscoll Lake Reporter. He had viewed several recently published articles. Why was he so interested about a twenty-year-old murder case?

After reading the article and viewing photos of the newspaper staff, she knew why he had remained in their room during the cruise.

Her phone rang, and she jumped at the sound. Relieved to see it was her brother calling she answered. “Antonio, I’m glad you called. I’ve found something interesting on Jorge’s computer.”

“You’re searching his computer? He could have some type of alert system.”

“It doesn’t matter. He’ll be away for several days. I’ll be gone before he returns.”

“You can’t wait. Your life may be in danger.”

“I thought by this time he would be half way to America.”

“He is, but you’re not going to like what we’ve found out about him. I’m sending a car for you. They will be there in twenty minutes.”

“I won’t have time to get all my things together.”

“Never mind them. Throw some things in a suitcase and be ready.”

***

Hard to believe this wraps it up for the Story Empire Road Show. I’ve enjoyed all the tour stops and getting to know you. Unseen Motives is on sale this week for .99. Click here for the purchase link.

Remember, I’m giving away a $10.00 Amazon gift card to one winner.
To be entered in the random drawing, please leave a comment below.

 

Connect with Joan:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon | Goodreads | Google+ | Pinterest

by

#StoryEmpire Road Show! Welcome PH Solomon

Good morning, everyone!

What a week this is going to be … myself and a group of five authors, known collectively as STORY EMPIRE, have gotten together and gone on a roadshow. Throughout the week, we will offer book deals and giveaways and prizes. Today, I am delighted to host author PH Solomon 

Take it away, PH …

Hello to everyone and thanks to Harmony for hosting me today. I’m P. H. Solomon and I’m a fantasy author, living in greater Birmingham, AL. It’s great to be a part of Story Empire and be on the Roadshow this week. I hope you’ll enjoy all the stops and authors this week and look at our books. To see our schedule and information about our prizes, please click to our Roadshow page and see where we are making appearances each day. This week I’m giving away a $10 Amazon Gift Card to the most active commenter.

 

 

Haunted by his past. Hunted in the present. Buffeted like an arrow in the wind.

 

The hunt for the Bow of Hart continues as Athson and his companions have escaped the clutches of Magdronu and Corgren but they are still pursued. In need of answers to deep mysteries revealed while in Chokkra, Athson must gain possession of the mythic bow to face both his enemies and his tragic past. But Magdronu’s reach stretches among Athson’s companions, endangering Limbreth and even Hastra in schemes to entrap them all. With each turn of the search for the Bow of Hart long hidden secrets surface that threaten to destroy Athson. Will he falter as An Arrow Against the Wind?

 

That’s the blurb for An Arrow Against the Wind in which the quest for The Bow of Hart continues for Athson and his companions. It’s a book that carries the characters into challenges both personal and external, requiring even more perseverance than in The Bow of Destiny. In this short sample, we find Athson is confronted once again by the wizard Corgren who wants the Bow of Hart for his master Magdronu:

 

Athson ’s chest heaved and he gasped, “Father.”

Ath shifted at his words. “Is that you, Athson. Run! Don’t let him-.”

Corgren slapped Ath. “Silence!”

Athson hefted his sword. “Do that again and I’ll kill you.”

The wizard displayed a cruel grin. “One step, ranger, and he’ll die.” He motioned with his hand and the hobgoblin held a dagger at Ath’s throat.

Athson’s breath returned but his stomach boiled and his mind seethed. “I’ll kill you both with arrows.” His low growl carried across the bowl-shaped depression in the rock.

“Your good but not that good.” The wizard drew a wolf’s-head dagger. “We’ll kill him either way.”

Athson tightened and loosened his grip on his weapons. He could do it. Maybe. Where was Gweld when he needed him? “What do you want? You brought me here to talk.”

Corgren’s laugh rolled with mockery. “You see, wretch? He’s smarter than you. Maybe he’ll get right what you and you traitorous ancestors didn’t.” He motioned to Athson with his free hand. “You know what I want. Get it and he lives.”

Traitors? This was news. Athson’s vision narrowed with his frown. “What do you mean?”

“You know what I mean.” He leaned toward Athson’s father. “Maybe he’s not so smart.”

Ath opened his mouth but the hobgoblin yanked his head back and pressed the blade closer. The blind man shut his mouth.

Athson stared. His father was a shell of the man in his memory. Scarred eye-sockets. His face smudged with dirty and covered with a patchy beard. His body gaunt, drained of vitality. Athson ground his teeth. “I should kill you regardless, wizard, right now. The world would be rid of a monster like you!” He cared nothing for elvish views on revenge in that moment. But he needed something more. “What do you mean ‘traitors’?”

“My master and I can give and take away. Want a taste of what you can have?” Corgren cupped has hand over one of Ath’s eyesockets and uttered a spell. Green mage-fire flared beneath the wizard’s fingers. Ath sat up stiff with a cry and his face trembled.

Athson took a step. “Stop it, or I’ll-”

The troll pressed the knife-point at Ath ’s throat. Blood dripped from his neck.

 

I hope you like that but I’ll leave the rest for you to read when it’s released as more happens to twist Athson’s emotions into knots that keep him moving toward the Bow of Hart. An Arrow Against the Wind is due out at the end of April and is now available for pre-orders. Just click the previous link to see all the retailer links.

Thanks for reading this post today and be sure to check out our schedule. While you’re here, feel free to have a look at my current book, The Bow of Destiny and the upcoming release of An Arrow Against the Wind. You can click on my bio banner below to pay me a visit at my website and learn more about me and the rest of The Bow of Hart Saga. Please follow me all week as I share more about my writing each day.

Here are some of the places where you can catch up with me on social media:

Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Website | Pinterest | Google +  Wattpad | Amazon Author

Here are some free novellas that relate to The Bow of Hart Saga:

Trading Knives – Kobo, iBooks & Barnes & Noble, Smashwords and on Amazon

What Is Needed – Barnes & Noble, Kobo, iBooks, Smashwords & Amazon

 

by

#StoryEmpire Road Show! Welcome Mae Clair

Good morning, everyone!

What a week this is going to be … myself and a group of five authors, known collectively as STORY EMPIRE, have gotten together and gone on a roadshow. Throughout the week, we will offer book deals and giveaways and prizes. Today, I am delighted to host author Mae Clair 

Take it away, Mae …

Setting as Character

I’m happy to be visiting with Harmony during the Story Empire Roadshow blog tour. There are posts at all SE author blogs today, with tour prizes scattered throughout, so be sure to check the full slate of events HERE. And don’t forget to follow along, as prizes are up for grabs when the tour is complete. I’ll be giving a $10.00 Amazon Gift Card away. The more you follow and comment, the more your chances to win. And there might even be a prize in the mix today too J

 

Today, I thought I’d chat about setting.

Recently, a book reviewer chose Eclipse Lake to illustrate the importance of setting in her post “21 Ingredients of a Great Novel.” I was flattered, but also impressed she keyed in on an element that resonated strongly with me during the development of the story.

I like small town settings and have used them throughout my books. In the case of Eclipse Lake, the setting is loosely based on an area I’m well acquainted with. It’s an odd combination—a resort lake tucked between mountains that attracts recreational enthusiasts, and is home to year-round and summer residents. Properties range from high end mansions to rural homesteads and hunting/fishing cabins. The first time I visited I was struck by the idyllic nature of pastures dotted with cows and sheep, the charm of old antique shops, and the ruggedness of gravel roads cut into the mountains.

countryside landscape; rural farm and farmland field

 

Firehouse “eat-alls” are common. By the same token, you can head down to the marina and enjoy lunch on the deck, or take a dinner cruise at night. The location that inspired Eclipse Lake is a combination of affluence and quaintness. That’s exactly the mix I wanted for a story in which old memories cross boundaries. Take a look:

BLURB:

Small towns hold the darkest secrets.

Fifteen years after leaving his criminal past and estranged brother behind, widower Dane Carlisle returns to his hometown on the banks of sleepy Eclipse Lake. Now, a successful businessman, he has kept his troubled past a secret from most everyone, including his seventeen-year-old son.

But memories in small towns are bitter and long.

Ellie Sullivan, a nature photographer for a national magazine, has a habit of ping-ponging across the map. Her latest assignment leads her to Eclipse Lake where she becomes caught up in the enmity between Dane, his brother Jonah, and a vengeful town sheriff. When freshly-discovered skeletal remains are linked to an unsolved murder and Dane’s past, Ellie is left questioning her growing attraction for a man who harbors long-buried secrets.

~ooOOoo~

EXCERPT:

“You get unpacked?” Dane asked.

“Yeah.” Jesse jerked a thumb over his shoulder, indicating the loft on the upper level of the cabin. “I took the bed upstairs.”

Dane nodded. He closed his empty suitcase and shoved it into the closet. The cabin was clean, not overly large, but roomy. A kitchen, living area, two bedrooms and bath were situated on the main level with a loft wedged beneath the roof peak. When he was a kid, the cabins had attracted hunters and fisherman. While that was still true, the appeal had grown, extending to recreational tourists, nature lovers, and a few oddball travelers like the New Age Cultists entrenched around the bend.

“I don’t care if they worship toads, the man in the moon or Starbucks, as long as they pay and don’t trash the place,” the chatty woman who’d given him a key to the cabin had explained. “Sign here and Cabin Twenty is all yours.”

“So, this is where you grew up?” Jesse pulled him from his thoughts. He plopped onto the bed looking comfortable in faded denim shorts and a baggy green t-shirt.

“More or less.”

Except for the year he’d spent in Wells City Juvie, followed by six months in an adult prison. How did he tell his kid that? Jesse excelled in everything he did: honor roll, student council. He was even a regional archery champion. Nothing like learning your millionaire dad had been a royal screw-up.

“So when are you going to see your brother?” Jesse prodded.

“Soon.”

“Uh-huh.” A pause said he wasn’t buying it. “Why’d you leave in the first place?”

Because I was a thief who slept with my brother’s girlfriend. A screwed up kid with nowhere to go but down.

~ooOOoo~

Intrigued?

Eclipse Lake is a full-length novel of mystery, sweet romance and family drama.

Presently on sale!

Purchase a copy from Amazon • .99 Cents until April 7

Thanks for visiting with me today. Don’t forget to see what the other SE authors have going on during the Story Empire Roadshow. Leave a comment to be eligible for my grand prize drawing for a $10.00 Amazon gift card (the more you follow my tour and comment, the more your chances to win).

For today’s tour stop, I’ll also draw one randomly selected name for an ebook win. Winner’s choice of Solstice Island, Food for Poe, Myth and Magic or A Thousand Yesteryears.

Connect with Mae Clair

Website and Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram |Goodreads |Google+ | Pinterest

Newsletter | Story Empire

 

by

#StoryEmpire Road Show! Welcome Staci Troilo

Good morning, everyone!

What a week this is going to be … myself and a group of five authors, known collectively as STORY EMPIRE, have gotten together and gone on a roadshow. Throughout the week, we will offer book deals and giveaways and prizes. Today, I am delighted to host author Staci Troilo 

Take it away, Staci …

Thanks for hosting me today, Harmony. Hi, Harmony’s followers!

I’m just going to jump right in. Today’s my birthday. First and foremost, I want to lament that my birthday buddy—Mr. Robert Downey Jr.—has once again not contacted me to offer to celebrate our special day(s) together, nor has he said he read and loved any of my work and wants to produce and star in the film adaptation thereof. Of course, I haven’t made this year’s wish yet when blowing out the candles, so I suppose there’s still time. (Fingers crossed.) Still, if history is any indication, I’ll be disappointed again.

I bring up the concept of birthdays because in Mind Control, book two of the Medici Protectorate series, we see a birthday celebration for Jo Notaro, heroine of that particular book. Like me, she prefers not to celebrate her big day because she hates to have all that attention trained on her (but she gets a party anyway), and like me, her favorite cake is almond cake.

I first fell in love with almond cake when I got married. Our wedding cake was an almond cake with what we were told was Lady Baltimore filling. I’ve since researched both Lord Baltimore and Lady Baltimore fillings, and what we got was neither.

But, wow, was it good.

It was an almond-flavored white cake with chopped raspberries and almonds mixed into a subtle (not super-sweet) buttercream between the layers. White chocolate frosting topped the cake. It’s not Lord or Lady Baltimore cake; call it a Royal Pittsburgh cake if you want to call it something. It replaced my prior birthday cake as my favorite cake and will likely always be at the top of my list.

In Mind Control, Jo gets her favorite meal—chili and a Primanti Bros. sandwich—for dinner and an almond cake with raspberry custard filling, whipped cream frosting, and toasted almond slivers on the sides for dessert. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. Jo and I are both pretty low-key and down-to-earth—neither of us is going to ask for pheasant under glass for dinner—but I’d prefer homemade pasta (preferably my grandmother’s, but any homemade pasta will do, particularly with spare rib sauce, a tossed salad, and garlic bread) for my favorite meal. Although, any of you who have been to Primanti Bros. will understand how that could be someone’s favorite meal, as their sandwiches are fabulous. (You can read about Pittsburgh’s famous Primant Bros. in Mind Control, or visit their website for more information.)

I’ve gone on and on about food for a while now, so I should probably get to the point.

Food is a defining characteristic for Italians/Italian-Americans. As both the heroes and heroines in my Medici Protectorate series are of Italian descent, it only seemed fitting that my novels use food to define the culture and deepen a reader’s understanding of the characters.

Several meals are mentioned in the novels, and we even learn some preparation methods. There have been many requests for recipes, and my publisher is in talks with me regarding a Medici Protectorate cookbook. I don’t know if that will happen, but I do know I have oodles of recipes I could put into it.

The important part to note, however, is that food brings these characters together. They share casual meals as family. They have romantic dinners for two made with slightly more flair. They have huge celebrations with a ridiculous amount of food, because that’s what Italians do when they mark an occasion. Some of their meals are healthy, others are decadent, but all are delicious and abundant.

Because Italians show their love for one another through food.

And that’s one of the ways characters in my Medici Protectorate series show their love for each other. Through the preparation of food and the sharing of meals.

Yes, I know other cultures use food in similar manners, and yes, I know there are other ways to show love. But I wanted to mention this particular method in relation to this particular series because I believe food helps define these characters.

And aren’t writers always looking for a way to make characters more relatable?

Bleeding Heart (book one of the Medici Protectorate series) and Mind Control (book two) are on sale this week as part of the Story Empire Bookmobile Tour. If you’re interested, check them out while they’re discounted. Book three, Body Armor, will be out soon, so if you enjoy the first two, you won’t have to wait long for the third. I can promise yummy food in each one, and a lot of love between the characters, too.

Well, still no word from RDJ. I guess I’m on my own again this year. It’s Lent, and I’ve given up indulgences until Easter, so I won’t be having any cake today, nor will I get to blow out candles and make a birthday wish until Lent is over. Maybe I’ll get a belated wish from Mr. Downey. (A girl can dream, right?)

In the meantime, if you aren’t abstaining for Lent, perhaps you’d like to have some cake for me. If you’re a baker, here’s a family recipe for almond cake. The best part? It’s made with a cake mix, so it’s super easy. Fill and/or top as you’re so inclined. But might I recommend whipped cream, raspberries, and almond slivers?

Almond Cake

Ingredients:

1 White Cake Mix
1 1/3 Cups Water
2 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil
3 Large Egg Whites
1 tsp. Vanilla
2 tbsp. Almond Extract (extracts are strong; if you aren’t sure about how much almond flavor you like, use less the first time)

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°F.
Place first four ingredients in large mixing bowl and mix on low until just combined.
Add extracts and mix at medium speed until well blended. (Don’t over mix.)
Grease and flour a 9X13 or two 9-inch round pans and pour in batter. (If using two pans, distribute batter evenly between the two.)
Bake at 350°F for 25 minutes or until a toothpick or wooden skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean. (Start checking two minutes early so the cake doesn’t over bake. May require a few extra minute to fully cook. Baking times depend on your particular oven.)
Cool on wire rack. Flip out of pan(s) to finish cooling after 5 minutes.
Fill, glaze, and/or frost as desired.

 

Thanks, Harmony. Sharing a little bit of my culture here today on my second stop on the Story Empire Roadshow was really fun!

And to your readers, I want to reward you for reading this far. One commenter will receive a free eBook of their choosing, not just from the Medici Protectorate series (although you can choose one of those), but from any of my works (the complete list can be found by clicking here). Another commenter (US only) will be sent a Medici Protectorate refrigerator magnet. Good luck!

Medici Protectorate Series Premise: The four Notaro sisters are the secret legacy of the Medici, famed rulers of Italy. Michelangelo promised his Medician benefactor that he’d always watch over the family, and as such, he formed the Medici Protectorate to guard them throughout the generations. Now, Italy is in political turmoil and revolution is imminent. The people are calling for new rulers, and the Notaros are poised to assume control. But a nefarious opposing faction wants the power for themselves. Never was the family in more jeopardy. The four sisters are protected by the Brotherhood—four elite warriors of the Medici Protectorate prophesied to keep the family safe until they fulfill their destinies. They journey around the world in an effort to keep the family safe and the future of Italy secure.

 

Book One, Bleeding Heart: Gianni, a warrior destined to defend the secret legacy of the Medici, protects his charge Francesca from a prophesied assassin. Their worlds collide in passion and violence, and he must conquer her fears and his demons in time to save them both.

Bleeding Heart is only $.99 throughout the duration of the tour. Click the universal link for purchase information.

 

Book Two, Mind Control: Vinnie copes with his own identity issues while he struggles to protect the one prophesized Medici descendant, Jo, who refuses to embrace her heritage. With lives in peril, can they find the strength to overcome their tragic pasts, or is it too late?

Mind Control is only $1.99 throughout the duration of the tour. Click the universal link for purchase information.

 

Book Three, Body Armor: Nico works to increase his powers and save the Notaro family matriarch, but his private agendas put his charge Donni’s life at risk. When secrets and lies result in three abductions, the group will need to place their trust him to save them all.

 

Social Media Links:

Web | Blog | Newsletter Signup | Twitter | Amazon | Additional Social Media Links

by

#StoryEmpire Road Show! Welcome Craig Boyack

 

Good morning, everyone!

What a week this is going to be … myself and a group of five authors, known collectively as STORY EMPIRE, have gotten together and gone on a roadshow. Throughout the week, we will offer book deals and giveaways and prizes. Today, I am delighted to host author Craig Boyack

Take it away, Craig …

Welcome to day one of the Story Empire Roadshow. We decided to take some of our fiction on the road to expose it to new readers. What better device to illustrate this concept than an old fashioned bookmobile.

Thanks to Harmony for hosting my first stop, and I’ve got something fun for you today:

I’m pricing my best selling title, Panama, at 99¢ today and tomorrow.

 

Panama is the story of two ex-cavalrymen who get asked by President Roosevelt to look into some strange happenings at the construction site of the Panama Canal.

This is a paranormal tale, and because the construction zone was made up of international laborers, I decided any magic there would have an international flavor too. There is a bit of witchcraft, some hoodoo, and even a few shamanistic references.

 Aside from the demon rampaging through the jungle, Ethan and Coop have to deal with Carlist rebels who want to reclaim all the Spanish colonies in the New World.

Add in the appropriate steam powered equipment, the backdrop of a brutal jungle, and one horse with a bad attitude, and I think it makes for a pretty good story. This is also a buddy story, and the characters really come into their own in this one. I even peppered in a few appropriate celebrity cameos to keep it fun.

 I hope you’ll take a chance on Panama. The sale ends in two days, and after that it’s back to $2.99. Don’t worry though, I have other promotions going on this week so follow the tour.

 To keep you interested in the tour, at the end of the week I’m going to tally up the comments and award some prizes. I have two gigantic coffee mugs to give away, and they are well worth winning. They feature my personal assistant, and spokesmodel, Lisa Burton alongside a bust of me. Here’s a photo for reference.

I’d appreciate your sharing this across social media, and maybe some of you will find your next reading adventure.

 Story Empire is a co-op of authors, and we’re all working the bookmobile this week. I’m hosting Staci Troilo today, and Harmony is appearing at Joan Hall’s place. You can see the entire schedule at this link. (Our tour page.)

 

by

Monday Musings Forty-four: Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice

 

Two kinds of pride exist. One has positive connotations while the other takes on a more negative aspect.

The first pride both comes from and reinforces selflessness. Based on a person’s achievements and qualities, it reflects simple pleasure in a job well done, or our achievements, etc. This feeling comes from deep within and uplifts us. This first kind of pride helps us to feel confident.

The second type of pride comes from our ego, which lends itself to arrogance and selfishness and inflates our opinion of ourselves. This kind of pride brings a false sense of superiority. In the end, though, it just makes us feel insecure and jealous. Which, of course, leads to trouble because we feel a need to prove ourselves and impress those around us. Our ego believes that we have far more importance than we do and, therefore, will not allow us to admit when we get things wrong or that we have made a mistake.

In short, we become unable to ‘own it’. (See Monday Musings 17.) Worse still, even when we know them to be flawed, we justify our actions and thoughts.

This second kind of pride encourages prejudice and judgement. In contradiction, however, the first type of pride encourages sharing and helping others to become the best that they can. That pride enjoys seeing others succeed.

True pride can take an honest look at both ourselves and others and see achievements for what they are. It doesn’t need to judge or compare or put people down. It sees that we all have equality, and that such equality encompasses inherent differences.

We don’t need to compare porridge with concrete. All we need to know is that you don’t eat concrete. Both have inherent qualities and uses, and rather than judging one against the other, we live in such a way that we make best use of both.

With the right kind of pride, we find that making a mistake doesn’t worry or embarrass us. With no difficulty, we can admit to it and own it. Each day brings something new for us to learn. Each and every one of us learns from birth to death, unless we allow our egos to become so over-inflated that we believe we know it all already and that we’ve become immune to making mistakes.

This provides an interesting paradox: That the most seemingly arrogant or prideful people are, in fact, often the most inadequate. They have fragile egos. Whereas the strongest egos appear unassuming and modest while getting on with their lives in a quiet manner. Those sorts of people always seem to be there when others need them.

In the wise words of Zen:

  ‘Pride makes us artificial. Humility makes us real.’

If you’ve missed my previous Monday Musings, you can find the links here: http://www.harmonykent.co.uk/category/monday-musings/ 

by

Monday Musings Forty-three: Dark Intent

Dark Intent

 

‘A Truth that’s told with bad intent

Beats all the Lies you can invent.’

William Blake (Auguries of Innocence)

While researching for a magazine article I wrote recently, I came across the above poem by William Blake. For the piece, I wanted the opening lines … about the world in a grain of sand. However, these lines near the end of the work also grabbed my attention. They reminded me that it isn’t always best to ‘say it like it is’.

Intention is all important. Whether in deed or speech.

While I don’t advocate outright lying, I would advise circumspection in the truth you choose to tell. As with Monday Musings Forty-one on Gatekeepers, we need to exercise prudence in all that we say. Is it kind? Is it true? Is it necessary?

The third of those questions is, perhaps, the most pertinent. Is it necessary?

If your intention is to hurt someone, then telling a brutal truth will do far more damage than a lie, no matter how inventive that lie. The truth resonates deep within us. Don’t get me wrong, though; a lie does enough damage too.

I have come across many people who love to say, ‘Just telling it like it is.’ And they feel brash and harsh to be around. Moreover, much of what they profess as truth telling just comes down to spouting their own opinions that grow from their (mis)perceptions.

I spend as little time as possible around people like that. They drag everyone down and are the only perfect person in the room. Whether they realise it or not, their intention is a selfish one. And that kind of attitude usually indicates deeply buried inadequacy, hidden and festering.

That last line bears re-reading. It shows us how important it is not to judge anyone. All of us have things we need to work on/with. All of us need help, not rejection. In the above case, the more rejection, then the further buried the inadequacy, and the louder the ‘telling it like it is’.

Study your intentions. Examine the motivation behind the words that bubble up behind your tongue. Ask again, is it necessary? If it’s not good to say, then remain silent. That proves far better than lying. And, remember, telling the truth gives you a far easier life; you don’t have to remember anything like you do when you make up a lie.

I have come across numerous quotes to the effect that making someone cry by telling the truth is better than making them happy with a lie; what none of them offer is the option of simply saying nothing.

One lie is all it takes for someone to lose faith in you. So, always remain upfront, and if you can’t do that, then don’t say anything.

This all comes down to integrity. To utter the truth with good intentions can only happen when we can be truthful with ourselves. If you can’t be honest within yourself, then you can never be honest with another. Always, you will only have your version of the truth, rather than the truth itself.

The saddest thing with all of this is that the more you lie, then the more you believe your own deceits. They become your reality and your truth. Eventually, your whole life becomes a lie. From such a place, you have no chance of seeing it like it is, never mind telling it like it is.

When seen through clear vision and said with good intentions, then truth or honest silence is the way to go. The truth may hurt for a while, but a lie hurts forever. And, when we get right down to it, truth uttered with bad intent proves no better than the worst of lies. This is because you are not speaking truth, as such, and certainly not living the truth. All of it comes through negative filters, and the person listening to your words will only hear the malice. No truth can come through because you’ve twisted it into something else.

In the wise words of Zen:

‘The most dangerous liars are those who think they are telling the truth.’

If you’ve missed my previous Monday Musings, you can find the links here: http://www.harmonykent.co.uk/category/monday-musings/ 

by

Monday Musings Forty-two: The Curve that Sets Everything Straight

The Curve that Sets Everything Straight

 

It’s so important to smile. What we do with our face has a direct effect on what our bodies do with us. The chemicals and emotions with which they fill us. A smile keeps all of that cocktail on the positive end of the scale. And that upward curve of the lips spreads joy rather than pain.

Briefly, toward the end of Monday Musings Twenty-six, we talked about the importance of having a deep belly laugh at least once a day, and how even the tiniest of smiles contains a universe full of magic. Truly, it holds transformative powers.

Not only does our expression reflect our mood, but our mood can change depending on what we do with our face. If we frown enough, then we’ll end up feeling grumpy. The same goes for smiling. If we curve our lips upward for long enough, then we’ll begin to feel better. And, for certain, those around us will feel happier for receiving a smile rather than a scowl.

Our facial expression reflects in our voice too. When we frown, we tend to sound stern. And when we smile, we sound happier and lighter. So, even on the telephone, where our face remains hidden, it’s important to smile when we speak—or, at least, refrain from frowning.

From a vanity perspective, a smile helps us grow older without deep frown lines. Rather, any skin creases we develop, grow upward and smoother instead and help us maintain a more youthful appearance. The reverse, of course, is that deep frown lines age us immeasurably. I know which I choose.

To smile throughout the day, and thus avoiding anger and grumpiness in response to events, helps to lower our blood pressure and has all sorts of other health benefits. As stated in Monday Musings Twenty-six, a smile has the power to transform even the blackest of moods and make the world a brighter place. Just that little upward lift of facial muscles can change the whole energy of a room and the mood of those around us.

Think about a time when you’ve walked into a room and immediately wanted to walk back out because the atmosphere has felt so dark and tense. Think about the people that you enjoy being around … what kind of disposition do they have for the majority of the time?

Note that I qualify that last question with ‘the majority of the time’. I do this because not a one of us can remain bright and happy one-hundred percent of the day. We’re all human, and we all wobble now and then. The important thing is that we can reset to a happy medium rather than a grumpy one.

Each one of us has a baseline to which we return time and again. Lottery winners have described an initial feeling of euphoria and walking around on cloud nine. However, after enough time has passed, they each return to their normal baseline of functioning. The same happens when we experience deep despair or trauma. Eventually, we will return to our baseline.

The more we smile, the more our baseline becomes happy and positive rather than gloomy and negative. Like anything in life, it takes time and patient perseverance, but is so worth the effort.

A smile can hide so many other feelings like hurt, fear, and sadness, but it also shows strength. Each time you smile at someone, you give them an invaluable gift. Be someone else’s sunshine. Be the reason that they smile today. And in return, you will receive the sunshine back into yourself.

Always, a reason to smile exists, just that sometimes, you have to hunt for it.

In the wise words of Zen:

  ‘Let your smile change the world, but don’t let the world change your smile.’

If you’ve missed my previous Monday Musings, you can find the links here: http://www.harmonykent.co.uk/category/monday-musings/ 

by