Marilyn Vix's Blog, page 3
November 2, 2022
New Release Party for Thankful In Vegas Omnibus Edition: You’re Invited!
After almost 3 years, I’m finally releasing a new book with co-author, Lynda Belle. The series we have worked so hard on for several years is now coming out as an omnibus, with all three novellas presented for your reading pleasure.
THANKFUL IN VEGAS Omnibus Edition will release on Nov. 4, 2022. Preorder is available now for both ebook and print editions.
Is dating a gambler in Vegas a good idea?
Especially if you work for him?
Fran Hurley is a maid at a Las Vegas hotel. In the middle of her cleaning shift, she breaks down over not making her showgirl dreams come true. Along comes Dex Luxom, the owner of the hotel. Concerned for one of his employees, he whisks her to the entertainment department and gets her placed in one of the shows. But her luck doesn’t stop there. Dex is interested in Fran and won’t give up easily. Haunted by the fact she looks like his deceased wife, he can’t stay away from her. When Fran discovers he is a gambler, she decides she needs to take a chance with Dex and falls for him hard.
But when Fran finds out she looks like his dead wife, will it put a damper on their relationship? Will the bullets flying past her when they are taking a romantic day trip make her rethink dating a gambler? It all comes down to the New Year’s event that may split them up or bring them closer together. To love a gambler takes more than luck; it takes strength and courage. And it all could end with her being the biggest player of all.
This is the omnibus edition of the “Thankful in Vegas” novella series.
To add to the festivities, I will be having a Facebook Online Book Release Party on November 5, 2022 from 4:30pm PDT to 6:30pm PDT. There will be fabulous prizes including copies of the new release in print or ebook editions, my fabulous custom goat’s milk soap bars in autumn scents, and specially made drink charm necklace swag so I can share a drink with you. I am putting my crafting abilities to good use for this party. Be sure to take advantage of it. I’ve been wire wrapping jewelry for 30 years and now have branched out into soap-making due to COVID-19.
Facebook/Online Thankful In Vegas Omnibus Edition Release PartySaturday, November 5, 20224:30pm PDT to 6:30pm PDT (West Coast-USA)6:30PM CDT to 8:30PM CDT (Central Time-USA)Hosted by Platinum Promos/Vicki RoseFacebook Party Hosting PageI hope to see you there! -Marilyn
October 25, 2022
Join Marilyn Vix @ Multi-Author Haunted Halloween Online FB Party hosted by Platinum Promos
I’ll be participating in a fabulous online event this weekend to help kick off the Halloween celebrations. I’ll be promoting my first installment in my sequel to the Beware of Warlocks series, “Never Date A Vampire”. Plus, I’ll have a special announcement in regards to the Thankful In Vegas series written with Lynda Belle.
You can come at my scheduled time between 4:45 and 5:30pm on Saturday Oct. 29. Enjoy giveaways, games and fun. Come talk to me live, ask me any questions you wish, and maybe even win a copy of “Never Date A Vampire”. Plus, I’ll make a special announcement in regards to Thankful In Vegas series.
Plus, stay for all the other fantastic authors to enjoy and add to your Halloween reading list. It’s always fun to talk with authors in person and get the low down on their books, personal life, and their general take on the world.
Marilyn Vix’s Scheduled Appearance Online:
Haunted Multi Author Online Facebook Party
Saturday Oct. 29, 2022
4:45pm to 5:30pm CDT/2:45pm to 3:30pm PDT
Come to the party, visit with Marilyn Vix, meet new authors and find out about her big announcement!
To find out more information, please visit the Platinum Promos Page linked below.
Platinum Promos FB PageOctober 3, 2022
Marilyn Vix will be appearing at the October Mystical Minds Conference Oct. 8-9, 2022
I’ve recently fallen head over heels into ghost hunting. Over the last year and with the death of my father, I’ve decided to just go for it, and joined a local ghost hunting group that is located in Soquel, CA called: Avalon Visions Paranormal Investigations. I originally was writing a paranormal romance that involved ghost hunters. My research has spurred me onto finally giving ghost hunting a full out try. As like many of my other pursuits such as working at the Renaissance Fair playing Gaelic Harp or wire wrapping crystals into jewelry (since 1989), it’s an extension of my authentic self.
Learn about what these are and how to use them on haunted locations at my ghost hunting equipment talk at The October 2022 Mystical Minds Convention.Being a teacher, I really enjoy teaching others to pursue their passion. If you’ve ever wanted to give ghost hunting a try, join me to learn about the basics of ghost hunting and what equipment you can use to pursue trying to get evidence. I’ll be giving a talk about basic equipment, use, and where to purchase along with costs. Plus, I’ll be on leading the discussion panel on paranormal investigating techniques. Fellow paranormal investigators will be discussing what techniques work for us, what doesn’t, what to look out for, and more. Join me Oct. 8-9 for an enlightening weekend!
Mystical Minds ConventionOct. 8th-9th, 2022Holiday Inn-Dublin/Pleasanton at 6680 Regional St. Dublin, CAPresenting Basic Paranormal Equipment Talk with updated investigation evidence from Virginia City InvestigationWill be hosting and leading the Paranormal Investigation Techniques Panel.Will also have a table set up with my books. Come by and meet Marilyn Vix in person.March 14, 2022
Marilyn Vix Presenting at Clockwork Alchemy 2022
Marilyn Vix will be presenting as Tiffany Turner as she presents: “Basics of Ghost Hunting Equipment” at Clockwork Alchemy on Fri. March 18th at 1pm to 2pm. This weekend on Friday, March 18th, I’ll be presenting my Basics of Ghost Hunting Equipment presentation at Clockwork Alchemy with new evidence from my recent Flashlight Tour Investigation from February 19th. This fabulous steampunk con is one of my favorites, and I presented this presentation last year at the virtual con. Now, I’ll finally be able to present this in-person and with new evidence from Zak Bagans’ Haunted Museum and the Winchester Mystery House.
Find out how you can get started ghost hunting by getting the basic equipment, listen to how to find locations, and tips to get started. The research for a paranormal romance drew me into this deep rabbit hole, but I’ve always kind of already been there. In the 1980s on, I’d been reading the books of Hans Holzer and picking up every ghost story book traveling through California’s Gold Country. Through travels to Europe, Australia, and around the United States, I’ve tried to ghost hunt when I could. Starting with hand-held digital cameras and digital recorders, I’ve added to this basic equipment, and just keep adding to my own personal general understanding to what is beyond. Join me this Friday afternoon for an hour discussing the basic equipment and how to get started with your own ghost hunting experiences.
Join Marilyn Vix (Speaking as Tiffany Turner) at CLOCKWORK ALCHEMY
Basics of Ghost Hunting Equipment
Friday March 18th at 1pm to 2pmSandpebble B RmHyatt RegencyBurlingame, CATo buy a ticket to the con, link below.
Tickets to Clockwork Alchemy (Steampunk Con)
If you’d like to get into the theme of things before the con or just check out my steampunk novella, here is the link below.
Elizabeth Bonicetti, a Victorian London actress, is propositioned by a young man, Mr. Lionel Conner, to be his first, and to teach him the finer points of love to be ready for his new wife. Trying to not let her feelings get in the way, she is determined to teach the “lessons” without becoming attached.
But she can’t help but fall for the young airship captain. Will her stubbornness make her receptive to his final secret? Can the love she feels for him over come the tragedy that paralyzes him?
So, until next update, book release or paranormal investigating tour, remember, I appreciate your support! And as an author, it helps to have a side hustle. Maybe more on that some other time.
Take care!
-Marilyn Vix
February 9, 2022
New Release: “Taking On Vegas: Thankful in Vegas #3” in time for Valentine’s Day from Marilyn Vix
Marilyn Vix meeting the Ghost Hunters at ParaUnity Las Vegas 2021.
Marilyn Vix meeting with the crew of Destination Fear at ParanUnity Las Vegas 2021.It’s here. My writing block is officially over! May I present a gift to you this Valentine’s Day, “Taking On Vegas: Thankful in Vegas #3”. Talk about a labor of love, because even I wanted to see the ending on this one. Lynda Belle and I had a great time wrapping up this series, and there are sure to be some surprises, steaminess between Fran and Dex, and best of all, it’s all in Vegas.
I attended the paranormal investigators con, ParaUnity Las Vegas, in Dec. 2021. It really helped to jog open the creative flood gates, and I had tons of fun. Met some of the big names in paranormal investigation, you know, the ones on the TV shows. Actually, they are really nice in person, and it was great to get investigation tips and insight into the field of PI. I found that these kind of activities really help spur my creativity too. When I got back, I was ready to take on finishing the novella. But I digress. It’s just that my research has taken me on so many awesome tangents, sometimes I’ve got to share.
BLURB:
New Year’s Eve
Las Vegas
The poker game has ended.
Dex Luxom has lost the hotel in a New Year’s Eve poker game. Stunned by the sudden loss, Fran Hurley sticks by her lover gambler. But will he recover after losing everything or do something rash?
She’s about to become a pawn in an even bigger game that will end with either losing Dex or her life. As things spiral out of control, Fran finds herself making the choice to trust in her gut. To love a gambler takes more than luck; it takes strength and courage. And it all could end with her being the biggest player of all.
This is the final installment in the “Thankful in Vegas” series.
Purchase on Amazon.comPurchase on BarnesandNoble.comIf you’d like to start the series and read all the way through, here are the first two book links below.
Thankful in Vegas: (Bk 1 of Thankful in Vegas series)
Link to Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Thankful-Vegas-Marilyn-Vix-ebook/dp/B01MRVNVK3
Link to Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/thankful-in-vegas-marilyn-vix/1130527701
Falling Into Vegas: (Bk 2 of Thankful in Vegas series)
Link to Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NW9YWTH
Link to Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/falling-into-vegas-marilyn-vix/1130638665?ean=2940156213160
Speaking of my research tangents, I’ll be appearing at Mystical Minds Convention in San Jose on Feb. 19th – 20th, 2022. I’ll be selling my books “Never Marry A Warlock” and “Everything for Love” at my table, and talking about basic paranormal investigation equipment at my talk on Saturday, Feb. 19th at 2:30pm to 3:30pm.
Mystical Minds Convention Tickets Here
Also, Saturday night, Feb. 19th, I’ll be leading an investigation at the Winchester Mystery House Flashlight Tour at 10pm. I have all the information on my Paranormal Investigation Tours Page here.
So, it feels good to be busy again. Totally am feeling motivated from the paranormal investigating and the writing starting to click for me again. I do wish you a fabulous Valentine’s Day, and hope that you enjoy my new novella with Lynda Belle. Do expect some more fabulous stories from me, including more episodes added to my Vella novel “Love Over Kpop”. Until next time, stay safe, wear a mask, and please get vaccinated.
-Marilyn Vix
February 3, 2022
Marilyn Vix Appearance at Mystical Minds Convention Feb. 19th – 20th, 2022
Greetings everyone! I know it’s been awhile, but this pandemic has really put a damper on appearances and all the fun things in life, like wine tasting, travel, and concerts. I miss them all. But luckily, life is beginning again, and I’m out to grab it all. So, here is my first exciting news of the year.
I’ll be making an appearance, presenting a talk, and leading a paranormal investigation at the Winchester Mystery House all in a few weeks. It all starts at the Holiday Inn off of First St. in San Jose at the Mystical Minds Convention. This was an event that got cancelled way back in March 2020. So, I’m really excited to finally be able to appear and be a part of it. I’ll be giving a talk on Saturday, Feb. 19th about “The Basic Ghost Hunting Equipment”, costs, how to find, and basic use and even maybe some swapping of tales of investigating. I’ll be showing/playing some evidence I’ve gathered on the Queen Mary, a haunted shop in Soquel, CA, and in Zak Bagans’ Haunted Museum.
I’ll also be at a table selling and signing my paranormal romances during both Saturday and Sunday. On Sunday, I’ll be appearing on the spirit communication panel to answer your questions and discuss with other experts on that subject.
Mystical Minds Convention Tickets Here
The Winchester Mystery House (Taken by Marilyn Vix, 2019)Saturday Night I’ll be leading an investigation at the Winchester Mystery House on a Flashlight Tour at 10pm. There is a limit of up to 10 people at that time. So, tickets may go quickly. You’ll need to bring your own investigation equipment if you wish to use it. But of course, you can just come along if you want to tour or even just get impressions. It’s a self-guided tour too. For more information, I’ve made up a page here for you to check out.
Winchester Mystery House Investigation Tour InfoI also have an upcoming release soon. “Taking On Vegas” is ready for release, and I’ll be having some celebratory events on-line in just a few days. I’ll post the information when it is available. So, stay tuned for that.
Meanwhile, stay safe, and hopefully I will see you soon at MMC or even online celebrating the release of my new novella. It’s been a long and hard two years. Things can only get better.
Take care and stay safe, wear a mask,
Marilyn Vix
February 1, 2022
Interview with Francine Beaton
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, I wanted to feature a newly found romance author that could be your next favorite read. Francine Beaton is a Scottish author originally born in South Africa. She enjoys watching Rugby and photography when not writing her happily ever afters. Her new novella, Chances, is second in her “On the Sidelines” series. It features characters in her other romances that deserve their own story. It’s a great way to get introduced into her world of characters. I had the chance to talk to Francine about reading as a child, her favorite authors and influences, and what she has in store for us in future books.
Francine Beaton is the author of the new novella, Chances, second in the “On the Sidelines” series.1) What is your favorite memory from reading as a child?
Francine Beaton: During school holidays my sister and I would walk to our local library where we each could take out five books. Walking home, we would buy chocolate, a bag of crisps and cold drinks to sustain us through our reading binge. At home, we would stack our snacks and the books on the bedside table between our beds and that’s where we spend most of the day, especially in winter.
2) Who was your favorite author and how did they influence you?
Francine Beaton: I grew up in an Afrikaans community in South Africa, and mostly read Afrikaans. I had a few favorite authors, but I can’t say that they’ve influenced me. I recently tried to re-read one of those authors books but didn’t get very far. Our writing styles are completely different. As an adult, though, I found Nora Roberts and if someone had influenced my style, it would be Nora.
3) Do you have a writing routine? Share what works for you.
Francine Beaton: My daily routine differs from day to day, depending on what I am busy with, e.g. writing, editing or marketing. I start each day by updating my statistics (for marketing purposes). On a writing day, I would then switch off my phones. I would re-read what I’ve written the previous day, then I just start writing. I’ll take short breaks to make tea or a snack (when my husband is not at home), then continue to write until lunchtime. I’ll take a break during lunch, then have a nap or just relax for an hour or so. I then write again until around five when I switch off for the day. Starting times differ too. Winter, I start much later than in summer.
4) What subjects would you like to write about in future projects?
Francine Beaton: I have planned stories that may focus on cancer, or menopause, or losing a child.
5) What is writing to you in one sentence?
Francine Beaton: Writing is what keeps me (and my family), sane.
Chances is a great way to get introduced into Francine Beaton’s books. The novella takes us into the relationship of friends to lovers. If you’d like a short read to get you into the Valentine’s Day mood, this is a great start.
Blurb:
“Best friends shouldn’t look like Lia Moorcroft, nor should they make you feel things like she does. Jesse Summers realized it the moment the girl he knew, since she was in diapers, crashed into him after disappearing for eight long years. He needed a little time to get used to the new Lia. It isn’t too much to ask, or is it?
Things never turn out the way you imagine them to. Soon, Jesse and Lia find out that Lia will be Jesse’s new intern. Both treasure their friendship and will do anything to protect it, even burying their growing feelings.
But how long can they do that?”
Chances is available at Amazon.com. This book is a Kindle Unlimited title.
For more information on Francine Beaton, visit her website here.
December 9, 2021
Interview for D.D.T.
Season’s greetings to every one of you. I hope this year finds you and your family healthy and well. It’s been a different year than last year, and I’m trying to get back into the swing of things. With a trip to Las Vegas and a paranormal investigators conference later this week, I’m feeling more on target for exploring my true self. I hope you are getting back into the groove of things as well.
With that said, I wanted to bring you some fabulous new reads for the Holiday season. Like myself, you may be doing a lot of traveling and need something for the airport, plane or even train. I’ve found a debut author I’d like to share with you to add to your reading list for December.
D.D.T. is the debut author of the book “Dumped for the U.S.A.”Meet D.D.T. She’s a Bulgarian born, raised in Britain, serial entrepreneur and author. Her experiences of living in England and now Germany have inspired her stories. Her debut book, “Dumped for the U.S.A” is a story of a girl that has met men from different countries and can’t make a choice. What a wonderful dilemma to have? Speaking as a woman that married a Brit, I know her problem. I had the chance to talk with D.D.T. about her favorite authors, love for writing romance, and what she has in store for us.
What is your favorite memory from reading as a child?DDT: When I was growing up, there was a special children’s edition of classic books (over 100 of them) and I was determined to read them all. I can’t recall if I did finish them all but I do know this is where my love for books sprang.
2) Who was your favorite author and how did they influence you?
DDT: Oh, I have plenty of favourite authors from many different genres but the one I relate to most is Sophia Kinsella! She, like me, writes about women who always get themselves in trouble.
3) Do you have a writing routine? Share what works for you.
DDT: Not at all! I wrote my book in six weeks and then I couldn’t look it at for another six.
4) What subjects would you like to write about in future projects?
DDT: Romance. Forever.
5) What is writing to you in one sentence?
DDT: Therapy – I draw my all inspiration from my day-to-day life.
Book blurb for “Dumped in the U.S.A.”:
When Danielle’s boyfriend, Tom, dumps her for America right before they move in together, she thinks she will never find love again.
Then an old friend invites her to Thailand, and it seems like the perfect excuse to take her mind off things. Little does Danielle know, it might also be a recipe for love. Hunky German Sebastian shows up and swoops her off her feet, showing her everything she’s been missing.
What will she do when Tom realizes his mistake?
Will she return to London to the easy life she already knows?
Or take a leap with a handsome stranger?
“Dumped in the U.S.A.” is available at Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk.
October 25, 2021
Paranormal Romance Blog Tour 2021 Cancelled
I’m sorry to announce that the 8th Annual Paranormal Blog Tour has been cancelled due to lack of sign-ups. Sorry to see that this event is slow in getting responses and author participation is low. But it could be due to all the COVID related world we are now living in. Thank you to all the authors that have participated in the past years.
I’ll let you know next year about the information for sign-ups and possible reshaping of this event. I’m going to have to go through and maybe rethink an approach since a lot of things have changed with COVID19 reshaping people’s lives. However, I will continue to feature romance and paranormal romance authors to all my readers. I still strongly believe in supporting fellow writers, and want to continue with that aspect of my blog/website.
-Marilyn Vix
October 13, 2021
Last week of Kpop Romance Blog Tour for “Love Over Kpop”
Welcome to the last week of my blog tour for my fabulous Vella serial, “Love Over Kpop”. I have had a wonderful time answering everyone’s questions and comments through out this tour. It’s been great to hear from you and get feedback on the story. Since Vella doesn’t allow comments yet, it’s been invaluable hearing from all of you on the blogs through out the last month. It really has inspired me in the whole writing process of this particular project. My writer’s block has been pretty bad in regards to fictional writing, especially since paranormal romance deals with fantastical worlds and creatures. To have the world erupt into a realistic scenario of a pandemic has given an unreal feel to the last year. It has affected my ability to write, especially since I haven’t been able to travel, go to writing conferences, and experience every day adventures that help inspire my writing. It pretty much has sucked.
So, to be able to hear from you all through the comments on all the blogs has helped a lot. So thank you to everyone one of you that have commented through out the last several weeks. It has truly helped to get my writing motivation going, and I do hope you continue reading and enjoying the series. I have gotten a lot of general comments that I’ll address in a few questions below.
Will the series be turned into a book?This is a good question. So far, I want to continue writing it on Vella as a serial. There are many reasons why. It is helping me in the writing process to write episode by episode. The manuscript needed some rewrites, some of it extensive in some places. Rewrites sometimes are hard for me to get through. So, putting it into this format has helped me attack what needed to be finished.
I have a serial editor working with me, and I’m pleased with how it is going. Likely, in the end, I’ll be able to put the finished serial out as a book. But likely, it will be a year before it gets to that process. I know many of my readers might not want to wait that long. So, here is the opportunity to see a writing project in the process of finishing as well as getting to read it a lot earlier than the whole manuscript much later.
Do you listen to Kpop too? Do you have favorite bands?I have been obsessed with Kpop since I started watching K-dramas back in 2015. I started with “Boys Over Flowers” and was introduced to SS501. I found I absolutely love the music, likely because of the late 80s music inspiration. I grew up in the 1980s, and loved the New Wave/Alternative scene back in the day. I worked at a college radio station in promotions and a night radio DJ for a little while.
Also, I worked at a dance club called One Step Beyond in the late 80s. Yes, this is my online 80s club I based on it, and it has been copied too by others. But the pictures used are mine from my last night working in the club. Maybe sometime I’ll write a Silicon Valley romance since I grew up and worked there for most of my life. In fact, I’ve only just recently moved to the North Bay, but have strong ties still in the valley. I watched it change from the Santa Clara Valley to the Silicon Valley. That is likely a story in itself. But I digress.
So, I have been exploring and getting to know the music and bands for the last 6 years. I’ve made up a lot of playlists of Kpop to write by on YouTube as well, going through explorations of both male and female groups. My current mix has a strong sprinkling of Boyfriend, Super Junior, 2PM, 9Muses, and Shinee. I’ll link to the playlists below of the different bands I’ve listened to while writing this manuscript. I usually make up a YouTube playlist to help me get into the ZONE of the story. Great thing about that, you as a reader, can also get into the story listening to the same playlist. It’s also a great way to get introduced to the musical genre.
Feedback on the cover, and the story behind the graphic.Thank you everyone for mentioning how you liked the graphic for the cover of the story. Vella doesn’t use covers like most ebooks, but a graphic that it displays for the story, similar to Wattpad and other online writing platforms. So, I had to look around and find the right graphic. I found this one and got the rights from the artist, and am likely to use it with the cover too in a future book. So, it was nice to hear I chose right for this project. Sometimes you don’t know and have to go with your gut. The feedback helps me to know I chose right. So, thank you so much for letting me know. 
So, those are the general areas of comments and questions I’ve gotten through out the blogging websites. Thank you so much to everyone that has participated, bloggers, readers that commented, and Goddess Fish Promotions for putting it all together. There is just hours remaining to enter the giveaway for a $25 Amazon Gift Card as part of the promotional blog tour. The link to the giveaway is on all participating blogs for the tour. Again thank you, and I hope you enjoy “Love Over Kpop” as it continues through the process of being completed. You’re the ones I’m writing it for. So thank you! Keep up those likes, follows, and please remember to “Fav” my story once a week. It helps towards my story earning a crown so it can be featured on the Vella website.
To close, hear is the list of the participating bloggers for this last week of the tour. Plus, it’s followed by links to my playlists for my Kpop writing playlists.
Love Over Kpop on VellaOctober 13 Blogger Participation List:1: The Avid Reader
2: fundinmental
3: Harlie’s Books
4: It’s Raining Books
5: Wendi Zwaduk – Romance to Make Your Heart Race
6: Natural Bri
Thank you again for following along with this story. Until next time,
-Marilyn Vix
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