Carolyn Chambers Clark's Blog, page 3

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DANCING WITH A VAMPIRE new edition out today! $.99 this week!

DANCING WITH A VAMPIRE, our young adult paranormal romance/dance novel, now revised, is out today!




Here's the story... Delilah Jones must win a national dance contest, even though she doesn’t know a steamy tango from a sensual rumba. She's never competed with outrageous couples desperate to win a competition and willing to do anything to survive, or dealt with the weekly pressure of knowing she could be eliminated at any moment. She’s never had to dance in front of anyone, let alone before a live television audience of millions in scandalously skimpy costumes or live in a Gothic castle where she's sure her dance partner is a vampire.

When she meets handsome Hendrik Court, she has no idea what she's in for. Dancing against his gorgeous body day after day leaves her no option but to want more of him.

Three thousand-year-old Hendrik Court, turned into a teenager by black magic, hates being trapped in a teenage body until he meets Delilah. Now, he must conceal his attraction for her and keep his not-quite-developed fangs off her. When he suggests they become voyeurs and peek at the liaisons of their dance teachers, both of them become aroused. This old soul has had many lovers in his many lives, but Delilah offers a fresh and unknown experience for him. When an old flame of Hendrik's uses all her tricks to drive them apart, he reaches across all the centuries of knowledge to choose whether blood lust or love will win.Here are the first few pages...

Chapter 1
What a way to spoil the first day of my summer vacation from Brooklyn High. Shivering and thinking I might have made the wrong decision, I pulled the hood of my pink raincoat over my head and ran for cover. Why had I ever let my mom talk me into this dance contest?I stepped off the plane and looked around. No cabs or people in view and my cell phone gave out a recharge your battery message, I figured things couldn’t get worse.Then a jagged, white crack opened in the black sky and water poured down, showing me how wrong I was. A splash of water and a puff of car exhaust later, a tall guy about my age, seventeen, appeared out of nowhere and came rushing down the sidewalk toward me. Did this guy have some kind of magic, or was he just lost like me?Now, while thunder rumbled and I huddled under the eaves of the tiny Ohio airport, hands over my ears, hoping I wouldn't be struck by lightning, I kept wondering Who is this guy?A sliver of hope entered my heart when a ratty station wagon with the words Sandy’s Transport printed on the side roared to the curb.Each blast of thunder made me wince and shudder, but that didn't stop me from checking the guy out between rumbles. Bolts of lightning lit up the jet-black hair that streamed down his back, his dark sunglasses, and the black cape that whipped around his broad shoulders. Even with his pale skin, he struck me as gorgeous, but strange. Seriously, who dressed like a vampire out of some old movie?We stared at each other and excitement poured through me like warm honey. Just a couple of glances, and I felt like he'd gotten into my very soul.With the next flash of lightning, my brain woke up. What was I doing? I rewound a tape in my head of Jeremy Whitfield telling me he was dumping me for some sophomore girl from Greenwich. That decided things totally. There would be no romance for me this summer, just a dance competition.When the strange guy veered right and headed for the cab, I grabbed my luggage and took off. We nearly collided at the curb, but by some miracle, he skidded to a stop within inches of my nose.Anger heated my cheeks. If he thought he was going to win, he better think again. I'd lived in New York long enough to know you didn't let someone steal a cab out from under you.As dignified as I could be with my hair and shoes soaking wet, mascara no doubt dripping down my face, and my stomach grumbling from hunger, I said, “Sorry, but I think that’s my cab.”He held back a smile when he said, "I don't want to argue with you, but I think this is my cab. As a matter of fact, I ordered this taxi from Hollywood yesterday.” Hollywood. That explained the hair, the sunglasses, the clothes, and the superior tone.

Mother's Day Special: Please check out FREE copy of ANGEL IN COWBOY BOOTS!

 
romance, life crisis, and an angel to die for

Like Romance? Life Crises? Angels to die for?

If you do, please, get your FREE copy of ANGEL IN COWBOY BOOTS.

But hurry...It's only free until May 15th!

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7 Things How I Met Your Mother Can Teach You about Writing and TV Shows

Whether you're a writer or a reader, How I Met Your Mother Can Teach You a Few Things. 











http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-b...

Great web sites and blogs for readers

Howdy all,

If you're a reader, chttp://www.pinterest.com/hamblenctylib/great-websites-blogs-for-readers/heck out this link for great web sites and blogs.

While you're at it, join Pinterest or check out my boards!

Cheerio!

ANIMAL TALK -- Carolyn's FANTASY entry in Thousand Prompts Contest

ANIMAL TALK
By
Carolyn Chambers Clark
I'm taking my dog for a walk—or rather, she's taking me. She's a Swedish Elkhound and stronger than I am. My arm is straight out in front of me and although I'm yanking back, I can feel her pulling against my shoulder joint. "Slow down, Lina!" I shout, but she keeps on going. Very strange. She's never acted this way before. She looks a little like a wolf and has tightly curled her tail like she means business. When she's relaxed, her tail is softly curled or straight back. That tail and her quick stride make me think she's either in a hurry to find a place to pee or is hoping to meet that cute Doberman down the street.  Her ears are erect as if she's listening for something—probably the Doberman's low bark. I know she understands what I'm saying, but sometimes I really wish I could understand what she means.Lina's strutting her stuff and making her double coat of grey, white and some black look glossy and stiff. She has the most beautiful brown eyes, when she's looking at me in adoration, but not so much right now, when she just glances back at me and tugs on the leash as if to say, "Hurry up, slow poke. I've got a date." The dog shakes her white muzzle at me as if I'm not to be believed. She's usually calm and affectionate with me, but I've seen her dominate an Irish setter and make him lie on the ground, totally submissive. I took her out in the woods once, and she's a great hunter and didn't even flinch when Dad shot his gun at a duck she'd cornered.She usually loves to please me, but today, she's determined to get somewhere and fast. Maybe she just needs more exercise.I guess those sled dogs are built for speed and strength, not that I don't lift weights and play tennis a couple of times a week, but Lina is still stronger. Hmm...maybe she needs to be brushed. Her coat does look awfully thick. Even though I've been teaching her to heel and lie down, right now, she's pulling on her leash and making me almost run down the street in my small Wisconsin town. I guess I'm just lucky we're going downhill toward Lake Superior, and not up."Slow down, Lina. This isn't a race."She glances back at me and narrows her eyes as if she thinks I'm not too bright.Lina has always been a highly intelligent dog, sometimes smarter than I am, like the time I forgot to lock the gate on the porch and she got out and got pregnant. Of course, the vet goofed when I took her in to see why she wasn't eating and seemed moody. He said she had a tumor and needed surgery. Stupid me went along with his diagnosis. If I knew then what I know now, I would have gotten a second opinion.When I went back to pick her up after surgery, the vet told me she'd been pregnant, but the puppies were too young to survive. I feel so sorry for her. Now, she'll never be able to experience being a mother. Then again, I guess there are too many dogs on the planet already, but none as beautiful and smart as Lina.She starts a slow growl that turns into a voice that reminds me of my older sister, Elle. "Yes, and that wasn't the only mistake he made. When he put me in a cage with a male Labrador, I had to wrestle down that retriever before he'd let me alone."Heart pounding, I stop abruptly and so does Lina. "Who—who said that?"She turns her head around so I can see her mouth move. "I did, Tootsie. Don't you think we dogs know what's going on? I could tell you some stories that would make your hair stand on end."I yank on her leash and wonder if I took my mom's anti-depressant pills instead of my multi-vitamin this morning. I think I read somewhere they could make you hallucinate. "What? What? Dogs can't talk—at least not on this planet.""My dear girl, where have you been? You didn't take your mother's pills. And here's another thing. If you didn't spend so much time swooning over that Neanderthal captain of the football team, you'd listen to me once in a while. I can sniff out a loser and he's one for sure."I reach down and pet her head. "How could I listen to you? You've never talked to me before."Lina strains against the leash."Puff, I say. I have. At least I've tried to, but it's only now that you've been able to hear me.""Don't you think that's odd, that I can only hear you now?" My mouth is so dry by now. I blink and pinch myself and try to figure out if I'm dreaming all this.All red and beautiful, a male cardinal flies down out of oak tree and nearly gets tangled in my French braid. Somehow, he flutters by my ear. "Listen to Lina. She's an all right dog. She lets me sit on her head when that evil cat is around. Lina protects me from all kinds of meanies." The cardinal flies away, back to the top of the twenty-foot oak at the end of the block.I'm shaking. "What is this? Birds can talk, too?" I stare at Lina as if she's going to answer.She does. "My dear, all animals have bigger brains than you humans believe. Why look at how the dolphins at Sea World outplayed your best chess player.""They did? They have?"Lina shakes her head at me. "You should keep up with the news. Humans have always downplayed our intelligence and used us for pack animals, lab experiments, pistol practice, food and worse. I wouldn't be speaking to you at all if you weren't a good person and hadn't fed me organic treats and given me a cotton pillow to lie on.""Thank you, but what's different now? How come I can hear you?"Lina shakes her fur and uncurls her tail a bit. "That I don't know. It's not every day that a bird talks. Something is up and you better find out what, because I sense a small uprising in the near future." (1076 words)
Would you read a novel that started this way? Why or why not? What would have to be in it to hold your interest?This is my entry from the possible Fantasy entries. For more about the contest, go to http://kathytemean.wordpress.com/2013/12/15/no-fee-writing-contest-deadline-december-22nd/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+WritingAndIllustrating+%28Writing+and+Illustrating%29
Here's the link to the Fantasy prompts for the contest: http://www.build-creative-writing-ideas.com/free-creative-writing-prompts-fantasy.html  
For more about the rules, go tohttp://www.build-creative-writing-ideas.com/writing-contest-rules.html

ANIMAL TALK -- Carolyn's FANTASY entry in Writing and Illustrating contest.

ANIMAL TALK
By
Carolyn Chambers Clark
I'm taking my dog for a walk—or rather, she's taking me. She's a Swedish Elkhound and stronger than I am. My arm is straight out in front of me and although I'm yanking back, I can feel her pulling against my shoulder joint. "Slow down, Lina!" I shout, but she keeps on going. Very strange. She's never acted this way before. She looks a little like a wolf and has tightly curled her tail like she means business. When she's relaxed, her tail is softly curled or straight back. That tail and her quick stride make me think she's either in a hurry to find a place to pee or is hoping to meet that cute Doberman down the street.  Her ears are erect as if she's listening for something—probably the Doberman's low bark. I know she understands what I'm saying, but sometimes I really wish I could understand what she means.Lina's strutting her stuff and making her double coat of grey, white and some black look glossy and stiff. She has the most beautiful brown eyes, when she's looking at me in adoration, but not so much right now, when she just glances back at me and tugs on the leash as if to say, "Hurry up, slow poke. I've got a date." The dog shakes her white muzzle at me as if I'm not to be believed. She's usually calm and affectionate with me, but I've seen her dominate an Irish setter and make him lie on the ground, totally submissive. I took her out in the woods once, and she's a great hunter and didn't even flinch when Dad shot his gun at a duck she'd cornered.She usually loves to please me, but today, she's determined to get somewhere and fast. Maybe she just needs more exercise.I guess those sled dogs are built for speed and strength, not that I don't lift weights and play tennis a couple of times a week, but Lina is still stronger. Hmm...maybe she needs to be brushed. Her coat does look awfully thick. Even though I've been teaching her to heel and lie down, right now, she's pulling on her leash and making me almost run down the street in my small Wisconsin town. I guess I'm just lucky we're going downhill toward Lake Superior, and not up."Slow down, Lina. This isn't a race."She glances back at me and narrows her eyes as if she thinks I'm not too bright.Lina has always been a highly intelligent dog, sometimes smarter than I am, like the time I forgot to lock the gate on the porch and she got out and got pregnant. Of course, the vet goofed when I took her in to see why she wasn't eating and seemed moody. He said she had a tumor and needed surgery. Stupid me went along with his diagnosis. If I knew then what I know now, I would have gotten a second opinion.When I went back to pick her up after surgery, the vet told me she'd been pregnant, but the puppies were too young to survive. I feel so sorry for her. Now, she'll never be able to experience being a mother. Then again, I guess there are too many dogs on the planet already, but none as beautiful and smart as Lina.She starts a slow growl that turns into a voice that reminds me of my older sister, Elle. "Yes, and that wasn't the only mistake he made. When he put me in a cage with a male Labrador, I had to wrestle down that retriever before he'd let me alone."Heart pounding, I stop abruptly and so does Lina. "Who—who said that?"She turns her head around so I can see her mouth move. "I did, Tootsie. Don't you think we dogs know what's going on? I could tell you some stories that would make your hair stand on end."I yank on her leash and wonder if I took my mom's anti-depressant pills instead of my multi-vitamin this morning. I think I read somewhere they could make you hallucinate. "What? What? Dogs can't talk—at least not on this planet.""My dear girl, where have you been? You didn't take your mother's pills. And here's another thing. If you didn't spend so much time swooning over that Neanderthal captain of the football team, you'd listen to me once in a while. I can sniff out a loser and he's one for sure."I reach down and pet her head. "How could I listen to you? You've never talked to me before."Lina strains against the leash."Puff, I say. I have. At least I've tried to, but it's only now that you've been able to hear me.""Don't you think that's odd, that I can only hear you now?" My mouth is so dry by now. I blink and pinch myself and try to figure out if I'm dreaming all this.All red and beautiful, a male cardinal flies down out of oak tree and nearly gets tangled in my French braid. Somehow, he flutters by my ear. "Listen to Lina. She's an all right dog. She lets me sit on her head when that evil cat is around. Lina protects me from all kinds of meanies." The cardinal flies away, back to the top of the twenty-foot oak at the end of the block.I'm shaking. "What is this? Birds can talk, too?" I stare at Lina as if she's going to answer.She does. "My dear, all animals have bigger brains than you humans believe. Why look at how the dolphins at Sea World outplayed your best chess player.""They did? They have?"Lina shakes her head at me. "You should keep up with the news. Humans have always downplayed our intelligence and used us for pack animals, lab experiments, pistol practice, food and worse. I wouldn't be speaking to you at all if you weren't a good person and hadn't fed me organic treats and given me a cotton pillow to lie on.""Thank you, but what's different now? How come I can hear you?"Lina shakes her fur and uncurls her tail a bit. "That I don't know. It's not every day that a bird talks. Something is up and you better find out what, because I sense a small uprising in the near future." (1076 words)
Would you read a novel that started this way? Why or why not? What would have to be in it to hold your interest?This is my entry from the possible Fantasy entries. For more about the contest, go to http://kathytemean.wordpress.com/2013/12/15/no-fee-writing-contest-deadline-december-22nd/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+WritingAndIllustrating+%28Writing+and+Illustrating%29
Here's the link to the Fantasy prompts for the contest: http://www.build-creative-writing-ideas.com/free-creative-writing-prompts-fantasy.html  
For more about the rules, go tohttp://www.build-creative-writing-ideas.com/writing-contest-rules.html

U.S. Activists: Help Save Wild Elephants | World Wildlife Fund

U.S. Activists: Help Save Wild Elephants | World Wildlife Fund

FREE romantic fantasy e-book...only two days left

ANGEL IN COWBOY BOOTS is a romantic fantasy that we're offering for free today and tomorrow!

In this romantic fantasy, Adam might be a cowboy, the man of Kelly Porter's dreams, or an angel who's up to his eyeballs in Heavenly trouble. With the Heavenly clock ticking, Kelly has to find out and Adam has to prove to his bosses that he can help her find a man who will set her on the right track again.

But...will she fall for Adam or the real man of her dreams?

Find your free copy here...http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005RSYDHG

Books we're working on...and a free giveaway of CANDY, MURDER & ME

Carolyn has finished the agent-requested revisions for her YA supernatural fantasy and is awaiting a response from the agent.

We've completed the revisions on our YA romance and getting ready to send it out to agents.

Until the end of October, we're offering 10 free copies of our cozy mystery, CANDY, MURDER & ME.

How do you  get in on the drawing? Simple.

1.Tweet about our free giveaway and send us the address of your Tweet (after you Tweet, go to your profile and find the address of your Tweet) or put it on Facebook.

2. Ask your Followers to come to our blog (be sure to give the link) and leave a comment.

That's it!


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