M.J. Compton's Blog, page 55
June 1, 2016
Why I Hate Socks. And Athletic Shoes.
First of all, my astrological sign is Pisces, which rules the feet. I don’t really know what this means, but I don’t disagree.
When I was a child, my parents didn’t have a dryer. My mom used a wringer washer.
In the winter, my mother dried the family laundry on clothes lines in the cellar. My sock were always stiff and scratchy. I hated putting them on. We fought nearly every morning before school because she insisted I wear those devices of torture.
For many years, I had to wear shoes and socks year round. I would get a hideous rash on my feet (mistaken for athlete’s foot). I actually have a condition known as dyshidrosis, a form of eczema once believed to be caused by perspiration. Once I convinced my mother my feet needed to breathe, needed to shed the shoes and socks, I got rid of the rash on my feet.
To this day, if I can’t kick off a pair of shoes immediately, I won’t wear them. I won’t even wear sandals that strap me into them. My feet need to be free.
Pedicures are a sybaritic indulgence.
By the way. Happy National Go Barefoot Day.
May 29, 2016
Snarky Sunday: I Get No Respect
The other day, I overheard someone say, “You get up at 4am every morning to go to the gym? I’m impressed.”
Seriously? Lots of people get up that early to go to the gym. I mean, gyms are open at that hour. Right? People must go or else the places wouldn’t be open. What’s so flippin’ impressive about that?
Frequently, I am up at 4am . . . to write. Books. And to conduct the business related to those books. But that’s not impressive.
Someone who writes a non-fiction lifestyle essay that gets included in an anthology and goes on Good Morning, America impresses people. Creating whole universes from the landscape of the mind makes me weird.
A contributor to Business Insider tried an experiment a few years ago. He got up at 4:30am for 21 weekdays. Hey! You want a medal or a chest to pin it on? You’re a single guy. No obligations. You probably never worked a Day Job in your life. Not everyone has those luxuries. Nor do we get to decide to go to bed an hour or so earlier just because we’re up earlier.
I may get no respect, but you know what? I create magic. Try that at the gym.
May 25, 2016
National Wine Day with Author Claire Gem
The Character of Grapes
And no, we’re not talking Gilbert Grape here….
Wine is one of my favorite fruits. No, really. If given the choice between orange, cranberry, or apple juice, I’ll take grape. The fermented kind. Unless the orange juice is diluted with champagne, or the cranberry has a splash of vodka.
In my novels, most of my characters drink alcoholic beverages. It makes them real. I’m sure there are lots of folks who won’t touch the stuff, but I grew up in an Italian family. So having my characters enjoy a libation, particularly a glass of wine, makes them real to me. On Sundays, my father used to slice fresh peaches and soak them in Chianti. That was our after-the-big-pasta-dinner dessert.
Even when I was six years old. Took a hell of nap on Sunday afternoons.
But if I had to say what kind of wine my characters would be, well, that raises an entirely new set of questions. Wines, like people, come from different families (of grape), and each has its own unique characteristics. Just like my characters.
Let’s start with Chianti, since that was my initial introduction to the world of wine. Chianti is a classic, dry red wine named after the region where it is made: Tuscany, Italy. This area produces the Sangiovese grapes – deep purple, almost black fruit. The wine is dark, rich, and earthy. Being high in tannins (which dries your mouth out) and acidic, it goes well with food – a natural choice for food-loving Italians.
If the hero in my new release, Marco Lareci, were a wine, he would definitely be a Chianti. Italian, rich, and dark. But instead of drying your mouth out, he might be more inclined to make it water.
My heroine, Kate Bardach prefers drinking Pinot Grigio, the Italian version of what the French call Pinot Gris. These wines, although pale yellow itself, come from grapes that range from brownish-pink to grayish-blue in color. Pinot Gris actually means “gray grape,” and is a sweeter, fruitier wine than its Italian cousin, Pinot Grigio. Kate is definitely not fruity and sweet, which is, I guess, why she prefers Pinot Grigio, the dryer, more acidic, Italian version of this varietal.
And ah, are we surprised Kate prefers Italian wine to French? Not once we see her reaction to dark-haired, sexy Marco.
So, if the characters of Hearts Unloched appeared on a wine list, they would be under entirely different sections: Robust Reds and Semi-Dry Whites. Would you prefer a glass of Marco Lareci to go with that lasagna? Or may I suggest a carafe of Kate Bardach to accompany your chicken piccata?
Opposites, right? Perhaps. But as we all know, opposites attract. Cheers!
About the book:
A psychic interior designer reluctantly agrees to renovate a sexy investor’s abandoned hotel on a lake rumored to have once been the mob’s body dumping ground.
Interior designer Kate Bardach loves her single girl’s lifestyle—living in Manhattan and spending weekends at her lake house. She’s passionate about her career, reinventing old buildings. But there are some projects she can’t take on because of the spirits trapped there. Kate is psychic—she sees dead people.
Marco Lareci is one of Wall Street’s most successful investment brokers who’s achieved all of his life’s goals—except for finding his soulmate. His latest project, an abandoned resort on Loch Sheldrake, needs a savvy designer to transform the crumbling complex into a boutique hotel. When Marco meets Kate, he can’t believe his luck. She’s the perfect match for his business and his heart.
Marco’s body excites Kate even more than does his renovation project. But the haunting there, a bonafide poltergeist, affects her on an intensely personal level. Kate’s aunt disappeared from the place fifty years ago.
Will the spirit doom Kate and Marco’s love, or drive them closer together?
About the author:
Claire Gem writes intensely emotional romantic novels. Her vision is to transport her readers into another place and time, creating characters so real, readers miss them when the book is closed.
Always fascinated by the paranormal, she holds a Certificate in Paranormal Studies from Duke University’s Rhine’s Research Center. When she ran out of paranormal romance novels to read, she decided to start writing her own.
Claire also writes contemporary romance and women’s fiction under the Claire Gem Contemporary line. If you are looking for an intensely romantic novel, with or without ghosts or paranormal elements, you’ll love Claire Gem.
May 22, 2016
Purse Project: Kim Hotzon
What a fun idea! Thanks, MJ for having me here today, sharing the contents of my purse.
This is my current purse— a basic, brown tote from RW & Co.
I tend to switch my purse every 3 or 4 months, depending on my mood, outfit, whether I’m travelling, etc. I favor tote bags because they carry lots of stuff!
I’m pretty good at reducing clutter on a regular basis, shredding receipts, throwing away wrappers, etc. I keep the essentials, things I need.
What’s inside:
silk scarf (essential for travel and windy days)
keys
flashlight (you never know when you might need it)
Dentyne gum
mints
Clinique lip gloss and YSL lipstick
L’Occitane hand cream
sunglasses
Kindle
I-Pad
FlowerBomb perfume
Hair elastic
African bracelet (from my trip)
OPI nail polish for touch-ups
Phone and I-Pad chargers (always handy)
pens (always two in case one runs out)
postcards for my design business (my author business cards have been used and more are coming but they’re great for handing out)
a copy of my first book with a matching tote bag (there’s always an opportunity for marketing)
change purse
magnetized wallet
my favorite Eiffel tower keychain which keeps falling off
Things often found in my bag but not today:
granola bars
water bottle
sunblock
Band-Aids
I-Phone (used to take the picture)
My newest release, A Time For Love In Paris is now available!
In 1975, Elise Sutherland, a young woman from Scotland, travels to Paris, France, to study art at the illustrious Fine Arts School of Paris. Stumbling upon a mysterious old book in the infamous Shakespeare & Company bookstore, her world opens up an undiscovered realm. Elise finds herself in late nineteenth century Paris, becoming the muse of master painter and sculptor, Michel Flaubert. Together, they share their passion for art, architecture and each other.
But their love is threatened by people, time and events in history. Will they find their happily ever after?
Kim Hotzon
Born in beautiful British Columbia, Kim developed a passion for writing at an early age. Her interest in people led her all over the globe, including a two year stay in Japan and a humanitarian trip to Rwanda.
She loves to write contemporary romance stories that feature strong women who deal with compelling issues. Kim enjoys adding unexpected twists, usually involving a dangerous and dramatic backdrop. Her first novel, Hands Full of Ashes, was inspired by her trip to Africa. Her second full-length novel, A Time for Love in Paris, was inspired, naturally, by her trip to Paris. Kim also wrote a short, contemporary romance story for the anthology, Sizzle In The Snow: A Soul Mate Christmas Collection, which became a top seller on Amazon Canada.
She currently resides in the sunny Okanagan of British Columbia with her husband and two children. When not writing, she can be found on the local ski hills in winter, or racing in dragon boats in the summer.
You can get in touch with Kim by visiting her website http://www.kimhotzon.com/ or follow her at:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kimhotzon
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6491250.Kim_Hotzon
LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/pub/kim-hotzon/61/9a8/675
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/kimhotzon/
May 18, 2016
Blood Pressure Awareness with Author Brynley Bush
The competition to stay in the games is enough to raise anyone’s blood pressure, but Roman’s partner for the games, the reserved but beautiful Ava Summers, ups the ante. Talk about causing a surge of hormones! The sparks fly when these two are together, and Roman wants nothing more than to break down Ava’s reserves and make her his. But to win the title of the Club Helix Dom and sub and take home the one-million-dollar cash prize, Ava’s got to learn to trust Roman, and Roman has to break down the walls Ava’s erected around her emotions and earn her trust.
Roman’s blood pressure won’t be going down anytime soon, because Ava’s hiding something. She’s got ulterior motives for being on the show. And she isn’t submissive. But Roman won’t settle for anything less than all of the dark-haired beauty he’s starting to fall for.
For the last two years, I’ve lived a life of lies and deceit.
Now I’m about to live the ultimate lie—pretending to be a submissive on a BDSM reality show to take down the man who stole everything from me.
Then I meet him.
A sadistic Dominant who gets his pleasure from my pain, he’s the only man who can help me.
But first I’ll have to give him everything.
The Power Games is available at Loose Id.
Brynley Bush has had a lifelong love affair with words. She earned her degree in English and Creative Writing and wrote magazine feature stories for years before turning to writing fiction. She writes the kind of books she likes to read: steamy contemporary romances featuring smart, sassy heroines with a sense of humor and strong, dominant alpha males who love their women a little feisty. When she’s not writing, she loves to read, spend time with her family, and travel.
Follow Brynley on her website, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, and Amazon
May 15, 2016
Tantalizing Trivia: Manhole Covers
Why are manhole covers round?
My brother mentioned he was once asked this question in a job interview, and the interviewer said my brother was the only person who ever knew the answer.
Come to find out, there are many answers:
A round manhole cover can’t fall through its circular opening
Round doesn’t need to be rotated until it fits the opening
Round can be rolled, so it’s easier to move
Round tubes are the strongest shape against the compression of the earth, so the cover needs to be round, too.
So if you’re ever asked this question in a job interview, rock it!
May 11, 2016
Get Caught Reading
It’s National “Get Caught Reading” Day.
So, as I type this (when I’m supposed to be finishing up the first round of revisions on my next book), I’m re-reading Stephen King’s The Dead Zone. My husband watched the movie a couple of weeks ago and remarked how it reminded him of current events. That aside, Stephen King can write.
If I caught the characters in my current release, Omega Moon Rising, reading, the hero (Luke Omega) would be surfing the net, reading whatever he found there. Or, more likely, looking at pictures. The heroine (Abby Grant) doesn’t have time to read for pleasure so she would be studying Songwriting for Dummies or The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Songwriting. She’s a young woman focused on her goals.
What would I like to see you get caught reading? I’d say my first book, Moonlight Serenade, which is on sale this week for 99¢.
May 8, 2016
Home Town Funky Fact
I’m always curious about the quirks of places. Take my home town of Syracuse, NY.
We have the only one of these . . .
. . .possibly in the world.
This “upside down” traffic light is located in the Tipperary Hill section of the city. Legend has it that the Irish immigrants threw stones at the traffic signal when it was first installed because they wanted the green on top. Eventually TPTB were pursued to see the light.
There is a little park nearby, called Stone-Throwers Park, commemorating the vandalism.
Does your home town have an interesting quirk?
May 4, 2016
Date Your Mate Month
May is Date Your Mate Month.
Tokarz de Lobo Garnier didn’t date Delilah Tenney before he claimed her as his mate.
(Moonlight Serenade, available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.)
Stoker Smith delayed claiming Lucy Callahan, but not for long. Nor did they date in the interim.
(And Jericho Burned, available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.)
Their single date is what got Luke Omega and Abigail Grant into trouble.
(Omega Moon Rising available at Amazon)
I guess dating your mate doesn’t include werewolves.
May 1, 2016
National Mother Goose Day
Today is National Mother Goose Day. In honor of that, I thought I would share a scene from a book that will probably never see the light of day. I entered this book in a publisher contest many years ago. It didn’t win, but a few weeks after the contest ended, I received a letter from an editor at the publisher requesting the complete. She loved my voice. Ultimately, the publisher passed on the book.
I hope you enjoy this excerpt. It’s one of my favorites.
The purr of a car in the lane drew Jake out of his funk. Gracie emerged from her nest under the porch to investigate. The goose was better than any watchdog because she was unexpected.
A sporty white Miata stopped next to his truck. Gracie headed straight for the intruder.
Jake swung his feet to the porch. He didn’t rise, waiting instead to see if his visitor was foolish enough to tangle with a goose. The car door opened, and Gracie’s wings came up in her warning stance. Legs clad in light colored slacks swung to the ground. Gracie hissed.
The trespasser ignored the warning. Jake’s hand went to his side, looking for the gun he’d stopped carrying eighteen months ago. His palm itched with longing when he recognized the hat.
The woman who had tumbled his world stood in his dooryard, warily eyeing his guard goose.
Sic her, Gracie, he thought, blood lust overriding the tightening in his chinos.
The goose’s head shot toward Lyra, hissing another warning.
“Nice birdie.” Lyra tried to appease the fowl.
Gracie wasn’t having any of it. Her wing feathers ruffled as she prepared to defend her domain. Lyra stepped forward, ignoring the signs of attack.
Just like a reporter. Can’t see what’s under her nose.
“Ouch!” She jumped back and fumbled with the door handle.
Seconds passed before he realized he was grinning.
Gracie nipped again before Lyra reached the safety of her car.
He waited for her to start the engine, but only Gracie’s triumphant honk disturbed the twilight silence.
“Mallory!” Lyra lowered her window. “I know you’re here. Call off your bird.”
Fat chance. Gracie roamed at will for exactly this reason. And if Lyra didn’t leave soon, Gracie would fly right through the open window and attack, like a scene from a Hitchcock movie. Gracie circled the Miata. The lazy goose didn’t want to exert the energy for flight.
“Mallory!” Lyra’s tone slid from angry to pleading. “I’m bleeding. Your stupid bird bit me.”
Good. Maybe you’ll get an infection.
“I’m not going anywhere until you hear me out.”
That was the problem with reporters. They clung like leeches, sucking the life from their victims. Hadn’t she already stolen too much from him? Now she wanted his time.
Oh, hell. He had time. Time was the only abundance in his life besides his anger.
The car door inched open. Gracie honked, homing in on the crack as if it were food. “Call off your bird!” The door slammed. Gracie glared — if a goose could glare — at the open window.
He had nothing better to do than wait to see who surrendered first — Gracie or Lyra. Both were tenacious. Both were stubborn, argumentative and audacious. Their standoff amused him. The confrontation was better than any sitcom zipping through his rooftop antennae.
He sipped his drink, holding the rough liquid in his mouth.
How desperate for entertainment was he that he actually looked forward to discovering if Lyra Lucas could outmaneuver a goose? He’d been isolated too long.
But if she’d found him, anyone looking for him could trace him. Not that he was hiding. Just out of the picture.
Forcing him to witness Matt’s murder was a threat he couldn’t ignore. He’d spent too much time in O’Flaherty’s inner sanctum to leave without ties. He wasn’t sure why O’Flaherty let him live after Lyra’s exposé. All he knew, all he cared about was that his silence kept his sister and her babies alive.
What if Lyra had compromised their safety?
Fear rode on the breeze, chilling him in spite of the whiskey’s fire in his belly.
“Mallory!”
She wouldn’t surrender. Ego wouldn’t allow a goose to win.
Gracie’s snowy white feathers were nearly luminous in the fading lavender light. Her wings ruffled at Lyra’s words.
“Why don’t you whack her with your Emmy?” he suggested, breaking his silence. “It worked on me.”
“I knew you were here.” The door whipped open, nearly broadsiding his bird. The white Miata resembled a one-winged goose battling with Gracie.
He laughed. Aloud. Laughing felt good.
“This isn’t funny,” Lyra said, as Gracie ducked under the door to nip at a bare ankle.
Blaming the whiskey for his half-aroused state, he planted his feet on floorboards. “You’re trespassing again.”
“O’Flaherty’s back.”
His glass slipped from his numb fingers, spilling acidic liquid on the porch. Silence closed in. Crushing silence. Even Gracie ceased hissing. He tried to force his feet to move toward the kitchen door.
O’Flaherty. The name was better than a secret password.
Didn’t Liar realize O’Flaherty had never gone away? He’d merely lurked in the shadows as he determined the weaknesses of those whose help he required.
The blare of the Miata’s horn split the night. Gracie honked back, as if surrendering to a larger fowl, and scurried toward her haven beneath the porch.
