Showing posts with label blog. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blog. Show all posts

Thursday, 19 June 2014

The Uniqueness of First Kisses in #Romance Novels

A lovely first kiss from the movie Seven Pounds
Kissing on the mouth is basically two sets of lips smooshed together, sometimes the tongue gets involved. What amazes me about reading a kissing scene, particularly the first kiss, is that no matter how many times I’ve read it described, it always seems new.

Not once have I ever read a kissing scene and said, “Bleh, Debbie Christiana described it like this in Solstice or “This is the exact same kiss from The Chocolate Run by Dorothy Koomson.



No matter how many novels I've read, the description of the first kiss is fresh. Why?

To be honest I don’t think my memory is all that great to remember every single first kiss in the thousands of books I've read.  
But I also think it’s because each book is an individual creation. The characters are all different, the situation is unique, and the interactions are distinct to that couple making the kiss something new altogether.

Have you ever read a kissing scene and remembered it from another book?

Wednesday, 12 March 2014

All over the blogosphere with Midwife to Destiny #giveaway #romance

Today I'm running around like a chicken with her head cut off all over the blogosphere promoting my new novel, Midwife To Destiny, and I'd like you to join me. Five awesome bloggers have agreed to host me on their blogs today and yesterday.


  1. On Cathrina Constantine's blog I give tips on how to write a review.
  2. I'm doing an interview with Lola Karnes.
  3. Have you ever wondered if erotic authors practice what they write? Come answer my poll at Sharon's Book Nook.
  4. Doing a top ten list on Harlie's Books.
  5. Debbie Christiana asked me some questions I've never been asked.


If you have the time, hop on over to one or all of the blogs and give me a wave. Plus you can enter to win a $20 Amazon gift card.



Wednesday, 23 October 2013

Do you overuse this word in your #writing?

One of the best pieces of advice I ever read came from a literary agent question and answer page about how to submit a query. I have no recollection of who the agent was, but her advice stuck with me. She said that before sending in any work, look it over and  check for the word ‘that.’ It is an overused word which most times can be removed and have no affect on the sentence.
She told the writers to read the sentence out loud without the word ‘that’ in it. If the sentence needed the word then it could be replaced with which or something else. But sometimes ‘that’ is the best word.

I went through my WIP and saw that I had gravely overused the word.  A major thatectomy was undertaken. I was surprised such a small change could make a huge difference in the word count.

Is there a word you overuse?  ‘Just’ perhaps? I’m guilty there too.

Wednesday, 16 October 2013

Book Spotlight: The Inheritance by Olivia Mayfield: #Booktour and #Giveaway

  
This looks like an amazing book. Make sure to leave a comment because Olivia will be awarding $25 Amazon or BN.com gift card to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.


BLURB:  
Maggie Willings knew that returning home for her estranged grandfather’s funeral would not be easy, but she never expected the reading of his will to be the most difficult part. The four people named in the will—Maggie, her brother Robert, her ex-boyfriend Andrew, and her grandfather’s far-too-young girlfriend Bethany—are given a challenge: find out the truth about what happened to Maggie’s younger sister Cassandra, who vanished over eight years ago, and win the entirety of the estate.

Maggie is thrown by the strange request, reluctant to drag up painful memories of her sister’s disappearance, and bothered by her lingering attraction to Andrew, who wants to team up to solve the mystery. But there are ten million dollars on the line and Maggie has no idea where to start—or who she’ll be able to trust.


EXCERPT:   
It was so strange, seeing this change in Andrew. He’d been much more casual, more carefree when they were younger. Had worn nothing but faded jeans and old rock band T-shirts practically year-round when he wasn’t in his football uniform. As an adult, he was confident, attractive.

Dangerous.

In one easy movement he took a seat beside Maggie. His cologne had a slight woodsy aroma, and she couldn’t help but breathe him in.

Then she exhaled loudly. No, she was not getting caught back up in him. Not now, not after everything she’d been through. His exterior may have changed, may have gotten slicker and more sophisticated. But deep down, he was still the same arrogant guy who was too selfish to feel, to love.

Who’d dumped her without one second thought.

Andrew looked at Bethany, Robert, Maggie. The waitress scuttled over and brought him and Bethany cups of coffee. They all drank in silence for a moment, buried in their own thoughts.
Tension wound through Maggie like a tightening coil.

“Look,” she finally said, putting her mug down and fixing her gaze on her brother, steadily ignoring Andrew and Bethany. “I’ll admit—I don’t like this at all. I can’t believe what Grandpa did. But it was his wish, his money, and I’m willing to put aside my own feelings to…” Her throat closed slightly and she swallowed. “To find out what happened to my sister.”

AUTHOR INFORMATION:

Olivia Mayfield has been an unabashed fan of romance since she was a young teen, secretly devouring her mom’s Harlequins. She has a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing, as well as a Master’s degree in English, and lives with her family in Ohio. In her free time, she loves reading, shopping, wearing absurdly high-heeled boots, cheesecake, singing karaoke, and harassing her friends.

Buy Links



Remember to hop on over to the other stops on Olivia's tour by clicking onthe link below and leave a comment to increase your chances of winning.


Monday, 23 September 2013

Book Spotlight: Death Lies Between Us by Jody A. Kessler #Blogtour and #Giveaway




Jody will be awarding a $10 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour so remember to leave a comment and fill in the Rafflecopter info.

BLURB:

Saving the life of someone you love should not be the worst thing you have ever done, unless you are an Angel of Death.

Disgruntled with his position in the afterlife and conflicted by his feelings toward his new client, Nathaniel Evans forgoes the rules and saves nineteen year old Juliana Crowson from being hopelessly stuck in Forge Creek. This alters Juliana’s destiny and she finds herself in a series of near death accidents.

In the mountains of Colorado, Nathaniel comforts Juliana as she struggles to understand her paranormal abilities while coping with her brother’s drug addiction. When an ill-tempered Native American Shaman teaches her the difference between ghosts and place memories, she decides she wants nothing to do with the supernatural world. Too bad she doesn’t know that Nathaniel is part of it. 

Will fate bring these two together, or has Nathaniel made the biggest mistake of his afterlife?
  
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

EXCERPT

He turns to stand in front of me, silent as a shadow. His hand lifts out of the dark. His fingertips brush the underside of my chin gently tipping my face up to his. How does he move and make no sound?  His fingers move to my temple, brushing away a hair then trailing down to the edge of my jaw where they halt. He watches my face and looks into my eyes. I feel a surge of loneliness from somewhere deep inside him. I don’t understand it or have time to dwell on it but it makes me want to hold onto him. His gaze lowers to my mouth.

He’s so close. I didn’t see it before, but he glows. The slightest iridescent shimmer encapsulates him, so totally different than the way Chris’s aura looked. He smells good too, like I remembered, and more. It’s so familiar, but I can’t say where from. The ozone smell of clean air after a storm and hints of cinnamon and honey swirled in cream. It’s intoxicating. Even the feel of him standing near me is like a caress passing over my skin. I can’t believe myself. I’m going to let this vague stranger kiss me, and I want him to.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Jody A. Kessler enjoys writing paranormal novels and is a member of Pikes Peak Writers.  She is a yoga instructor, Reiki Master, and a graduate from the Colorado Institute of Massage Therapy. When she took an extended leave from her massage practice to stay at home with her newborn she returned to her first true passion —writing. She spends most of her time being a mother, writing, and teaching yoga, but also likes going to concerts, hiking, practicing herbal medicine, and reading anything that catches her interest. Jody lives in the mountains of Colorado with her family.

Death Lies Between Us is her debut novel and the first book in the An Angel Falls series. Book two, Angel Dreams, is scheduled for release in early 2014.

She welcomes visitors to her website www.jodyakessler.com
Buy a copy on Amazon   Barnes and Noble
Or connect with her here:  Facebook  Goodreads  Twitter  Pinterest

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/9e8ffb5/" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway
Increase your chances of winning by heading over to the other blogs Jody will be visiting. The tour dates can be found here:  http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/08/virtual-blurb-blitz-tour-death-lies.html

Thursday, 19 September 2013

The Good of #Ghana – The Technology

I was born in Ghana and raised in the US. When it was time for me to come back I’ll admit that I was SCARED. What I was expecting and what I got were two different things. 

I was shocked to learn that everything I could get in the US I was able to obtain in Ghana, even if it was at a higher cost.  Everyone had their own cell phones. Traffic was here too (cars good, traffic not so good).
Osu is one of my favorite hangouts (Frankie's has great pizza)

Accra Mall at night 
Riding in my cousin's car, my eyes  were open wide to the sites she was pointing out as the latest song by Rhianna played on the radio. Joy abounded. 

My phenomenal cousin introduced me to an internet cafe and I almost fell out. Computers, in Ghana for everyone to use? Imagine? Boy was I backward thinking about the country.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that all of Ghana is technologically advanced, but the country has all of the creature comforts that I had gotten accustomed to in the US. A person only needs to know how and where to access them, since I am a fast learner, I had no difficulty finding what I needed. And it’s getting easier by the day. 


I hope I have shown you a little piece of modern Ghana. There is more to learn. Did you know Ghana was like this?

Thursday, 12 September 2013

The Good of #Ghana – The people

Akwaaba (welcome in Twi). 

I might be a little bit biased, but the people of Ghana rock! Okay, not all of them, but I did promise not to mention the bad or the ugly of Ghana, right?

Ghana boasts of the most hospitable people that exist in the world. This is no lie. We are a super friendly people (for the most part).

My little friend Bea, leading me into my room
(notice the cell phone she's holding for me at her back)

Need directions, no problem, ask and they will direct you if they know where the place is, some people will even go out of their way to take you to your destination.

Need company, no issues there, get up and head over to a friend's house and you will be received, even without a prior phone call (don't try this with me though, I'll pretend I'm not home). 

Most Ghanaians will take the time out of their day to chat. Not just with foreigners but with other Ghanaians too. Loneliness is not really an issue in this country, and I think that's wonderful. 


If you decide to come to Ghana, know that you will be thoroughly welcomed and treated with graciousness and hospitality.

Tuesday, 10 September 2013

Talking about asses (no, not people who misbehave)

Today we chat about the human ass aka gluteus maximus (minimus in some people’s cases- he he he) aka buttock, shortened to butt. I myself am curious to know why we look at people’s asses. It’s done in romance novels all the time, so I’m right on the romance course with this post.

When a person is walking away from you, tell me that your eyes don’t drift down to see if that behind is jiggly, firm, gigantic, small, inverted, or perfect. For the love of all that is good, tell me that I’m not the only one who sometimes desires to throw a coin at someone’s huge ass just to see how far away it lands after bouncing off. The bigger the ass, the greater the distance? Or is it the firmer the ass the greater the distance.

With that said, I’ll let you all know that I have a big gluteus, so I am totally justified in writing this post.

I’ll leave you with my favorite butt songs of all time. Ross and Rachel sang it to baby Emma to make her laugh and it was hilarious. Take it away Sir Mix A Lot.





Why is the human ass such a fascinating feature?

Friday, 6 September 2013

A glorious week has gone by and it's time to celebrate

Vikki at Scribblings of an Aspiring Author has started a meme where every Friday we post what we are celebrating for the week. Thanks Vikki.




This week I’m celebrating:
1. My birthday month. If you don’t know what that means to me then click here.

2. I taught this week. I love teaching. I'm not looking forward to the day when the students realize they don't have to laugh at all of my jokes.

3. I did a beta read for ‘Nana’s Novella’- not really the title, but I harassed the author (Debbie Christiana) about it so much that she temporarily named it after me. It is the sequel to Twin Flames, which I loved. All I can say is watch out people, this novella is amazing.

4. Once again no violence was applied to anyone by my own hands- I will always count that as something to celebrate.

I wish I could say that I was celebrating a holiday, or two, like people in another country, which shall remain nameless, but it starts with a U and end with an S.

How was your week?


Let’s check out what other people are celebrating for the week?

Tuesday, 27 August 2013

I’ll Take Care of You

I was listening to the lyrics of I’ll Take Care of You by Drake featuring Rhianna. I could listen to listen to this song all day.  One of the lines caught my attention and screamed BLOG POST!

      
Dealing with a heart I didn’t break

I remember my first serious relationship. He was my heart. I really really really loved this man. I was open and free with him and I thought we were going to get married and live together forever and ever. And then he dumped me and helped me to create my baggage. Baggage that some poor schmuck would have to deal with later when they tried to love me.
 
Drake’s line  summarizes the majority of romance novels that I have ever read. Either the hero or heroine, sometimes both have to break through barriers of the person they love, that they never helped to create. They have to bear the consequences of someone else’s actions in order to love the person their heart has chosen. It doesn’t seem fair. But then again love tends to overcome insurmountable circumstances.

Have you ever had to deal with a heart you didn’t break?

Wednesday, 21 August 2013

A Kiss to Die For by Gail Barrett: Book Blast and #Giveaway



Gail will be awarding a $25 Amazon gift certificate and either a signed print copy (US ONLY) or an electronic copy of Fatal Exposure (Buried Secrets book one) to one randomly drawn commenter during this tour and her other Super Book Blast on August 27th.

BLURB:
Homeless Army veteran Sullivan Turner is nobody’s hero.  His failure to save his fallen comrades proved that.  So when a gutsy social worker gets caught in a drug gang’s crosshairs, he knows he’s the last man who can safeguard her and the pregnant teenagers she’s trying to protect. 

Former debutant Haley Barnes learned the hard way how to survive.  After witnessing a cold-blooded murder, the terrified teenaged runaway changed her identity and hid to save her life.  But when the killer tracks her down and attacks the girls in the homeless shelter she now runs, Haley knows the time has come to stand and fight.  But to bring down the powerful killer she must confront her high-society family’s darkest secrets -- and convince wounded warrior Sully Turner he’s the hero she believes.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Excerpt

She tightened her grip on his waist.  His pulse slowing, he closed his eyes, feeling oddly at peace despite the danger hounding their heels.  Maybe it was because she’d suffered as much as he had.  Maybe because she understood how deep a loss like that could sear.  But he realized that he liked being around Haley.  He respected her.  Admired her.

He was falling for her.  Hard.

His stomach sank.  He had no right to pursue her.  He was the last person she needed, unsuitable in every way.  She needed someone who could protect her, defend her, not an unstable wreck like him.

But he couldn’t seem to resist her.  Everything about her impressed him -- her loyalty, her determination to safeguard others, her refusal to run from the enemy dogging their steps.
         
And God help him, but he wanted to feel that again, that idealism, that drive to make a difference in the world, that need to battle the bad guys and keep the defenseless safe.

To be the man that he once was.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Gail Barrett is the award-winning author of thirteen romantic suspense novels.  A former RITA® and Daphne finalist, Gail has received the Book Buyer’s Best Award, the Holt Medallion, the Booksellers Best, The National Readers’ Choice Award, and numerous other awards.  She lives with her husband in Western Maryland.  For more information, visit her website: www.gailbarrett.com.

Buy Links:





Follow the tour by clicking on the link below in order to increase your chances of winning.

Monday, 19 August 2013

The Hourglass by Sharon Struth: Character #Interview and #Giveaway



Today I have the pleasure of hosting fabulous author Sharon Struth as she interviews a character from her novel The Hourglass. Remember to leave a comment to enter to win one of two  $25 Amazon gift cards which she will give away at the end of her tour, which is today.

Hello Nana. Thanks for hosting me on your blog. Today I’m going to interview Brenda. This way your readers can learn a little bit more about what makes the heroine of my book tick.

Meet character Brenda McAllister.
Relationship Psychologist. Bestselling Self-Help Author. Our Heroine in The Hourglass


Sharon: Thank you for joining me today, Brenda.  How’d you end up in The Hourglass?

Brenda: It all started when my best friend and agent, Reggie, insisted I attend a writer’s conference. My second self-help book, Sex in the Middle Ages, had just released. I wasn’t much in the mood to go out in public. A year earlier, I lost my husband to suicide. Besides feeling like a failure because I hadn’t helped him, I sure didn’t feel like an expert on middle-aged folks and their sex lives either. Anyway, on the first day of the conference, I rolled out of bed and decided to get myself a nice latte to help me wake up. I’ll admit I was tired and looked like hell, but then I ran into someone in the lobby and spilled his coffee all over him. *Shakes her head* Just my luck…it’s this big-time author with a major ego and attitude problem. CJ Morrison. His books have been made into movies. Anyway, I learned he has a few anger issues and doesn’t accept apologies too well.

Sharon: At least you wouldn’t have to see the author again.

Brenda: *Rolls her eyes* Are you kidding? Have you heard of Murphy’s Law? Later in the day I was at a table to sign my books and CJ saunters by with—get this—a sexy super-model at least twenty years younger than him hanging off his arm. Ugh, I hate when older men date out of their age bracket. I will admit though, at a second look without spilled coffee, he is pretty hot. Then, when he spotted me, he had the nerve to make a snotty remark about what happened with the coffee. *Brenda snickers* I got the last laugh, though. My dig about his younger girlfriend won’t be forgotten.

Sharon: At least you’ll never have to see him.

Brenda: I’d never get to lucky. Turns out my agent invited him to join us at the conference dinner. She had spoken to his agent about an arrangement to have me help with a character profile in his book. Dinner was awkward, at best, but the worse part was he ignored me while he charmed every other lady who came to our table. I ran into him later at the bar and made a dig that he could be nicer. It went over like a lead weight. *Brenda pauses* Here’s what’s strange, though. The next morning, when I watched his keynote address, my opinion of him changed.

Sharon: Why?

Brenda: His address focused on a climb he took up Mt. Everest. One line stopped me. He said it showed him ways he could deal more with his personal struggles. And that’s when I saw it.

Sharon: Saw what?

Brenda: Sadness. He’s stuck in a place of deep sadness. Something tells me he wants to make himself better but can’t. I could almost relate to him, after what I’ve been through with losing my husband. The psychologist in me needed to know what made CJ tick otherwise I’m not sure I would have kept our work arrangement.

Sharon: Did you find out why he seemed sad? Does it explain his bad behavior the first time you two met?

Brenda: *Cocks her head and grins* Well, I guess you’ll just have to read more to find out.


BLURB:

Can forgiveness survive lies and unspoken truths?

Until Brenda McAllister’s husband committed suicide, she appeared to have the ideal life: a thriving psychology practice, success as a self-help author, and a model family. But her guilt over her affair with Jack’s best friend prevents her from moving on. Did Jack learn of her infidelity? Was she the cause of his death?

The release of Brenda’s second book forces her into an unexpected assignment with arrogant celebrity author CJ Morrison, whose irritating and edgy exterior hides the torment of his own mistakes. But as she grows closer to CJ, Brenda learns she wasn’t the only one with secrets—Jack had secrets of his own, unsavory ones that may have led to his death. While CJ helps Brenda uncover the truth about her husband, she finds the path to forgiveness isn’t always on the map.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
Excerpt:

An unexpected gravitational pull swelled Brenda’s anger. Her cute quip ran into hiding. She no longer cared about winning this man’s favor. His rudeness left her feeling as if she’d been doused with hot coffee this time. Brenda clenched her fists. A year of internal browbeating over Jack’s suicide had left her easily irritated.

Brenda gripped the frail edges of her self-control. “I once again offer my apologies for the accident, by definition an unplanned event with lack of intent.” He looked down his sturdy, Grecian nose at her, so she stood and put her hands on her hips. “Shouldn’t you, as a writer, know that?”

Every line on his face tensed. “I could do without your sarcasm.” He leaned closer. “Thanks to you, I missed my meeting. Maybe tomorrow morning you could get room service.”

The brunette unleashed a tight smirk. CJ motioned for them to move on.

Brenda fumbled for a good retort. As he stepped away, the last word went with him. The same way Jack had the last word in their life together. A silent explosion went off inside Brenda’s head and propelled her anger forward.

“Mr. Morrison?” She raised her voice to be heard above the crowd.

He looked over his shoulder and arched a questioning eyebrow.

Brenda crossed her arms and fixed a phony smile as she nodded toward his companion. “It’s so nice of you to bring your daughter to the conference.”

                                     ~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Novelist Sharon Struth believes you’re never too old to pursue a dream. The Hourglass, her debut novel, received first place in the Dixie Cane Memorial Contest and second place in the Golden Heart. She writes from the friendliest place she’s ever lived, Bethel, Connecticut, along with her husband, two daughters and canine companions. For more information, including where to find her published essays, please visit http://www.sharonstruth.com.

Discover more about Sharon Struth here:

Blogs at "Life in the Middle Ages” http://www.sharonstruth.wordpress.com



OTHER LINKS:

THE HOURGLASS Webpage and Trailer: www.thehourglassnovel.com





 Visit Sharon on her other stops and leave a comment to increase your chances of winning one of the gift cards.
http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/05/virtual-nbtm-tour-hourglass-by-sharon.html

Sunday, 18 August 2013

Invitation to Join the Romance Reviews Blog Hop (#bloghop)



The Romance Reviews is organizing a Fall Into Romance Hop. As a blogger, if you are interested in joining the hop, it's not too late. It's a wonderful chance to get to meet readers and learn about other authors too.  As a reader it's a great chance to win stuff. I do love a blog hop.

Saturday, 17 August 2013

Book Review: The Wolf on the Hill by Jorja Lovett (#review)


The Blurb:

Can two stubborn wolf shifters let down their guards long enough to take a chance on love?

Lone wolf Caleb Jackson is only back in town long enough to sell his late father's house, and the bad memories with it. He never expected to find his mate.

Good girl Mia Blake never behaves badly. Except for the time she shifts into her wolf, chases a stranger through Olcan Hills, and has the hottest sex of her life on the forest floor.

He has no desire to settle down. She is afraid to upset her family. But, with someone determined to destroy Caleb's inheritance, and his secret fling with Mia getting hot and heavy,
moving on isn't as easy as he'd hoped.

Can either of them let down their guards long enough to take a chance on love?


My Review
This is the first shifter book that I have ever read, and because it was well written and enjoyable, it won’t be my last.  I thought the shifting into wolves aspect was so cool. Ms. Lovett has written a hot make-me-blush novel with engaging characters and an interesting story line. Mia and Caleb went perfectly together.

If you are a shifter virgin and you need an introduction into that subgenre, then step into it with this novel, it will leave you wanting to read more shifter books.

I give it four out of five chocolate bars.


I won a copy of this book on Kiru Taye’s blog.

Friday, 16 August 2013

Super Sweet Blog Award



I was nominated by 
Kathy Bosman for the Super Sweet Blog Award. I am so glad you nominated me Kathy, I think is my most favorite award of all.

This award is a great way to discover new blogs. So, let’s share it around and have some fun with it.

So, the rules for those nominated are:

1. Thank and link to the Blogger who nominated you.
2. Answer five super sweet questions. See below…
3. Include the super sweet blogging award in your post.
4. Nominate a baker’s dozen (13) other deserving bloggers (if you can.)
5. Notify your super sweet nominees.

Here are my answers to the questions…

1. Cookies or Cake?
Definitely cake. The hospital I worked at used to make these awesome layered cakes and slice them up. Thick chocolate icing on moist chocolate cake. Great pick me up for a rough night.

2. Chocolate or Vanilla?
I'm not going to justify this with an answer because it's such a dumb ass question.

3. Favourite sweet treat?


Melt in your mouth milk chocolate candy.

4. When do you crave sweet things the most?

Um, all the time. I think I have a problem.

5. Sweet nickname?

No nickname for me, but I wouldn’t mind being called ‘Chocolate Love’ (giggle)

These are my nominees:
Debbie Christiana
Empi Baryeh (she's not much of a sweet eater though)




No obligation to take part but have fun if you do.