I've written before about how much I hate to go for my yearly pap smear. My trip to the gynecologist's office is often filled with angst and trepidation only reserved for major surgery, such as the removal of one's head. I don't know why this is so. It just is.
Perhaps it's the fact someone is sticking an object that doesn't really belong there in an orifice I hold to be very near and dear to me. Perhaps I'm terrified that my gyn will find something terrible lurking in my squishy depths. Perhaps I'm afraid I'll cough and the specula will shoot out of my vagina and hit my gyn in the face (Eeeewwwwww!). It doesn't matter. What matters is that I'm so terrified of this yearly ordeal I hatched a plan to get through it that involved wine.
Not a lot of wine, just one of those little bottles you can get in 4-packs at grocery stores (Hey, I did my research). A whole bottle would be better, but it wouldn't fit into my purse. I thought that maybe I would sign in and give my urine sample, because drinking alcohol before that would mess up my urine test. While still in the bathroom, I could pull out my little bottle of vino and gulp it down. Then I'd return to the waiting room in a state of semi-bliss until I actually got to see my doctor.
This idea made me feel better. Empowered even. However, it only works in theory. In reality, I worried that if I gulped down any liquid, I would have to pee during my exam. That's probably one of the worst feelings in the world. Also, what if the doctor asked an important question, such as "Did you know you're pregnant?" or "Do you want a hysterectomy right now?" and I was too obliterated to respond?
So I didn't do it. I weathered through the poking, prodding, and scraping of my internal parts in an effort to ensure my reproductive health would remain non-life-threatening. However, the wine plan is still something I plan to revisit next year, and perhaps I'll find a way around my misgivings. What about you? If you have plan for getting through the yearly gyn exam, please do share. You may save people millions of dollars on wine. :)
It's Easy Being Distracted...Really
- Two Butterflies in Symphony--one the Tawny Emperor Butterfly, the other, I think it's the same, just different coloring
But look what distracted me. I was in the middle of working on the whole back area where I take the puppies to potty, and they're going to be carrying the stickers around in the paws and fur. So need to clean this all up. And I saw the variegated privet full of butterflies. Yesterday, I noticed the flowers had all budded out and they smell similar to jasmine, heavenly. But today, they were covered with Tawny Emperor Butterflies. They love rotting fruit, and so when my pears are on the ground, that has attracted them to my wildlife reserve. :)
I took a lot of pictures, but this is one of my favorites because it caught two with the wings spread, different coloration, in a faceoff.
Have a terrific Friday!
Terry
“Giving new meaning to the term alpha male where fantasy is reality.”
Connect with Terry Spear: Website: http://www.terryspear.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/421434.Terry_Spear
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TerrySpearParanormalRomantics
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TerrySpear
Wilde & Woolly Bears http://www.celticbears.com
USA Today Bestseller and Award-winning author of urban fantasy and medieval historical romantic suspense, Terry Spear also writes true stories for adult and young adult audiences. She’s a retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves and has an MBA from Monmouth University. She also creates award-winning teddy bears, Wilde & Woolly Bears, to include personalized bears designed to commemorate authors’ books. When she’s not writing or making bears, she’s teaching online writing courses. Originally from California, she’s lived in eight states and now resides in the heart of Texas. She is the author of Heart of the Wolf (Publishers Weekly's BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR), Destiny of the Wolf, To Tempt the Wolf, Legend of the White Wolf, Seduced by the Wolf, Wolf Fever, Heart of the Highland Wolf, Dreaming of the Wolf, The Highland Wolf in Paradise, Deadly Liaisons (vampire romantic suspense), Winning the Highlander’s Heart, The Accidental Highland Hero, A Ghost of a Chance at Love (Time Travel Western Romance), The Vampire…In My Dreams (young adult), Deidre’s Secret (young adult) and numerous articles and short stories for magazines.
How to travel the world with free accommodations
World
travel on your bucket list but not in your budget?
I
just read a fascinating book on how you can travel the world on the cheap, paying nothing at all for your lodging. It’s a
new travel trend called Home Exchanges.
Australian
author Ainslie Waldron has written a how-to book called Luxury Globetrotting on a Staycation Budget, and the secret is to trade your home for a home in the country you’d
like to visit. Ainslie lists several websites where you can place your house up
for exchange, and search other countries for houses that other people are
willing to exchange. Always wanted to go
to Ireland? Maybe someone in Ireland wants to visit your home town!
Ainslie says she's done this for years and visited all seven continents (she has a beach house in Brisbane she
puts up for exchange).
It seems like a brilliant idea if you live in an interesting location (for
instance, I live in Orlando, where probably some people might like to
visit). When I started reading the book I was a little leery about having
strangers sleeping in my house, but I guess these home exchange websites vet the people
who participate, so there’s little problem and rarely any theft. (Basic advice
is to keep your valuables in a locked room in your home when you leave or in your bank safety
deposit box.) And there’s a ‘comment’
section on the home exchange websites where you can read about other peoples’ visits to a
particular home you might be interested in.
Like I said, it’s a fascinating concept. Imagine living like a local in
Tuscany or Greece or Paris. Buying fruit for breakfast at the local grocery
store, hanging out at the neighborhood café or using your new house as a home
base to leisurely explore the surrounding area. You’d really be able to immerse
yourself in the culture, instead of seeing it from a tour bus!
My husband is ready to pack his suitcase, but I’m still trying to decide
where I’d like to go. Hmm… Ainslie’s beach house in Brisbane sounds awesome. I
wonder if she’d like to trade for a house close to Walt Disney World?
What about you? What do you think of the concept of home exchanges?
Leigh
My Scottish Themed Office
I don't know about you, but I love doing anything crafty! Recently, I tried my hand at creating a fabric covered magnetic board using an old picture frame. Since I had a portion of the metal sheet left over, I found another frame, spray painted it black to match the first one, and used cork that had been sitting around my house for years to make the other half into a cork board.
What you will need:
- Frame
- Fabric (Make certain it is not too thick or the magnetic tape will not attach to the metal properly. The thinner the better)
- Masking Tape (Used to secure the fabric around the sheet of metal)
- Magnetic Tape (Cut, peel and attach to back of photos or post cards)
- I used a pair of heavy grade kitchen scissors to cut the metal to size, but be careful not to get cut.
Step 1: Use the cardboard backing on the frame as a template to cut the metal to size.
Step 2: Press the fabric, then use the cardboard backing again as a template, but this time cut at least three inches larger all the way around.
Step 3: Place the metal sheeting in the center of the fabric and use masking tape to attach the fabric to the metal. Keep fabric tight, and if using plaid, make sure the lines are straight.
Step 4: Place fabric side down into frame, then the cardboard backing, using the tabs on the frame to secure.
Step 5: Hang, add magnetic tape to back of photos, then attach to fabric.
It's that simple! Use the same process for the magnetic and cork board. I used double sided tape to secure the cork sheet to the cardboard backing.
 |
| Metal Sheet: Purchased at Lowes |
 |
| Adorable Nessie Pins for Cork Board Purchased Online |
 |
| Masking Tape: Use to Secure Material to Meta |
 |
| Magnetic Tape: Cut to Size and Place on Back of Photo Purchased at Lowes |
 |
| A Gift from my Sister! She knows what I like! |
 |
| Purchased 1610 Map Reproduction and wool throw in Scotland Tartan clad bear at Franklin, North Carolina Scottish Festival |
I hope you've enjoyed the post and the photos! If you have any questions about the project, please email me at gbrodieauthor@gmail.com
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How Do You Turn Your Book into an Audio Book?
Audio books are becoming more popular because it's much easier to access them through digital downloads these days. In the past, they consisted of a bunch of clunky CDs you had to lug around. Now, listeners can simply download an audio book in a matter of minutes from Audible, Amazon, iTunes or other sites and listen while driving, doing chores, relaxing, taking walks, exercising and various other things. No need to stare at a book all day in order to "read."
I've had my first two books, My Fierce Highlander and My Wild Highlander, produced as audio books and now book three, My Brave Highlander, is being recorded. It can be fun and exciting, listening to the words you worked so hard on being brought to life through voice.
If you hold your audio book rights, you don't have to wait for an audio book publisher to make an offer on your book. You can have it produced yourself. This is easy if you join ACX, Audio Creation Exchange, which is an Amazon Platform.
Sign up as a member and read all the information on the site (or you can read the information first). There is a lot of it, I know, but it's important to understand all the ins and outs of having an audio book produced before you jump in. You need to know your rights, the narrator's or studio's rights, and ACX's rights. You will be signing a contract allowing ACX to distribute and sell your audio book for seven years. This is far different from Amazon KDP or any of the other ebook self-publishing platforms where you can take your book down anytime you want. For the audio book, you must make the commitment.
After you have read all the information on the site and joined, it's time to input your book's information and upload a sample so narrators can audition. You will decide on the price range you can afford.
Royalty Share
$0-$50 PFH
$50-$100 PFH
$100-$200 PFH
$200-$400 PFH
$400-$1000 PFH
PFH means Per Finished Hour. If you have never done this before, the price per hour can seem high. But keep in mind that it can take up to six hours or more to produce one finished hour of audio. Once the audio is recorded, it must be edited, corrected and have a lot of other things done to it which I don't understand. You can read more about this at ACX.
After you input your book's word count at ACX, the site will calculate approximately how many hours of finished audio it will be. You can then decide how much you're willing to pay to have the audiobook produced. Or you can choose a royalty share. In this case, you don't pay anything up front, but you do share all of your royalties with your producer 50/50.
With ACX you have three options:
OPTION 1
Royalty Share
with Exclusive Distribution to Audible
When you choose a sample from your book to upload for auditions, choose one in which there are several things going on. For instance, include some narrative, and some dialogue between as many characters as possible. I generally try to have at least three characters in the scene, both male and female. For romance, you will want a scene where the hero and heroine are talking. That way, you can see how the narrator performs both male and female voices and how expressive his/her voice is in the narrative as well. A lot of narrators are actors and are able to make the audio book sound similar to the performance of a play, with a unique voice for each character. You don't want someone who simply reads in a flat monotone. You want someone who is expressive so the listener can imagine they're watching a movie.
After you have read all the information on the site and joined, it's time to input your book's information and upload a sample so narrators can audition. You will decide on the price range you can afford.
Royalty Share
$0-$50 PFH
$50-$100 PFH
$100-$200 PFH
$200-$400 PFH
$400-$1000 PFH
PFH means Per Finished Hour. If you have never done this before, the price per hour can seem high. But keep in mind that it can take up to six hours or more to produce one finished hour of audio. Once the audio is recorded, it must be edited, corrected and have a lot of other things done to it which I don't understand. You can read more about this at ACX.
After you input your book's word count at ACX, the site will calculate approximately how many hours of finished audio it will be. You can then decide how much you're willing to pay to have the audiobook produced. Or you can choose a royalty share. In this case, you don't pay anything up front, but you do share all of your royalties with your producer 50/50.
With ACX you have three options:
OPTION 1
Royalty Share
with Exclusive Distribution to Audible
With this option your audio book will be sold at Audible, Amazon and iTunes and you and the producer will share the 40% of retail sales royalty. So, 20% each.
OPTION 2
Pay For Production (Flat Fee)
with Exclusive Distribution to Audible
OPTION 2
Pay For Production (Flat Fee)
with Exclusive Distribution to Audible
With this option (the one I chose) your book is sold at Audible, Amazon and iTunes. You pay the producer a flat per hour fee and then you, the author and rights holder, earn 40% of retail sales.
OPTION 3
Pay For Production (Flat Fee)
with Non-Exclusive Distribution Rights to Audible
OPTION 3
Pay For Production (Flat Fee)
with Non-Exclusive Distribution Rights to Audible
With this option you pay your producer their per finished hour fee and you can distribute your audio book wherever you want. (Where, other than Audible, Amazon and iTunes? I don't know the answer to that.) With this option you earn 25% of retail sales.
When you choose a sample from your book to upload for auditions, choose one in which there are several things going on. For instance, include some narrative, and some dialogue between as many characters as possible. I generally try to have at least three characters in the scene, both male and female. For romance, you will want a scene where the hero and heroine are talking. That way, you can see how the narrator performs both male and female voices and how expressive his/her voice is in the narrative as well. A lot of narrators are actors and are able to make the audio book sound similar to the performance of a play, with a unique voice for each character. You don't want someone who simply reads in a flat monotone. You want someone who is expressive so the listener can imagine they're watching a movie.
When you upload your book's sample, equal to about 5 minutes of narrating time, you choose what kind of narrator you want. Do you want a male or female? What sort of accent? What kind of narrating style? ACX has several boxes you can check for these options. Also include other information and direction. Include your blurb and then below that fill in other information such as if your book has won awards, has been a bestseller, whether you've sold foreign rights, etc. The more impressive your book sounds, the more narrators will audition.
You can also include characterizations and how you imagine the characters sounding. For example, the hero has a Scottish accent and a deep, commanding voice. The heroine is strong but feminine and from the English upper class. Go into as much detail as necessary so the narrator knows exactly what you want. They may not be able to tell from reading the excerpt you've uploaded.
My books are set in Scotland and the first two feature Scottish, English and French characters. I needed someone who could do all three accents realistically. And I wanted the narrative to sound Scottish but also be easy for Americans to understand. Ironically, the narrator of my first two books is from Northern Ireland, but he is an actor who is talented with various accents. For my third book, which features all Scottish characters, I went with a narrator who is from Scotland. His accent is truly authentic and adds a wonderful Scottish flare to the book.
Listen to the narrators' samples already on ACX and you might find one you like. If so, you can message them and ask them if they would like to audition for your book. You can also go on Amazon or Audible and listen to audio book samples and perhaps find the name of a narrator you love, then check to see if he/she is available on ACX.
Sometimes narrators or studios will message you, asking if you would like them to audition. This will give you an opportunity to search for their name on ACX or Audible to see if the voice and reading style is something you might like. Just having someone audition is not a commitment, but if you already know you don't want to hire the narrator, there's no need for them to go to the trouble of auditioning. You can receive as many or as few auditions as you like. Listen to all of them and weigh your options carefully.
When you're ready to decide, make sure you love the way the narrator reads your book before you make a commitment to sign him/her. You may also want to ask him/her other questions and let them know what you need from them before the deal is made. Having audio books created is not cheap so you want to invest your money in something you will love and be proud of.
Once you've made an offer to the narrator and it's been accepted, you will email the ebook in whatever format they prefer. Make sure he/she follows ACX rules and records the first fifteen minutes for you to listen to. And also make sure you love this fifteen minute sample before approving it. If you want anything changed, tell the producer. Don't be shy. They will correct it and resubmit. Also try to convince the narrator to allow you to listen to chapters as they go along recording. That way, if a certain character's voice sounds completely wrong, or if a name or other prominent word is mispronounced, you can have them correct this before they record the whole book. Making corrections in the first 15 minutes, or first chapter is far easier than making corrections throughout a whole ten hour book.
Listen to every word of the recording and check for errors. If you want Amazon's Whispersync technology to work, then the Kindle ebook and the audio book recording must be as identical as possible. With Whispersync, if the reader has both the Kindle ebook and audio book, they can read for a while and then listen for a while, switching back and forth, and the two versions will sync on the device. If you find errors or discrepancies, make a note of them, including the time stamp of the recording so the narrator can find it. The types of errors to listen for are missing words, phrases or sentences. Duplicate phrases and sentences. Words pronounced wrong. Character voices speaking the wrong dialogue. Transposed words. Extended silences or blank spots.
Send the error list to the narrator/studio for correction. Once they've recorded the corrections, listen to those spots again to make sure it sounds smooth and the way you want. By the way, let the narrator/ studio know up front that you want the recording to be identical to the ebook so Whispersync will work. That way, they know your expectations. Some narrators may "edit" your work as they're reading to "make it sound better" if they think you don't mind. And if you truly don't mind this, then that's okay too. Just make sure the recording sounds fantastic to you. If the studio/ narrator tries to refuse to make corrections you've asked for, call ACX for guidance. They are very helpful. Another tip, don't approve anything you haven't listened to. Make sure you love the way it sounds before you approve it.
Send the error list to the narrator/studio for correction. Once they've recorded the corrections, listen to those spots again to make sure it sounds smooth and the way you want. By the way, let the narrator/ studio know up front that you want the recording to be identical to the ebook so Whispersync will work. That way, they know your expectations. Some narrators may "edit" your work as they're reading to "make it sound better" if they think you don't mind. And if you truly don't mind this, then that's okay too. Just make sure the recording sounds fantastic to you. If the studio/ narrator tries to refuse to make corrections you've asked for, call ACX for guidance. They are very helpful. Another tip, don't approve anything you haven't listened to. Make sure you love the way it sounds before you approve it.
Have your audio book cover created and uploaded by the time the audio book is finished being recorded. These covers must be perfectly square and at least 2400 x 2400 pixels.
Once the whole book is recorded as well as the opening and closing credits, and you've listened to all of this and decided it sounds great, approve the whole book. ACX will check the book. This can take up to two weeks. If ACX finds something that needs correcting, the narrator/ studio must fix this and approval time can take longer than expected. Examples of things that can pop up here are silences that are too long or discrepancies in credits. Once ACX approves it, your audio book will show up at Audible, then at Amazon and iTunes. You can then start promoting and selling it!
Do you have any questions about how to have your audio book created?
Thanks!
Vonda
The USA Today bestselling author of award-winning Scottish historical romance. Her favorite pastime is exploring Scotland, and taking photos along the way. She also enjoys creating hot, Highland heroes and spirited lasses to drive them mad. She lives in the mountains of North Carolina where she is crafting another Scottish story. Please visit her website at www.vondasinclair.com
New Covers for Bound Again Series!
I did it. Because I CAN do it. I had new covers made for Bound to Submit and Bound to Surrender. I loved the sexy-bound-woman covers but I thought maybe a little man chest would draw a little more attention. So here they are. What do you think?
Mason’s dark good looks and dominating personality stirred up Kelly’s forbidden fantasies, frightening her so much that she broke up with him. When she agrees to help out at the community haunted house, she never expects to be tied to a bed, playing damsel in distress to Mason’s masked, whip-wielding villain.
Mason knows Kelly is fighting her sexual needs and he hopes that a few hours of playing out her fantasies with him will prove it to her. Bound and under his control, she can’t run away from him this time.
Love is nothing but an illusion. Heiress Gabriella Winslow learned that lesson years ago when her magician boyfriend abandoned her, sick and alone, hundreds of miles from home. In the years that followed, she’s tried to forget him and the erotic bondage games they used to play. But the life she’s made for herself since then still leaves her restless and yearning for something more.
Now a successful illusionist, Alexander Black has returned to settle an old score. And to seduce Gabriella. With a blindfold and handcuffs and blood red roses, he entices his former lover and magician’s assistant back to his Las Vegas penthouse. If all goes according to plan, she’ll surrender to him before she discovers everything isn’t as it seems.
The talented Lacey Savage did both sets of covers and I'm so happy with the way they turned out. I love the sexy man chest covers. How about you?
Natasha
Bound to Submit
Bound to Surrender
www.natashamoore.com
Mason’s dark good looks and dominating personality stirred up Kelly’s forbidden fantasies, frightening her so much that she broke up with him. When she agrees to help out at the community haunted house, she never expects to be tied to a bed, playing damsel in distress to Mason’s masked, whip-wielding villain.
Mason knows Kelly is fighting her sexual needs and he hopes that a few hours of playing out her fantasies with him will prove it to her. Bound and under his control, she can’t run away from him this time.
Love is nothing but an illusion. Heiress Gabriella Winslow learned that lesson years ago when her magician boyfriend abandoned her, sick and alone, hundreds of miles from home. In the years that followed, she’s tried to forget him and the erotic bondage games they used to play. But the life she’s made for herself since then still leaves her restless and yearning for something more.
Now a successful illusionist, Alexander Black has returned to settle an old score. And to seduce Gabriella. With a blindfold and handcuffs and blood red roses, he entices his former lover and magician’s assistant back to his Las Vegas penthouse. If all goes according to plan, she’ll surrender to him before she discovers everything isn’t as it seems.
The talented Lacey Savage did both sets of covers and I'm so happy with the way they turned out. I love the sexy man chest covers. How about you?
Natasha
Bound to Submit
Bound to Surrender
www.natashamoore.com
Spring in New York
I used to live there, but I played tourist and even took a picture of Grand Central station because I love it. No matter how crowded it gets, it's just nice to be there (unlike most train stations).
Still, the city was awesome.
Busy Making Bears!
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USA Today Bestseller and Award-winning author of urban fantasy and medieval historical romantic suspense, Terry Spear also writes true stories for adult and young adult audiences. She’s a retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves and has an MBA from Monmouth University. She also creates award-winning teddy bears, Wilde & Woolly Bears, to include personalized bears designed to commemorate authors’ books. When she’s not writing or making bears, she’s teaching online writing courses. Originally from California, she’s lived in eight states and now resides in the heart of Texas. She is the author of Heart of the Wolf (Publishers Weekly's BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR), Destiny of the Wolf, To Tempt the Wolf, Legend of the White Wolf, Seduced by the Wolf, Wolf Fever, Heart of the Highland Wolf, Dreaming of the Wolf, The Highland Wolf in Paradise, Deadly Liaisons (vampire romantic suspense), Winning the Highlander’s Heart, The Accidental Highland Hero, A Ghost of a Chance at Love (Time Travel Western Romance), The Vampire…In My Dreams (young adult), Deidre’s Secret (young adult) and numerous articles and short stories for magazines.
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum-Priceless!
The photo above shows part of the garden in the enclosed central courtyard. The glass-roofed enclosure was the first of its kind in America.
Here's a picture of the patron (by John Singer Sargent). It's on display at the museum.
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Here's the Rembrandt they took and I remember it very well from seeing it before it was stolen. It was the kind of artwork you don't forget, and it's terrible that criminals have taken it from the public (and possibly harmed it).
Of course, the museum is still well worth a visit, with many, many treasures. Here's another view of the courtyard. (They don't allow photos to be taken anywhere else in the museum.)
Guest: Ashley York - The Gentle Knight
I have wanted to be a writer since the sixth grade.
My first story was a mystery and I discovered that my classmates loved it and it
kept them guessing. I was a voracious reader, even at a young age, and loved
the history in the novels I picked up. I was so enthralled with that history
that I decided to get my MA in History. The early medieval period is my
favorite, as you can tell from the novels I write.
Although my works are fiction, I often like to
incorporate authentic places, events, and people to increase the reader’s
enjoyment. One of the more valuable lessons I have learned as a writer is the
importance of using real history with the flair of artistic license. You’ll
discover a world of fiction wrapped around historical people and events! I hope
you enjoy reading these stories as much as I delight in writing them.
I live in New England with my husband, two cats and
a yellow Labrador named Caledonia.
Q: Congratulations on your new release. Please
tell us about it. Do you have a review you could
share with us?
A: The Gentle Knight is the second book in The Norman
Conquest series. It's about Peter, John's friend from The Saxon Bride, and an
Irish princess.
A medieval soldier returns home to find his lover died in childbirth just as his own mother had. Believing he is cursed, Peter of Normandy turns from love. When he must give escort to an Irish princess more noble than many knights, he struggles with his decision to live a solitary life. Can he take the chance that his love won't be a death sentence and possibly make them stronger?
Padraig MacNaughton's death bed decree rips his daughter from the shelter of her protective Clan. Forced to take vows at a Priory in England, Brighit finds herself in the hands of lecherous mercenaries with their own agendas. Dare she trust the Norman knight to see her safely to her new life as a nun? Even when she finds in him the fulfillment of all she's ever wanted?
Or will honor and duty eclipse their one chance for happiness?
I found this story passionate, captivating and fun to read! It really kept my interest until the last page. I love medieval romance, so The Gentle Knight was perfect for me! A great historical romance set in England, fast paced, filled with passion, danger and intrigue. "
The reviews have been very
positive. I'll post a few excerpts:
" I loved her first book
The Saxon Bride in The Norman Conquest Series! I was not disappointed with the
second one The Gentle Knight. Again, she really wrote another beautiful
medieval story filled with strong emotions and rich characters.... Beautiful
chemistry between Peter and Brighit!
" I
started reading this book and I just couldn’t put it down. A fast paced story
that is filled with danger, passion, intrigue and love."
" Another spectacular read by Ashley York in The Gentle
Knight (The Norman Conquest series, book 2. I totally devoured this book. It
has so many twists and turns and at times a major heart string puller so have
your Kleenex nearby. It's a major page turner that is superbly written..."
Q: Awesome reviews! What
inspired this story?
A: I have to admit that I recently re-read a review
that had mentioned a hope to hear more about Peter and I can't remember if
that's where I got the idea or not. I did love Peter in The Saxon Bride. He was
able to say all those things to Rowena that she needed to hear but John was too
rigid to say them. He needed his own story and with a wonderful, strong heroine
like Brighit. She's also driven to do what honors her father and family. Peter
has his work cut out for him in trying to win her over.
Q: What is
the story behind the story?
A: Well, one thing is that Brighit was originally
Brenna. That was the name I always used in the SCA (Society for Creative
Anachronisms) but someone I have the greatest respect for felt very strongly
that it sounded too modern. Another little tid bit is that when Rae Monet Inc
designed my cover, I was not thrilled with the snow but loved the Norman
soldiers on horseback. I figured I would mention snow in the book. Anyone who's
read the story is probably scratching their heads because there is no story
without the snow storm.
Q: Why do
you write romance?
A: I'm a
romantic through and through. Naturally romance is my favorite genre to read.
When I was first married, my sister in law gave me a book about a fierce
Highlander. He was so passionate and in love with the heroine but then he went
away to fight, leaving her alone and pregnant.
She goes off for a new life in the unsettled wilds of the new world. I couldn't
tell you the year or what battle he goes away to but I loved their passion. I
wish I knew what the name of it was. I'm
a fast reader so I didn't care for the smaller books. It had to be big...so you
know I found Diana Gabaldon.
Q: What do
you enjoy most about writing romance?
A: I love finding the words to convey what I see in my
head. I have a vivid imagination and really work to have a reader feel like
they're there. One review said "The story is great, plot thick, and the characters feel
alive. I wanted so badly to be in this book. " That was my goal and I'm
glad she connected with them.
Q: How did
your story’s setting impact your plot or characters?
A: I learn more
and more about the time period because I never stop researching. The next in
the series is set in Ireland which is a totally different setting than England
circa 1075 but with overlapping characters from both of these books.
Q: Why did
you choose your setting and why was it perfect for your book?
A: This book
starts at Drogheda Ireland so I needed a town that: 1) dates back to 1075 2) isn't too far from
where they would have departed to England from 3) wasn't that far from Hill of
Tara and Meath. It's perfect for the book because this was relatively speaking
a calmer location than some in Ireland but because she's Irish royalty, she
needs to be near the High King's locations, etc. Her genealogy is really fun to
do, too. She is connected to some very big names. That will come out more with
her brother's story, The Seventh Son.
Q: Did you
choose the title of your book and if so how did you do it?
A: I chose it because Peter's a great warrior. He can
follow and he can lead without any qualms. the expression maybe "I'm a
lover not a fighter" but Peter was both. In battle he's fierce. In the
bedroom he's gentle.
Q: Please
tell us about your favorite character in the book.
A: Right now I'm just loving Peter. He had a really
bad upbringing with an abusive father who reminded Peter daily that his mother
had died delivering him. Peter ends up
as squire to William of Normandy which is where he meets John.
Q: Thank you so much for being our guest today, Ashley! Would you
like to ask readers a question?
A: This story
recounts the Irish legend that I had grown up with and that is the seventh son
of the seventh son of the seventh son has special powers. In this story,
Brighit is the seventh child, the only girl and the last child. Her brother,
Tadhg, is the sixth son of the seventh son of the seventh son. The next book is
about him. Should that title be The Sixth Son (which Tadhg technically is) or
should it be The Seventh Son?
Ashley is giving away an ebook copy of The Gentle Knight to one lucky commenter!
Here is an excerpt from A Gentle Knight:
"Ivan, sit
with your men or be gone from the room."
The innkeeper
reappeared with a well-browned pheasant, speared with a knife, on a wooden
platter. This time he was followed by a gray-haired woman, probably his wife.
She carried a tray of dark bread and offered the upper crust to Peter. Her head
bowed slightly.
"My
thanks," Peter said.
Mort smiled, no
doubt pleased by the deference being shown Peter. The man had probably informed
the couple of the honor they were being paid by the presence of one of the King's
own favored knights.
After properly
serving the knight, the couple brought in the victuals for the other table.
Peter removed the
knife and cut the meat. He pierced a small, juicy piece and offered it to
Brighit.
Her warm eyes held
his for a moment before accepting it, the pink tip of her tongue catching the
liquid that dripped off it.
The tension in his
body doubled.
"My
thanks."
"I hope you
find everything to your liking."
"It is very
good," Brighit said.
The innkeeper's
wife topped off Brighit's mug.
"Is there no
one else here? Are there no wenches about?" Peter asked.
The gray-haired
woman paused beside him and searched his face before responding. "A young
woman helps sometimes."
He waved his hand
to decline the mead, opting to continue with his own filched libations. He took
a long sip. The sudden, delicious warmth in the room may have been from the
fire, but he suspected it was not. Release would be sweet. "Will she be
here tonight?"
Brighit frowned at
Peter. He speared another piece of meat.
Please visit Ashley online at:
www.ashleyyorkauthor.com
Twitter: @ashleyyork1066,
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashley1066york?ref=hl
AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE http://amzn.to/1H6UL5w ,
GOODREADS AUTHOR PAGE http://bit.ly/1CUE4er,
The USA Today bestselling author of award-winning Scottish historical romance. Her favorite pastime is exploring Scotland, and taking photos along the way. She also enjoys creating hot, Highland heroes and spirited lasses to drive them mad. She lives in the mountains of North Carolina where she is crafting another Scottish story. Please visit her website at www.vondasinclair.com
New Cover Reveal! A Silver Wolf Christmas!
And more bear orders! I have 8 now to work on. And working on proofing Huntress for Hire audiobook. Two hours done, seven to go. And She-Wolf is getting close to the end.
I tried the collar on Tanner yesterday to see if I could get him used to listening to direction with it. He was sooooo good, but recently, he’s come into the terrible twos. He’s 5 mos old, and when I tell him to come, he used to run to me, now he sits and just gives me that look that says, “Make me.” So I put Max’s training collar on him while we were outside. He hadn’t a clue what was telling him to listen to me, and he kept attacking Max, thinking he was giving him grief.
So when we went inside, I began working on the story and the next thing I knew, the collar was sitting on the floor and both dogs were staring at it. I do need to begin training him though. Max is sooooo much better behaved and I can take him out and normally he comes to me with either a nudge from the collar or without it at all.
I've signed up Tanner for training also. It's going to be hard training them both at once at group, but at home, we're making progress.
Max’s Glamorous Look
Back to work on She-Wolf! Nearly have word count, only 500 words shy, but still a long way to go on reaching THE END.
Have a great Saturday!
Terry
“Giving new meaning to the term alpha male where fantasy is reality.”
Connect with Terry Spear: Website: http://www.terryspear.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/421434.Terry_Spear
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TerrySpearParanormalRomantics
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TerrySpear
Wilde & Woolly Bears http://www.celticbears.com
USA Today Bestseller and Award-winning author of urban fantasy and medieval historical romantic suspense, Terry Spear also writes true stories for adult and young adult audiences. She’s a retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves and has an MBA from Monmouth University. She also creates award-winning teddy bears, Wilde & Woolly Bears, to include personalized bears designed to commemorate authors’ books. When she’s not writing or making bears, she’s teaching online writing courses. Originally from California, she’s lived in eight states and now resides in the heart of Texas. She is the author of Heart of the Wolf (Publishers Weekly's BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR), Destiny of the Wolf, To Tempt the Wolf, Legend of the White Wolf, Seduced by the Wolf, Wolf Fever, Heart of the Highland Wolf, Dreaming of the Wolf, The Highland Wolf in Paradise, Deadly Liaisons (vampire romantic suspense), Winning the Highlander’s Heart, The Accidental Highland Hero, A Ghost of a Chance at Love (Time Travel Western Romance), The Vampire…In My Dreams (young adult), Deidre’s Secret (young adult) and numerous articles and short stories for magazines.
My muse is not amused
Okay, of all the excuses, er, I mean reasons that authors have for not finding the time to write, getting a new pool installed is probably one of the
lamest. So go ahead and scoff at me.
For the last few months, construction
crews have turned my back yard into a disaster zone. That's because with a new
pool comes a new, er, larger, deck. And, oh, did I mention they first had to
excavate the old pool?
Yeah, it's been a nightmare.
But
then came the excitement of the new construction!
And
then, day by day and week by week, things started to take shape.
We’re
not done yet, but hopefully by June I’ll be able to go for a swim! And by June
my muse will be amused at how much time I’ll have to write J
How
about you? Any major projects that sidetracked your writing for a while? Share!
Jenna
Spring What?
My hubby and I were planning a little getaway recently, which we discovered was a terrible idea. Why? Because April is Spring Break month, we discovered. Well, not discovered actually. We knew it, at least once upon a time when our kids were in school. In the old days of elementary, middle, and high school, Spring Break seemed awfully important and we planned it with more energy and drive than a spy mission. Then the college years came along and it didn't seem as important as the holiday seasonal stuff, mainly because our sons wanted to "spring break" without us so they could enjoy adulthood a bit. Still we knew when it was so we could properly worry about our children (at that point in their 20's) going off on their exploits.
Now, however, our sons are grown and married and have little ones of their own, and they're planning their own spring breaks with their families. We're fine with this, as our sons' kids are young and more interested in Disney World than running around on the beaches where we want to stretch out and relax.
Which leads me back to our almost mini-vacation. We thought we'd beat the rates and go in April, but everywhere we called--meaning anywhere there's sun or water--it was booked solid. How could we forget this is Spring Break month? After all those years planning and strategizing and saving money and eagerly awaiting yet another trip to a Route 66-type attraction and all the cool pictures it would provide (note to darling sons: I still have the pix and will show them to YOUR kids if I don't get what I want for Christmas--tee hee), how could I forget April was such a busy time?
The short answer is this: I didn't. Even if mentally I forget, my body still goes into vacay mode the minute the grass looks a little bit greener, which is probably why my hubby and I thought we needed to plan a getaway. So if I didn't forget it was that time of year, what happened?
I forgot it was April.
Yep, I still don't know how THAT snuck up on me. One minute the northeast is battling an outrageous snowstorm named Fandula or something, and the next I have an urge to travel and don't know why. Well, it isn't winter anymore, that's why. It seems like we just wore green for St. Patrick's Day yesterday, and now I can't book a flight for anywhere south of Michigan. Surprise!
No worries, though. We've started planning something for June, which should give us a couple of weeks anyway, and as long as we stay away from places where people what to get married, we should be fine.
Shouldn't we? lol
Now, however, our sons are grown and married and have little ones of their own, and they're planning their own spring breaks with their families. We're fine with this, as our sons' kids are young and more interested in Disney World than running around on the beaches where we want to stretch out and relax.
Which leads me back to our almost mini-vacation. We thought we'd beat the rates and go in April, but everywhere we called--meaning anywhere there's sun or water--it was booked solid. How could we forget this is Spring Break month? After all those years planning and strategizing and saving money and eagerly awaiting yet another trip to a Route 66-type attraction and all the cool pictures it would provide (note to darling sons: I still have the pix and will show them to YOUR kids if I don't get what I want for Christmas--tee hee), how could I forget April was such a busy time?
The short answer is this: I didn't. Even if mentally I forget, my body still goes into vacay mode the minute the grass looks a little bit greener, which is probably why my hubby and I thought we needed to plan a getaway. So if I didn't forget it was that time of year, what happened?
I forgot it was April.
Yep, I still don't know how THAT snuck up on me. One minute the northeast is battling an outrageous snowstorm named Fandula or something, and the next I have an urge to travel and don't know why. Well, it isn't winter anymore, that's why. It seems like we just wore green for St. Patrick's Day yesterday, and now I can't book a flight for anywhere south of Michigan. Surprise!
No worries, though. We've started planning something for June, which should give us a couple of weeks anyway, and as long as we stay away from places where people what to get married, we should be fine.
Shouldn't we? lol
Kaylee's Babies
Kaylee is a little black female cat who found me at my parents' house. My mom already has a female indoor cat and she doesn't get along with any other cats. Kaylee was living under one of the outbuildings. When I saw how friendly and sweet she is I decided to bring her home with me. I could tell the first time I saw her that she was going to have kittens. She is such a small cat that she was showing after only a couple of weeks apparently. I took her to the vet and she did a sonogram. She said Kaylee would have at least three kittens in a couple of weeks. Well... I waited and waited... and waited some more. Meanwhile, Kaylee is getting rounder and rounder. Her belly started to resemble a bowling ball. I didn't see how she could get much bigger. It seemed obvious to me she was going to have more than three kittens.
Finally, she had the kittens. I had to babysit the older ones and keep them warm while she was having the younger ones and taking care of them. I couldn't believe it when she had six babies. Four black and two gray. She was exhausted by the time the ordeal was over.
Kaylee is such a wonderful and patient mama and it's obvious she loves her babies.
Here is a video I made during week 2.
I hope you enjoyed meeting Kaylee and her babies.
Thanks!
Vonda
 |
| Kaylee a couple of weeks before her babies were born. |
 |
| Kaylee's one day old kittens. |
 |
| Meal time! One day old. |
Day 2
 |
| What was I thinking... having six babies at once?? |
 |
| Mama love. |
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5 & 6
 |
| Nap time! |
Day 7
 |
| Got milk? |
 |
| Snuggle buddies. |
Day 9 Their eyes are opening.
Day 10 Kaylee giving her babies some huggins.
Day 13
 |
| I loves my babies! |
 |
| Mini me. |
Here is a video I made during week 2.
I hope you enjoyed meeting Kaylee and her babies.
Thanks!
Vonda
My Captive Highlander is one of the stories in Kissing the Highlander.
Can unexpected passion and a little ancient magic turn enemies into lovers?
During a fierce storm on the west coast of Scotland, Shamus MacKenzie barely survives a galley wreck only to be captured and held for ransom by the enemy MacDonalds. Aided by the gift of second sight, Maili MacDonald, sister of the ruthless chief, senses the handsome, dark-haired stranger will somehow be important in her life. Compelled to help him, she insists on providing him food and a healer to see to his injuries. She knows she is daft to fall in love with this captivating warrior after one forbidden kiss but cannot help herself. With each visit from Maili, Shamus finds his thoughts consumed by the enchanting lass. Can he convince her to help him escape the dungeon and prevent the impending battle between the two clans?
During a fierce storm on the west coast of Scotland, Shamus MacKenzie barely survives a galley wreck only to be captured and held for ransom by the enemy MacDonalds. Aided by the gift of second sight, Maili MacDonald, sister of the ruthless chief, senses the handsome, dark-haired stranger will somehow be important in her life. Compelled to help him, she insists on providing him food and a healer to see to his injuries. She knows she is daft to fall in love with this captivating warrior after one forbidden kiss but cannot help herself. With each visit from Maili, Shamus finds his thoughts consumed by the enchanting lass. Can he convince her to help him escape the dungeon and prevent the impending battle between the two clans?
The USA Today bestselling author of award-winning Scottish historical romance. Her favorite pastime is exploring Scotland, and taking photos along the way. She also enjoys creating hot, Highland heroes and spirited lasses to drive them mad. She lives in the mountains of North Carolina where she is crafting another Scottish story. Please visit her website at www.vondasinclair.com
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