tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9839592196837049722024-03-05T12:11:08.437-05:00The NCP AuthorsMarly Mathewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11650257543812665255noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-983959219683704972.post-34259605456600148132011-11-04T12:35:00.000-04:002011-11-04T12:35:35.844-04:00What's everyone up to?We've been a bit quiet on this blog, recently, but thank you to everyone who has hit on us (grin) and who has visited New Concepts Publishing.RowenaBCherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14826977922522817547noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-983959219683704972.post-67021542001746568552011-01-18T10:46:00.000-05:002011-01-18T10:46:16.778-05:00Blatant, ingenuous copyright infringementHere is an egregious example of a shameless copyright infringer advising others how to make money over the internet.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.marketingchat.info/index.html">General Chat - How Do We Make A Living ONLINE</a><br />
<br />
"Max" writes (and I quote under the Fair Use provisions of the law, for the purposes of education and commentary and reportage)<br />
<br />
<br />
<blockquote>I have been making a living online for around 10 years now. You are right, it's not easy! <br />
It takes a lot of time and patience. One thing I have noted over the years is that its important to build a database of 'members' or customers, and keep in touch with them, but only when you have something useful to say! <br />
<br />
I have used 'freebies' or 'giveaways' to entice people to join my services. This works well as <span style="color: #6600cc; font-weight: bold;">it cost's absolutely nothing to giveaway a free book (for example), </span>but you can guarantee that they will read your next email! <br />
<br />
Over the years I have managed to build a small 'stable' of steady online businesses (I am a strong believer in 'bread and butter' income, and not the 'fast buck' ideas... which rarely work anyway!) through shear hard work and countless hours. I love the web and it's possibilities, however, you must always keep in mind, that its those people with money, are generally the ones who get the exposure, since they throw big bucks at their online projects for marketing campaigns <br />
<br />
The answer to this, is to find a real niche, then put your all into it! <br />
<br />
Max </blockquote>Marketing Chat appears to be a "sponsor" of a book giveaway site, and since "Marketing Chat" links fold back to the freebie site, and to the home page and yahoogroup of the known and blatant copyright infringers most recently known as "BooksForNothing" I infer that Max is linked to the freebie master.<br />
<br />
In fact, they post<br />
<br />
<blockquote>Dear Members <br />
<br />
This should make you feel that membership is worthwhile! <br />
<br />
Here is 106 Free Business Books (<span style="font-weight: bold;">you have to join their free Yahoo group first</span>, but you will be amazed at the 1000's of books they give away, including other books like fiction, crafts, audio books etc!) <br />
<br />
This selection of biz books is quite extensive, and there is definitly something there for everyone! <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.marketingchat.info/freebies.html" rel="nofollow" target="_top">http://www.marketingchat.info/freebies.html</a><br />
<br />
Regards <br />
Max <br />
Admin </blockquote>YAHOO has refused to do a thing about this brazen, copyright infringing YAHOOGROUP for years. When I reported the group to YAHOO, yahoo banned me!<br />
<br />
You many well be amazed at the 100's of books they give away... but the fact is, most of these books are given away by persons who have no right whatsoever to give those books away, and they do so in knowing and blatant violation of the authors' and publishers' rights.<br />
<br />
GOOGLE, YAHOO, PAYPAL, FILESONIC all profit from this piracy, and all either drag their heels or do nothing to put a stop to this rampant, deliberate piracy, while Movie companies, Book Publishers, Software Manufacturers, Musicians, and others are ripped off.<br />
<br />
They post this message:<blockquote><br />
<table cellspacing="0" class="sites-layout-hbox"><tbody>
<tr><td class="sites-layout-tile sites-tile-name-content-1"><div dir="ltr"><div style="color: red; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Please note: Our pages get shut down on a regular basis (the book companies do not like us!) so join the club (form below) and you will never miss out on the latest goodies!</span><br />
</span></div></div></td><td class="sites-layout-tile sites-tile-name-content-2"><div dir="ltr"><div style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><a href="https://sites.google.com/site/booksfornothing/home/bigstockphoto_Books_3107588.jpg?attredirects=0"><img border="0" src="https://sites.google.com/site/booksfornothing/_/rsrc/1294186426011/home/bigstockphoto_Books_3107588.jpg?height=180&width=320" style="height: 41px; width: 73px;" /></a></div></div></td></tr>
</tbody> </table><div class="sites-layout-tile sites-tile-name-footer"><div dir="ltr"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><b> <h1><a href="" name="TOC-Join-our-FREE-BOOKS-club-TODAY-"></a><span style="color: red;">Join our FREE BOOKS club TODAY!</span></h1></b></b></div><b> <center> <h4><a href="" name="TOC-NOTE:-Don-t-miss-out-...-Its-the-ea"></a>NOTE: Don't miss out!... 'Its the early bird that catches the worm' <br />
</h4><h4><a href="" name="TOC-Due-to-complaints-by-book-companies"></a>Due to complaints by book companies, files get deleted all the time, so join the club using the form below, and you will be notified the minute a new bookmix has been completed!</h4></center></b></div></div></blockquote><div class="sites-layout-tile sites-tile-name-footer"><div dir="ltr"><b><center><br />
</center></b></div></div>Seeing the above, can there be any doubt that they are aware that they are infringing copyright? Why would any reasonable person think that book companies would be successful in getting files deleted, if not for DMCA notices?<br />
<br />
Please feel free to share this post.RowenaBCherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14826977922522817547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-983959219683704972.post-26331235700165090812010-11-20T01:31:00.001-05:002010-11-20T01:31:38.201-05:00Intergalactic Justice Book II: Maximum Velocity!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJNtmH3jqBSHJJuiuAnozlSMc-tHXPjJWyAc44vMSTPvz3DKS5sD5VZzlYlVY7Ua0EfS18dV0QkI5ainaEFtT2BkUtfNt63IF14g0mk75iHjQLJfmacrSUOwgvBsQLo40_C5FlIj0rb0Q/s1600/maximumvelocity.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 193px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJNtmH3jqBSHJJuiuAnozlSMc-tHXPjJWyAc44vMSTPvz3DKS5sD5VZzlYlVY7Ua0EfS18dV0QkI5ainaEFtT2BkUtfNt63IF14g0mk75iHjQLJfmacrSUOwgvBsQLo40_C5FlIj0rb0Q/s320/maximumvelocity.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541514177230623298" border="0" /></a><br />Intergalactic Justice Book II: Maximum Velocity is now available in print format at New Concepts Publishing!<br />Join Samantha on her second daring adventure in my futuristic paranormal series!<br /><span style="font-style: italic;color:red;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><span style=";font-size:12pt;color:#000000;">Dark forces conspire against Samantha Cassidy and her family. With her niece taken by a ruthless Intergalactic Triad, Samantha must ally with a powerful man who was once her enemy and in doing so...she just might lose herself.</span></span></span>Marly Mathewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11650257543812665255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-983959219683704972.post-54709156299410429662010-10-22T16:20:00.000-04:002010-10-22T16:20:47.601-04:00If You Believe That Authors Have A Right To Earn A LivingThis is an email from Lucinda Dugger, Director of The Copyright Alliance: <br />
<blockquote><div style="text-align: justify;">Dear Copyright Advocates,<br />
<br />
A couple weeks ago I emailed you about a bill that has been introduced in the Senate that will combat online infringement of copyrighted works (it's called the "Combating Online Infringement and Counterfeits Act" or "COICA"). I encouraged you to <a href="http://www.capwiz.com/musicrightsnow/issues/alert/?alertid=17640511&type=CO">sign a petition</a> in favor of the bill.<br />
<br />
Though many of you did this, our efforts have not been enough.<br />
<br />
The opponents of this bill have been active in mobilizing the masses to speak out against it. The result of their efforts is that it seems like the public is against this bill. Yet, I hear from you everyday about how websites are illegally posting your creative works for others to take and how this affects your livelihood.<br />
<br />
This bill would benefit all artists and creators! TAKE ACTION TODAY! Stand up for your rights!<br />
WHAT CAN YOU DO?<br />
1. Speak up on blogs and listservs. Last week I blogged about a musician who spoke out in favor of the bill on a website. When he did so, <a href="http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_SN_3804.html?view=discuss#usercomments">others verbally attacked him</a> calling him a "greedy pig" among other things. This musician and other artists need your support on this effort. Post blogs and comments on your own websites or on websites like this one.<br />
2. Contact your Senator and House Representative. Tell your congressional representatives to vote YES to the bill. Tell them your story and how piracy and infringement affect you.<br />
<br />
To find and email your Senator, go here.<br />
To find and email your House Representative, go here.<br />
3. Tweet this: Stop online piracy of art, music, movies, books, all creative works. Vote yes to Combating Online Infringement and Counterfeits Act #COICA<br />
4. Facebook this: The U.S. Congress is debating a bill that could help millions of artists around the world. If passed, the bill would allow the government to target and shut down "internet sites dedicated to infringing activities" which are "primarily designed" to access unauthorized copyrighted material. Tell your representatives to vote YES to the Combating Online Infringement and Counterfeits Act (COICA).<br />
WHAT IS THIS BILL ABOUT?<br />
1. Check out this short video by independent filmmaker Ellen Seidler as she talks about how websites that are illegally hosting her movie are profiting. Yet, she is losing money. This bill will help shut down websites like these.<br />
2. The bill will not target minor violations of copyright. It will target "internet sites dedicated to infringing activities" that are "primarily designed" to offer or provide access to copyrighted material "without the authorization of the copyright owner."<br />
3. The Attorney General will be able to request a court order to suspend the domain names of U.S.-based infringing websites. For non-U.S.-based websites, the Attorney General will be able to request a court order to require the ISPs to block the website. Credit card companies and networks providing ads to these sites will also suspend all activity with the infringing sites.<br />
4. A list of all the domain names that are found to be infringing copyright protected content will be posted on a "publicly available Internet site, together with other relevant information, in order to inform the public."<br />
REMEMBER PILFERED MAGAZINE?<br />
Last February we made you aware of "Pilfered Magazine", an online magazine that freely took images from photographers without their permission and didn't credit or compensate the photographers. Because of your emails, Tweets, and postings on blogs and Facebook, the magazine was shut down in a weekend and has never reopened.<br />
<br />
It is important that we take collective action on this bill too. Pilfered is not the only website that hosts and offers infringing material. This bill will help remove other websites like Pilfered from the internet.<br />
<br />
ONE VOI©E: SPEAK UP FOR CREATORS' RIGHTS<br />
<br />
Best,<br />
Lucinda Dugger<br />
P.S. If you received this email from a friend, and you are interested in receiving more information about how you can speak up for your rights, sign up for our network of Copyright Advocates.</div></blockquote>RowenaBCherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14826977922522817547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-983959219683704972.post-21225293210707147322010-07-09T07:50:00.002-04:002010-07-09T07:53:42.397-04:00New Release: Maximum Velocity by Marly Mathews<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOZbpvp2dUkn7l8sW16dld0IpBVBeuvmFPkyhw14IsKp0IPZMU7LbT4YRyy4pDmLV8pAZD1QuB3kLcq2UGassAZSuiG3OHymlW3yVR61UwkwWGSi27X509-CpHy2Opc1d-aT8_dBumX04P/s1600/maximumvelocity.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 193px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOZbpvp2dUkn7l8sW16dld0IpBVBeuvmFPkyhw14IsKp0IPZMU7LbT4YRyy4pDmLV8pAZD1QuB3kLcq2UGassAZSuiG3OHymlW3yVR61UwkwWGSi27X509-CpHy2Opc1d-aT8_dBumX04P/s320/maximumvelocity.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491872819848598082" /></a>Hey Everyone! Maximum Velocity has released at New Concepts Publishing! This is the second book in my Intergalactic Justice Series! <br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Sometimes love can be dangerous....<br /></span></span><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Dark forces conspire against Samantha Cassidy and her family. With her niece taken by a ruthless Intergalactic Triad, Samantha must ally with a powerful man who was once her enemy and in doing so... she just might lose herself.<br /></span><br /><a href="http://www.newconceptspublishing.com/marlymathewsbooks.html"></a>Marly Mathewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11650257543812665255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-983959219683704972.post-70909109517580440162010-06-27T09:48:00.000-04:002010-06-27T09:48:24.719-04:00Open letter to John Scalzi, Scott Turow, Allison Kelley.<div style="color: #ea9999;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #ea9999;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #ea9999;"><b>Open letter to the Presidents of RWA, SFWA, and Authors' Guild concerning copyright infringement.</b></div><br />
<br />
Dear Scott Turow, Allison Kelley, John Scalzi,<br />
<br />
Thank you very much for everything you do to defend authors' copyrights against copyright infringement. We very much appreciate having an address to which to send our complaints, and the comfort of knowing that you compile a database of the most egregious "pirates" and pirate sites.<br />
<br />
Despite small triumphs, ignorance persists among honest readers; lies about the legality of "sharing" go unchallenged, and the problem is getting much worse.<br />
<br />
Please Scott Turow, Allison Kelley, John Scalzi will you talk to one another, set up one powerhouse task force, meet regularly, share resources, engage your members, give authors one central "Go To" address where we can submit complaints, report piracy sites, blogs and yahoogroups, cc our individual take-down notices.<br />
<br />
One forceful industry voice could shut down an entire account and insist on a hosting site complying with their own TOS where their TOS has been repeatedly violated, instead of individual authors taking down one file at a time.<br />
<br />
Thank you.<br />
<br />
<br />
Rowena Cherry (IWOFA)<br />
<div style="color: #ea9999;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="color: #ea9999;"><b>Permission granted to forward, share, repost, or use as a template for other open letters.</b></div>RowenaBCherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14826977922522817547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-983959219683704972.post-4564855546730416732010-01-22T15:53:00.000-05:002010-01-22T15:53:20.078-05:00The Authors Guild - Last Call: Google Settlement Seminars by Phone<a href="http://authorsguild.org/advocacy/articles/last-call--google-settlement-seminars.html?sms_ss=blogger">The Authors Guild - Last Call: Google Settlement Seminars by Phone</a><br /><br /><br />Hi, colleagues.<br />I thought I'd share this (with permission)<br /><br />For those still seeking more information about the Google Book Settlement, we'll be hosting five phone-in seminars next week. These are open to all authors and agents. The seminars are free, except for your usual long-distance phone charges. We've expanded the capacity to accommodate many more people. We encourage you to forward this on to other authors and groups of authors.<br /><br />Each seminar will provide a short, clear explanation of the settlement and will answer all questions from participants. Each seminar will last about an hour. The seminars will be conducted by Paul Aiken, Jan Constantine, and Anita Fore, the Guild's Executive Director, General Counsel, and Director of Legal Services.<br /><br />Here are the dates and times, click on a link to sign up:<br /><br /><a target="_blank" href="http://app.bronto.com/public/?q=ulink&fn=Link&ssid=896&id=ea6o26uny7h2h451dnhhch31km398&id2=5489se1z6x9tpxiar26us97fx04ha&subscriber_id=bhlmgeswggapszqzfkagvxfzinbjbcg&delivery_id=btpioozvlecirolwwbsvpjaiglilbem">Monday, January 25, 2010 at 10:00 AM Eastern Std Time</a><br /><br /><a target="_blank" href="http://app.bronto.com/public/?q=ulink&fn=Link&ssid=896&id=ea6o26uny7h2h451dnhhch31km398&id2=5eho2rsib3oueegg1syukhacgy3km&subscriber_id=bhlmgeswggapszqzfkagvxfzinbjbcg&delivery_id=btpioozvlecirolwwbsvpjaiglilbem">Monday, January 25, 2010 at 3:00 PM Eastern Std Time</a><br /><br /><a target="_blank" href="http://app.bronto.com/public/?q=ulink&fn=Link&ssid=896&id=ea6o26uny7h2h451dnhhch31km398&id2=18eizpvubwahtwri8h3dhqwqm4oop&subscriber_id=bhlmgeswggapszqzfkagvxfzinbjbcg&delivery_id=btpioozvlecirolwwbsvpjaiglilbem">Tuesday, January 26, 2010 at 10:00 AM Eastern Std Time</a><br /><br /><a target="_blank" href="http://app.bronto.com/public/?q=ulink&fn=Link&ssid=896&id=ea6o26uny7h2h451dnhhch31km398&id2=24xknw586qvdkcd5450whh80sy1uo&subscriber_id=bhlmgeswggapszqzfkagvxfzinbjbcg&delivery_id=btpioozvlecirolwwbsvpjaiglilbem">Tuesday, January 26, 2010 at 3:00 PM Eastern Std Time</a><br /><br /><a target="_blank" href="http://app.bronto.com/public/?q=ulink&fn=Link&ssid=896&id=ea6o26uny7h2h451dnhhch31km398&id2=f8znongxea6jg9wp78w1y357qn6n8&subscriber_id=bhlmgeswggapszqzfkagvxfzinbjbcg&delivery_id=btpioozvlecirolwwbsvpjaiglilbem">Wednesday, January 27, 2010 at 10:00 AM Eastern Std Time</a><br /><br />When a seminar is full, it will be removed from the list of options on the online registration form.<br /><br />--------------------------<br />Feel free to forward, post or tweet. Here's a short URL for linking: <a href="http://tiny.cc/Ehpvi" target="_blank">http://tiny.cc/Ehpvi</a>RowenaBCherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14826977922522817547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-983959219683704972.post-91617853823855793582009-05-04T21:51:00.004-04:002009-05-04T22:05:34.072-04:00New Cover for the Print Edition<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS7KLOFNQS2V1M0sPrhlSiyMl0shQN6JwdCNoAIBb3poRTZhT-IHbGUmnVG_JUmD7ljt-u_ypC5SpzuE5pC0cof3AQlvnIJ4CLFa6CIIkMh4JQH1ILysz3Vhasyb9F66_t4N8gJ67DZBub/s1600-h/blackbirch.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 210px; height: 349px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS7KLOFNQS2V1M0sPrhlSiyMl0shQN6JwdCNoAIBb3poRTZhT-IHbGUmnVG_JUmD7ljt-u_ypC5SpzuE5pC0cof3AQlvnIJ4CLFa6CIIkMh4JQH1ILysz3Vhasyb9F66_t4N8gJ67DZBub/s400/blackbirch.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332152040070374386" border="0"></a>The print edition of The Beast of Blackbirch Manor is now on sale! This edition has a brand new cover. I was so thrilled I made a book video to give readers an idea of what's inside the book. Go to <a href="http://www.newconceptspublishing.com">New Concepts Publishing</a> and buy your copy of the book today.<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz9fQLHcsaHey9tZJ4JCmklhIywabelm2886Fb8z2ukHu-rM73utzpun9LnZYVSnPNK2T3VTycdIMKk-k16ow' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-983959219683704972.post-51008081514907667572009-04-06T10:54:00.001-04:002009-04-06T10:54:51.665-04:00Five Tombstone Review for Dark Phoenix!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6iHytHxIeRlimri2F4gHZvVsyV31zPU7y0tJDUhn4p9GbC9pMAT11JcMD6j3QgWOtBnN_bov3_u2lVsHB2RQ-Roy_SDHtUIOtM6lbvY9Ef1Wqqwk04Vt7ncxU19i-cZdXMAM6ubUZKKs/s1600-h/rating_star.solid.gif"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 32px; height: 32px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6iHytHxIeRlimri2F4gHZvVsyV31zPU7y0tJDUhn4p9GbC9pMAT11JcMD6j3QgWOtBnN_bov3_u2lVsHB2RQ-Roy_SDHtUIOtM6lbvY9Ef1Wqqwk04Vt7ncxU19i-cZdXMAM6ubUZKKs/s320/rating_star.solid.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321587787384971474" /></a><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 32px; height: 32px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpDl4Uhw6E1ZeubMLbrWt3v1gxQxbIsOH7LfzY1siie-CqycRY1ZWd7e-hAmMXrfLJVzlaWWsinZJWbxxwIRlDVpZEXNXgXEuBYb6AR7Lpf1vEKP8QlWikMc1wnMb25Sx9Ieih_c3YVc4/s320/rating_star.solid.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321587933013807858" /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiJSKOq4pRWrL8Gc4iSXHa8FXL-A8LTaD3PBgcThoiC8-0szMiqiHR4SQ3Pp-jz5s15jGmLHutIAPthKZDCG5pPK7Lghjp25bfGDtSfUym2uXibpOEPFo6Q74c2HBIgV661V-FSg8Wa6Y/s1600-h/rating_star.solid.gif"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 32px; height: 32px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiJSKOq4pRWrL8Gc4iSXHa8FXL-A8LTaD3PBgcThoiC8-0szMiqiHR4SQ3Pp-jz5s15jGmLHutIAPthKZDCG5pPK7Lghjp25bfGDtSfUym2uXibpOEPFo6Q74c2HBIgV661V-FSg8Wa6Y/s320/rating_star.solid.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321587784208259138" /></a><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 32px; height: 32px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjtydTwWQ9tS8RIvk_BDZlSAeHC1-XDrDwZQw6J7BiGpQVfIcGAdEbWAl33m8fcDEqy5dsYWxUZsdfgT3V0naD7KDoQazu5czIJzpi4zQOxd6Ubi5okWLfDi0m9u9AfZhLZ3b8dDq6jM0/s320/rating_star.solid.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321587783540775170" /><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 32px; height: 32px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSttYzmDpHNzB4ROU1Mx8PW1yIaSHYy1sazkrDOcPk9RHAsPvTVQeS_xfm5W9TndMxlylw5r0bMdEfS7GwCpSFEvUWvaTR5RYfZsRBbW0ht9xJ-3olytObdi0O33WYzADox8_OHrWQP9s/s320/rating_star.solid.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321587531309834706" /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 41px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiffctmH9lCAMrYy3NMO5ay_A2DjlE8yGNhZUqYukLEHTeMfeu13pN35y2CqSio9YGGSyo-iWOw6T8p3SUxNeyOIPPsA-ck-BuA-XIgaIwJQ9zqsP4oKD0mFsPQPJ0FqynVF4fiyKMn-00/s320/Banner_468x60.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321588458568833650" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Dark Phoenix has received a FIVE tombstone review from Justice at Bitten by Books! Thank you so much, Justice! </div><div>Here's a snippet of her review! </div><div><br /></div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Dark Phoenix is a dramatic action packed page turner. Once the first page is opened you are instantly transported to a desert planet not fit for human kind, it is so well written your mouth will parch. I felt as if I was part of the story, like a ghost unseen in each scene. Literally, in my mind’s eye I could see the action, the jarring of the battles vibrated my seat, the seductive caresses of the love shared between the characters made me yearn to curl up next to someone special. Ms. Matthews has definitely did it again she brings her audience into her world and if most are like me they will want to stay there a while.<br />Justice, Bitten By Books!</span></span><br />Read the full review by following this link! <a href="http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=5723">Dark Phoenix review!</a><br /><br />~MarlyMarly Mathewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11650257543812665255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-983959219683704972.post-23700518887262197172009-03-07T16:37:00.003-05:002009-03-07T16:42:33.436-05:00New Video Trailer For Sojourn With A Stranger<strong>Please check out my new video trailer and vote by clicking on title above! Thanks, Kat Bryan</strong><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0n0q5htT7ds&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0n0q5htT7ds&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>WELCOME TO KAT'S BLOG!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11960489451115144710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-983959219683704972.post-3445736928622929622009-02-23T09:29:00.003-05:002009-02-23T09:37:32.621-05:00Sojourn With A Stranger Receives FIVE Stars<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlpw7m90MIex5-6tymITKTu-0dgzZt_Z3XNaw9ElFWfZbONaVB-mdJ2mspI4O-FK31rVyBnbAykCkTDGs9JAdN6IirT5vcuQc5Hnbql3JfNJsyCIbBnVP0-uy1enuxinhNDFC6eZ21pvSk/s1600-h/Sojourn+with+a+Stranger.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 193px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlpw7m90MIex5-6tymITKTu-0dgzZt_Z3XNaw9ElFWfZbONaVB-mdJ2mspI4O-FK31rVyBnbAykCkTDGs9JAdN6IirT5vcuQc5Hnbql3JfNJsyCIbBnVP0-uy1enuxinhNDFC6eZ21pvSk/s320/Sojourn+with+a+Stranger.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306001607504797778" /></a><br /><br /><strong>Sojourn With A Stranger </strong>was selected as a ROR Reading Challenge and reviewed by Heather's Reading Romance Blog. Thank you, Heather, for the wonderful review!<br /><br />February, 2009<br /><strong>Sojourn With A Stranger</strong><br />K. Celeste Bryan<br />Rating: 5 stars <strong>* * * * *</strong><br /><br /><strong>Blurb:</strong><br /><br />Penniless when she arrives in Norfolk , her mother and father drowned at sea, Raine Brinsley would give anything to return home to her grandfather in Maine . When Derek Stafford, owner of a large plantation, offers a solution to her dilemma, she’s stunned, if not outraged. She’d prefer to fulfill the contract to have his child and forget about him and his self-serving scheme. But she hadn’t counted on the decadently-delicious passion he’d awakened in her.<br /><br />Derek’s only desire was to father an heir for Stafford House, thus securing his future. He didn’t count on the Scottish lass with dark green eyes to interfere with his well-laid plans. But after one night in her arms, guilt, not to mention the loss of his heart, became his penance. Now he’d do anything to get her back, anything to quench the hunger and passion tormenting his soul.<br /><br /><strong>Review:</strong><br /><br />My Thoughts: ***Sigh*** What can I say...<br /><br />This was such a good book! K. Celeste Bryan did a superb job in this story!!! I was immediately pulled into the story of Raine and Derek.<br /><br />Raine is a young woman full of Scottish blood... and we all know how stubborn those Scots can be! When faced with the tragic loss of her parents she finds herself stranded in Norfolk without a penny and refusing to write to the only relative she has left. She will not except Derek's offering to pay her way home, willing only to work in his employ to save money to make her own way home. Derek comes up with another plan... a very selfish one at that. If Raine agrees to Derek's schemes she will have enough money to get home, take care of her Grandfather, and never worry about money again.<br /><br />Bryan makes you love, hate, and pity Derek. He was selfish and selfless. He blames himself for his late wife losing her mind, that and the decisions he has made since Raine showed up on his doorstep sends him running from Stafford Hall when Raine needs him the most.<br /><br />I didn't want the story to end. It was another late night of reading...<br /><br />There was love, loss, mystery, and ghosts in this book. It is a must read that has landed a permanent spot on my shelf under favorites!! <br /><br />Posted by Heather at HEATHER'S READING ROMANCE<br /><br />Labels: ebook, HR, K. Celeste. Bryan, paranormal, rating:5, spicey, winter '08 challenge<br /><br />Thanks, Heather,<br /><a href="http://www.hostdrjack.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.hostdrjack.com/generators/images/star-purplek.gif" border="0" alt="http://hostdrjack.com"></a><a href="http://www.hostdrjack.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.hostdrjack.com/generators/images/star-purplea.gif" border="0" alt="http://hostdrjack.com"></a><a href="http://www.hostdrjack.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.hostdrjack.com/generators/images/star-purplet.gif" border="0" alt="http://hostdrjack.com"></a>WELCOME TO KAT'S BLOG!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11960489451115144710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-983959219683704972.post-19893506029637198842009-02-05T01:04:00.001-05:002009-02-05T01:04:30.660-05:00The Condom Conundrum<span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">What Makes a Romance </span></span><br /><br />When I read a romance there are a couple of things I demand. First and foremost, a HEA. Don’t have it? Then it ain’t a romance and don’t try to sell it to me as one. Second, when I’m reading a love scene, I don’t want to be thrown out of the read. I want to enjoy <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">the fantasy of romantic, uninhibited, steamy sex.</span> I read a love scene the other night where the hero stopped to put on a condom and the heroine was worried it (the condom) was going to bust as the hero was rolling it over his erection.<br /><br />I’m guessing it was the author’s way of saying the guy was HUGE <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">*and*</span> how thoughtful and caring he was by putting a condom on before he had sex with the heroine. Unfortunately the great sexual tension that had been built up to that moment was completely lost as I burst out laughing at the image of a guy with a fat c*ck trying not to break a condom he was putting on. Not the image I’m sure the author was going for. As a result, I couldn’t get back into the read. I’m still chuckling as I think about it! LOL So I thought it might make for a fun blog or at the very least give me a bully pulpit to do a point/counterpoint on the issue of condoms in romance books .*grin*<br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br />Jane You Misguided, Miserable Slut</span><br /><br />The <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">points </span>in the following mini-debate are paraphrased commentary I’ve heard from several different sources over the last year or so. The <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">counterpoints are my POV.</span> Neither side is right or wrong. It’s just about what some readers (including me) are comfortable with in a book and what they’re not.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);font-size:130%;" >Point –</span> Condoms are necessary because I expect characters to act responsibly in a book. If the hero doesn’t pull out a condom during a love scene, it’s not realistic. I want the hero to say “I care” by pulling out that foil wrapper. It doesn't have to be added into the love scene, but I need to know wrappers are laying on the floor either before or after the scene. When I don’t see a condom used, it throws me out of the read and most of the time I'll put the book down.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Counterpoint – </span></span>If we’re talking realism, how about this, if the condom goes on, it has to come off. When it comes off, it’s got that ick factor, because one hopes that the guy's been satisfied. Why don’t authors show that realism too? Probably because it’s not romantic. I find it curious that we don’t demand similar standards for love scenes in movies. I watched Maid in Manhattan this past weekend and I didn’t see one single wrapper the morning after. Same for James Bond and all the women he’s had over the years. If we can assume protection is used in a movie’s love scene is there some reason we cannot assume the same thing for a romance book. Or are we to apply a different standard of entertainment to a book versus a movie simply because it’s a book, or more specifically a romance book? Is this some way of legitimizing romance?<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">Point – </span></span>A condom used by the hero in a romance shows he cares about the heroine. It makes me believe he cares and respects her enough because he’s aware of STDs or doesn’t want to impregnate her. He’s more heroic when he pulls out a condom. It shows he cares.<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /> <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">Counterpoint – </span></span>When reading a sexy romance we generally assume a couple having sex for the first time is either in love or almost in love. If a reader can take that leap of faith, why is it so difficult to assume protection isn’t being used just because the author doesn’t actually show it? As for being heroic, if a couple has sex in a book without being in love or at least halfway there that first time or two, I find that even more unheroic than a hero who doesn’t pop on a condom. Even if the work is Erotic Romance or Erotica, why would a hero wear a condom, but turn around and perform oral sex. You can get STDs from oral sex, just like unprotected sex. Again, it’s about letting the reader make up their own mind. I believe readers are intelligent people. They don’t need things dumbed down for them. I’m sure they can assume that protection is a logical part of the sex act and it's not necessary for a satisfying read.<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Point – </span></span>It’s an author’s responsibility to add in safe sex issues in their work because we live in a society where STDs and unwanted pregnancies are a major issue. We need to consider that there are impressionable minds out there. To not show safe sex in a book is irresponsible of the author.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Counterpoint –</span></span> While STDs and unwanted pregnancies are a societal issue, and can be addressed in a romance <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">if </span></span>an author so chooses, it’s not an author’s responsibility to educate readers on safe sex, particularly when awareness about the issue is quite prevalent in our society.<br /><br />One can also turn the STD issue around and view it as maybe the hero is using a condom because he’s got a STD he doesn’t want to transmit to the heroine. If that were the case, why hasn’t he been cured? If it’s incurable, then that needs to be addressed LONG before the couple has sex. If the hero doesn’t tell the heroine he’s got a problem, that’s unheroic. If he doesn’t have an STD, is he perhaps afraid the heroine will give him something if he doesn't put on a condom? Naturally, these are exaggerations and unlikely points that would appear in a romance (although it might make for an interesting read), but the point is that using STDs as a reason for including a condom in romance is to me ridiculous.<br /><br />The fear of pregnancy however I understand, and I could buy this factor if it’s stated that’s the reason for a condom being used. But again, this is fiction and the heroine won’t get pregnant unless the author deems it so (or the character) so it nullifies the need for a condom.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Point – </span></span>Romance is supposed to show realism in the development of characters and their relationship. Authors need to be cognizant of this issue and ensure that realism is added into their books.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);font-size:130%;" >Counterpoint – </span>If realism is the point of using condoms, then I put forth the argument that realism needs to extend beyond the condoms to more realistic heroes and heroines. Men who aren’t super hot sex machines (although I do love a hottie in a romance). Forget about men who're drop dead gorgeous with abs that are hard as a tree trunk or flat stomachs or perfect bodies in general. We need heroines that don’t have long silky hair, lovely faces, a svelte figure or other fabulous qualities. Let’s add to our love scenes those moments of skin flapping against skin as lovers copulate. What about those flatulence sounds that occur occasionally when a c*ck pops in and out a certain way. (*evil grin*) Those are all realistic sounds and images. Why aren’t they depicted? I don’t know about you, but there’s a definite, eeewwww factor in there for me. It just doesn’t make for a hot, steamy, ROMANTIC love scene IMHO.<br /><br />For me personally, condoms in a love scene just aren't romantic. They're about being politically correct and the promoting of a safe sex agenda. I don’t write them because I believe they detract from a love scene. I think writing condoms into a love scene has to be a decision of each individual author. If a reader expects political correctness, it won’t be found in my books. I write romance. Romance that entertains. Romance that’s escapism and fantasy with core values such as love, empowerment, hope and HEAs, because the reality is life doesn’t always come with HEAs. I'm not about preaching safe sex to a reader. I think my readers are intelligent enough to figure out that safe sex is something you practice in the real world, and it’s not necessary to have it in a romance book that’s created to entertain you. When I explained this blog to the DH, his reaction was a *snort* and then "Get real, it's a fantasy." Guess I've got one believer in my court. LOLUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-983959219683704972.post-85235717211448671202008-11-23T18:19:00.001-05:002008-11-23T18:20:53.313-05:00Counting Blessings<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">I have a house. </span></span>While it might not be an ideal house, it’s still mine and I’m not in foreclosure thanks to someone reassuring me that “interest rates won’t go up that much.” There are a lot of people who are in the midst of losing their house or without a place to live, and I wish I were Warren Buffett rich to help as many as I could. Particularly the kids. No kid should go homeless or hungry. It just isn’t right.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >I have a job. </span>A lot of writers work two jobs. Making a living at writing is not easy, so a great many of us work day jobs (or nights) with our writing occurring whenever we can. Me, I can’t quit work because of debt, but at least I have a job that helps me keep my head above water. After a day at work, I come home and write from 8pm-12am most weekdays and my weekends are 12-16 hour writing blitzes. I hope to quit the day job in the near future, but the stars have to align properly for that (as in no debt). BUT, at least I do have a job. There are a lot of people who don’t these days, and my heart goes out to them. Without a job, you can’t keep a roof over your head, keep your kids clothed and fed or simply live.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >I have a great family. </span>While my kids and husband often find ways to annoy me (and yes, I annoy them too), I do have a wonderful family. For all their faults, my girls have big hearts and they just want to protect those who can’t fend for themselves. The DH, aka as Tim “Toolman” Taylor, is a good man. He puts up with a lot where I’m concerned, as do all Betas with their Alpha mates. Although there have been a couple of times of late where he’s displayed some Alpha tendencies. I wonder what fireworks will bring if this trend continues. Still he’s a great guy, and anyone who can put up with me for 22.5 years of marriage and 25 years total is either pretty tolerant or just head over heels in love. I prefer to hold to my illusions that he’s still in love with me. LOL<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><br />I have three wonderful blog mates.</span> This is a competitive business we’re in and yet our support for each other on the blog and behind the scenes speaks to the heart of what I love about romance writers. We are, for the most part, genuinely happy to see someone else succeed in this tough business. Not only that, but this blog has been a growth process for me, an experience in learning the art of refining my apology technique. But then as I understand it from Natalie, my blunders tend to drive our numbers up. (No Natalie, I’m not suggesting you think I should blunder more often! LOL) Cathy, Natalie and Mac are three of the bestest people in the world, and being included in this blog is like having a second home.<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I have decent health.</span></span> No I’m not in as good of shape as I was when I first got married. In fact, even trying to get that healthy again is pretty much impossible. Age just doesn’t let you do what you used too. But, I’ve adjusted to my bionic status, although I would sure like a newer chassis so I could just look MAV-A-LOS. Besides with a newer chassis, I’d know what NOT to do to ensure the chassis lasted a lot longer.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">I have a three-book deal with Berkley.</span></span> I really didn’t expect to have a deal by the end of the year. I thought if I was going to land a deal it would come in 2009 as publishers started filling more of the 2010 slots. As it turns out, my first mass market is set for March 2010. I think my calculations were a bit off. I also expect better things to come in 2009 as I move my career up the next rung on the ladder.<br /><br />So when I sit down to that nice Thanksgiving dinner I’ve got planned, I’ll give thanks for my good fortune and offer up a blessing for those who are not as fortunate as I am. It might be a Christmas line, but Tiny Tim’s words are valid at any time of the year. God Bless Us, Every One.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-983959219683704972.post-25907812927474330582008-11-14T09:00:00.000-05:002008-11-14T09:00:01.124-05:00It's the Rules, WriterThere are advantages to going last in the blog rotation. That way if you haven’t had time to write a post, you’ve got a little extra time to post. So thus begins my current blog. I’ve nothing to write about…no wait, I remember a topic that popped into my head when Cathy posted about loops and people advising newbies.So here's my advice FWIW...<br /><p style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Memorize The Rules</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">First off, it’s important to clarify what are “rules” and what are guidelines. Everything is a guideline.<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Rule 1 –</span></span> ALWAYS know your grammar rules. You cannot succeed in your craft without the book being legible. Know the difference between effect and affect (don’t ask me, I have to look it up every time. *grin*) But even this is smoke and mirrors because I've had editors remove semi-colons and commas to keep readers from tripping over breaks. Remember guideline!<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Rule 2 – </span>Know who’s POV your in and then only switch that POV every chapter. Then forget this rule. It’s a guideline. If you do something well (head hop) then all is forgiven.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Rule 3 – </span>Make sure your Chapter heading starts exactly 2.5 inches from the top of a page.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Ummm, remember when I said there are rules and there are guidelines. This is a guideline, and submitting a book with a heading placement at 2.25 or 3 inches is not a deal breaker. Worry about the content. While this rule is still a guideline, it's pretty reasonable to expect that your manuscript should be delivered to an agent/editor in a general format of 1-in margins and a reasonable heading starting a few lines from the top of the paper. Want some help with this one? Check out the article I wrote for newbies (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.monicaburns.com/ArticlesMSFormat.htm">Here</a>). I've never been rejected by an editor because of formatting, although I did have a judge measure from the top of the page to where my heading started. I was off by a quarter of an inch according to her comments. Give me a break! No--BREAK the damn rule!<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rule 4 –</span></span> One inch margins are standard pretty much across the board. HOWEVER, if you’re entering a contest and you need to get that last two paragraphs of a chapter on page 55, use the margin of .85 or .9, it's really hard to tell that your margins are off that one inch mark if you use .85 or .9. And if a judge does measure the margins, and docks you, know this. They would have gone out of their way to find something else nitpicky anyway. So you’d be screwed no matter what.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rule 5 – </span></span>Contests are crapshoot. You can enter one and win first place with your manuscript in front of an editor. OTOT, you can enter a different contest and not even final. I’ve entered about 10-15 contests. I finaled in three. The books I finaled with did not sell to New York. Something entirely else did. Contests should never be used as a reasonable expectation of a critique. The feedback you get can run the gamut. Unless you get the same kind of feedback from three or more judges, toss the commentary aside because it’s rarely useful. Don’t forget this rule, just know that the aforementioned statements are guidelines.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Rule 6 – </span>Never, never, under any circumstances, use any other font BUT Courier 12pt. Forget this rule, it’s a guideline. In fact, “most” publishers now prefer Times New Roman 12pt. Right, forget that rule too, instead, try reading the publisher guidelines. That’s the authoritative word, not another writer.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Rule 7 –</span> The number of pages per chapter should be 20 pages and no more. Forget this rule, it’s a guideline. While you don’t want to let a chapter drag on for 40 pages, if you go over 20 it’s not a deal breaker. Nor is it a deal breaker to have short chapters of 3, 2 or 1 pages. A chapter is as long as it needs to be. Write it that way and forget the rules.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rule 8 – </span></span>Never, NEVER, write a prologue. Readers hate them and they’re just a way to put in back story. Forget this rule. It’s a guideline. It is possible to provide a prologue that reveals something crucial to the plot that can’t be shown in Chapter 1. But it’s a guideline.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rule 9 – </span></span>Always show versus tell. Narrative is bad, very, very bad. Umm, forget this rule. It’s a guideline. Sometimes you can’t do anything else BUT tell. Again, it’s a guideline. It’s far better to show something than tell, but there will be times when telling is pretty much the best way to go.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">Rule 10 –</span></span> NEVER, EVER follow Rules 1- 9. They’re guidelines, not rules. The sooner a writer recognizes that something isn’t a rule, but a guideline, the better off they are. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:180%;"><u>Forget The Damn Rules</u> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Oh, wait, there is ONE great rule to follow. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Write the good book (thank you Claire Delacroix/Deb Cook for those four words of wisdom).</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Now go forth and break rules</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-983959219683704972.post-77667012319311884282008-10-30T11:17:00.001-04:002008-10-30T11:22:35.156-04:00Writers, Articulation and IntellectI’ve always admired people who are so articulate in their ability to skewer a point or write blog posts that are scintillating in analytical detail. I tend to ramble and just throw something out there. Even in my stories I tend to ramble. I’m getting better at reining that habit in though.<br /><br />Still, when I read posts at different blogs, I’m in awe of the minds that write these posts. I mean these people must have brains like Einstein, because I read them and think OMG, I am sooo not posting a comment because what I have to say will pale in comparison to their intellect. Of course, I generally wind up ignoring my own advice and I post much to my regret. *sigh*<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">Duh Moments </span><br /><br />I consider myself pretty intelligent, sometimes, I read blogs and comments and I’m thinking, WTF?? Did these people go to Harvard, Brown, Smith, Yale…etc. I feel somewhat ashamed of my lack of knowledge, and yes sometimes even insight, about the topic of romance. It makes me wonder if I’m a superficial author. A writer who doesn’t delve deep enough into the intellect of my characters for my readers. In some respects, it makes me wonder whether I’m supposed to be writing Jane Austen for the masses or Stephen King for the masses.<br /><br />Jane Austen wrote romance that also was a commentary on the society she was a part of. All of her books delve into different aspects of the social structures of the time and she’s become well loved for her work and the analysis of her work is expansive.<br /><br />Stephen King on the other hand, doesn’t generally write about the society we live in, rather he writes books that are meant to “scare” you, while entertaining you in the same breath.<br /><br />I was trying to be analytical when thinking about these two writers, who you CAN NOT compare in terms of apples to apples, but here’s what suddenly popped into my head. Jane Austen is like a lovely art museum. Her books are beautiful portraits that you can drink in pleasurably and just sit and relax with for the simple joy of it. Stephen King is an amusement park ride (think roller coasters). His books are strictly for setting you on edge of your seat when he pulls you up one hill and then he plunges you down that same hill at lightning speed to the point you’re so scared you have no spit left.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">Drinking From The Well</span><br /><br />I drink from both wells (art museums and amusement parks) equally and can still be satisfied. And it makes me wonder if most readers aren’t like that—able to drink from the socially conscious type of books and the “fun, just for the hell of it” books. I know that a lot of blogs out in the blogosphere purport one opinion or the other, but there's a large percentage of the population that doesn't read those blogs and probably have a different opinion as to what constitutes good romance writing or bad romance writing.<br /><br />For me, I’m convinced I’m a Stephen King kind of writer. I just want to write what I love to read, and I want to entertain my readers with a good story. I write for the masses and I don't worry about putting hidden messages or social issues in my books. I don’t want to over think my work, although I sometimes feel intense pressure to do so when I read some of the blogs out in the blogosphere. But what I really desire is to have a reader, say "Damn, that was a good book. For a couple of hours I was wrapped up in somebody else's troubles enough to get away from my own."<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">So where do you think you fit in?</span></span> Do you see yourself more as a Jane Eyre or more as a Stephen King writer/reader? Perhaps you’re neither and think you’re like someone else…Thoreau, Emerson, Poe, Nora Roberts, Danielle Steele…tell me who you see yourself as when it comes to writing or reading.<br /><br />MonicaUnknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-983959219683704972.post-33150644133674330262008-10-16T20:47:00.003-04:002008-10-16T21:01:56.283-04:00What's It All About Monica<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">Over at the GabWagon.com, my friend Natalie challenged us to fess up to some different writer questions. Here they are.</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);font-size:100%;" ><br /><br />What's the last thing you wrote?</span><br /><br />The Sheikh’s Courtesan<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">Was it any good?</span><br /><br />My first reader says so, the jury (my agent) will have the final verdict and the judge (editors) will have final sentencing.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">What's the first thing you ever wrote that you still have?</span><br /><br />If we’re talking novels, that would be Sweet Shrew, which I wrote for HQ (rejected) and is a contemporary take off on The Taming of the Shrew<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">Favorite genre of writing?</span><br /><br />Historical and paranormal.<br /><br />I’ve tried contemporary, but I don’t think I have the voice for it, although I do have a couple of old stories that might work well for HQ’s line. It’s just finding the time to rewrite. Grrrr<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">Most fun character you ever wrote?</span><br /><br />Simon Carton from <span style="font-style: italic;">A Bluestocking Christmas</span>. He’s an arrogant, son-of-a-bitch in the first part of the story, but as the story progresses and Ivy brings him to his knees, he’s totally redeemed and I love him. He’s just so bold, charismatic and he has a wicked tongue.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">Most annoying character you ever wrote?</span><br /><br /><br />My characters tend to be love ‘em or hate ‘em. I don’t know of any characters of mine that I found annoying. Now I’m sure that there are readers who would probably find some of mine objectionable, but I can’t name the characters.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">How often do you get writer's block?</span><br /><br />I don’t have writer’s block per se, more like “God, I’m so tired of this crap, I don’t want to write.”<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">How do you fix it?</span><br /><br />I watch movies, tv, read, play video games. It’s amazing the number of ideas I get playing a video game with Baby<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">Do you type or write by hand?</span><br /><br />I pretty much type, but when I’m editing I print off the book and I write new paras or rewrite paras on the back of the paper or on a notepad. I also carry a pad of paper in my purse (small spiral) and sometimes I use my PDA…I’ve even used the back of a medical form at the doc’s office. LOL<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">Do you save everything you write?</span><br /><br />Yep, I’ll gut something, but I cut and paste it and then I put it in a file. I’m a digital pack rat. I often will go back into those files and review lines, because some lines that I have to cut are wonderful writing, but I can’t find a way to meld them into the current story, so maybe I can utilize the in a later story. I like to recycle. LOL<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">Do you ever go back to an old idea long after you abandoned it?</span><br /><br />Yes, In fact, there are two books I want to rewrite as time permits because I love the story so much but the writing stinks.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">What's your favorite thing that you've written?</span><br /><br />Damn, I hate questions like this, because I love ALL my works for different reasons. If I had to choose one that means something special it would have to be Love’s Portrait because it’s about overcoming something terrible and learning to live again rather than shutting oneself from life. It’s truly a personal story for me.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">What's your favorite setting for your characters?</span><br /><br />Call me crazy (because personally I can’t take the heat and I’m terrified of snakes), but there’s something incredibly romantic about the desert. In particular the Sahara and Egypt. If you look at the dunes in the Sahara, there’s some exquisite scenery that tells me God loves the raw, primal vitality of the land, despite its lack of water. Maybe it’s the challenge it requires to live in the desert that I like, because I love challenges.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">How many projects are you working on right now?</span><br /><br />Well, I just finished a book and I’m working on the synop…but I’m also planning out the next paranormal novella, and two historicals are burning up the stove in the back of my head, plus the possibility of a sale with my Master of Sin book subsequent series. Lots popping, which makes life hectic.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">Have you ever written something for a magazine or newspaper?</span><br /><br />Yes, I’ve been published in the Beta Sigma Phi magazine, and I’ve had a photo used by a Biker’s magazine. I also wrote a number of articles for Virginia Business Magazine on technology.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">Have you ever won an award for your writing?</span><br /><br />Well, I’ve finaled in RWA’s Golden Heart, the Eppie’s, and the Passionate Plume and the Red River Contests. I don’t consider 2nd or 3rd places or finals anything of substance. If my work isn’t first place, it’s not an award as far as I’m concerned. Truthfully, the only reason I do contests is to hope I final so I can gain a little exposure for a few bucks. It's amazing what a final in the Eppie's or GH or etc. can garner you in the online community. It does have it's advantages in terms of publicity, but rarely translates to sales.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">Ever written something in script or play format?</span><br /><br />No, although I did explore the idea. My nephew is studying at the UNC’s film school, and we’ve talked about me writing something and him directing it. THAT would be sooooo cool for me!<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">What are your five favorite words?</span><br /><br />that’s a tough question, because I love words period, anything that I don’t get to use a lot of would be a favorite -- vitriolic, fragrant, epiphany, pithy, equanimity<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">What character that you've written most resembles yourself?</span><br /><br />Lady Aurora Lyndham from Dangerous. I wanna be her when I get old. Tough, feisty and definitely the mistress of her domain. She’s the epitome of tough love<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">Where do you get ideas for your other characters?</span><br /><br />It’s more of a what does the hero/heroine need in order to get to point B from point A<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">Do you ever write based on your dreams?</span><br /><br />Some of my best stories have evolved plot wise and dialogue wise in my dreams. I specifically lay in bed and think about what I want to happen before I drift off to sleep, and then while I’m under the Muse does her work. I’ll wake up and while I won’t necessarily remember dialogue word for word, I do remember the gist of it, and when I write it, the words come back.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">Do you favor happy endings, sad endings, or cliffhangers?</span><br /><br />I think it depends on what type of book I’m reading. I want an ending that’s satisfying, but it doesn’t always have to be a happy ending. Although I do favor them more.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">Are you concerned with spelling and grammar as you write?</span><br /><br />Nah, I’m good at both, and generally Word just ticks me off because it doesn’t want to cut me slack when I know I need to use a comma vs. a semi-colon. Yeah, BILL, the semi-colon might be correct, but it stops readers cold.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">Quote something you've written.</span><br /><br />“He stirred in his slumber, and a long, muscular leg thrust its way out from under the sheet to reveal the limb from foot to hip. The line of his thigh was beautiful. No artist could have created a shape so perfectly male. And there was nothing more dangerous than Morgan St. Claire and the unbelievable maleness of him.” Julia Westgard, <a href="http://www.monicaburns.com/BookshelfForbiddenPleasuresLP.htm"><span style="font-style: italic;">Love’s Portrait </span></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-983959219683704972.post-52319755228707419252008-10-16T10:21:00.004-04:002008-10-16T10:35:51.915-04:00The Forgotten Princess is now at Fictionwise!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkwRG7lvmrI3THUdbTIPln0wd0RWG_lAwY5ikI_7lhphN4SxtaDtELJaXuShpjtSfhGvEK4vX-n_J5kcaAMr8qufIFqQFrQ0z32SD4sEAgHTUkyxeZyPEQ0HHxbgXf4HdzeK2N7ZDRgCML/s1600-h/forgotprincessNCP.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257758703804055474" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkwRG7lvmrI3THUdbTIPln0wd0RWG_lAwY5ikI_7lhphN4SxtaDtELJaXuShpjtSfhGvEK4vX-n_J5kcaAMr8qufIFqQFrQ0z32SD4sEAgHTUkyxeZyPEQ0HHxbgXf4HdzeK2N7ZDRgCML/s200/forgotprincessNCP.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Winner of the FTHRW Wallflower contest, awarded 5 Coffee Cups at Coffee Time Romance, and winner of the Coffee Time Reviewer Recommended Award, don't miss out on your chance to own this tale of honor, devotion and desire.</div><div> </div><div>For all that King Eric knew that he couldn’t take a barren bride to wife, neither could he ignore the King’s widow. Drawn to her loneliness by his own, he couldn’t resist just one kiss—but the kiss they shared that awakened the forgotten princess and set her free, imprisoned his heart.</div><div> </div><div>Visit my website to read an excerpt! <a href="http://sonyadgrady.com/">http://sonyadgrady.com</a> </div>S.D. Gradyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08372339929500768924noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-983959219683704972.post-30223457223352254732008-10-02T15:54:00.001-04:002008-10-02T15:55:20.369-04:00A Little Rebellion Now and Then Is a Good Thing<span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fireworks </span></span><br /><br />I have two issues I want to touch on today, and they BOTH could be volatile. First, let’s talk about authors throwing themselves out into the political fray. Now if you read this blog fairly regularly, you know I like to pick a …errr…DEBATE an issue. That sometimes gets me into hot water (the subject matter that is). I definitely keep politics off my website and off my reader boards, and I try really hard to keep them off this blog and my other blogs as well. I do this because I feel like I have to respect my readers and their opinions. Besides they visit my website, reader boards and blogs to learn about my work, not my political leanings.<br /><br />But of late, and particularly with this presidential election, I’ve noted a lot of authors posting their political beliefs on their blogs, on Twitter, etc. Both sides of the fence POVs, but it seems there are more who lean to the left than to the right. I post on Twitter and I do speak my mind (yeah when don’t I speak my mind), but Twitter moves so fast that unless you monitor it via phone or hourly, your comments will get lost (as mine do! LOL). And other than inundating my DH with political rants, it’s pretty much the only place on the web that I express myself freely under my pen name. My real name, I’ll have you know I’m the best damn letter to the editor writer out there! *grin*<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">Satirical Observations</span></span><br /><br />However on Twitter, when I express myself, I do more satirical postings on political issues, where I just shake my head and say things like…<br /><br />“What the hell was Biden thinking; making that crack about it’s patriotic to pay taxes.” I can’t think of one rich person who wants to pay taxes. But then I don’t know any rich people. So, it’s easy for me to forgive the guy. He’s one of us…errr…me--we both have hoof and mouth disease.<br /><br />Then there are McCain’s thumbs up signs…he reminds me of Nixon (our greatest foreign policy Prez since maybe Jefferson, thanks to his appointment of Kissinger). Nixon’s signature gesture was the peace sign with both hands in the air and his head mashed down into his shoulders. McCain’s got a similar stance when he raises both thumbs upward and bent back; all the while he’s hunched down at the neck. Come to think of it, does he even have a neck??<br /><br />Clearly, Obama’s been hanging with Joe Biden too much. I mean WHY would you be so stupid as to use the “lipstick” reference when you know, you JUST KNOW, your opponent is going to add makeup up to that statement and they’ll make you look like a clown. And the “cling to their guns and religion” comment???? Are you fricking insane!! You cannot cling to religion, it’s not a tangible object. Besides, there are some things you just don’t say, people. If you do, then you deserve to catch hell. God save us from people like me who speak before we think. This country needs more diplomats (like Natalie – That’s it, that’s the ticket, Natalie for President!).<br /><br />I can’t really make too fun of Palin because so far, she’s not done a lot of stupid things, YET, but then she’s not been on the national stage long enough. Give her time. She’ll be like everyone else, she’ll but a huge hoof in her mouth and the circling vultures will go in for the carrion, and it won’t be moose either. One word of advice though, DO NOT watch any “Tina Fey as Palin” skits in the library. It’s very difficult not to shout out with laughter in one of those Shush settings. *sigh* And that Palin/Clinton skit was absolutely hysterical on BOTH sides of the aisle.<br /><br />All of these things remind me of a Mark Twain quote. <span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">“Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself.” </span><br /><br />Funny how little has changed over a century. So my first question.<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"> Do you think it’s a good thing or a bad thing for authors to put their political leanings out for readers to see them? </span><br /><br />My answer to the question is no. Don’t share your leanings, and if you’re so compelled to speak out (as I seemed have been), poke fun at both sides and you might just get away with it. *grin*<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">Second Verse Same Rebel Verse</span></span><br /><br />This is Banned Books Week, and as usual, I’m being a rebel. I might be German / Italian heritage, but DAMN, sometimes I think I was sprung from the loins of Patrick Henry himself. Both of us opinionated, fiery, but he got all the oratory skills. But Thomas Jefferson loaned me his pen to act as a sword, so I’m all set to charge out and be a rebel.<br /><br />Take a look at the current books that are the top 10 most challenged books in 2007. The number one book is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/And_Tango_Makes_Three">And Tango Makes Three</a>. This is a children’s book based on a true story. Apparently there were two male penguins at the New York Central Park Zoo who hung out together and zookeepers gave the two birds an egg and damn if they didn’t raise a cool little penguin named Tango. So two authors hooked up to write a children’s story about the two male penguins and how they worked together to raise Tango a female penguin.<br /><br />Someone complained about the message and demanded that it be removed from the shelf, one of them HERE in Virginia. The home of Jefferson himself. The man is rolling in his grave! I understand a conservative parent not wanting their child to read a book that might present an “alternative” family message. That’s definitely their right. I understand their need to control what their children are exposed to, read, see and do based on their personal values. I respect that.<br /><br />But their beliefs aren’t mine, and <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">their rights end where mine begin</span> when it comes to freedom of choice. One person ranting that they don’t want “filth,” anti-JudeoChristian, or other objectionable books in the libraries/schools because libraries/schools are supported by their tax dollars is ridiculous.<br /><br />I don’t care for organized religion; does this mean that because my tax dollars bought several copies of the Holy Bible those books should be taken out of the <a href="http://ibistro.ci.richmond.va.us/uhtbin/cgisirsi/VyGgT39Ysf/MAIN/257380019/9">library</a>? <br />Of course not, a library is a source for <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">ALL </span>people to access books because not everyone has money to buy books. And for Pete’s sake a little accountability is in order here. If you don’t want your kids doing something, then take charge and outline those limitations to your kids. Leave mine alone. Don’t expect me or anyone else (including the government) to adhere to your values. It’s your business, your responsibility. Just because you don’t want your kids reading something doesn’t give you the right to tell me what MY children can read.<br /><br />I am very Jeffersonian in my thoughts and beliefs. The minute you put your foot on my doorstep with the notion that you’re going to tell me what I can or can’t do, you name it, you're pushing my hot button. And while I don’t own a gun (too easy just to pull the trigger), I have swords. My Xena broad sword is good for a quick in and out action. (“an elegant weapon for a more civilized age” – thank you Obi Wan) and I’m not afraid to use them.<br /><br />So go out and rant a little about Banned Books Week. Stir up support for your local library, and lets see what kind of hell raising we can do!<br /><br />Your Jeffersonian Rebel - MonicaUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-983959219683704972.post-32048772917314444472008-10-02T09:11:00.001-04:002008-10-02T09:11:10.773-04:00New reviews for Dragon's Heart and Enchanted Beauty!Margo Arthur at The Romance Studio gave Dragon's Heart a five heart rating, and had this to say about it,<br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">The bond that was forged between them was complemented by the loving way Ms. Mathews wrote the tender moments into the plots. Dramas that besiege these two give them both the strength to face and overcome the strong odds that they where up against, causing them to excel in great power to defeat the enemy. An excellent adventure story filled with magical elements that make this book one to enjoy.</span><br /></span> Link to full review,<a href="http://www.theromancestudio.com/reviews/reviews/dragonsheartmathews.htm"> http://www.theromancestudio.com/reviews/reviews/dragonsheartmathews.htm</a> and it's also up for Five heart sweetheart of the week, <a href="http://www.theromancestudio.com/5heart_form.php">http://www.theromancestudio.com/5heart_form.php</a> <br />I'd appreciate your vote!!! <br /><br />I also received a great review from Kasey's View for Enchanted Beauty,<br />What a charming and sweet story.<br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Enchanted Beauty by Marly Mathews puts a new spin on the old tale of Beauty and The Beast. With a little bit of magic and along with some truly fascinating characters and a mesmerizing plot she weaves a spell-binding story that keeps you guessing right up until the end...<br /><br />This is one of those stories that I found almost impossible to put down, which can sometimes make for a very late night...<br /><br />If you enjoy stories about beautiful damsels in distress,wizards, magic and ever-after then you're sure to love Enchanted Beauty...</span><br /></span> <br /><br />Thank you so much Margo and Kasey! <br /><br />Have a great Thursday everyone! It's a wet, cool definitely Autumn like day here! <br /><br />~MarlyMarly Mathewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11650257543812665255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-983959219683704972.post-63981429688753815822008-09-24T05:43:00.001-04:002008-09-24T05:43:32.048-04:00Book Trailer for Enchanted Beauty by Marly MathewsBelow is the trailer I created for my fantasy romance novel, Enchanted Beauty! If you have a few minutes, please watch it, and feel free to leave a comment here for me! <br />The trailer came together like a dream, though I had to hunt for a while to get the perfect pictures. :)<br />Enjoy! <br /><br />~Marly <br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/qERUKPYrnWE&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qERUKPYrnWE&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Marly Mathewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11650257543812665255noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-983959219683704972.post-20706139778348677412008-09-23T09:28:00.000-04:002008-09-23T09:29:10.811-04:00SRR Reviews Enchanted Beauty!!!Lily at Simply Romance Reviews has reviewed Enchanted Beauty and gave it an outstanding read rating!!! Thank you so much, Lily, I'm so pleased that you loved Enchanted Beauty. I loved writing it as I didn't want to leave the magical kingdom of Thaliana, and it warms my heart to hear that readers and reviewers are having a hard time letting go as well!!! <br /><a href="http://s67.photobucket.com/albums/h295/MarlyMathews/?action=view¤t=AR.gif" target="_blank"><img src="http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h295/MarlyMathews/AR.gif" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />Here's a bit of what Lily had to say,<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">This book is a great read. Ms. Mathews has written a story with a historic feel and smoothly flowing fast-paced yet modern dialog. All her characters are well defined with depth of personality, even the magic mirror! They are intelligent, fierce and brave. Ms. Mathews' writing is not overly descriptive about less important things like furniture and scenery but instead gives us a great story with multi-dimensional characters. The book has great twists that kept me wanting to read more and I found myself staying up late into the night to finish. This is a fabulous adult fairytale with plenty of action, romance and of course, the happy ending. Watching Annabelle and Malachi fall in love in Enchanted Beauty is a wonderful journey and makes me look forward to reading more of Ms. Mathews books. <br /> <span style="font-weight:bold;"></span></span><br /></span><br /><br />Here's the link to the full review!<br /><a href="http://www.simplyromancereviews.com/srrreviews/enchantedbeauty.aspx">http://www.simplyromancereviews.com/srrreviews/enchantedbeauty.aspx</a><br /><br />~MarlyMarly Mathewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11650257543812665255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-983959219683704972.post-34127380846170480282008-09-22T09:58:00.000-04:002008-09-22T09:59:12.791-04:00FIVE Heart Review for Enchanted Beauty at TRS!!!And the great reviews for Enchanted Beauty keep rolling in. I'm so happy that this story has struck a chord with readers and reviewers! It was a great deal of fun to write as I've always loved the classic fairy tale Beauty and the Beast, and twisting it to put my own stamp on it in Enchanted Beauty was a great writing experience!!! <br /><br />Here's what Margo at The Romance Studio had to say about Enchanted Beauty,<br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">I have always love reading as a child the story of Beauty and the Beast. In Enchanted Beauty, Ms. Mathews introduces us to Annabelle, a brave, and compassionate woman, who struggled with the knowledge that she could die if no cure was found for the spell that had injured her, causing blindness and a the hastening of her last days on earth. Filled with betrayal and unending action, you will find Enchanted Beauty to be one of Ms. Mathews' truly loving stories to remember.</span></span><br /><br />You can read the full FIVE Heart review by following this link,<br /><a href="http://www.theromancestudio.com/reviews/reviews/enchantedbeautymathews.htm">http://www.theromancestudio.com/reviews/reviews/enchantedbeautymathews.htm<br /></a><br /><br />Thank you so much, Margo!!! <br /><br />Have a great Monday, everyone!!<br /><br />~MarlyMarly Mathewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11650257543812665255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-983959219683704972.post-56718697176229336412008-09-20T10:10:00.001-04:002008-09-20T10:10:35.916-04:00First Review for Dragon's Heart!!Hey Everyone!<br />Last week I received the first review for my fantasy paranormal romance, Dragon's Heart! <br />Here's a little bit of what Cherokee at Coffee Time Romance had to say about Dragon's Heart! Thank you so much, Cherokee!!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Dragon's Heart is a delightful tale. The banter between Grania and Dylan is sharp, to the point, and carries some cute perks with it. Often times it moved at a great pace, like a tennis match. I fell headlong in love with the sparks of the players, and the developments between them and the secondary characters. The intense battles are life-like, creating an entertaining read, hard to let go in this surreal drama. Marly Mathews is a dynamic author who sketches fantasy and romance brilliantly with a read I found utterly pleasurable. <br /><br />Cherokee<br />Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance<br />Reviewer for Karen Find Out About New Books</span><br /></span><br /><br />You can read the full review by following this link, <a href="http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/BookReviews/Dragonsheart.html">http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/BookReviews/Dragonsheart.html</a><br />~MarlyMarly Mathewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11650257543812665255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-983959219683704972.post-24995699754627483302008-09-15T16:32:00.001-04:002008-09-15T16:32:36.024-04:00The Forgotten Princess by S.D. Grady<a href="http://coffeetimeromance.com/CoffeeThoughts/?p=605">The Forgotten Princess by S.D. Grady</a><br /><br />Posted using <a href="http://sharethis.com">ShareThis</a>S.D. Gradyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08372339929500768924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-983959219683704972.post-8081443347907147502008-08-28T17:24:00.001-04:002008-08-28T17:24:45.623-04:00The SF Saga Is Complete!<p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Return of the Queens</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Ok, so I’m still mourning the fact that we had no money for me to indulg</span><span style="font-size:100%;">e in adding yet another Star Wars item to add to my modest collection (my prized autographed, Ray Parker in full Sith Lord regalia has an honored spot in our family room and damn that saber would have looked good over top). Anyway, our first and last Sunday in San Francisco dawned cloudy and we were immediately depressed because our sailboat cruise was at sunset. Unfortunately, clouds present a problem when it comes to seeing the sun actually set.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">We tried not to think about it as we got ready to attend the drag show. I suddenly decided on a whim that I just wanted to wear shorts. So I called the Starlight club and asked about dress code. I wasn’t happy when I was told no shorts, but JEANS were allowed! Guess I should have asked THAT question before I left Virginia because I didn’t bring jeans. Arrrrgggh. So I dressed up. </span><br /></p><p style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Sunday’s a Drag</span></p><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.monicaburns.com/images/SanFran/Greg&QueensSundaysADragSirFrancisDrake.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 374px; height: 281px;" src="http://www.monicaburns.com/images/SanFran/Greg&QueensSundaysADragSirFrancisDrake.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">I’d like to make a HUGE comm</span><span style="font-size:100%;">ercial plug for Harry Denton's Starlight Room at the Sir Francis Drake . This guy knows exactly how to put on a meal and a show. There was so much food to </span><span style="font-size:100%;">select from, salads, made-to-order omelets, fruits, muffins, roasted pork, potatoes and OMG, the French Toast. I’m a decent cook. In fact, I’ve had people tell me I’m an exceptional cook (although I think it depends on the taste buds). But I do admit to having specialties that few places or people can top. One of those is my French toast. The family lives for th</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">e occasional Sunday when I fix mine, so I was blown away by Harry’s French Toast. It was exquisite on the taste buds. A one-inch thick slice of heaven is what they were. I won’t tell you how many I ate, but suffice it to say, even when I was full, I had to have more. My mouth is watering as I type. And on top of that, if the maple syrup they had wasn’t the real deal, then I want the brand name they used, because it oozed sugary sweet all over these</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> divine angel wings being passed off as fluffy French toast.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">With our bellies full, we sat back to enjoy the show. I already had a good idea of what to expect from a drag show, but I knew the DH didn’t have a clue. Truth is, he really didn’t want to go to the show, but because I wanted too, he agreed. He’s a good husband, and he also knows he generally has a good time when he agrees to do things he didn’t want to do in the first place. For the DH, the show was an eye-opener. He has truly come to accept and appreciate all alternative lifestyles and he was enthralled with Cassandra in the show. She’s wearing the strips of blue in the picture with him and the other queen.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Funny, bawdy, yet clean and tasteful, these performers made sure everyone had a grand time. When the DH was presented with the $100 bill, he exclaimed surprise and I reminded him that it was $45 a person and we’d had ice tea. He grinned, shook his head and scratched his name on the ticket with a big, “Ah, hell, it was WORTH it!”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Painted Ladies</span><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:100%;">After our drag queen show, we had a few hours to kill until our sunset sail. So I announce I want to go see the Painted Ladies. Naturally the DH is all keen to do go </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.monicaburns.com/images/SanFran/Haight&SteinerSanFran1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 380px; height: 286px;" src="http://www.monicaburns.com/images/SanFran/Haight&SteinerSanFran1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:100%;">too given he’d just had a wonderful time at the drag show. However he wasn’t exactly keen anymore when I inform him that the Painted Ladies are Victorian Houses at Haight and Steiner. He’s now got the hang dog look on his face. Too late, you already said yes, sweetie. After a quick clothes change, we hop onto the bus and head toward the Haight Ashbury section of town. I don’t know what it is with us and buses, but we always managed to meet the most interesting of people. On this trip we met a gal who told us where to get off, but the DH and I disagreed over what she said. I looked at him and said pull the cord to make the drive stop.<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:100%;">“No, it’s not this stop.”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:100%;">“Yes it is.”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:100%;">“Pull the cord. We need to get off here.”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:100%;">So I pull the cord, but the bus rolls right past Steiner Street. The next street it stops and we get off. As I study the map, I tell the DH w</span><span style="font-size:100%;">e have to go up a couple of blocks and then turn left (BACK the way we came).</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:100%;">“Why do we have to do that?”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:100%;">“Because you didn’t listen to me when I told you we needed to get off at Steiner!” *sigh* Men, I’m convinced its true that they really don’t have a sense of direction or the willingness to stop for directions. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:100%;">We set out down the street toward the Painted Ladies on what’s a relatively flat plane. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:100%;">When we turn the corner to we’re facing more steep hills. What is it with this city! LOL</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:100%;">Check out the hill above! After Lombard Street this sucker was peanuts! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Painted Ladies is a term given to houses built in the Victorian and Edwardian eras that are painted in bright colors. In the late 1800s, San Francisco was populated with houses like this, including Nob Hill where the most affluent people lived. In the quake of 1906 the Nob Hill mansions were destroyed, but a number of beautiful houses like these still remain. The houses in this picture face Alamo Park and are sometimes referred to as Postcard Row because they’ve become a tourist destination as a result of the numbe</span><span style="font-size:100%;">r of times they’ve been photographed.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">As you can see from the photo, the sun had come out, and it was turning out to be gorgeous weather. Nippy but wonderfully sunny. With<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.monicaburns.com/images/SanFran/PaintedLadies2SanFran.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 493px; height: 368px;" src="http://www.monicaburns.com/images/SanFran/PaintedLadies2SanFran.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> my need for architecture not yet sated, we headed back to the bus stop where we should have gotten off to begin with, and along the way I insisted on the DH taking shot after shot of architecture. I’ve no idea what to do with these pictures! I think we took something like 300+ shots in four days.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">The DH was getting antsy about getting to the cruise ship on time. Not that we had to rush, it was only 2:30pm and the ship didn’t leave until 6:30pm, but he was not eager to keep stopping at every house I wanted him to photograph as we walked back to the bus stop. We killed some time at Fisherman’s Wharf until it was time for our sailboat ride.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Sailing the Seven Seas (ok, the Bay)</span><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">We weren’t sure what to expect on our cruise, </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.monicaburns.com/images/SanFran/SunsetSailUnderGGB2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://www.monicaburns.com/images/SanFran/SunsetSailUnderGGB2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;">and I’m not sure I’ll be able to adequate describe the impact this experience had on me, or on us as a couple. The first part of the cruise started out on choppy waters. We’d not been out on the water but maybe 15 minutes when I heard a cell phone go off. It was near where the DH </span><span style="font-size:100%;">had left his stuff, but there was a couple sitting beside his jacket and I didn’t think anything of it. The ringing stopped, and then it started again. Over the wind, I told the DH that I thought his phone was ringing.<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">“No, it’s not mine.”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">“Yes, I think it is,” I said with an arched eyebrow. He checks it and rolls his eyes.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">“It’s Oldest.” (Oldest stayed at home by herself for the first time ever!) DH answers the phone.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">“What, Oldest?” Long pause.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">“That’s why you called me? You want to know how to cook hot dogs?” The couple sitting next to DH’s jacket are laughing. “All right you put a couple of cups of water in the bottom of the steamer, put the hot dogs in the top part and cover it. Cook them about 7-10 minutes. Okay?”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">He shakes his head as he hangs up and he glances down at the phone. “She’s been calling for the last fifteen minutes because there must be six or seven calls on here, I just didn’t hear the phone going off.” </span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">I laugh. “She’s missing us, but doesn’t want to admit it.”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.monicaburns.com/images/SanFran/SunsetSailUnderGGB1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 324px; height: 246px;" src="http://www.monicaburns.com/images/SanFran/SunsetSailUnderGGB1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;">The cell phone goes off again. DH scowls as he answers it. “NOW what?” His eyes widen. “O‑M-G, Oldest. Yes the hotdogs can be frozen when you put them in the steamer. I’m trying to enjoy a romantic sailboat cruise with your mother. Now do you have any other questions?”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">When he hangs up, I’m laughing uproariously right along with the couple near the DH who’ve been privy to the one-sided conversation. Kids, clearly they need us, but they don’t like admitting it. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">With </span><span style="font-size:100%;">daughter number 1 taken care of, I move toward the front of the catamaran. I expected to get a little wet on the</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> boat. After all the catamaran has open webbing between its hulls, what I didn’t expect was to have a HUGE wave surge up through the webbing and drench me in salt wate</span><span style="font-size:100%;">r. Oh wait, it wasn’t just salt water. It was ICE COLD salt water. But I decide that’s okay, how many people can say they’ve sailed on the San Francisco Bay and gotten drenched from it? Besides, it wasn’t too cold, I could handle it. Ummm, note the sweatshirt I'm wearing in the picture here! LOL</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.monicaburns.com/images/SanFran/SunsetSailKathi.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 372px; height: 279px;" src="http://www.monicaburns.com/images/SanFran/SunsetSailKathi.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Feeling the need for food, I go below and grab what little of the cheese and appetizers are left. There were only about 35 people on board, but damn they must have been hungry! When I go back up on deck, I move to the front of the catamaran and simply put my face into the wind and revel in the beauty of a boat slicing through water with the precision of a knife. Left behind in the boat’s path was white foam cresting on top of water that couldn’t make up its mind what color it wanted to be. One minute it was green then it became midnight blue only to become green again with a tinge of blue.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Above my head, the sails billowed outward like freshly cleaned sheets on a clothes line, while the company’s logo of a black cat stood out sharply against the bleached sails. When it came time to head toward the Golden Gate Bridge, the DH and I just stood quietly together enjoying the view. I remember leaning over to kiss his cheek and saying I love you. He smiled and said I love you too. Then we were silent again. Sometimes, there are moments in your life which can not be put into words. For a writer to say something like that seems a bit incongruous. But it’s true.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >That One Moment</span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.monicaburns.com/images/SanFran/SunsetSailGGB2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://www.monicaburns.com/images/SanFran/SunsetSailGGB2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">I could wax poetic about those few minutes of bonding and closeness that I shared with my husband, but the truth is, a moment like that must be experienced. It must be felt. Or perhaps what I’m really saying is that the moment was too intimate to share with anyone but him. Intimate in the way that two people can simply hold hands and see deep into the heart of the other person. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">The simple knowing that only someone who loves you can have any hope of understanding who you truly are. I remember my mother once describing a walk she and my Dad took on a beach when they stopped to watch the sunset. She told me my Dad just reached for her hand and held it in silence. That simple description speaks eloquently to what I experienced with the DH. It was acceptance, understanding and love all wrapped up in a beautiful gift of heartfelt intimacy that said, I don’t want to be any other place but here with you. It’s a moment I’ll cherish until my days end.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.monicaburns.com/images/SanFran/SunsetSailUnderGGB9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://www.monicaburns.com/images/SanFran/SunsetSailUnderGGB9.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;">With our wonderful bonding moment still close to my heart, the captain of the boat took us directly under the bridge. Again, this is another difficult experience to truly describe. So I thought I’d do it with pictures. Even they can’t do justice to the majesty and beauty of this man-made wonder that spans a rocky shoreline and is buffeted by fog and sunshine depending on nature’s whim.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">When our sail ended, we were ready to go again. NO, wait! That’s not true. Remember how I said I was soaked with water and that it wasn’t cold? Well, the weather decided to change on us, and the wind got stronger and COLDER. It takes a lot for me to complain about the cold. I rarely wear a coat in the wintertime. So when I’m standing on the dock shivering and my teeth are chattering, the DH realizes that he’s not going to convince me to eat dinner down on the wharf. Instead we return to the hotel.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.monicaburns.com/images/SanFran/SunsetSailUnderGGB1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://www.monicaburns.com/images/SanFran/SunsetSailUnderGGB1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Monday we awoke to our last day in San Francisco and our scheduled trip to Alcatraz. The barometric pressure had shifted and my knee and hip were agonizing reminders that I was no longer 25 anymore. Nonetheless, it didn’t stop me from enjoying the tour of the prison.<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">I can only say that my trip to San Francisco was wonderful on so many different levels. It was a business success and it created memories that will last a lifetime. The only things we didn’t do that I wish we had were…</span></p> <ul><li><span style="font-size:100%;">ride a cable </span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">take a dinner/dance cruise on the Bay</span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">walk the whole length of the Golden Gate Bridge</span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">visited the Parthenon from the Pan American Exhibition</span></li></ul> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.monicaburns.com/images/SanFran/Alcatraz1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 368px; height: 275px;" src="http://www.monicaburns.com/images/SanFran/Alcatraz1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;">But hey, who’s to say that we can’t go back. After all, when I talked with the cheese guy from LeBeau the other night as to what cheeses he sold us in his small grocery store. He said we should come back, and maybe we will. </span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0