HERE'S THE NEW BLOG:
http://createrealitylivelife.wordpress.com/
WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE. FEEL FREE TO POST COMMENTS!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME!
~~Toasty and Amanda
Friday, August 26, 2011
!NOTIFICATION!
VIEWERS;
WE ARE TRANSFERRING TO WORDPRESS THIS SATURDAY. WE APOLOGIZE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCES. THIS SITE WILL REMAIN UNTIL NEXT SATURDAY AND WILL HAVE A LINK TO THE NEW HOME SITE.
THANK YOU.
~~Toasty and Amanda
WE ARE TRANSFERRING TO WORDPRESS THIS SATURDAY. WE APOLOGIZE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCES. THIS SITE WILL REMAIN UNTIL NEXT SATURDAY AND WILL HAVE A LINK TO THE NEW HOME SITE.
THANK YOU.
~~Toasty and Amanda
Thursday, August 25, 2011
“We Enjoy Celebrating Each Other’s Successes” (An Interview)
Interview With: Marilyn Baron
BIO:Marilyn Baron is a public relations consultant in Atlanta. She’s a PRO member of Romance Writers of America and serves on the board of Georgia Romance Writers (GRW) as editor of The Galley, GRW’s award-winning online newsletter. She is the proud winner of the GRW 2009 Chapter Service Award. She writes humorous women’s fiction, including “The Colonoscopy Club,” which finaled in the GRW Unpublished Maggie Awards for Excellence in 2005 in the Single Title category and “The Edger,” which won first place in the Suspense Romance Category of the 2010 Ignite the Flame Contest, sponsored by Central Ohio Fiction Writers RWA Chapter. “I try to inject humor into everything I write, from romantic suspense to women’s fiction. I like to laugh and I think my readers do too. I tend to feature older heroines, because let’s face it, we’re not getting any younger.”
Marilyn was born in Miami, Florida. She now lives in Roswell, Georgia, with her husband, and has two beautiful daughters. She blogs at www.petitfoursandhottamales.com. She graduated from The University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism. She met her husband at UF and both of her daughters also graduated from UF. Go Gators!
1. How did you first become a member of BHBP?
I donated my humorous supernatural e-short story A Choir of Angels http://www.twbpress.com/achoirofangels.html as a giveaway to Barbara Vey’s 4th anniversary party and my blog Petit Fours and Hot Tamales http://petitfoursandhottamales.com/author/marilyn-baron/ donated a number of prizes. That week was so much fun, everyone got to know each other and we stayed up till all hours of the night communicating. It was truly a phenomenon. I think there were more than 20,000 commenters. We didn’t want the fun to stop so some members formed a Facebook group, which I was invited to join.
2. Did you find the group welcoming?
This is the most unbelievable group of women. They are more than welcoming, nurturing, supportive and generous. I feel like I made 300 immediate friends. Kym Fullen Amaral hosted me on her new blog Garden Girl ‘Reads N Seeds’ for an entire week featuring A Choir of Angels and my second book, Follow an Angel http://www.twbpress.com/followanangel.html. Kym reviewed my book in Barbara’s column. Leanne Gagnon featured my eBook on her booksnmakeup blog and reviewed my book. I participated in a chat room where we talked about books and shared writing tips and I got to know Staci Whiteside. It turns out Jerry Hampton and I both live in Georgia and we met in person at a Georgia Romance Writers meeting. And, of course, Dianna Love, who is a fellow GRW member, is very active on the Facebook page. When I blog on Petit Fours and Hot Tamales, my fellow BHBP members drop by and support me. The members are from all over the country, yet I feel like they’re right next door.
3. How did their interests coincide with yours?
We’re all either readers or writers. And we all love Barbara Vey! We all have different interests but everyone is genuinely interested in the lives of everyone else.
4. Did you gain inspiration from the group and how?
Yes, because every morning I can wake up and communicate with friends who are doing wonderful things, writing books, reading books and celebrating each other’s successes. If one of us is going through something personal we share it with the others and get instant sympathy or support. For example, when the earthquake hit the East Coast, we all got on Facebook to make sure everyone was okay. I feel that this group has made me more productive. I’ve written a lot more since I’ve become a member. In fact, I just signed a contract for my third e-short story in the Angel Trilogy and this group is the first I’d share my news with.
5. What things has the group inspired you to do that you wouldn't have done before?
Reach out to a new audience, a new group of people I never would have met otherwise. If any of us has a craft or other question we need answered we merely have to ask. I enjoy sharing my writing knowledge with the other members and I encourage them whenever I can.
6. Do you feel the friendships you have made are lasting?
Absolutely. I can’t even believe I have never met Kym or Leanne in person. It seems like we have known each other forever. And I hope these Facebook friendships will continue.
7. How has the group expanded your horizons?
It has provided the opportunity to get to know so many different people writing in so many different genres. Before this group, I was never active on Facebook. Conversations were taking place around me but I wasn’t necessarily participating. Being a member of this group has broadened my experience in social media. I’m so glad I’m part of this wonderful group! Thank you all.
BIO:Marilyn Baron is a public relations consultant in Atlanta. She’s a PRO member of Romance Writers of America and serves on the board of Georgia Romance Writers (GRW) as editor of The Galley, GRW’s award-winning online newsletter. She is the proud winner of the GRW 2009 Chapter Service Award. She writes humorous women’s fiction, including “The Colonoscopy Club,” which finaled in the GRW Unpublished Maggie Awards for Excellence in 2005 in the Single Title category and “The Edger,” which won first place in the Suspense Romance Category of the 2010 Ignite the Flame Contest, sponsored by Central Ohio Fiction Writers RWA Chapter. “I try to inject humor into everything I write, from romantic suspense to women’s fiction. I like to laugh and I think my readers do too. I tend to feature older heroines, because let’s face it, we’re not getting any younger.”
Marilyn was born in Miami, Florida. She now lives in Roswell, Georgia, with her husband, and has two beautiful daughters. She blogs at www.petitfoursandhottamales.com. She graduated from The University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism. She met her husband at UF and both of her daughters also graduated from UF. Go Gators!
1. How did you first become a member of BHBP?
I donated my humorous supernatural e-short story A Choir of Angels http://www.twbpress.com/achoirofangels.html as a giveaway to Barbara Vey’s 4th anniversary party and my blog Petit Fours and Hot Tamales http://petitfoursandhottamales.com/author/marilyn-baron/ donated a number of prizes. That week was so much fun, everyone got to know each other and we stayed up till all hours of the night communicating. It was truly a phenomenon. I think there were more than 20,000 commenters. We didn’t want the fun to stop so some members formed a Facebook group, which I was invited to join.
2. Did you find the group welcoming?
This is the most unbelievable group of women. They are more than welcoming, nurturing, supportive and generous. I feel like I made 300 immediate friends. Kym Fullen Amaral hosted me on her new blog Garden Girl ‘Reads N Seeds’ for an entire week featuring A Choir of Angels and my second book, Follow an Angel http://www.twbpress.com/followanangel.html. Kym reviewed my book in Barbara’s column. Leanne Gagnon featured my eBook on her booksnmakeup blog and reviewed my book. I participated in a chat room where we talked about books and shared writing tips and I got to know Staci Whiteside. It turns out Jerry Hampton and I both live in Georgia and we met in person at a Georgia Romance Writers meeting. And, of course, Dianna Love, who is a fellow GRW member, is very active on the Facebook page. When I blog on Petit Fours and Hot Tamales, my fellow BHBP members drop by and support me. The members are from all over the country, yet I feel like they’re right next door.
3. How did their interests coincide with yours?
We’re all either readers or writers. And we all love Barbara Vey! We all have different interests but everyone is genuinely interested in the lives of everyone else.
4. Did you gain inspiration from the group and how?
Yes, because every morning I can wake up and communicate with friends who are doing wonderful things, writing books, reading books and celebrating each other’s successes. If one of us is going through something personal we share it with the others and get instant sympathy or support. For example, when the earthquake hit the East Coast, we all got on Facebook to make sure everyone was okay. I feel that this group has made me more productive. I’ve written a lot more since I’ve become a member. In fact, I just signed a contract for my third e-short story in the Angel Trilogy and this group is the first I’d share my news with.
5. What things has the group inspired you to do that you wouldn't have done before?
Reach out to a new audience, a new group of people I never would have met otherwise. If any of us has a craft or other question we need answered we merely have to ask. I enjoy sharing my writing knowledge with the other members and I encourage them whenever I can.
6. Do you feel the friendships you have made are lasting?
Absolutely. I can’t even believe I have never met Kym or Leanne in person. It seems like we have known each other forever. And I hope these Facebook friendships will continue.
7. How has the group expanded your horizons?
It has provided the opportunity to get to know so many different people writing in so many different genres. Before this group, I was never active on Facebook. Conversations were taking place around me but I wasn’t necessarily participating. Being a member of this group has broadened my experience in social media. I’m so glad I’m part of this wonderful group! Thank you all.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
The Ladies of ffvhbp (How We Draw Through Our Frienedships)
Interview With: Jerry Hampton, aka Shanon Grey
Shanon Grey weaves romance and suspense with threads of the paranormal. THE SHOPPE OF SPELLS, published by Turquoise Morning Press, is the first in her series, THE GATEKEEPERS. Book Two, MEADOW’S KEEP, is due out spring of 2012.
Shanon spent her life on coasts, both the beautiful Atlantic and the balmy Gulf. Hurricane Katrina taught her the fragility of life and the strength of friendship, family and starting over.
She currently lives in Coweta County, Georgia, trading the familiarity of the coast for the lush beauty and wonder of the mountains, where her husband fulfilled her lifelong dream—to live in a cottage in the woods. There, she garners inspiration from horses grazing on rolling pastures and deer that wander by to tease her beloved dog.
In THE SHOPPE OF SPELLS, Morgana Briscoe, known to her family and friends as Morgan, finds her relatively normal life turned on its ear when she learns not only that she is adopted, but her birth parents are dead and she now holds half-interest in a business with their ward, Dorian Drake. Despite his riveting good looks, Dorian can barely conceal his hostility toward his new partner. Morgan discovers that she is more than she seems and together she and Dorian have abilities beyond her imagination. Unable to control their growing attraction, Morgan and Dorian dance around their desires and her burgeoning abilities, until danger forces them to face their destiny.
You can join her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ShanonGrey, follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ShanonGrey and visit her website at www.shanongrey.com. Contact her at shanongreybooks@yahoo.com. She would love to hear from you.
Q: How did you first becomea member of BHBP?
A: I first heard about the group from my cousin and fellow author, Nancy Naigle.
Q: did you find the group welcoming ?
A: I snuck in, to lurk, and was immediately assaulted with enthusiastic welcomes. It’s hard to deny that kind of attention.
Q: how did their interests coincide with yours ?
A: I adore Barbara Vey and loved the idea of being friends with others that liked her. It is an enthusiastic bunch of writers and readers.
Q: did you gain inspiration from the group and how?
A: I had recently signed a contract for my novel, The Shoppe of Spells under my pen name, Shanon Grey. They wanted to know about it and were interested in the release.
Q: what things has the group inspired you to do that you wouldn't have done before
A: Because of the group and some of our ongoing discussions, I have come up with another story. It’s called Captain’s Watch and I am extremely excited about it and am eternally grateful for the friendship this group provides.
Q: do you feel the friendships you have made are lasting ?
A: I think quite a few of the people I’ve met will be with me forever. They support they offer is phenomenal. Leanne hosted me on a blog and let me use her gorgeous eyes on my site and bookmark. Kym put me in a chatroom. Everyone was so nice, I began to feel I could do this.
Q: how has the group expanded your horizons?
A: I was pretty intimidated when my book launched. The group wouldn’t let me shy away. They had encouraged me every step of the way. Only time will show what kind of monster they’ve created.
Shanon Grey weaves romance and suspense with threads of the paranormal. THE SHOPPE OF SPELLS, published by Turquoise Morning Press, is the first in her series, THE GATEKEEPERS. Book Two, MEADOW’S KEEP, is due out spring of 2012.
Shanon spent her life on coasts, both the beautiful Atlantic and the balmy Gulf. Hurricane Katrina taught her the fragility of life and the strength of friendship, family and starting over.
She currently lives in Coweta County, Georgia, trading the familiarity of the coast for the lush beauty and wonder of the mountains, where her husband fulfilled her lifelong dream—to live in a cottage in the woods. There, she garners inspiration from horses grazing on rolling pastures and deer that wander by to tease her beloved dog.
In THE SHOPPE OF SPELLS, Morgana Briscoe, known to her family and friends as Morgan, finds her relatively normal life turned on its ear when she learns not only that she is adopted, but her birth parents are dead and she now holds half-interest in a business with their ward, Dorian Drake. Despite his riveting good looks, Dorian can barely conceal his hostility toward his new partner. Morgan discovers that she is more than she seems and together she and Dorian have abilities beyond her imagination. Unable to control their growing attraction, Morgan and Dorian dance around their desires and her burgeoning abilities, until danger forces them to face their destiny.
You can join her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ShanonGrey, follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ShanonGrey and visit her website at www.shanongrey.com. Contact her at shanongreybooks@yahoo.com. She would love to hear from you.
Q: How did you first becomea member of BHBP?
A: I first heard about the group from my cousin and fellow author, Nancy Naigle.
Q: did you find the group welcoming ?
A: I snuck in, to lurk, and was immediately assaulted with enthusiastic welcomes. It’s hard to deny that kind of attention.
Q: how did their interests coincide with yours ?
A: I adore Barbara Vey and loved the idea of being friends with others that liked her. It is an enthusiastic bunch of writers and readers.
Q: did you gain inspiration from the group and how?
A: I had recently signed a contract for my novel, The Shoppe of Spells under my pen name, Shanon Grey. They wanted to know about it and were interested in the release.
Q: what things has the group inspired you to do that you wouldn't have done before
A: Because of the group and some of our ongoing discussions, I have come up with another story. It’s called Captain’s Watch and I am extremely excited about it and am eternally grateful for the friendship this group provides.
Q: do you feel the friendships you have made are lasting ?
A: I think quite a few of the people I’ve met will be with me forever. They support they offer is phenomenal. Leanne hosted me on a blog and let me use her gorgeous eyes on my site and bookmark. Kym put me in a chatroom. Everyone was so nice, I began to feel I could do this.
Q: how has the group expanded your horizons?
A: I was pretty intimidated when my book launched. The group wouldn’t let me shy away. They had encouraged me every step of the way. Only time will show what kind of monster they’ve created.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Meeting friends and BHBP support
I am a fairly new member of the virtual community. I joined Facebook November 2011. Then a few months later I participated in my first virtual party mostly by accident. At this party I met an amazing and fun assortment of women, all readers and authors. We had such a great time we formed a group and started friendships that would grow into a family with members supporting and encouraging one another to success. Some of the readers became writers and published while some of us are still reading and writing. Others of us started our own blogs and lend support on our blogs by featuring friends. What ever we have done we have stood strong for one another and become sisters in a world where even acquaintances are hard to find. I feel lucky to be a part of this group. I hope to be able to be a part of these ladies lives for a long time to come.
Friday, August 19, 2011
Tudor Throne Review
Tudor Throne
By Brandy Purdy
In the wake of King Henry VIII's death, England's throne is left in a precarious state - as is the peculiar relationship between his two daughters. Mary, the elder, once treasured, had been declared a bastard in favour of her flame-haired half-sister, Elizabeth, born of the doomed Anne Boleyn. Yet the bond between the sisters was palpable from the start. Now reinstated, Mary eventually assumes her place as queen. But as Mary's religious zeal evolves into a reign of terror, young Elizabeth gains the people's favour. Gripped by a tormenting paranoia, Mary is soon convinced that her beloved Elizabeth is in fact her worst enemy. And the virginal Elizabeth, whose true love is her country, must defy her tyrannical sister to make way for a new era...
Review
By Amanda Woodward
Brady Purdy has written a book that fully submerges you in the Tudor Period, England. She reminds you of the elegance of dress, hairstyles, and architecture. In this book, you are drawn in to an England that is in upheaval from many years of infighting and succession battles. Yet is still a powerful influence in Europe.
I believe that all historical facts in this book are correct. Still, I found conflict with the representation of the two most powerful women in English history. Mary was represented as a jealous, insecure and shallow woman with a child-like mind who never got over her father’s abandonment. Elizabeth, who is undeniably one of the most influential women in history, was represented as a meek, fearful child full of deceit and immoral attitudes. The story has her as a seductress before puberty and a confused victim at the same time. The great and powerful of England were represented as fumbling idiots.
This said, I have to admit that I love the descriptions and details of the life and fashion of the time period.
By Brandy Purdy
In the wake of King Henry VIII's death, England's throne is left in a precarious state - as is the peculiar relationship between his two daughters. Mary, the elder, once treasured, had been declared a bastard in favour of her flame-haired half-sister, Elizabeth, born of the doomed Anne Boleyn. Yet the bond between the sisters was palpable from the start. Now reinstated, Mary eventually assumes her place as queen. But as Mary's religious zeal evolves into a reign of terror, young Elizabeth gains the people's favour. Gripped by a tormenting paranoia, Mary is soon convinced that her beloved Elizabeth is in fact her worst enemy. And the virginal Elizabeth, whose true love is her country, must defy her tyrannical sister to make way for a new era...
Review
By Amanda Woodward
Brady Purdy has written a book that fully submerges you in the Tudor Period, England. She reminds you of the elegance of dress, hairstyles, and architecture. In this book, you are drawn in to an England that is in upheaval from many years of infighting and succession battles. Yet is still a powerful influence in Europe.
I believe that all historical facts in this book are correct. Still, I found conflict with the representation of the two most powerful women in English history. Mary was represented as a jealous, insecure and shallow woman with a child-like mind who never got over her father’s abandonment. Elizabeth, who is undeniably one of the most influential women in history, was represented as a meek, fearful child full of deceit and immoral attitudes. The story has her as a seductress before puberty and a confused victim at the same time. The great and powerful of England were represented as fumbling idiots.
This said, I have to admit that I love the descriptions and details of the life and fashion of the time period.
Betrayal Review
Betrayal
By: Fern Micheals
Kate and Alex Rocket are blessed with a wonderful marriage and a lovely home. Although Kate can't have children, she and Alex look upon Sara and Emily, daughters of their good friends Don and Debbie Winter, as part of their family. With one phone call, everything changes. Sara accuses Alex of a terrible act, opening up a vicious rift between the couples. Kate watches helplessly as her innocent husband is convicted and sent to prison. But when even greater tragedy strikes, Kate's grief turns to anger, and she discovers an inner strength and steel-edged resolve to clear her husband's name - and ruin those who destroyed their life together. But Kate's greatest challenge will be in avenging Alex without losing her chance at a new future - and a precious new love..
Review: Amanda Woodward
Fern Michaels is an author I’ve always respected. I enjoy her books and believe that every story that she has given us has been a gift. Her stories are touching and thoughtful. I was very excited to have a chance to read this book.
However, I had problems connecting with the characters. Their lack of empathy and judgmental attitudes made them hard to sympathize with. The characters spend a lot of time insulting each other and even the “good” people in the story seemed malicious. I felt the storyline was missing critical information, such as character development. The timeline seemed to jump forward and leave out too much of the story. I was very surprised that this was written by Fern Michaels.
Please don’t let this be a deterrent to reading Fern Michaels other books. She’s a great author and deserves her reputation.
By: Fern Micheals
Kate and Alex Rocket are blessed with a wonderful marriage and a lovely home. Although Kate can't have children, she and Alex look upon Sara and Emily, daughters of their good friends Don and Debbie Winter, as part of their family. With one phone call, everything changes. Sara accuses Alex of a terrible act, opening up a vicious rift between the couples. Kate watches helplessly as her innocent husband is convicted and sent to prison. But when even greater tragedy strikes, Kate's grief turns to anger, and she discovers an inner strength and steel-edged resolve to clear her husband's name - and ruin those who destroyed their life together. But Kate's greatest challenge will be in avenging Alex without losing her chance at a new future - and a precious new love..
Review: Amanda Woodward
Fern Michaels is an author I’ve always respected. I enjoy her books and believe that every story that she has given us has been a gift. Her stories are touching and thoughtful. I was very excited to have a chance to read this book.
However, I had problems connecting with the characters. Their lack of empathy and judgmental attitudes made them hard to sympathize with. The characters spend a lot of time insulting each other and even the “good” people in the story seemed malicious. I felt the storyline was missing critical information, such as character development. The timeline seemed to jump forward and leave out too much of the story. I was very surprised that this was written by Fern Michaels.
Please don’t let this be a deterrent to reading Fern Michaels other books. She’s a great author and deserves her reputation.
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