Friday, August 22, 2014

Dragons and Dragonflies


I read a recent article in my local paper titled "Flameless Dragons'. It was a story about dragonflies, their habitat, and how these innocent creatures have been burdened with a bad rap. People used to think they would bite you and transmit disease. Nonsense!

When I lived on a pond that connected to Lake Winnisquam, back in New Hampshire, dragonflies were in abundance but I never worried about them. They flitted between the deep grass beside the pond, to my lawn chair while I fished from our dock. I loved watching them, especially when the sunlight highlighted the rainbow of colors in their wings.
Lake Winnisquam
I love dragons in the same sense that I do not fear them. No, I have never met one face-to-face, but I would not mind it if I did. I have even written stories where they appear. How much easier it would be to interview a real, live Scottish dragon!

These legendary creatures are typically pictured as having serpent-like or reptilian traits. Dragons are featured in the myths of cultures spanning the globe. But, dragons are a myth, right? 

Whether you believe or not, here are books that feature dragons:


ALL ARE ONLY 99 CENTS







Available just about everywhere 
in ebook format. 
Find all the buy links HERE

Have a great weekend...summer is almost over!
Nancy Lee

Friday, August 15, 2014

What's New with Author David Russell


David Russell's, Dreamtime Sensuality, is out! He stopped by from across the pond (he is an UK author) to talk about the book. 
Dreamtime Sensuality
Many a dream can be realised with a little forethought. The characters in this quartet of stories are intelligent, sensitive and literary. They are also supremely voyeuristic and open-minded. Their intelligence is counterbalanced by inhibitions, which they can only lose by premeditated seduction scenarios, which relate intimately to their professional, creative and cultural lives. The great effort each couple puts into arranging a scenario seems to enhance the quality of the experience. A great source of inspiration for this and other works has been the novel The Girl Beneath the Lion by AndrĂ© Pieyre de Mandiargues.

Seductive Semaphore: Fashion Designer Bethesda and journalist Hector live opposite each other, with windows facing. They make initial contact through visible, provocative gestures. Soon afterwards, they get direct contact when Hector assists Bethesda with her folio. She invites him round to model for some of her fashion creations, and proceeds to seduce him. The seduction continues with a ritual visit to a sports centre, and then to a beach. They leave it open as to whether their relationship could ever become long-term.
The Heroine and the Author: Dreamer Hecate discovers she has a terminal illness. She wants to make the most of the time she has left by being celebrated in literature as a charismatic, legendary figure. She meets Ferdinand, a ghost writer, who is happy to undertake this massive project with her. In the process, She gets an idea of his physique through jogging and the fitness centre. Then there is a seduction scene inspired by the literary models of Sappho and Donne. Being ‘open-minded’, they make a pact for each one to go and have a sexual adventure – his hetero, hers lesbian. Their relationship is enhanced by this extra dimension.
Dreamtime Sensuality: Romana, highly literary and highly inhibited, goes to an exotic island location. She deeply desires a passionate encounter. At the Pension where she stays, she meets Stefano, who fulfils her requirements exactly. The proprietress of the Pension picks up on Romona’s shyness, and gives her reassurance, including some practice in the art of kissing. Romona orchestrates an elaborate beach seduction scenario, and they are both fulfilled. They never meet again, but their exchange of emails and text messages goes on indefinitely.
Dancing with Danger: Verona is a Scriptwriter and Gareth an archaeologist. They both have ‘retreats’ near the coast, and discover their common interests. Verona contrives a half-seduction on a deserted beach, wearing 18th century retro gear – related to their common interests. After some further encounters, they give each other a ‘dare’ to go and have a really risky encounter with someone really dodgy. Gareth finds a young woman on the run. Verona has a rapturous encounter with someone who gets hauled in by the police, suspected of terrorism. She uses her charm on the interrogating police officer to extricate herself. So Verona and Gareth both meet up again, to tell their respective tales.  

Excerpt 
Bethesda stepped aside from the window, then returned carrying something—which turned out to be a pair of binoculars. She gave him another wave, then closed the curtains. She was obviously dropping a hint—but of what precisely. Quivering, Hector closed his curtains again puzzled over the possibilities. Then the penny dropped, the binoculars meant that she wanted to see him in close up. He too had a pair of binoculars and so the observation could be two-way.
Simmering sensations made him want to shed some clothing along with his inhibitions—a reverie of conjoint night attire. Accordingly, he got down to singlet, boxer shorts and over them put on his dark blue dressing gown. Then he waited in anticipation. The mystery lady must make the next move. After a few, near-agonizing minutes, the winking lights occurred. That was the signal.
As he drew the curtains, again he could discern her beaming smile. Then she lifted the binoculars to her eyes and gave him a wave. At that, Hector’s dressing gown was smoothly, swiftly off. She gave him a wave, put down the binoculars and made a hand-clapping motion.
Hector took off his binoculars and reciprocated her gaze. Bethesda took off her nightdress to reveal white silken underwear—retro style with camiknickers—so repressed and so seductive. He put down the binoculars again and off came Hector’s singlet. Bethesda’s binoculars returned. After an elongated vigil, curtains closed again.
Hector’s fires were rising. He took off his boxer shorts and confronted the mirror in his tight briefs. This was beginning to feel lovely. He had had some nice telephone conversations, but they could not compete with these visuals. He danced ecstatically, waiting for the prompt of the next winking lights.
How can my readers buy your book?  


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A little bit about the author
b. 1940. Resident in the UK. Writer of poetry, literary criticism, speculative fiction and romance. Main poetry collection Prickling Counterpoints (1998); poems published in online International Times. Main speculative works High Wired On (2002); Rock Bottom (2005). Translation of Spanish epic La Araucana, Amazon 2013. Romances: Self’s Blossom; Explorations; Further Explorations; Therapy Rapture; Darlene, An Ecstatic Rendezvous (all pub Extasy (Devine Destinies). Singer-songwriter/guitarist. Main CD albums Bacteria Shrapnel and Kaleidoscope Concentrate. Many tracks on You Tube, under ‘Dave Russell’
You can find more information about his books a Devine Destinies 
or at his WEBSITE

Sunday, August 10, 2014

Hurricane Season is Nothing to Laugh About



"Singing in the rain" can quickly turn to "Drowning in the tidal surge" so I have listed a few reminders to help you put together a basic hurricane kit...something that can keep you alive and well if the power fails, or can travel with you if you are urged to relocate. (remember Katrina?)

*water for 3 days per person
*first aid kit & prescription meds
*food: non-perishable bags or cans & a can opener
*flashlights AND batteries
*pet food and a pet carrier or leash
*Books, print ones too in case the power runs down on your Kindle, Nook, or iPad*
Wind damage to our fence

Secure your home. High winds can do a lot of damage.
*Cover windows with shutters or wood
*trim trees and clear rain gutters
*bring in outdoor items like chairs & grills  
*Stay away from non-covered windows

Power Outages
*Make sure your vehicles' tanks are full. Gas pumps need power
*Fill a bathtub with water for washing and making the toilet flush
*Turn your frig down and freeze as many items as can fit
*ATMs will not work without power. Stock up on cash
*Charge your cell phones
*Again, stock up on paperback books...no power needed!

These are just a few reminders. Listen to the Weather Stations and be prepared.

Nancy Lee
*looking for a good book to read? Check out my blog's BOOK tab, or on my Amazon Author Page HERE