Friday, January 31, 2014

Nancy Lee Badger Presents Author Charmaine Gordon


Author Charmaine Gordon
Everyone has dreams and everyone has a story waiting to be written. Personally, before I ever started to write, I was an actor loving every word the playwright wrote; never did I dream of paraphrasing like so many actors, making up sentences never written and changing the meaning. Definitely a no-no in show business.  
So I say to all of you out there, if I, a woman with no experience in writing, can write a bunch of books, find a publisher who works with me and teaches me the ropes of promoting etc, why can’t you? The answer is, my friends, you can. Take an idea rattling around in that smart head and just do it. Don’t censor yourself. Write three pages. Reread and then see if your work needs a tweak or two. Sound easy? It’s not but it’s a start. One more thing, folks. Be sure to open your veins and don’t be afraid to let emotions spread on to the story. Make it real. Let it come alive.
My latest release is No Time for Green Bananas, publisher Vanilla Heart. 
Why the funny title, you might ask? I read a quote by an unknown source:
“Green bananas take time to ripen. Do not wait. There may not be a tomorrow.”
 Sounds grim, doesn’t it?  But the story is fun, full of twists and turns, as an older woman and younger man fall in love.
Featured in USAToday in November
No Time for Green Bananas by Charmaine Gordon (Vanilla Heart Publishing). Book four in series The Beginning…Not the End. Celeste Hamlin, the 75-year-old widow CEO of O.U.R. Airlines specializing in chartered vacations, has a goal... She needs to once more conquer the six mountains in the Saranac Lake region before deciding what to do with the rest of her life. Sixty-two year old Professor Paul Harris, is on sabbatical to hike and relax. When he meets the dynamic Celeste, he recalls the last words his wife said before she passed. "Find another love and begin again." What happens next between an older woman and younger man is a story of gentle passion and discovery of The Beginning... Not The End.
 
Buy Links:
 
Smashwords    iTunes    NOOK 


NO TIME FOR
GREEN BANANAS
SNEAK PEEK

 
More about the Author

Charmaine Gordon writes books  about women who Survive and Thrive.  Her motto is take one step and then another to leave your past behind and begin again. Six books and several short stories in three years, she’s always at work on the next story. The books include To Be Continued, Starting Over, Now What?, Reconstructing Charlie, Sin of Omission and The Catch, just released. And now I’ve written a series of Mature Romance/Suspense long/short stories under the umbrella title The Beginning. ..Not The End. Think Sexy Seniors, fifty five +, baby boomers no longer babies. Instant Grandpa, Young at Heart, Before the Final Curtain and No Time for Green Bananas.

“I didn’t realize at the time while working as an actor in NYC, I’d become a sponge soaking up dialogue, setting, and stage directions. I learned many tools of writing during the years watching directors like Mike Nichols and actors including Harrison Ford, Anthony Hopkins, and Billy Crystal. And would you believe, I was Geraldine Ferraro’s stand-in leg model, my first job giving me entrĂ©e into all the Unions needed to work. When the sweet time ended, I began another career and creative juices flowed.”

You can reach Charmaine at :

WEBSITE     FACEBOOK


 

Thanks for inviting me to be your guest,
Ms. Nancy Lee.

A giveaway of ebook format
No Time for Green Bananas
is offered to the
most interesting comment

*drawing is February 5th, 2014
***please leave a contact email and format choice***

 

Friday, January 24, 2014

7 Fun Ways to Put the 'Magic' Back in Writing

by Adrienne deWolfe
Bestselling Author

Please welcome my guest, Adrienne deWolfe, who I have asked to share some tips for making YOU a better writer. Welcome, Adrienne!

When I’m connected with my Writing Muse, all is “write” with the world.  My characters surprise me; cliff hangers magically appear; and sassy one-liners occur in the dialogue.

If you would like to experience the same creative Nirvana, I encourage you to try the exercises below. 

Important:  Don’t wait until writer’s block sets in or the Grim Reaper of Deadlines is stalking you.  Experiment with these creative ideas on a good writing day.  Who knows?   Having a little fun just might inspire you to write better than ever!

#1. Tired of losing the staring match with your cursor?  (Oh, yeah.)  Pack up your Writing Muse and take her on an official play date.  Go to Paint Ball.  Or a museum.  Or a treehouse (my personal favorite.)  Dress like a Storm Trooper.  Act like a 7-year-old.  Give yourself permission to color outside the lines.  (Note to First-Time Paint Ballers:  Drop by the pharmacy on the way home.  Buy a tube of Ben Gay.)
#2. Lonely for conversation?  (From real people?)  Visit a busy restaurant at lunch time. Take your critique partner with you. Speak about your characters as if they’re business acquaintances. Brainstorm how to kill one off.  Do this REALLY LOUD.  Enjoy the horrified stares!
#3. Liberate your subconscious! Wash the dishes. Weed the garden. Vacuum the air ducts.  The point is to distract your conscious mind from your problem by engaging in some menial task.  I cannot tell you how many times a brilliant idea has popped into my mind while I’m scraping fried eggs from the bottom of a skillet!
#4. Buy a hoola hoop.  (Betcha know where this one’s going, huh?)  Okay, so you’re lousy at hula.  Do jumping jacks instead.  They’re free.  I promise you, the shot of joy-juice (endorphins) that you get from aerobic activity will do wonders for your creativity.  (Extra Perk:   you’ll work off the sugar from the caffeinated beverages that you’ve been guzzling – so you can guzzle even MORE!)
#5. Try a different POV to solve your writing dilemma. Write as the banana on the kitchen counter. Transport your mind into a three-year-old child’s. What’s it like to stare at the knees of your heroine all day?  Pick a favorite fictional character. How would Scooby Doo save the day?  Rhett Butler?  Bella Swann? (By the way, if these cheesy POV exercises lead you to write the next bestselling vampire novel, be sure to cut me in on the royalties.)
#6. Ever hear the saying, “Books aren’t written, they’re re-written?” (Yeah. That advice used to annoy me, too.) The next time you’re faced with a re-write and your Inner Child is pitching a fit, give in to the tantrum. Throw Nerf balls at the wall. Jump in the swimming pool and yell under water. Torch the objectionable critique in a appropriately fire-safe container. (It’s truly gratifying to watch bad reviews burn – uh, so I’ve been told.) Now that your brain’s clear, go write something!
#7. Still stumped?  Dear me.  (Ever consider a brain transplant?)  For those of you who’ve reached Def Con 5 (translation: a chocolate fondue, a bottle of wine, and a full-body massage couldn’t wrangle one measly word out of you), try some positive reinforcement. Every time you do finish a scene, stuff a $1.00 bill inside a mason jar.  If you’re independently wealthy, stuff $10 inside the jar. By the time your manuscript is finished, you’ll have a sizable nest egg. Use that money to reward yourself. (Or send it to me. Your choice. )

What’s Next for Adrienne:
Look for DEVIL IN TEXAS (Book 4, Velvet Lies) the eagerly awaited sequel to SEDUCED BY AN ANGEL. (Read an excerpt from DEVIL here: http:// ebookdiscovery.com/adriennedewolfe.html ) Available Summer 2014 from ePublishing Works.
Adrienne is donating a portion of royalties from each book in her award-winning Velvet Lies series of Western Historical Romances to urban tree-planting efforts! Learn more about this exciting project at http://writingnovelsthatsell.com/best-selling-romance-author-donates-royalties-to-urban-reforestation/
SEDUCED BY AN ANGEL
Book 3, Velvet Lies
By Adrienne deWolfe
Book Description
Kentucky belle Seraphina Jones craves a dashing stranger worth kissing. When she spies her handsome, half-naked hired hand at the riverbank, she thinks her dreams of romance have come true. But this Texican is wanted for murder.

Jesse Quaid can't let Sera's sweet kisses distract him from rendezvousing with Cass, a childhood friend, to clear his name of a crime that he didn't commit. But then a case of mistaken identity turns Cass into Jesse's deadliest rival for Sera's heart. Now, Sera must find a way to end the feud before the man she loves is lost forever.

Excerpt:
    "Can I have my pants back?" A wicked dimple flirted with his lips.
    "Maybe." She narrowed her eyes at his bawdy show of humor. "Are you going to pack them in your bedroll and ride?"
    "Now that's an interesting question, coming from a maid."
    "That is not what I meant!"
    "Isn't it?" Those strong white teeth flashed in a feline smile. "It seems to me a young, unmarried woman shouldn't be visiting her hired hand's digs in the middle of the night. Unless, of course, she has a certain kind of pleasure-riding on her mind."
    Sera's jaw dropped. She couldn't believe Jesse would think such a thing about her!
    Well, okay. Maybe she had imagined kissing him with a reckless abandon. And maybe she'd imagined stripping off his shirt to feast her eyes on his rock-ribbed planes. But was that such a crime? Imagining?
    "Why are you being so contrary?" she demanded. "I thought we were friends."
    "So did I. Until I came in here tonight and caught you spying on me."
    She caught her breath. "Jesse, I swear. That is not what I—"
    With a speed reminiscent of his quick-draw, he ripped the denim from her hands and caught her wrists. She shivered a little when she recognized the hunger in his jungle-cat stare.
    "Jesse, please don’t be angry with me—"
    "I’m not angry with you, Sera. I want to do forbidden things to you. I want to do scandalous, bawdy things that will make you pant and gasp and shake with the sheer, wild pleasure of my kiss . . . "
Find Adrienne’s Books
·       Velvet Lies Series
http://ebookdiscovery.com.p8.hostingprod.com/AdrienneDeWolfe.html
·       Wild Texas Nights Series
http://ebookdiscovery.com.p8.hostingprod.com/AdrienneDeWolfe.html

·       The Secrets to Getting Your Romance Novel Published
http://writingnovelsthatsell.com/the-secrets-to-getting-your-romance-published/

About Adrienne deWolfe
Adrienne is a #1 Bestselling Author and the recipient of 48 writing awards, including the Best Historical Romance of the Year. She consistently delights readers with sexy, action-packed, western-style romances, including her Wild Texas Nights series and her Velvet Lies series. In addition, she is the author of the bestselling non-fiction ebook series, The Secrets to Getting Your Romance Novel Published.

Fascinated by all things mystical, Adrienne writes a blog about dragons, magic, and the paranormal at http://MagicMayhemBlog.com to help her research her upcoming Paranormal Romance series. She also writes a weekly blog with writing tips and advice about the business of writing at http://WritingNovelsThatSell.com. Both websites support Romance authors by hosting book tours.


A fiction-writing instructor who has taught at the college level, Adrienne enjoys mentoring aspiring authors and helping published authors advance their careers. With more than 20 years of award-winning public relations campaigns to her credit, she offers book marketing services as well as professional story critiques and private mentorship.

Follow Adrienne deWolfe

Monday, January 20, 2014

And the Winner is....

Entry #308 Mary M.
She is my blog's WINNER
during the
WINTER WONDER MAN BLOG HOP!
Her prize will be on its way soon!



And the Blog Hop Overall winner of 
the Gift Certificate is

Joanne W. over at 

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Winter Wonder Man Blog Hop & Giveaway

ENDS AT MIDNIGHT (EST) ON SUNDAY JANUARY 19TH!


Winter winds have descended on America (including where I live in the sunny south) and all I want to do is read a good book. Everyone loves a good read by the fire. How about you? Movies are okay, too, but there is just something about that book.

This is a Blog Hop, where dozens of authors and others have grouped together to offer fantastic prizes. We would all like to give those prizes away, so read the topic, and answer the question:

"What makes a hero in movies and books 
wonderful to the point your toes curl?"


Why a Blog Hop? Authors 
want to showcase their work!
My latest release is 
3-Books-in-1
DRAGON Bites contains 
3 Scottish tales that deal 
with dragons and romance:
*Dragon's Curse
*Southern Fried Dragon
*Dragon in the Mist
Available in e-book and print

*Check all my titles 
The GRAND PRIZE 
$50 Barnes and Noble
or Amazon Gift Card 
will be awarded to one lucky person
by the Blog Hop Coordinator
BellaMediaManagement

A random winner from my blog entrants 
will win something wonderful to help you 
get ORGANIZED in 2014! 

the WonderFILE
a portable workstation
And because y'all are readers,
I will stuff it with 
ButterSCOTCH Candy 
and the following 
autographed print copies of:
Glitter Baby by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
The Guardian by Margaret Mallory
DRAGON Bites by ME! 
*please note: any winner residing OUTSIDE the Continental US 
will receive a library of e-books by Nancy Lee Badger


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday, January 10, 2014

Nancy Lee Badger Presents John Reinhard Dizon and The Role of Gender

Author John Reinhard Dizon

2014 brings some changes to my blog, and I am happy to start the year off with an article by author John Reinhard Dizon. John stopped by to discuss the role of gender. Learn more about how his used this subject in his latest release, The Bat.

The role of gender in The Bat is highly significant as we consider the impact of female protagonist Brenda Hammond on the narrative. The tone of discontent is prevalent throughout as Brenda realizes she is being exploited by Chief Joel Madden in the exchange of information as an undercover operative for the detective badge she desires. Her romantic involvement with Johnny Sullivan, a member of the group of interest, is being leveraged by Madden to his own benefit in trying to win Brenda’s affections. She is also stressed by having to compromise Richard Garrison and Dr. Coulter, conflicted by having to betray their personal trust in pursuing her professional objectives. She compares her situation with others in her department and realizes she is being exploited as a female rather than being able to rely on sheer ability to succeed in the investigation.

Holly Westlake rejects the gender norms in her act of suicide caused by the abusive relationships she has endured. Her deceased husband gave her a life of uncertainty and risk as a professional gambler, and after his murder she existed under the threat of blackmail as the Mob pressured her for her husband’s ‘black book’. In turning to Dr. Coulter, she finds a lover and a therapist who betrays her by using his experimental DMX-1313 drug on her. The omniscient narrative implies that Holly killed herself out of desperation. Yet scholars might consider the possibility that Holly may have sacrificed her life to have placed the ‘smoking gun’ in the untouchable Doctor’s hand. 
 
We find Darla Mc Carthy reaffirming the gender norm as the stabilizing female character in the novel. She takes the initiative in kindling a relationship with Richard Garrison, then recedes as he reestablishes contact with his own emotions. Unlike Tommy O’Hara’s girlfriend Jill Masterson, she succeeds in breaking down Richard’s walls while strengthening both their relationship and his own overall self-perception. She leads Brenda and Jill by example in improving their own relationships without being didactic or self-righteous. Darla becomes a ‘mother earth’ figure of serenity as opposed to Brenda being a damsel in distress and Holly having opted out rather than seeking resolution to her struggles.

The Bat continues in the tradition of John Reinhard Dizon’s works in discussing the role of gender in society and literature, examining the cause and effect of cultural projections on women and how personality, psychological outlook and overall character determines social outcomes. The ‘second class citizen’ viewpoint is not only questioned but rejected in this essential viewpoint on female perspectives.

What’s next for you?

Nightcrawler is another action/adventure novel with a strong female protagonist who may appear as an anti-heroine forced into a situation beyond her control. It’s being released by Black Rose Writing this month, and we hope it is going to be another essential contribution to the women’s fiction genre.

BOOK BLURB
The Bat (An Existential Fable) is an action-adventure novel centered on the not-too-distant future in NYC as the Big Apple becomes the beacon of the world in the throes of the Great Recession. Existentialism becomes a philosophical alternative to religion in a city that has lost hope in the future. Crime is rampant as narcotic use has reached epidemic proportions, and vigilantes began to capture the imagination of the world press as they take a stand in the War On Gangs.

Excerpt from The Bat
She tried to struggle but it was as if the blow to her neck had drained all the strength from her body. They carried her into the tunnel, into the darkness, then dropped her upon what seemed to be a padded surface. She could hear a knife being flicked open, and felt a hand grab her by the front of her shirt and lift her off the ground.
“I think you guys are in for a big disappointment,” she heard a booming voice at the entrance of the tunnel behind them. “This is not going to be worth it.”
They looked up in amazement at a dark silhouette blocking the lamplight outside the tunnel. They saw what looked like a man in a hat and long coat, hands in pockets. They looked past him and saw no one else. They determined that he had no visible means of escape, and could not be carrying much more than a handgun. They knew Julio was carrying a .22, and could exchange fire with the intruder long enough for them to retreat if necessary. Julio and two others moved towards the right, while the other three Raiders moved to the left.
Julio had no choice but to empty his clip of .22 rounds at the man. The new anti-gun laws in NYC provided for a mandatory ten years in prison, but Julio saw no other option. The man staggered but did not drop, suddenly surging forward and tacking Julio to the muddy ground. She recalled a vicious scuffle followed by deathly silence.
“This should teach you a lesson,” she would The Bat’s voice as a sexy growl in her nightmares. “This park isn’t safe for anyone.”
She tried to call out to him but the cumulative shock swept her into unconsciousness. 


How can my readers
buy your book?
Check out John Reinhard Dizon’s

A little bit about the author
John Reinhard Dizon was born and raised in the Cobble Hill section of Brooklyn, NY. He participated in local and high school sports at Bishop Loughlin MHS. He was a key figure on the Brooklyn rock scene during the Punk Revolution of the 70's. Relocating to San Antonio TX in the 80's, he moonlighted as a pro wrestler while pursuing a BA at UTSA and degrees in Korean martial arts during the 90's. He currently lives in KC MO where he is studying for his MA in English at UMKC.
You can find more information about John Reinhard Dizon and my book, The Bat (An Existential Fable) by visiting:

WEBSITE    BLOG    TWITTER


           


Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Happy Hogmanay from Author Nancy Lee Badger



The New Year is upon us
and the day is clear and bright,
the fireworks are silent
but my heart is beating right.

Our home is warm and cozy,
the New Year's guests are gone,
join me in a quiet appeal to
tread true, lovingly and strong.

--Nancy Lee Badger,
proud member of:
 
 
Celtic Hearts Romance Writers