I'm having a week long Halloween party on my yahoo group, Forbidden Fruit. All authors are welcome, contests are also welcome but not a necessity. You can talk about whatever you want, Halloween stuff, cooking, share excerpts, it doesn't matter. It's going on all week starting tomorrow (Oct. 26). Drop by whenever you can for as long as you'd like. I'll be in and out all week:)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/forbidden_fruitisalwayssweeter/
*permission to forward granted and appreciated*
See you there,
Tracey
www.traceyhkitts.com
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Belinda McBride - Featured Author
THK. Tell me about yourself. Anything you would like readers know about you.
Belinda: Well, to start, I’m a parent; I have two adult daughters, one is a Physician’s Assistant, the other is a private chef. I also have a niece that lives with me. She’s severely retarded and autistic, so taking care of KJ is really my full time job at this point in my life. Care giving is demanding, but on the upside, I have time and flexibility to write as much as I want!
I breed Siberian Huskies for show and mushing. I’m not as active in this hobby as I used to be, but still have a couple promising young show dogs. My other hobbies include travel, Chinese martial arts and Qi Gong, soap-making and gem collecting.
I’ve been a writer all my life, but a few years back, my life was growing increasingly stressful, and I began writing as a way to cope with everything that was building up inside. After a year of frantic, nearly non-stop writing, I began to organize my work and look into submitting to a publisher. My first two stories were finished and submitted on literally the same day. They were contracted to different publishers within two days of each other!
THK. Tell me about your current and upcoming releases. Please include a blurb and a link to where the book can be purchased.
Belinda: At Changeling Press, I’m working on two series, the Black Planet series, which is Sci Fi/cyber Punk, and the Imperative series, which is more of a fantasy series. I have two books coming up, one in October, the other in November. I’ve also got a novel coming at New Concepts Publishing. It’s an urban fantasy called Soul Keeper, about mythological creatures living in the modern world.
Here’s a blurb for Imperative: Always You:
In the future, we don’t choose our mates; Nature chooses for us. Nature doesn’t make mistakes. And if you don’t pay attention to Nature’s Imperative, you suffer.
She could always get under his skin. He could always send her spinning into fury. Marilyn and Neil aren’t like oil and water, they’re like dynamite and a match!
They say that Nature doesn’t make mistakes when she chooses a person’s perfect mate, but surely this time Nature wasn’t paying attention. Not only do these co-workers hate each other, Mari’s still in love with her ex-husband, and Neil? Well, Neil is gay.
Nature’s got some explaining to do.
THK. What genre do you write it? What drew you to write in that genre? If you mix genres tell us about that too.
Belinda: I tend to mix genres, you’ll find I write a lot of science fiction and fantasy, that can also include Cyber Punk and Urban Fantasy. I love mythology and legends, and tend to go to those sources for inspiration. Most of what I write is bi-racial or interracial because that’s my personal life experience. I am quite comfortable working with alternate lifestyles, some of my descendents (male and female) were polyamorous, so I grew up aware of that lifestyle.
THK. How many books have you written? How many have been published?
Belinda: Sheesh…at this moment, three novellas and a short are published at Changeling. Two novellas and a novel are under contract, and I’ve got one novel in revisions at a publisher, another novel submitted. I’ve got several novellas and shorts sitting on my hard drive, they just didn’t make the cut for me, so I’ll eventually return to them.
THK. What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?
Belinda: I multi-task, I’ve almost always got two or three projects open on my screen and I switch back and forth between composing on one, editing on another. I have a very busy mind.
THK. What is the hardest part of writing?
Belinda: For me, its patience. Right now, I’m struggling to not lose patience with a publisher that wants my story, but they’re dragging their feet. Some projects I can send away and forget about until I hear back, but others…well, its driving me crazy being stuck on someone else’s schedule.
THK. What do you read for fun when you’re not writing?
Belinda: Boy, I have several favorite authors, including Neil Gaiman, Marjorie Liu, JR Ward, Laurell Hamilton…the list goes on and on. I also read my fellow authors, its fun to compare notes and learn what’s going on in genres that I don’t really write in that much.
THK. Any words of encouragement for unpublished writers?
Belinda: I always have advice, and it changes from day to day! Today, I’d say my best advice is to write. So you have lots of great ideas, or you’ve finished and subbed that manuscript…well, keep writing. Don’t stay static or lose the writing habit. Don’t get dependent on your muse, writing is a discipline and a job, not just an art.
My book covers and buy links can be found at http://www.changelingpress.com/author.php?uid=115
You can learn more about Belinda and her books by clicking the following links.
Website: www.belindamcbride.com
Blog: www.belindam.blogspot.com
Email: belinda@belindamcbride.com
My Space: www.myspace.com/belindamcbride
Thanks for taking the time to be here Belinda:) I really enjoyed your answers.
Belinda: Well, to start, I’m a parent; I have two adult daughters, one is a Physician’s Assistant, the other is a private chef. I also have a niece that lives with me. She’s severely retarded and autistic, so taking care of KJ is really my full time job at this point in my life. Care giving is demanding, but on the upside, I have time and flexibility to write as much as I want!
I breed Siberian Huskies for show and mushing. I’m not as active in this hobby as I used to be, but still have a couple promising young show dogs. My other hobbies include travel, Chinese martial arts and Qi Gong, soap-making and gem collecting.
I’ve been a writer all my life, but a few years back, my life was growing increasingly stressful, and I began writing as a way to cope with everything that was building up inside. After a year of frantic, nearly non-stop writing, I began to organize my work and look into submitting to a publisher. My first two stories were finished and submitted on literally the same day. They were contracted to different publishers within two days of each other!
THK. Tell me about your current and upcoming releases. Please include a blurb and a link to where the book can be purchased.
Belinda: At Changeling Press, I’m working on two series, the Black Planet series, which is Sci Fi/cyber Punk, and the Imperative series, which is more of a fantasy series. I have two books coming up, one in October, the other in November. I’ve also got a novel coming at New Concepts Publishing. It’s an urban fantasy called Soul Keeper, about mythological creatures living in the modern world.
Here’s a blurb for Imperative: Always You:
In the future, we don’t choose our mates; Nature chooses for us. Nature doesn’t make mistakes. And if you don’t pay attention to Nature’s Imperative, you suffer.
She could always get under his skin. He could always send her spinning into fury. Marilyn and Neil aren’t like oil and water, they’re like dynamite and a match!
They say that Nature doesn’t make mistakes when she chooses a person’s perfect mate, but surely this time Nature wasn’t paying attention. Not only do these co-workers hate each other, Mari’s still in love with her ex-husband, and Neil? Well, Neil is gay.
Nature’s got some explaining to do.
THK. What genre do you write it? What drew you to write in that genre? If you mix genres tell us about that too.
Belinda: I tend to mix genres, you’ll find I write a lot of science fiction and fantasy, that can also include Cyber Punk and Urban Fantasy. I love mythology and legends, and tend to go to those sources for inspiration. Most of what I write is bi-racial or interracial because that’s my personal life experience. I am quite comfortable working with alternate lifestyles, some of my descendents (male and female) were polyamorous, so I grew up aware of that lifestyle.
THK. How many books have you written? How many have been published?
Belinda: Sheesh…at this moment, three novellas and a short are published at Changeling. Two novellas and a novel are under contract, and I’ve got one novel in revisions at a publisher, another novel submitted. I’ve got several novellas and shorts sitting on my hard drive, they just didn’t make the cut for me, so I’ll eventually return to them.
THK. What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?
Belinda: I multi-task, I’ve almost always got two or three projects open on my screen and I switch back and forth between composing on one, editing on another. I have a very busy mind.
THK. What is the hardest part of writing?
Belinda: For me, its patience. Right now, I’m struggling to not lose patience with a publisher that wants my story, but they’re dragging their feet. Some projects I can send away and forget about until I hear back, but others…well, its driving me crazy being stuck on someone else’s schedule.
THK. What do you read for fun when you’re not writing?
Belinda: Boy, I have several favorite authors, including Neil Gaiman, Marjorie Liu, JR Ward, Laurell Hamilton…the list goes on and on. I also read my fellow authors, its fun to compare notes and learn what’s going on in genres that I don’t really write in that much.
THK. Any words of encouragement for unpublished writers?
Belinda: I always have advice, and it changes from day to day! Today, I’d say my best advice is to write. So you have lots of great ideas, or you’ve finished and subbed that manuscript…well, keep writing. Don’t stay static or lose the writing habit. Don’t get dependent on your muse, writing is a discipline and a job, not just an art.
My book covers and buy links can be found at http://www.changelingpress.com/author.php?uid=115
You can learn more about Belinda and her books by clicking the following links.
Website: www.belindamcbride.com
Blog: www.belindam.blogspot.com
Email: belinda@belindamcbride.com
My Space: www.myspace.com/belindamcbride
Thanks for taking the time to be here Belinda:) I really enjoyed your answers.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Not just anyone can make a vampire tremble
The following is an excerpt of Brain Dead, by Tracey H. Kitts, available now from New Concepts Publishing.
She sighed and breathed in his cologne.
She sighed and breathed in his cologne.
“From the moment you touched my hand last night you ceased to frighten me. I know this sounds crazy but I feel like I know you. You tell me now, Luis. Do you plan to hurt me? Am I wrong to trust you?”
“No,” he whispered.
“Then I am not naive.”
Luis bent to kiss her and she hesitated. Since the first time he’d smiled at her Jane had thought of little else besides how his sultry lips would feel pressed against her own, but there was something she wanted to make clear first.
“I’ve been hurt before, Luis. More than once. Don’t hurt me … my heart can’t take anymore.”
“Do not lose faith in all mankind, chéri over one who is less than a man,” he breathed against her lips.
Since Jane had never known another vampire, she’d never kissed one either and was not prepared for the sensation. His lips were soft and full. At first he kissed her tenderly, allowing her time to adjust to the almost hypnotic sensation of his touch. As Luis deepened the kiss Jane moaned, running her hands inside his coat. His shirt was silk and felt wonderful underneath her hands as she ran them up and down his back, savoring the feel of his body beneath the smooth fabric. It was almost like falling, without hitting the ground.
Jane ran her tongue across his teeth and felt his fangs before pulling away breathlessly.
“Is it always like that?” she asked.
“No,” he gasped. “It is always different with a vampire, but you too are a supernatural being.”
“So, that makes a difference?” she asked, placing a hand over her heart as if that motion would slow its pace.
“Oh, yes.”
“Wow.”
Luis had been propped against the chair since she released him and now stood and began to straighten his clothes. His hands trembled and Jane smiled.
“Is every woman capable of making a vampire tremble, or do I flatter myself to think that I’m special?” she teased silkily.
You can purchase a copy of Brain Dead here: http://www.newconceptspublishing.com/braindead.htm
To find out more about me and my books visit http://www.traceyhkitts.com/
http://www.myspace.com/traceyhkitts
http://traceyhkitts.blogspot.com/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/forbidden_fruitisalwayssweeter/
Here's a chance to win a free ebook!
NCP has recently added a new blog! They're asking about your favorite vampire book. Just let them know what you liked and why and you could be a winner:)
Leave a comment today to be entered in their drawing!http://www.newconceptspublishing.com/wordpress/
Leave a comment today to be entered in their drawing!http://www.newconceptspublishing.com/wordpress/
Friday, October 17, 2008
Dream a little dream
I believe it was Freud who speculated that everyone in our dreams is a representation of some part of ourselves. I believe that writing and acting are a lot like that sometimes. For an actor, they get the chance for a little while to become the character they play. They get to see what they see, feel what they feel. Or in some cases, the character becomes the actor.
For me, writing is like that. In every book, to a certain extent, the main character gets to become me for a little while. The book I'm working on now (Diary of an Incubus, which I'm close to finishing) is the first time I've ever had a main character who isn't me. She started out as me, or so I thought. As a matter of fact, this novel began as therapy. But through the course of the book she has grown, changed, and developed into someone else.
I like her, that's not the problem. Really, there is no problem. It's just very interesting who I have become in this story ... or who has become me. At the moment I am a vampire, a very bad vampire and I'm enjoying it very much. I get to frighten people just because it turns me on. I get to flash fangs in a dark night club just to hear the heroine gasp ... and I like it. There's no telling what I'll do next, but it's so much more fun than being the hero.
For me, writing is like that. In every book, to a certain extent, the main character gets to become me for a little while. The book I'm working on now (Diary of an Incubus, which I'm close to finishing) is the first time I've ever had a main character who isn't me. She started out as me, or so I thought. As a matter of fact, this novel began as therapy. But through the course of the book she has grown, changed, and developed into someone else.
I like her, that's not the problem. Really, there is no problem. It's just very interesting who I have become in this story ... or who has become me. At the moment I am a vampire, a very bad vampire and I'm enjoying it very much. I get to frighten people just because it turns me on. I get to flash fangs in a dark night club just to hear the heroine gasp ... and I like it. There's no telling what I'll do next, but it's so much more fun than being the hero.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Original Sin has a face!
How hot is this?! I positively squeeled (yes, squeeled) when I saw the cover art this morning. I had hoped to see Dracula on the cover of this one and I couldn't be more pleased. NCP does such a wonderful job with cover art.
Easy Chicken Marsala
This simple Italian dish will look like you went to a lot of trouble, but it's no fuss
When I'm not writing, I love to cook, especially Italian. It has nothing to do with loving wine, honestly. LOL I love the spices, the flavor and even the language of Italian. So bizarre that my ancestors are primarily from England and Scotland. Anyway, on to the recipe.
Chicken Marsala is one of my favorite dishes to eat and to cook. Although I say to use chicken here, it's honestly just as good with beef, which my husband prefers. At the end of this recipe you'll find wine recommendations for both. Chicken and beef in a white wine sauce made with Marsala are both very good and easy to make. I also like to add mushrooms to mine, but feel free to make it your own.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
4-med. skinless, boneless chicken breasts (or beef of your choice)
3-cups fresh mushrooms, halved or sliced thick
2-cloves garlic, minced
1 to 2-Tbs. sweet butter
⅓-cup chicken broth (or beef broth)
⅓-cup dry Marsala wine
⅓-cup Heavy Cream
Your choice of pasta or rice
2-tbsp snipped parsley (optional) Personally, I use the dried kind and it works just as well.
You can also add minced onions if you prefer.
Directions:
1. Rinse chicken, pat dry with paper towels.
2. In a 12-inch skillet cook mushrooms and garlic in 1-Tbs. butter over medium-high heat till tender, but not brown. Remove from skillet and reserve, keeping it warm.
3. If necessary, add another Tbs. of butter. Add chicken to skillet and sauté 10 to 12 minutes, turning once, or until tender and no pink remains. Remove from skillet; cover to keep warm.
4. Scrape skillet, leaving any bits and pieces. Carefully add chicken broth and Marsala wine to skillet. Cook, uncovered, 3 to 4 minutes or until liquid is reduced to 1/4-cup. Add cream slowly, stir into liquid and keep heating until just before boiling point.
5. Return chicken and vegetables to skillet. Cover and cook on medium heat until heated through. (about a minute or two)
6. Move chicken to a serving plate, then spoon warm vegetables and broth mixture over chicken. Serve and enjoy! Makes 4 servings.
Serving Suggestion: I love to serve this dish over pasta and sprinkle it with parsley.
Enjoy!
Here are some wine suggestions for this dish.
For chicken a good white wine is the best. I recommend the 2006 "Harslevelu." It's a sweet wine that is indigenous to Hungary and you can get a bottle for around $9.
If you prefer beef, a robust red wine really brings out the flavor of the meat. In my opinion you really can't beat a good Cabernet Sauvignon.
When I'm not writing, I love to cook, especially Italian. It has nothing to do with loving wine, honestly. LOL I love the spices, the flavor and even the language of Italian. So bizarre that my ancestors are primarily from England and Scotland. Anyway, on to the recipe.
Chicken Marsala is one of my favorite dishes to eat and to cook. Although I say to use chicken here, it's honestly just as good with beef, which my husband prefers. At the end of this recipe you'll find wine recommendations for both. Chicken and beef in a white wine sauce made with Marsala are both very good and easy to make. I also like to add mushrooms to mine, but feel free to make it your own.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
4-med. skinless, boneless chicken breasts (or beef of your choice)
3-cups fresh mushrooms, halved or sliced thick
2-cloves garlic, minced
1 to 2-Tbs. sweet butter
⅓-cup chicken broth (or beef broth)
⅓-cup dry Marsala wine
⅓-cup Heavy Cream
Your choice of pasta or rice
2-tbsp snipped parsley (optional) Personally, I use the dried kind and it works just as well.
You can also add minced onions if you prefer.
Directions:
1. Rinse chicken, pat dry with paper towels.
2. In a 12-inch skillet cook mushrooms and garlic in 1-Tbs. butter over medium-high heat till tender, but not brown. Remove from skillet and reserve, keeping it warm.
3. If necessary, add another Tbs. of butter. Add chicken to skillet and sauté 10 to 12 minutes, turning once, or until tender and no pink remains. Remove from skillet; cover to keep warm.
4. Scrape skillet, leaving any bits and pieces. Carefully add chicken broth and Marsala wine to skillet. Cook, uncovered, 3 to 4 minutes or until liquid is reduced to 1/4-cup. Add cream slowly, stir into liquid and keep heating until just before boiling point.
5. Return chicken and vegetables to skillet. Cover and cook on medium heat until heated through. (about a minute or two)
6. Move chicken to a serving plate, then spoon warm vegetables and broth mixture over chicken. Serve and enjoy! Makes 4 servings.
Serving Suggestion: I love to serve this dish over pasta and sprinkle it with parsley.
Enjoy!
Here are some wine suggestions for this dish.
For chicken a good white wine is the best. I recommend the 2006 "Harslevelu." It's a sweet wine that is indigenous to Hungary and you can get a bottle for around $9.
If you prefer beef, a robust red wine really brings out the flavor of the meat. In my opinion you really can't beat a good Cabernet Sauvignon.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Man smuggles six lobsters in his pants!
LOL That's right, I really said some idiot had lobsters in his pants. I love bizzare news and when I came across this today I nearly snorted my coffee. Apparently a game warden arrested him when he noticed "odd bulges" in his pants. HA!
All six of the lobsters (which he had wrapped in newspaper) were still alive (OUCH!) and were released back into the ocean. According to the report, lobsters in the San Diego area do not have pincers. (Darn.) Still, how stupid can you be?
I swear I didn't make it up. LOL Here's a link to the article on MSNBC.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27139637/
All six of the lobsters (which he had wrapped in newspaper) were still alive (OUCH!) and were released back into the ocean. According to the report, lobsters in the San Diego area do not have pincers. (Darn.) Still, how stupid can you be?
I swear I didn't make it up. LOL Here's a link to the article on MSNBC.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27139637/
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Symposium has been cancelled
The Author Symposium that was supposed to take place this Saturday at Chipola College has been cancelled. I just wanted to be sure and let everyone know in case some of you were planning to attend. Thanks in advance if you were:) The event may possibly be rescheduled for next spring. I'll keep you posted if I am able to be there.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Diary of an Incubus
That's the book I'm working on right now and it has really taken off! I guess you could say it has wings, literally for one character. LOL
I am enjoying working on this story so much:) I always enjoy writing, but I haven't enjoyed a story this much since I wrote Eden (coming 2009 from NCP). I had a very interesting vampire show up out of nowhere. Now he wants to do "bad things" to the heroine and he's very vocal about it. Wouldn't mind doing a few bad things to him. LOL
Anyway, this story is coming along great. I should finish it sometime this month and have it polished and off to my publisher:)
I hope that everyone who reads them enjoys these stories as much as I enjoy writing them. Sure, I try to make them as entertaining as possible, but I also write the story that I'm feeling. I write what I feel needs to be there, what the story and the characters need to be told. I write what I would enjoy as a reader. Hopefully, I've found a lot of kindred spirits:)
I am enjoying working on this story so much:) I always enjoy writing, but I haven't enjoyed a story this much since I wrote Eden (coming 2009 from NCP). I had a very interesting vampire show up out of nowhere. Now he wants to do "bad things" to the heroine and he's very vocal about it. Wouldn't mind doing a few bad things to him. LOL
Anyway, this story is coming along great. I should finish it sometime this month and have it polished and off to my publisher:)
I hope that everyone who reads them enjoys these stories as much as I enjoy writing them. Sure, I try to make them as entertaining as possible, but I also write the story that I'm feeling. I write what I feel needs to be there, what the story and the characters need to be told. I write what I would enjoy as a reader. Hopefully, I've found a lot of kindred spirits:)
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Upcoming Events and More Pictures
For those close to Northwest Florida, here's where I'll be in the upcoming weeks.
October 9th 5:30-7:00 p.m. - I'll be at the Graceville Library. Myself and some other local authors will be there to introduce ourselves, talk about what we do and answer any questions you might have.
October 11th 9:oo a.m. - Noon - I'll be participating in an Author Symposium at Chipola College in Marianna, FL. I'll be giving two separate one hour lectures. I'm not sure of the exact time of the lectures, but here's what we'll be talking about.
Creative Writing - I will share writing exercises designed to help generate new ideas and work past writer's block.
Character Development - I'll pose a series of questions and concepts to help you get to know your characters on a more personal level or make up entirely new ones.
October 18th 9:00 a.m. - I'll be riding in the local Harvest Day Parade:)
I hope to see you there:)
Here are a few more pictures from my book signing in September.
Priscilla, Green Dude & Me
October 9th 5:30-7:00 p.m. - I'll be at the Graceville Library. Myself and some other local authors will be there to introduce ourselves, talk about what we do and answer any questions you might have.
October 11th 9:oo a.m. - Noon - I'll be participating in an Author Symposium at Chipola College in Marianna, FL. I'll be giving two separate one hour lectures. I'm not sure of the exact time of the lectures, but here's what we'll be talking about.
Creative Writing - I will share writing exercises designed to help generate new ideas and work past writer's block.
Character Development - I'll pose a series of questions and concepts to help you get to know your characters on a more personal level or make up entirely new ones.
October 18th 9:00 a.m. - I'll be riding in the local Harvest Day Parade:)
I hope to see you there:)
Here are a few more pictures from my book signing in September.
Priscilla, Green Dude & Me
This is one of my favorites:)
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