Mar
Who Doesn’t Love Candy? and Dragons, Dreams and Determination
This week we have a special treat for everyone. For several of the days, you won’t be treated to just one topic, but TWO. To make it simple, I’ve put them in the same post and so feel free to ask the authors questions! I know they’ll be glad to answer.
Also, Debbie will be giving away a copy of “Glass Magic”. The winner will be drawn from those that comment and announced in tomorrow’s blog.
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Who Doesn’t Love Candy?
I am honored to blog here at Romantic Inks today. Thanks, Haven for the invite!
I love to cook, bake and create. My family loves to eat home-cooked food and sweets alike. (I have a teen-age son, need I say more?) Fried Chicken and brownies are a few of their favorites. I found the recipe below and couldn’t wait to share it since the title of my latest writing creation is ‘Candy Kisses’.
‘Candy Kisses’ blurb…
Candy Kisses, an erotic version of the Little Red Riding Hood story, involves a character named Red who is driving to her grandmother’s house to deliver a basket of homemade goodies. Red does not heed her mother’s warning- “don’t eat the candy”. Each sinful bite leads to an erotic escapade.
‘Candy Kisses’ will be released on June 6th at Twilight Fantasies Publishing.
Chocolate Kiss
This Chocolate Candy Kiss is a large-scale take on the familiar Hershey’s Kiss candy. Perfect for any occasion when a small “kiss” just won’t do. Make sure you purchase good-quality chocolate for this one: since the kiss is solid chocolate, it pays to buy the best.
You can use any size funnel you have on hand, but bear in mind that the quantity of chocolate you need might change.
INGREDIENTS:
18 ounces best-quality milk or dark chocolate, finely chopped
1 10-ounce funnel (about 4.5 inches across and 5.5 inches tall)
PREPARATION:
1. Prepare a large measuring cup or wide-mouthed vase by stuffing it with loosely crinkled aluminum foil.
2. Wrap a piece of foil around the bottom of the funnel’s opening and keep it in place with a rubber band or with tape. Securely place the funnel in the measuring cup, adding more crumpled foil at the sides to keep it from moving, if necessary.
3. Temper the chocolate. Pour it slowly into the funnel until it almost reaches the top.
4. Allow the chocolate to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until completely set (4-6 hours).
5. Once set, remove from refrigerator and unmold by rapping the bottom of the funnel on the countertop. The chocolate should pop right out.
6. Wrap the kiss in a square of foil, twisting at the top. Include a note on a paper “flag” if desired.
Keep in mind it’s the taste not the appearance that matters most. : )
Sometimes for fun I read old cookbooks. Did you know they had stories in there? I would love for some of you to share favorite family recipes. Does your family beg for sweets or meat and potatoes?
Kissa Starling
For more about Kissa, visit her blog: http://kissesfromkissa.blogspot.com/
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Dragons, Dreams and Determination
Thanks for the invitation to post, Haven, and a huge ‘howdy’ to all the Romantic Inklings!
I’ve always loved dragons.
When I was young, I bristled at their perpetual depiction as near-demonic beings. And then I discovered Anne McCaffrey’s Pern. Ms. McCaffrey’s novels thrilled me. She imbued her dragons with the majesty and intelligence I craved. I wanted to immigrate to Pern, and I dreamed of impressing a dragon—or a fire lizard, at the very least!
Many years later, I yielded to temptation and began to write my own fantasies. My first published story featured a dragon named Roddy and the little girl who inherited him on her grandmother’s death. “Deirdre’s Dragon” was published in the September, 2005 issue of KidVisions, a children’s e-zine published by Sam’s Dot Publishing.
My first short contemporary romance also contained a dragon reference. Unfortunately, I edited the dragon out in revision. Flash Me Magazine published “Opening Her Eyes” in July, 2006. Interestingly enough, my longest and most satisfying dragon tale was also published that same month. Freya’s Bower released “Sorcha’s Heart” on July 30, 2006. The novella featured Caedyrn, a dangerous yet noble black dragon, and Sorcha, the human woman he learned to love.
Sorcha and Caedyrn stole hearts other than my own. Freya’s Bower liked the pair well enough to contract for two novels to follow “Sorcha’s Heart.” I’m currently polishing the submittal draft of the first. I love writing about my dragons.
“But what about the dreams and determination?” you ask.
Well, I’ve discovered that writing can be an elusive dream without determination. I wrote “Deirdre’s Dragon” in June, 2004. After putting it through my critique group, I revised it and began to shop it to markets in July. It sold in April, 2005 and saw publication in September, 2005—well over a year after its creation. All that effort for an 800-word story!
“Opening Her Eyes” (the story where the dragon reference died in revision) was written soon after “Deirdre” in July, 2004. Two years passed between its creation and publication, but the wait was worth it. “Opening Her Eyes” won the reader’s poll for best story in its issue.
Yep. Determination is key to success in this business. A dream of writing creates a story, but determination drives it to publication.
And speaking of dreams, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention “Dreams and Desires.” Freya’s Bower produced an anthology of romance and erotic stories designed to benefit women escaping from abusive relationships. I’m proud to have been invited to donate a story to this worthy cause. “Red’s Merry Mischief” isn’t about dragons, but it does tell the tale of a very mischievous faery … and I’m sure Red is personally acquainted with several dragons.
My older brother, a published cowboy poet, sent me a congratulatory card after buying his copy of “Dreams and Desires.” A soaring eagle graces the front with the caption, “Determination is halfway to destiny.” Inside it asserts, “You’re really soaring now!”
I’m not sure I’m truly up to soaring status yet, but I am nothing if not determined.
Whether your dreams involve dragons or not, I wish you the determination to see them through to destiny!
Debbie Mumford
Visit Debbie at her website, Flights of Fantasy (www.debbiemumford.com)
Her e-books are available through Freya’s Bower (www.freyasbower.com)
Debbie will be giving away a copy of “Glass Magic,” a tangy duet of related short stories published by Freya’s Bower. “Glass Magic” chronicles the further adventures of Red, the mischievous faery featured in her “Dreams and Desires” story.
Debbie would love to win a copy of Glass Magic! It sounds wonderful.
March 25th, 2007 at 1:40 pmThanks, Teresa! Best of luck to you!!
I really enjoyed writing about Red. He causes lots of trouble, but he doesn’t really mean any harm …
March 25th, 2007 at 1:51 pmHi Debbie,
I would love a copy of “Glass Magic”.
It sounds so cool!
March 25th, 2007 at 2:53 pmWoot! It’s a contest! *LOL*
Best of luck to both of you!
I forgot to mention in the article that I’m doing the final edits on a paranormal romance. “Second Sight” should be out sometime this spring from Freya’s Bower.
Oh, and the cover art for “Sorcha’s Heart” is up for 2006 Book Cover of the Year! Take a peek at http://www.erinaislinn.com/BookCoveroftheYear2006.htm
Enjoy your Sunday!
March 25th, 2007 at 3:46 pmHi Debbie, I hope you are having a great Sunday. I am for now. Both my kids are out with theyre friends, so I have the house to myself. WOOHOO! I would love a copy of Glass Magic.
March 25th, 2007 at 4:01 pmAh, yes … the joys of a quiet house! I raised twins and a singleton, so I totally understand. Enjoy your luxury!
March 25th, 2007 at 4:19 pmHi Debbie!
Just stopped by to say “hello”. As we published “Glass Magic”, I think I’m not eligible for the contest. (grin)
And, yes, it is a wonderful ebook.
Marci
March 25th, 2007 at 4:23 pm*waving*
Hi, Marci! Thanks for stopping by!
March 25th, 2007 at 4:27 pmDebbie, I keep eyeing the cover of Second Sight and wondering what it’s about!
Questions!
- 1) What dragon book have you read most recently?
- 2) Did you ever want to write the fanfic version of Dragonriders of Pern, where Alissa gets naked with her hero? (I confess that I did. I’m awful.)
- 3) What is Second Sight about?! Give a teensy hint?
March 25th, 2007 at 5:03 pmKissa, now I want sex and chocolate! It’s the middle of the afternoon, and I’m TRYING to be on a diet. Shame on you
March 25th, 2007 at 5:04 pmHey Debbie,
I too, loved Pern. When I sat down to write my novella “Dragon Tamer” for the I Dream of Dragons Anthology, I took a little bit of that world with me. I like stories that do the unexpected, or place unexpected elements from too different genres together. Like sci-fi with dragons. It’s so cool. Would love to win a copy of your story. Maybe I’ll get lucky.
-Kat
March 25th, 2007 at 5:11 pmKissa, that recipe sounds yummy! And so does your book!
Debbie, your books sounds great! I think dragons are so romantic! I can see why you’re drawn to them!
*hugs*
March 25th, 2007 at 5:49 pmPaige
Hey, Emily and Kat! Good to hear from other dragon lovers.
As to dragon books I’ve read recently … let’s see, I loved Shana Abe’s “Dream Thief,” but the series I’m caught up in at the moment is George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire. Talk about unexpected, Kat, you should read the ending of A Game of Thrones! Unbelievable! (Well, no … you shouldn’t read the ending without the reading the rest of the book first *lol*)
Alas, “Second Sight” has no dragons. Sigh. (but it DOES have incredible cover art!! Yay, Freya’s Bower!!)
“Second Sight” tells the story of Jenny Murdoch, a young woman blessed (or cursed) with second sight. Unfortunately, a traumatic experience during her pre-teen years causes her to stifle her psychic abilities. She sees her gift as a tiger waiting to attack and destroy her sanity. “Second Sight” is the tale of how a handsome parapsychologist, a sadistic ritual murder and a book of runes force Jenny to accept her tiger and learn to trust her inborn talents.
Thanks for dropping by!!
March 25th, 2007 at 5:53 pmDebbie, the thesis of my World Religions course final was “…This overwhelmingly popular interest in dragons, creatures that may or may not exist biologically, but certainly exist in the human psychological bestiary, represents complex human attachment to predators, parentage and politics. Fiction has conveyed this attraction for centuries with focus on one or other of the three Ps, but a recent novel by American fantasy author George R. R. Martin, the first in a six-volume epic, titled A Game of Thrones, brings all three Ps to light, unifying predators, parentage and politics in the arms of one unlikely mother.”
I didn’t realize there was somebody else out there with a love for dragons AND George R. R. Martin
On “Second Sight” - I love the parapsychology field. Totally under-represented in fiction! I can’t wait for the opportunity to buy it.
March 25th, 2007 at 6:49 pmI swear, Emily! Everytime we run into one another I learn about more similarities in our tastes. *LOL*
And we BOTH have dragon-shifter stories available through Freya’s Bower. Too cool!
George R.R. Martin rocks. That series is stunningly written. He’s an inspiration. Especially in his willingness to kill off main characters … wow. (I’m still too much of a mother, wanting to nurture my characters. Reading George is VERY good for me. *g*)
March 25th, 2007 at 7:01 pmSex and chocolate are among my favorite things too Emily. Luckily, one is calorie-free! So indulge.
Paige- Thanks for stopping by!
March 25th, 2007 at 7:14 pmLOL, Kissa.
Indeed, sex and chocolate are premier!
March 25th, 2007 at 7:29 pmI can’t wait until your next release. You know I LOVED Sorcha’s Heart. Thanks for giving the background info on your writing journey.
March 25th, 2007 at 7:36 pmThanks, Michelle!
Speaking of writing journey, did you see my blog about Muse vs. Analyst last week?
http://debbie-mumford.blogspot.com/2007/03/muse-vs-analyst.html
March 25th, 2007 at 7:42 pmI would love a copy.
And I love chocolate by the way - especially DARK.
March 25th, 2007 at 10:24 pmmmmmmmmmmm Chocolate and dragons!!! What a perfect pair of posts! Haven, this is some line-up! Debbie, I enjoyed the link to Muse vs. Analyst. I also loved this blog… determination…. that’s what I need. Kissa, man your book, the premise, everything sounds so fascinating! I love the twist!
March 26th, 2007 at 5:54 amThanks for dropping by, Pat and Laura!
I agree … chocolate and dragons are an unbeatable combination. *lol* Hmmmm … I wonder what holiday we could link to chocolate dragons?
Thanks, everyone, for a great guest blog experience! Haven will announce the winner later today. Luck to all!
March 26th, 2007 at 7:44 amLove your new book. Great combo. Congrats and all the best.
March 26th, 2007 at 9:00 amThanks Laura and Pat. I love the dark chocolate too! Thanks to you also Debbie. It was fun sharing some space together- we should do it again sometime.
March 26th, 2007 at 5:16 pmJoelle, I think you’re right. Haven did put a good combo together. Thanks for stopping by.
March 26th, 2007 at 5:19 pm