tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3451487430750000422024-02-22T06:27:09.453-08:00The Regency RedneckWelcome to the home of Marguerite Butler, lawyer, writer and occasional farmerMarguerite Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10863876916017371318noreply@blogger.comBlogger87125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-345148743075000042.post-30274488638907484992016-01-01T16:14:00.001-08:002016-01-01T16:14:25.979-08:00Thoughts on a New YearFor that last dozen years or so, Mark and I have spent the evening hanging out at home. Some years we've had party food and a movie. Some years, we just went to bed early. Last night we did something different and went out. Shocking. I guess the older we get, the less motivated we are by being sensible. We left the kids to fend for themselves with fishsticks and chicken nuggets. <br />
<br />
We went to a club, sat by the dance floor, ate too much food and drank quite a bit. Well, one of us did. Okay, I did. I drank. The unfair thing is that I feel great today. I just don't do hangovers. Feel free to hate me.<br />
<br />
There were plenty of drunks dancing. Some were particularly entertaining. One woman was super drunk by about 8 pm. I've no idea what time her party started, but every so often her girlfriend had to go rescue her from the dance floor or maybe rescue other people from her. There was some guy in a blue shirt who periodically tried to do his version of Riverdance. Yes, really. <br />
<br />
I'm glad we went. It was fun, but it wasn't all that. It was just another party. We ate, drank, danced, chatted with friends, but in the end, just another party. <br />
<br />
I mean, a new year is just another new day. I can't say today feels like a fresh start. People like to make promises of change for the new year, but you can change your world on any day, right? There doesn't need to be some magic date, just a decision to change followed up with action. I'm torn on the issue of resolutions. If it helps people focus, good for them. Not sure I've ever stuck to a resolution. I'm not going to make any. I think I'm going to set goals instead.Marguerite Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10863876916017371318noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-345148743075000042.post-9600106788969760902013-12-15T20:46:00.000-08:002013-12-15T20:46:25.397-08:0010 Questions For Vonnie Hughes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEFG0G2g148RLcrBu1JViHtuIRiuzdUJTfPuPvgoh7unJE4BhkD5ardw7SH0CER5MbYLVAVPv3nRSUSglqXl_bMwu1G98pziow6fp3dndCaGwp5ds_kzDjS4rNKWNKPKUaZhgGwnowbfI/s1600/ASOS+Medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEFG0G2g148RLcrBu1JViHtuIRiuzdUJTfPuPvgoh7unJE4BhkD5ardw7SH0CER5MbYLVAVPv3nRSUSglqXl_bMwu1G98pziow6fp3dndCaGwp5ds_kzDjS4rNKWNKPKUaZhgGwnowbfI/s1600/ASOS+Medium.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Today, we have the a visitor from down under. Welcome to Vonnie Hughes! Since this is Summer in Australia, Vonnie's topic is all about travel, especially in warm climates. Who doesn't want a little tropics in their life right now?<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><strong><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></strong></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Can you tell us a little about yourself?</strong> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">I’m a New Zealander who is
living in Australia with all her family. My husband and I moved over here just
prior to retirement and our family followed post-haste. I’ve always written,
even since I was seven years old. Poetry, short stories, now novels and
novellas. For Musa and Robert Hale I write Regencies and for The Wild Rose
Press I write romantic suspense with the emphasis more on the suspense. Here’s
my website: </span><a href="http://www.vonniehughes.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;">www.vonniehughes.com</span></a>. I am also on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/VonnieJHughes">Facebook</a> and have <a href="http://www.facebook.com/VonnieJHughes">an author page on Amazon.</a></span></div>
</o:p><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
</div>
</span><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>2. If you could spend a year on a deserted island,
who would you take with you?</strong> </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<span lang="EN-AU">A deserted island...hmm, I
think I’d take the dog. Hey, I’m a loner and the dog is young and strong.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><strong><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">What food would you take? Do you have the
recipe?</span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<span lang="EN-AU">What food to take…well, if
we’re being realistic, the most important thing would be the manual can opener.
And some sealed, dried foods. But the main thing I’d take would be packets and
packets of chocolate. A girl’s gotta live. And therefore my recipe is a simple
Cadbury’s one. It’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Chocolate Raisin
Hedgehog</i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">. </b>Only takes 10 minutes
to make. But of course, if I took it to a desert island, it would also only
take 10 minutes to eat it too.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-AU">Recipe:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="EN-AU"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-AU">250g packet of dark chocolate melts (about
7 ounces)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-AU">125g butter (about 4 ounces)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-AU">¼ cup golden syrup (light treacle)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-AU">¾ packet of chopped-up shortbread biscuits<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-AU">1 cup raisins<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-AU">About 7 ounces of milk chocolate<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-AU"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span lang="EN-AU">Place the dark chocolate, butter and syrup
in a saucepan and melt over a low heat until smooth, stirring all the time.
Stir in the biscuits and raisins, (if not solid enough mixture add more crushed
shortbread) and press it into a baking pan. Refrigerate until set.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-AU"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-AU">Pour over the melted milk chocolate and
refrigerate all until set. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
Cut into squares when ready.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-AU"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-AU">Oh, and you did say what food would I take,
didn’t you? What about tequila? Surely that’s a food.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><strong><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">What five books would you take with you? Yes,
only five books. Choose! *cue evil laugh*<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<br />
<span lang="EN-AU"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-AU">What five books to take? You
don’t half like difficult questions, do you? Let’s say James McGee’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Ratcatcher</i>, Karen Rose’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Don’t Tell</i>, J.D. Robb’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">New York to Dallas</i>, Nora Roberts’ <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Chesapeake Blue</i>, and Amanda Quick’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Crystal Gardens</i>.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><strong><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Would you take a cell phone with you (assuming
you had service there)?</span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span></o:p></span> </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Would
definitely NOT take a cell phone with me. If it’s to be a desert island, let’s
stick with the format.</span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><strong><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Say that you had a TV—okay, yes and you had
power and a signal, yada, yada,yada—but you could only watch one show. What
would it be?</span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">One
show I’d watch on TV would be <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Criminal
Minds</i>.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><strong><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Would you climb a tree for coconuts?</span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Climb
a tree for coconuts? If I had to. Just think of the chafing.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">.</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><strong><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">8.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pretend you’re on this island alone. Clothes or
no clothes?<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-AU">On this island alone – if it’s
hot, of course no clothes. Why on earth would you bother with the trappings of
non-island dwellers? Unfortunate fools.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><strong><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">9.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pimp it if you’ve got it. What’s new and next
for you?<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-AU">What’s next for me? I have three
Regency novellas in the pipeline for Musa. They are about two sisters and they
are called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Tale of Two Sisters</i> to
be released on December 12, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Surfeit of
Suitors</i> to be released on January 31 and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sisters in Jeopardy</i> to be released on
April 25. I also have a New Zealand-set romantic suspense in the pipeline. It’s
finished but a beta reader is going through it as we speak. It is about one of
New Zealand’s Armed Offenders’ Squads i.e. a SWAT team.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><strong><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">10.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Would you write your rejection haiku before you
left or after you got back? Yep. It’s time for the rejection haiku.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-AU">I’d write my rejection haiku
when I got back. Nothing like 12 months alone to compose a truly startling
haiku. Ah, did I tell you I won a trip to Japan 12 years ago with a haiku I
wrote? No? Be very afraid. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="EN-AU"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-AU">Golden words are dust<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-AU">Editors run free with glee<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-AU">Can I overcome?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt -0.25in;">
<span lang="EN-AU">And for any
Regency specialists out there, if you reply to this post, I’ll dig down and
find the most original and outstanding post and post you a paperback copy of
either <em>The Second Son</em> or <em>Mr. Monfort’s Marriage</em>, whichever you prefer. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt -0.25in;">
<span lang="EN-AU"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt -0.25in;">
<span lang="EN-AU">No clothes. Did NOT see that one coming. Alrighty then. I actually have signed copies of both of The Second Son and Mr. Monfort's Marriage and I will send the copy when Vonnie tells me who she chooses.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt -0.25in;">
<span lang="EN-AU"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt -0.25in;">
<span lang="EN-AU"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt -0.25in;">
<span lang="EN-AU"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt -0.25in;">
<span lang="EN-AU"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
Marguerite Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10863876916017371318noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-345148743075000042.post-46726310783629185002013-12-01T17:53:00.001-08:002013-12-01T17:53:25.767-08:0010 Questions with Nicky Penttila
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP6Yw96H6aP65QVELrX4bLLyIx1umscO12Jl95JuPhIgWUVyByJGMm_UaTIFb3COu6yF0sPeRglsTsQk_KpgH2jMvN7VgulqIQsh0XaLn9XixuPBZykke7ANuIyvcOBcoE_KM-En0dNhc/s1600/anuntitledlady-500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP6Yw96H6aP65QVELrX4bLLyIx1umscO12Jl95JuPhIgWUVyByJGMm_UaTIFb3COu6yF0sPeRglsTsQk_KpgH2jMvN7VgulqIQsh0XaLn9XixuPBZykke7ANuIyvcOBcoE_KM-En0dNhc/s320/anuntitledlady-500.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 11.35pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 11.35pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 11.35pt;">
1. Can you tell us a
little about yourself? <o:p></o:p></div>
I’m curious about lots of stuff, and am always asking
questions--How does that work? Why? Who said? College counselors steered me
into journalism, where it’s OK to be curious (OK, nosy). Now I report and write
about brain science during the day and make up stories with lots of history and
ideas and love at night. My husband is my first reader, if you don’t count my
rescue cat, who has to check up on me (see photo) from time to time.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBNEXkoDcVPdlrnGjDrWrrXOMoI33eUQIdYvCXiSKjFccPGJenRS3KZBDjxrwmLmv2Kdh25p-u5ep-la86yf65nuviY8siTQh0VCw2ocY2n6JxdftA9Pji9NBCbZRdB6Bfe1MdnmD54xI/s1600/NP-kitty-editor-450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBNEXkoDcVPdlrnGjDrWrrXOMoI33eUQIdYvCXiSKjFccPGJenRS3KZBDjxrwmLmv2Kdh25p-u5ep-la86yf65nuviY8siTQh0VCw2ocY2n6JxdftA9Pji9NBCbZRdB6Bfe1MdnmD54xI/s320/NP-kitty-editor-450.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 11.35pt;">
2. If you had a time
machine, where and when would you visit?<o:p></o:p></div>
So many choices! Today I think I’d go on a Regency tour
(post-war). Arrive in Plymouth or Bath, take the stage to London for a bit,
take in the theater and the opera, and then hop a swift cutter to France and
see Paris. Then sail to India and see how the colonials lived. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 11.35pt;">
3. Would you stay there
or come back?<o:p></o:p></div>
I’d come back. So much is changing in our time—and we’re
living longer so we can take part in more of it. I can’t wait to see what comes
next.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 11.35pt;">
4. Who would you take
with you?<o:p></o:p></div>
My lovely husband, in case I ran into anyone who didn’t want
to take a lady’s word for it. And a boatload of money, since it’s an age where
it was far better to be rich.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 11.35pt;">
5. Say that your arch
nemesis had a little accident and ended up unconscious on the floor of your
time machine. Oopsie. When and where would you send him?<o:p></o:p></div>
Salem, during the witch trials. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 11.35pt;">
6. If you could bring any
historical figure back with you in time machine, who would it be?<o:p></o:p></div>
It would be quite disturbing to them to bring someone
forward, so I’d pick someone who has a reputation for serenity: the Buddha. I’d
like to hear his ideas as he experiences our modern “enlightenments.”<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 11.35pt;">
7. Which modern
convenience could you never live without? <o:p></o:p></div>
It’s a tie: vaccines, and modern bathrooms.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 11.35pt;">
8. Which modern
convenience would you happily forgo?<o:p></o:p></div>
Hand sanitizer. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 11.35pt;">
9. Pimp it if you’ve got
it. What’s new and next for you?<o:p></o:p></div>
<em>An Untitled Lady</em>, historical romance, releasing December 20
(11 days!). The story: News that she was adopted forces Lady Madeline Wetherby
to lower her expectations and marry an upstart Manchester merchant. When she
later discovers that her birth father is one of the weavers her husband is
putting out of work—and a radical leader—Maddie must decide whether the family
she longs for can be made of the man of her heart or the people of her blood.<br />
<br />
<strong>INTRUSIVE REDNECK NOTE: Nicky also has a free short story featuring Maddie. Look for "The Last Stage" on the Musa Publishing website in December. That's FREE, y'all, which is totally my favorite price.</strong><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 11.35pt;">
10. Do you know what time it is? Trick
question! It’s rejection haiku time.<o:p></o:p></div>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">From the chilly ether<o:p></o:p></i><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">yet another round<o:p></o:p></i><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s not you, it’s me.”<o:p></o:p></i><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 11.35pt;">
<strong>Your turn: <o:p></o:p></strong></div>
<strong>
</strong><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 11.35pt;">
<strong>Tell us in the comments what modern convenience you could
not live without, and you’ll be entered in a drawing to win one of two copies
of Nicky's first historical romance, A Note of Scandal (ebook or audiobook, your
choice). As for me, I'm with Nicky. The flush toilet completely rocks my world.</strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 11.35pt;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn_fMM-kWl7hnzleboY7ZV0fTT2IaiQSBLSGEK2qMrabIvGQGHgvYLzNguPZHB_-_7B15KlJVKwzLMd609cMhSyGGQ38vgaeG3uxkEnU7mNibFDdC5tC0Nl5u21Uo7iJuR646y_IY2VUE/s1600/NP-mug-200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn_fMM-kWl7hnzleboY7ZV0fTT2IaiQSBLSGEK2qMrabIvGQGHgvYLzNguPZHB_-_7B15KlJVKwzLMd609cMhSyGGQ38vgaeG3uxkEnU7mNibFDdC5tC0Nl5u21Uo7iJuR646y_IY2VUE/s200/NP-mug-200.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 11.35pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 11.35pt;">
Nicky Penttila writes stories with adventure and love, and
often with ideas and history as well. She enjoys coming up with stories that
are set in faraway cities and countries, because then she *must* travel there,
you know, for research. She lives in Maryland with her reading-mad husband and
amazing rescue cat. She’s chattiest on Twitter, <a href="https://twitter.com/"><span style="color: blue;">@sunshinyday</span></a>,
and can also be found at <a href="http://nickypenttila.com/"><span style="color: blue;">nickypenttila.com</span></a>.
</div>
Marguerite Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10863876916017371318noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-345148743075000042.post-13965330459761013522013-11-29T09:57:00.000-08:002013-11-29T09:57:35.228-08:00Rescuing Lady Rose Release Day!<h3>
Rescuing Lady Rose has escaped back into the wild. Run and be free, little book!</h3>
<br />
<h2>
Rescuing Lady Rose: Mad Hatterlys 4</h2>
<h4>
This hero business is harder than it looks. </h4>
Henry Hatterly is given an important mission by the Foreign Office. He must convince a notoriously reclusive and paranoid Viennese physicist to sell his plans for a flying contraption to England. To keep from attracting the wrong sort of attention, Henry is ordered to pretend he is courting the scientist's great-niece.<br />
<br />
Too bad Lady Rose already hates him.<br />
<br />
When Lady Rose is taken hostage along with the plans, she is determined to rescue herself and see her kidnapper punished. She definitely needs a hero's assistance, but why--oh <i>why</i>?--is the only hero available that odious Henry Hatterly? And why can’t she forget the one delicious kiss they shared?<br />
<br />
The book is on the loose and available for capture. Looking to trap yourself a copy? I've been told it's frequently at the watering hole of <a href="http://musapublishing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=14&products_id=685&zenid=941f3fa865d12153fc2e77f037c1300c">Musa Publishing</a>. This book has also been known to linger at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rescuing-Lady-Rose-The-Hatterlys-ebook/dp/B00GZBLRJG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385747291&sr=8-1&keywords=rescuing+Lady+Rose">Amazon US</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rescuing-Lady-Rose-The-Hatterlys-ebook/dp/B00GZBLRJG/ref=sr_1_6?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1385745653&sr=1-6&keywords=marguerite+butler">Amazon UK</a>, <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rescuing-lady-rose-marguerite-butler/1117527814?ean=2940148937913">Barnes and Noble</a>, and <a href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/382744">Smashwords</a>. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO2xXEhF_FTs8U9kVL71ixt-l47TPoZ7ywAxuhTNU1rgXNNnKVV305vqpRXxhTbnm7iiLATWHANB3_c9eXQJKiNGvY0xZiwPut5qrOzbN5Vw8k80PXTjnnfn7H9ZW9YUdPuDUuJIQM0tM/s1600/rescuingladyrose-500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO2xXEhF_FTs8U9kVL71ixt-l47TPoZ7ywAxuhTNU1rgXNNnKVV305vqpRXxhTbnm7iiLATWHANB3_c9eXQJKiNGvY0xZiwPut5qrOzbN5Vw8k80PXTjnnfn7H9ZW9YUdPuDUuJIQM0tM/s320/rescuingladyrose-500.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
Marguerite Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10863876916017371318noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-345148743075000042.post-79996914289862158862013-11-17T20:46:00.002-08:002013-11-17T20:46:30.044-08:0010 Questions with Susan Lodge
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8QYIzd87aw58hJsP8V5QPlZUxS6jp3RcL1vo5VBvXsb8fhTXZVEtBz6itpwqapcmJ4wLrjrkZwzIRN6S8BD5Rn3zw8EdPM0rUulFv2aePYW5nVBovVqoK1u4PdyXYmoxVQBUXRoZ5n0A/s1600/Only_a_Hero_Will_Do-200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8QYIzd87aw58hJsP8V5QPlZUxS6jp3RcL1vo5VBvXsb8fhTXZVEtBz6itpwqapcmJ4wLrjrkZwzIRN6S8BD5Rn3zw8EdPM0rUulFv2aePYW5nVBovVqoK1u4PdyXYmoxVQBUXRoZ5n0A/s1600/Only_a_Hero_Will_Do-200.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Greetings and salutations, or as we say in Redneck land: Howdy! I'm sure you thought we were done with zombies and ghosts once we were past Halloween, but here in the South, we love us some scary stuff. It's never the wrong time for ghosts. This week, Aurora Regency author Susan Lodge has come a-calling and she is talking about things that go bump in the night.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">1. Can you tell us a
little bit about yourself?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I always cringe at this question. I would
much rather have my characters doing the talking. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I have a husband, two grown up children, and reside
on the South Coast of England. I worked in the Civil Service for many years
during which I lived in several cities, including London and Bristol — so I
have been spoilt for Regency locations to lurk in and find inspiration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I have always wanted to be an astronaut and would
love to book a seat on Richard Branson’s space flight. However to find the
funds I must first write a best seller.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
first publishing success was a short story purchased by a national UK magazine.
It was a moment of ecstasy. When the magazine came out I rushed down to the
shops and bought loads of copies. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">2. Everyone knows the
Zombie Apocalypse is coming. Everyone. Shut up, they do so. What five skills do
you possess that would help you survive?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I suspect you are
just scaremongering. But I believe I would cope quite well because, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span><br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I like quiet people, and zombies don’t bore you with excessive
chatter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I have had previous experience in dealing with Zombies. Oh, yes, I
have met a few. They don’t know that I know they’re Zombies—but I can tell by
the way they look straight through me when I am talking. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">No!</i> That is not because I am boring them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">We have a cat whose hiss is scary enough to deter troublesome
intruders.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have always been taught
to encompass change, inclusion of all, and to think outside the box.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">If all that fails, I can run quite fast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">3. You know the game Keep,
Kiss, Kill? Okay, so a vampire, a werewolf, and a ghost walk into a bar. Who do
you keep, kiss, and kill?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Ghosts Hmmm. Patrick Swayze
comes to mind. </span></i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">If
this Ghost bore any resemblance, kissing would not be a problem.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I don’t find excessive facial hair attractive, so I would
keep the werewolf until he had shaved. Depending on the outcome I might kiss
him and keep the ghost. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I would kill the vampire because they have far too much
media attention at the moment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span><br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">4. Do you believe in ghosts?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I really don’t know. Many years ago I
lived in a flat where, every night for a couple of weeks, I would wake up in
the early hours unable to move— it was as if a cold invisible force had me
trapped. I always wondered if it was a deceased tenant revisiting. But I have
not experienced any out of body experiences since. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">5. What if I said there was one right
behind you?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No! That is my husband. He is feeling a little
fragile this morning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">6. Would you spend the night in a
haunted hotel for five dollars?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">You bet. That’s damn
cheap for a night’s board. In the UK there are plenty of historic houses and
castles where you can stay. And if there is the added attraction of a ghost
roaming around the place the price would be hiked up from the normal rate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">7. What’s one thing that really freaks you
out?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Hands around my neck.
I think I might have been strangled in an earlier life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">8. </span></i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Clowns.
Freaky or funny?<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Clowns! Where do I start?
There are so many around at the moment— but I guess you mean the ones with painted
faces, baggy trousers and enormous shoes. Even as a child, when circuses were
quite popular, they were my least favourite act. I never found them remotely funny.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">9. Pimp it if you’ve got it.
What’s new and next for you?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I have
another historical romance <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Reluctant
Heroine</i> as WIP. Like my last historical, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Only a Hero Will Do</i> it has a lot of action based at sea. I like to
get my Regency ladies out of the drawing room and see how they cope in more
challenging surroundings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I also have
a contemporary romance just out <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Man
in the Buff Breeches</i> which is a sequel to the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Man in the Blue Flowered Shorts.</i> Strangely enough all my books be it
historical or contemporary have a Regency thread. It’s the breeches that do it
for me—can’t resist them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">10.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Would you use a “ghost
writer” for your rejection haiku? I crack myself up. Time to open up a vein and
share.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">This Haiku was not written by a ghost writer
(just me with a sheet over my head)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Keyboard
spits me out <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Body
binned, shift and deletes <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I
stay undiscovered. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Here is a taste of her Regency novel<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><strong>Only
a Hero Will Do</strong> </i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">M</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">arriage
to a cruel dandy, is not how Hetty Avebury envisons spending the rest of her
life. Determined to avoid the match she raises funds the only way she
knows how – gambling. Her plans go astray and she finds herself on board a
man-of-war under the care of its high handed physician. But Hetty soon realizes
that Doctor Withington is not quite the stuffed shirt she had first
imagined. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">If it wasn’t bad enough declaring one of the pressed men as a woman,
Robert has been tasked with the tiresome job of returning her safely back
to her dysfunctional family. It was ten years ago when his father gambled
away his inheritance, home, and any chance of marrying the woman he
loved. So when Robert discovers Hetty gambling he takes drastic action to
cure her of the habit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://susanlodge.com/only-a-hero-will-do.php"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Click here to read an excerpt.</span></span></i></a></span><span lang="EN" style="color: #5b9bd5; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: accent1;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.25in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">See more at </span><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Susan-Lodge/e/B00B8UD0MQ"><span lang="EN" style="color: #0066cc; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Susan Lodge’s Amazon page</span></a></span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> or visit her
website </span><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://susanlodge.com/"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: #0563c1;">www.susanlodge.com </span></span></a></span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> or </span><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://musapublishing.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=161"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Musa Publishing </span></span></a></span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">for full details of my books.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Also by Susan
Lodge </span><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://susanlodge.com/the-man-in-th-ebuff-breeches.php"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: #0563c1;">The Man in the Buff Breeches </span></span></b></a></span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">and </span><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://susanlodge.com/the-man-in-the-blue-flowered-shorts.php"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: #0563c1;">The Man in the Blue Flowered shorts</span></span></b></a></span><b><u><span lang="EN" style="color: #0066cc; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">.</span></u></b><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Two contemporary romantic novellas, with characters who have a
soft spot for the Regency period</b>.</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
Marguerite Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10863876916017371318noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-345148743075000042.post-50122496299423798312013-11-04T07:03:00.001-08:002013-11-04T07:03:15.886-08:0010 Questions with Grace Gibson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtTQPIke2qM7MyKxr_T79VoIiKs4T3iMNKVnPwEU49ExIGyWabFCjwblpAYjxe92ewzc9cuw0sTfyg-OTokw7QyP_FzH364YYE3MwjtlPw8LHNG_I47hS1LLr96APdL8lBUb4fGyNBeYs/s1600/Lost%2520Heir%2520of%2520Devonshire-200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtTQPIke2qM7MyKxr_T79VoIiKs4T3iMNKVnPwEU49ExIGyWabFCjwblpAYjxe92ewzc9cuw0sTfyg-OTokw7QyP_FzH364YYE3MwjtlPw8LHNG_I47hS1LLr96APdL8lBUb4fGyNBeYs/s1600/Lost%2520Heir%2520of%2520Devonshire-200.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 54.75pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.75pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><strong>Hey Y'all, Aurora author Grace Gibson has come to call. Grace lives here in Texas, but she's a lot less redneck than yours truly. Still, I bet she would sit on the tailgate and swig a few cold ones with us.</strong></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 54.75pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.75pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"></span></span> </div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 54.75pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.75pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"></span></span> </div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 54.75pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.75pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"></span></span> </div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 54.75pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.75pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black;">Can you tell us a bit
about yourself?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 54.75pt;">
<span style="color: black;">Since this is a post about
food, I will give you my food biography.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Almost everyone has a personal history with food, so here goes
mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My parents were missionaries in Ecuador.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What we ate grew or roamed right outside,
and, by the time I was five, I had witnessed the summary execution of a few of
my little friends!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Naturally,
vegetarianism was in my future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At 14 I stopped
eating meat, and many (MANY) years later, I still prefer plant based food and
am mostly vegan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other than that, I’m a
glass artist and sometime writer living in El Paso, Texas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I teach mosaic occasionally, take a yoga
class, putter in my studio and read a prodigious amount of regency romance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 54.75pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.75pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black;">If you were a cake,
what kind would you be?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 54.75pt;">
<span style="color: black;">An orange cake...hopefully a little
variation from the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ubiquitous </i>chocolate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 54.75pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.75pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black;">Do you have the
recipe?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 54.75pt;">
<span style="color: black;">Regrettably, no.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is my fantasy cake - light, sweet, tart,
and guiltless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the rare occasion when
I do splurge, I always WISH there was something like it on the menu.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 54.75pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.75pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black;">Who is your celebrity
chef crush?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 54.75pt;">
<span style="color: black;">Hm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jamie Oliver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Goofy, but he’s very sincere about healthy food and he makes some
amazing vegetable dishes in his outdoor kitchen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 54.75pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.75pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black;">What’s your favorite
restaurant?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 54.75pt;">
From a purely theoretical point of view, the restaurant
at the Clarendon Hotel as depicted in Georgette Heyer’s many novels would have
to be my favorite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">False Colors</i> Sir Bonamy hosts a little
dinner party.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“They have a neat way of
cooking semelles of carp which is better than anything my Alphonse can do...I
thought I would have it removed with a fillet of veal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We must have quails: that goes without saying
– and ducklings; and nothing beside except a few larded sweetbreads and a raised
pie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And for the second course just a
green goose, with cauliflowers and French beans and peas, for I know you don’t
care for large dinners.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I shall add
only a dressed lobster, and some asparagus, and a few jellies and creams, and a
basket of pastries for you to nibble at.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That,” he said, beaming upon his prospective guests, “is my notion of a
neat little dinner.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 54.75pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.75pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black;">Say you’re in that
restaurant when the zombies come (you knew there would be zombies, right?) What
five things would you grab to fight them?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 54.75pt;">
<span style="color: black;">To own the truth, I was never more
shocked in my life when they arrived on the scene.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But when the Clarendon’s maitre d’ looked
down his long blue nose at them, they were daunted, you know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In his meticulous, cold voice, and with a
lift of his right eyebrow, he politely <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>pointed them toward Seven Dials, where, he
assured them, there would be plenty of choices to accommodate their, em,
appetites.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To my amazement, they hung
their heads apologetically and shuffled away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>No need for me to even grab my fork to stab them with.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 54.75pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.75pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black;">So now is when we play
Keep, Kiss, Kill. The contestants are milk chocolate, dark chocolate, and white
chocolate (which really isn’t chocolate at all) So which one do you keep
forever, which one is your one night stand, and which one must die a melting
death?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 54.75pt;">
<span style="color: black;">Of course, white chocolate
must die.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing that starts out
pleasurable but ends up coating the palette with a tasteless, lard-like
substance should be tolerated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Milk
chocolate is sometimes a high treat, particularly when suffering what we
regency fans call “a distempered freak”,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>while dark chocolate, a powerful antioxidant and mind-altering
substance, must be considered ESSENTIAL to one’s health and happiness. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 54.75pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.75pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black;">Pimp it if you’ve got
it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 54.75pt;">
<span style="color: black;">I have two published Regency
romances with Musa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Lost Heir of
Devonshire and The Count of Northumberland Abbey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here are some food ‘scenes’ from these
stories…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 54.75pt;">
<span style="color: black;">In The Lost Heir of
Devonshire, I started the story with one of Mr. Bennet’s lines in Pride and
Prejudice, a wink at a line I have always loved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 54.75pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">“I hope,
my dear, that you have ordered a good dinner for today,” said Mr. Fanley
abstractedly, as he perused his newspaper in the breakfast parlor.</span><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 54.75pt;">
<span style="color: black;">The heroine, Mary Fanley,
being a country bred girl in charge of her father’s household, is often
preoccupied with matters relating to the kitchen and the farm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When asked to tag along to look over Lord
Robert’s neglected estate, </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 54.75pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><br />
“she felt a good deal of feminine chagrin that the men in her party - who
availed themselves of astounding feats of cookery with nary a thought to who or
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">where it came from -
would pass through such an ancient, unequipped cave as was Treehill’s kitchen
and think only of horses.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 54.75pt;">
<span style="color: black;">In The Count of Northumberland
Abbey, Isabella Worth and her two sisters are soon sitting down to a very
surprising meal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" class="BodyText1" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt 54.75pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Isabella had begun to dread the
company in an inn, suffering many lewd remarks and, worse, the suggestive
stares directed at her sisters. In particular, and for no sensible reason other
than the fact she hated the feeling of obligation, she wished to avoid meeting
the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">interesting person</i> who had given
up his private parlour and a shockingly expensive meal of raised pie, braised
lamb with tiny potatoes, a soup of watercress, almond cream, and a plate of
sweetmeats.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" class="BodyText1" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt 54.75pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Esther, who was impressed with
such power as would command that kind of feast and inclined to general
nosiness, had interrogated Mr. Mills. “Who is that gentleman who gave up his
parlour for us?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" class="BodyText1" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt 54.75pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Mr. Mills, who had undergone a
transformation of manners, provided a most solicitous and detailed report. They
had been the recipients of the benevolence of no less a personage than the
Count of Northumberland Abbey. A heroic figure of these parts, duly attributed
with dash (on account of his uncertain origins) and a staggering generosity. He
was a great swordsman and horseman and generally a pluck to the bone, but not
too high in his notions. The veriest gentleman’s gentleman for Northumberland,
that was.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" class="BodyText1" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt 54.75pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">When Mr. Mills excused himself,
Isabella laughed aloud. “And next we’ll hear he is Saint Cuthbert of Holy
Island.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 54.75pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.75pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black;">Rejection haikus.
Sometimes being a writer is like being the steamed Brussels sprouts at a Sunday
buffet. We can’t get no love! But we can get a rejection haiku, yes? </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 54.75pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.75pt;">
<span style="color: black;"></span><span style="color: black;">Wouldn’t you know it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am the ONE person in the buffet who is
delighted with the Brussels sprouts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here
goes:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 54.75pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Me and tiny cabbages in a Sunday buffet</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 54.75pt;">
<span style="color: black;"></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sniffed at, politely despised, passed over</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 54.75pt;">
<span style="color: black;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Fresh, happy green turns grayish and cold
next to the mac ‘n cheese </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Lol! I confess, I love Brussels sprouts as well, but only if I cook them and eat them fresh. Mmm, with a little turkey bacon and...sorry. Having a moment.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Grace's stories are as delightful as she is and you deserve a treat, right? So pick up one of her stories, makes some hot tea and sit by the fire. Check out her page at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&field-author=Grace%20Gibson&search-alias=digital-text&sort=relevancerank">AMAZON,</a> at <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-lost-heir-of-devonshire-grace-gibson/1106346718">B&N</a>, or at the <a href="http://musapublishing.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=14&sort=20a&filter_id=30&alpha_filter_id=0">MUSA STORE</a>.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
Marguerite Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10863876916017371318noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-345148743075000042.post-29368840497725355142013-10-16T06:17:00.001-07:002013-10-16T06:17:46.952-07:00My Official GreeterSay hello to my little friend. That adorable face you see when you log into my blog is Bear, our Lab/Rottweiler cross. <div><br></div><div>That's a fairly old picture and the muzzle is more grey than black now, but that's one of the first things you would see if you actually visited my farm. </div><div><br></div><div>My house is protected by a redneck burglar alarm, three large noisy dogs. They are all aging and not so on alert as they once were. In fact, some days it seems the dogs are more likely to sound the alarm if a squirrel or stray leaf ventures into the yard than a person--especially if it's a sunny day. </div><div><br></div><div>But what's a redneck yard without a pack of mutts? </div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Marguerite Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10863876916017371318noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-345148743075000042.post-60050788334624524612013-09-30T02:00:00.000-07:002013-09-30T07:06:19.302-07:0010 Questions with Kadee McDonald<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span>I'm so pleased to welcome a fellow Texan to the Regency Redneck! The fun and fabulous Kadee McDonald steps up to answer my questions. Since she lives in the Land of Makebelieve (aka California), I've asked her about Hollywood.</div>
<br />
<h4 class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 54.75pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.75pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Easy question goes first. Can you tell us a bit
about yourself?<o:p></o:p></span></h4>
<h4>
</h4>
Growing up in Texas, I was a world away from London and the beautiful
English countryside. But I still loved all things British…the lilt of the
language, tea & crumpets, the castles and country estates, the idea of a
Royal Family who really knew how to throw a wedding (and have a baby!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All these seemed like the ultimate fairy tale
and they captivated me.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
I’ve always loved history, so what would be more natural for me than to
study British history? Even today, I could tell you more about the six wives of
King Henry VIII than I could about most U.S. presidents.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<h4 style="margin-left: 54.75pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.75pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black;">If you could pick one
of your books to be made into a movie what would it be?<o:p></o:p></span></h4>
<h4>
</h4>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Marisa’s Choice, </span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I think. It has romance, of course, a fairly large cast of
characters, a badly-planned elopement scheme, a bit of intrigue, and a Happily
Ever After ending.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<h4 class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 54.75pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.75pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What would your theme song be?<o:p></o:p></span></h4>
<h4>
</h4>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">That’s a tough one…maybe
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Look of Love</i> by Burt Bacharach
would work for the movie. For me, personally, it’s usually something like
Jackson Browne’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Running on Empty</i>!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<h4 class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 54.75pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.75pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Who would play your hero and heroine?<o:p></o:p></span></h4>
<h4>
</h4>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">That’s even
tougher…possibly Emma Watson as Marisa, although Emma is 23 now, I think, and
Marisa is just 18. And Emma’s wearing her hair pretty short these days, which
would be unusual for a young Regency lady. For William…Aussie hunk Chris
Hemsworth perhaps? If you’re going to dream, dream big, I always say!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 54.75pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<h4 class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 54.75pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.75pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Suppose it was a movie about your life. Hah.
Didn’t see that one coming. Who would play you?<o:p></o:p></span></h4>
<h4>
</h4>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">LOL…Roseanne Barr,
perhaps?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 54.75pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<h4 class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 54.75pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.75pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What movie can you watch over and over?<o:p></o:p></span></h4>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sense and Sensibility</span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, the Golden Globe-winning version adapted by Emma Thompson and
directed by Ang Lee. I don’t think there’s a single line of dialogue in that
film that I’d change.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 54.75pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<h4 class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 54.75pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.75pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If you could adapt one novel (not your own) for
a movie, which one would it be?<o:p></o:p></span></h4>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I’ve written
screenplays, but I’m not sure I’d be at all competent to adapt a novel. But if
I had to choose, though, I’d try to adapt one written by my critique partner,
Nancy Lindley-Gauthier, titled <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Patriot:
At Any Cost.</i> It’s a sweet romance set against the backdrop of small-town
life in World War II Maine, with lots of action and interesting characters.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 54.75pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<h4 class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 54.75pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.75pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Have you ever done any acting?<o:p></o:p></span></h4>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yes…every weekday I
“act” like I’m thrilled to go to my day job! But, other than that, no, not
really. I was an extra in one scene of a friend’s super-mega-ultra-low-budget
docu-drama short film about 10 years ago, but you can’t even really see me in
background…thank goodness. Still, my name is in the credits, but I think it’s
only there because I brought home-made brownies that day for the cast and crew.
<g><o:p></o:p></g></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<h4 class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 54.75pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.75pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Pimp it if you’ve got it. What’s new and next
for you?<o:p></o:p></span></h4>
<h4>
</h4>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I just finished a short
story “prequel” to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Marisa’s Choice</i>
that I hope to be able to offer as a free e-book download soon, so that more
readers can sample my work and see if they’d like to read the rest of Marisa
and Will’s love story.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">HOWEVER…I will pick a
winner at random and give away an e-book version of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Marisa’s Choice</i> to one person who leaves us a comment on this post.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 54.75pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<h4 class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 54.75pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.75pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">10.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Rejection haiku goes here. Don’t make me beg,
okay?<o:p></o:p></span></h4>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Not even “pretty please, with a cherry on top,” huh? All righty,
then, here goes nuthin’ :<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><em>Not for us, they say.<o:p></o:p></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<em>
</em></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><em>Hopes dashed by reality.<o:p></o:p></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<em>
</em></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><em>Time to start again.<o:p></o:p></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Link to my site: </span><a href="http://kadeemcdonald.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: blue;">http://kadeemcdonald.com/</span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Link to Facebook: </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kadee-Mcdonald-Author/274230339359152"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kadee-Mcdonald-Author/274230339359152</span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Link to Twitter: </span><a href="https://twitter.com/KadeeMcDonald"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: blue;">https://twitter.com/KadeeMcDonald</span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
Marguerite Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10863876916017371318noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-345148743075000042.post-45955781867531017232013-08-26T06:30:00.003-07:002013-08-26T06:35:08.162-07:00A Visit from Miss Amabel Hawkins.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj56j2nsHw6hIBOlr1bt5VkcdQID7rezM_8bQfTKq1Ha9UI52vy7PtXacLovAwz5m5yYgiYoHSNTP4wmyIP9YUJidvikKpSQYfitTBN2LM-wpXHEdtXFGJ3SKR3r38uiLjN9JHQoQTOT54/s1600/thedukeandmissamabelhawkins-200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj56j2nsHw6hIBOlr1bt5VkcdQID7rezM_8bQfTKq1Ha9UI52vy7PtXacLovAwz5m5yYgiYoHSNTP4wmyIP9YUJidvikKpSQYfitTBN2LM-wpXHEdtXFGJ3SKR3r38uiLjN9JHQoQTOT54/s400/thedukeandmissamabelhawkins-200.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The lovely and talented Emma J. Lane came by to visit and brought one of her favorite heroines, Miss Amabel Hawkins, of the upcoming THE DUKE AND MISS AMABEL HAWKINS.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Miss Amabel Hawkins seeks refuge from an imposter who threatens to take the guardianship of her younger brother. The Duke of Westerton arrives to find her deeply embedded in his private affairs and is suspicious of her intent. Can these two very different personalities find the peace and respect they need for a happily ever after?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">A Duke? Nice catch, Amabel. In between tea and crumpets, I was able to find out a bit more about Miss Amabel.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<strong>1) In the story, we find out that you have an unusual
upbringing. How does that make you different? <o:p></o:p></strong></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Miss Amabel: I have
none of the skills needed for social interaction. (tear rolls down her cheek.) <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<strong>2) Do you wish <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Emma
Lane</st1:address></st1:street> had given you less business talents and more
feminine ones? <o:p></o:p></strong></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Miss Amabel: That hardly seems fair. Would that mean I would
be confined inside playing at embroidery? <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<strong>3) Perhaps. Does that upset you? I know you enjoy the skills
you have in managing a large estate. <o:p></o:p></strong></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Miss Amabel: That’s true. One becomes proficient by
practicing, do they not? I have only practiced at managing. It would be
wonderful if I could add dancing to my talents. Perhaps pianoforte playing. I
might be less uncomfortable in company of others my age.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<strong>4) I heard you ran into stiff resistance from that good
looking Duke when he came home after a long absence. How did that work out? <o:p></o:p></strong></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Miss Amabel:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Laughs)
At first I must tell you I thought he was insane. He kept nattering on about my
meddling ways when I thought he should be thanking me for tending his neglected
estate. We have come to a meeting of the minds at long last. (She ducks her head
shyly.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<strong>5) Oh? Does that mean you will be leaving the Westerton
estate with your brother? <o:p></o:p></strong></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Miss Amabel: Not exactly. You might be surprised to learn
what happens. My brother is very happy to stay right here and so is the Duchess
and her sister. Perhaps I am as well.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> That sounds intriguing. Managing females, dukes, and a dash of intrigue. My favorite things! </o:p>Nice of you to give us a moment of your time Miss Hawkins.
Thanks. Hope to join you soon when your story is released in October. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
Marguerite Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10863876916017371318noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-345148743075000042.post-56345500839837887092013-08-12T02:00:00.000-07:002013-08-12T02:00:04.815-07:0010 Questions with Gloria Burland<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVtKKQIIlZlXq8-7g_WYB-Csv7LLl48ghKW1NyBU29FE9xS0b8oj8fnUHYCwuJKj5NHlvi7HfvXjwhOVLHTrW5oFM8uNHQFariWbQ6bxJrJmT-iEAoJtgJn68FvTxZjFK-KQNo0GbUjOE/s1600/avalentinescanda-500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVtKKQIIlZlXq8-7g_WYB-Csv7LLl48ghKW1NyBU29FE9xS0b8oj8fnUHYCwuJKj5NHlvi7HfvXjwhOVLHTrW5oFM8uNHQFariWbQ6bxJrJmT-iEAoJtgJn68FvTxZjFK-KQNo0GbUjOE/s320/avalentinescanda-500.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
Back for another Musaling Monday, this week our intrepid guest is the fabulous Gloria Burland who writes the Clifton Chronicles. <br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 4pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1. Can you tell us a
bit about yourself?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My great grandparents
were early settlers and did the covered wagon, Oregon Trail bit. I find this
incredible, and so brave of them, I couldn’t imagine being that brave, but a
bit of their pioneering spirit must have reached me as I’ve lived all over the
world and am always looking for the next place to live. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 4pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2. If you won a
million dollars, would you go to work tomorrow?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My work is writing and I would definitely not stop writing.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span><br />
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 4pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3. What’s the first
thing you would buy?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A car that doesn’t require a PHD in technology – a car
that’s not run by computer. I find that concept scary. What if the computer
crashes and we all know they do that. I’d buy an old Ford or Volkswagen,
perhaps. But any car would do just as long it started with a crank handle, and
didn’t have a robotic voice telling me to put on my seat belt or shut the door!
<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 4pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4. What philanthropic
organization would you share your booty with?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Women of the World, and especially women in Rwanda. Their
plight is a subject which is really close to my heart and I am writing a novel
Cut The Tall Trees, about the genocide in 1994 <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 4pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.Would you still
write?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You may as well ask ‘would I still breath?’ Yes, I would
definitely still write<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 4pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6. Would you loan me
50 bucks?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">No, I wouldn’t loan you 50 bucks, but I would definitely
GIVE you 50 bucks or more if you needed it.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 4pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7. What if I gave you
five bucks? Not so exciting, I know. Suppose I did, but you had to spend it on
something totally frivolous. What would you spend it on?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ah! I’d buy some purple eye shadow, with loads of glitter in
it.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 4pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">8. If you could buy
an island or a mountain to live on, which one would it be?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I can’t bear heights so it will have to be an island. Dozens
of years ago, I saw a TV programme, Homes for the Rich and Famous featuring
Bora Bora and thought how wonderful it looked. Years later I met the actor,
Peter Strauss, who’d just been there and he said it was the most wonderful and
magical place on earth, so I guess I would buy Bora Bora. But only if the
purchase package included Peter Strauss! <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 4pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">9. Pimp it if you got
it. What is new and next for you?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Well. The fourth novel in my Clifton Chronicles series A
VALENTINE SCANDAL is scheduled for release in January, and I am working on
Clifton Chronicles 5 as we speak.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 4pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">10. Not even being
filthy rich exempts you from the required rejection haiku. Care to share?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">They said, ‘one day your prince will come<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">on a white horse. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He’ll claim you for his bride and take you to a castle <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">where the grass is emerald green<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">and streams flow with glittering diamonds. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">They said, if not a castle, then a cottage<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">where roses grow around the door and birds sing in a garden.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lies all lies.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My cottage is a tenement block, my garden a window box<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">where roses wither and die, choked from city fumes.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There are no birds.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">One day a prince rode by. He didn’t care to stay.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 4pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 4pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wow! Not just a haiku, but a full poem. Sniff. And so sad. Plus she's giving me $50, yo. Y’all
excuse me while I have something in my eye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 4pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 4pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>In case you need more Gloria Burland in your diet—and who doesn’t?—you can
check out her website </span><a href="http://www.gloriaburland.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.gloriaburland.com/</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">. You can find her books at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_sabc?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&pageMinusResults=1&suo=1376266305301#/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_9?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=gloria%20burland&sprefix=Gloria+Bu%2Cdigital-text%2C411&rh=i%3Adigital-text%2Ck%3Agloria%20burland">Amazon</a>, <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Gloria-Burland?keyword=Gloria+Burland&store=ebook">Barnes and Noble</a>, <a href="http://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html">All Romance eBooks</a>, or the <a href="http://musapublishing.com/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=1&zenid=7d5155e01e524ff8c36faa6838613eee&keyword=Gloria+Burland">Musa Publishing Website</a>.</span></div>
Marguerite Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10863876916017371318noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-345148743075000042.post-39734280805477194092013-08-01T16:34:00.000-07:002013-08-01T16:34:00.568-07:00Now for something tastyFood has been on my mind lately. Okay, so food is always on my mind. I like to eat. I like to pretend I'm a chef in the kitchen. I make dinner most nights and this isn't a chore because I like to cook, only don't tell my family. I make my kids clean the kitchen because I did the cooking. <br />
<br />
I've been thinking about food because I'm trying to lose the layers of fluffy I have accumulated over time. But every now and then, people need a treat. My boys can blow through a dozen cookies in a few minutes and of course they don't gain an ounce. I try not to resent them. So, I make them yummy things to eat like Chocolate Triple Threat Cookies.<br />
<br />
We're friends, aren't we? I thought so. That's why I'm going to share the recipe with you. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="border-color: currentColor currentColor rgb(79, 129, 189); border-style: none none solid; border-width: medium medium 1pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 4pt;">
<div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 15pt;">
<span><span style="color: #17365d;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Chocolate Triple Threat Cookies<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoSubtitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<em><span style="color: #4f81bd;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Chocolate cookie with dark chocolate and white chocolate<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 ¼ cup butter, softened<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2 cups sugar<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2 eggs<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2 tsp vanilla<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2 cups all purpose flour<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 cup cocoa powder<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 tsp baking soda<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 tsp salt<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 cup nuts<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 cup dark chocolate bits<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 cup white chocolate bits<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Directions: Cream butter and sugar in large mixing bowl. Add
eggs and vanilla. Combine dry ingredients (flour, cocoa, baking soda, salt) and
blend into wet mixture. Stir in chocolate bits and nuts if desired. Drop by
spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 8-9 minutes.
Cookies will puff while cooking and flatten once cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Makes about 4 ½ dozen. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Don't burn your fingers trying to eat them before they're cool.</span></div>
Marguerite Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10863876916017371318noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-345148743075000042.post-84376809290799212702013-07-29T02:00:00.000-07:002013-07-29T02:00:11.594-07:0010 Questions with Arabella Sheraton<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The ten questions game is back! Last year some brave authors agreed to answer a set of goofy interview questions for your entertainment and mine. We called it Musaling Monday. We're continuing with Musalings, but this year the spotlight will be on my fellow Aurora Regency authors. Cause I'm all about the Regency. The first victim...I mean GUEST is the lovely Arabella Sheraton.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9Lu9_QnwEalgJJombkRZcKrfeOPoeeOJE7cHSSrNOSPLSUxQxdrFBERRxe_lLDgpYBdtJ0vPZAxACjrVh9jMtqfwElsdEkJ1aMQcj7H6zbTiWOBLaE8esDVD40pT7k4SYJUJxLy0S3U/s1600/ALadiesRevenge-300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9Lu9_QnwEalgJJombkRZcKrfeOPoeeOJE7cHSSrNOSPLSUxQxdrFBERRxe_lLDgpYBdtJ0vPZAxACjrVh9jMtqfwElsdEkJ1aMQcj7H6zbTiWOBLaE8esDVD40pT7k4SYJUJxLy0S3U/s320/ALadiesRevenge-300.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">
</span><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 55.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -19.5pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> <strong> </strong></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black;"><strong>First the easy one: Can you tell us a little about yourself? (Told you it was easy)<o:p></o:p></strong></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 55.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em><span style="color: black; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">I live in South Africa. I grew up on a diet of Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters, and many other writers of that period. I also love history and generally find the past more fascinating than the future.</span></em><span style="color: black;"> I have been steeped in Regency writers since I was a teenager. From Jane Austen to Georgette Heyer, I read 'em all! </span><u>The Dangerous Duke</u> was my first romance novel and I wrote it for fun, actually to entertain my disabled mother who just adored historical romance. I didn’t think it would ‘go anywhere’ but MUSA and readers have proved me wrong. I have written seven Regency romance novels now, and four have been published with the others slotting into MUSA’s 2013 calendar.<span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 55.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -19.5pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black;">If you woke up one morning with super powers, what would your name be?<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 55.5pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I think – because my superpower would be flying – I should have a name that makes people think of the wind/sky etc. So I think Aura, the Titan goddess of the breeze in Greek mythology.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 55.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -19.5pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black;">Would you use your powers for good or evil?<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 55.5pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Absolutely for good. There are enough bad people around already that need a good shaking up to get their minds right.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 55.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -19.5pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black;">Cape or no cape?</span></span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 55.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Now that’s a toughie. I love the idea of a cape swirling around as I fly to rescue people or stop buildings from toppling over, but having watched the movie <u>The Incredibles</u>, I see that a cape can be a dangerous item. It can get trapped in things, and I don’t want my enemies to use it against me.</span><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 55.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -19.5pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black;">Who is your favorite super hero?</span></span></strong></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 55.5pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 55.5pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another toughie. I love Thor, the Norse god of thunder (Avengers) because he can fly, he has a hammer to knock the baddies into next week, and he manages his cape very well. Runner-up would be maybe Hawk-Eye. I love the idea of a bow and arrow.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 55.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -19.5pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black;">We all know the Zombie Apocalypse is coming. Would you fight them or run away like a little girl?</span></span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 55.5pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Run away? Absolutely not! It’s a superhero/ine’s duty to stand and fight, with whatever forces and allies we can muster. As a superheroine, I would know everyone in the business and I know I could rally the troops in an instant. <u>World War Z</u> is opening in my country soon so that will be an excellent opportunity to study the enemy in action and discover their weaknesses.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 55.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -19.5pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black;">Say that you did fight the zombies with your super powers and you ran into a hardware store and the zombies were, like, fast zombies and they were right on your tail. What item would you pick up to defend yourself?</span><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 55.5pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That’s easy. Zombies eat brains (although it doesn’t do them any good because they remain complete idiots) so one has to cut off the top of their heads. Not their whole head, because it will regenerate or the zombie could stick it back on. Slicing the top off their heads whacks the brains. Anyway, I’d zip into the hardware store and pick up the latest hand-held chain saw available and go for it. As I fly over their heads, I will have excellent and unerring aim to take off the tops of a few heads as I swoop past. They can’t fly, although I have heard they are able to swarm up the sides of buildings, so I will still have the advantage.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 55.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -19.5pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black;">Have you ever written a superhero novel?</span><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 55.5pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No, but there’s always an opportunity for a superhero in Regency times. Not sure how she will manage with skirts though. No matter, she could always have a special costume. A superhero would have it much easier but I think women need to chance to show what they can do.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 55.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -19.5pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black;">Pimp it if you’ve got it. What’s new and next for you?</span></span></strong></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 55.5pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 55.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u><span style="color: black;">The Lady’s Revenge</span></u><span style="color: black;">, which is the sequel to <u>Lord Blackwood’s Valentine Ball</u>, is next on the list. Women are ferocious when scorned and alas, Lord Blackwood (thinking his previous <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">amour</i> is dead) is about to propose to another woman. Imagine his shock and horror when lady number one comes back from foreign climes and does not want to let him go… Revenge is a dish best eaten cold.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 55.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -19.5pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">10.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black;">No one gets off the blog without writing a rejection haiku. Will you share yours?</span></span></strong></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 55.5pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My haiku is about not giving up. I was never rejected with my Regency romances, but I also write Middle Grade adventure for kids and I have suffered “the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,” but decided to “take arms against a sea of troubles, and by opposing, end them.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 55.5pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have used the traditional 17-syllable, 3 line format.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 55.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">R</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black;">ejection is woe.</span></i></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 55.5pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How I have suffered each blow</span></span></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 55.5pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Surrender? Oh, no!<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Where can you get more Arabella in your diet? </span></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
</span><br />
<h4 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/regencyromances">Her Facebook page</a>, </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://regencyromances.webs.com/">Website</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">, </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/arabella-sheraton?store=allproducts&keyword=arabella+sheraton&cm_mmc=AFFILIATES-_-Linkshare-_-TnL5HPStwNw-_-10:1&r=1">Barnes & Noble page</a></span></h4>
<h4 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span> </h4>
<h4 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now to make this even more fun, I'll give away a copy of Arabella's backlist. Just leave a comment with contact information and I'll randomly draw a name on Tuesday. </span></span></h4>
<h4 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Until then, keep it Regency, y'all!</span></span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
</h4>
Marguerite Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10863876916017371318noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-345148743075000042.post-56707768795658113572013-07-11T15:53:00.000-07:002013-07-24T16:33:41.242-07:00Feel the burn!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOeqtlRBMiGxVnSKQkDoPzkIA5vpx54aKmAKbrLFdcEL2j08ZXDSqDVi8JCj-xJXgyyvWsMfiyB98k3iU15BBG111Q_4Sei0CQhEuMWM-RKjF4ESyH5X769tavMBxassQ6G-9kSxygruQ/s640/blogger-image-1795233884.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOeqtlRBMiGxVnSKQkDoPzkIA5vpx54aKmAKbrLFdcEL2j08ZXDSqDVi8JCj-xJXgyyvWsMfiyB98k3iU15BBG111Q_4Sei0CQhEuMWM-RKjF4ESyH5X769tavMBxassQ6G-9kSxygruQ/s320/blogger-image-1795233884.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs1jpEou5bh8x_YG0h2zP8KfL5rnL3zFIgBKi00QeeoASy6d_sgAcB5H947IrfsWQNjiXM5vgONJCpynnSGRlaGe2RDNkz7Kgh53Rw6n4FEhcyvRY5S0drtTlmsUrh0fZjUxQd5wwf9Ec/s640/blogger-image--785196454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Funny comic Rita Rudner once told a story about a friend who
was in labor for thirty-six hours. She winced and said “I don’t want to do
anything that feels <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">good</i> for
thirty-six hours.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">OMG, so true.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It seems that the longer you do something, the less fun it
becomes. But nothing worth having is ever easy. So I’ve been working out for
weeks now, trying to lose weight and—more importantly—get fit and healthy.
These work outs kick my butt. The reasons I work out are as follows: it’s good
for me. End of story. Period. I’m no gym rat. I don’t feel energized after. I
work out at night so that I can shower and die on the bed. But I’m pushing
myself. I just keep repeating: it’s good for me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, I’ve been doing the Slim in 6 series and decided to mix
it up. I added in the Slim and a Six-Pack routine to my evening. Hey, it’s only
<em>15 minutes</em> of intense ab work. Now I really need to work on my core, so I’m
thinking it’s awesome. I can give this <em>15 minutes</em>. How bad can <em>15 minutes</em> be?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Five minutes in, I was loving the routine. I love Debbie
Sieber because she always makes me think I can do it. She makes things as fun
as possible, mixes it up so you don’t overdo on any one thing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Me: Yeah, gonna have six-pack! Can I get an amen?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Teenage Son walks into the room. “What are you doing?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m on my yoga mat in stretchy pants and an exercise bra
with Debbie Sieber on my TV. I think this should be fairly obvious, but I
answer him anyway. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Me: Working my core. Gonna have a six-pack.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Son: Okay, cool. I just wondered what all the grunting was
in here. Can I have the Wii?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Me: It’s only a <em>15 minute</em> work out. You can have this TV when I'm done.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Son: That’s not bad. Maybe I’ll start doing this DVD with
you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Me: I wouldn’t mind a workout buddy. We should do this
together.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He keeps watching. He’s not actually watching me, just the
screen. I’m guessing he was ogling the fit women in their cute little costumes,
but whatever.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Son: We do those at the field house but with weights to make
you really get a work out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Me: You need to leave the room right now. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If I could have gotten up and chased him, I would have, but
I was on my side participating in a little hell known as side planks. We were
now 10 minutes into the routine. I was sweating profusely and struggling. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Me: Abs are hard. Core work is hard. This sucks. I can’t
believe I’m doing this voluntarily. What’s the matter with me? I don’t need a
six-pack. I just need to lose a little weight. Gah! Debbie Sieber is <em>not</em> a nice woman. Don't be fooled. She's a sadist. She's trying to kill me.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Those last five minutes were pretty much a stream of
expletives with me just trying not to die. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvoR0mtL_5G3CiszsQMY8tilhdAZJuQZYZ3l8Cz8Dwc5_A2sBQpQoyBvUn-2D1ozoC-N_remLA9UhWb_Tfs_o90_L9Dlj-vCEL0LekgObVbkOopY6stuGxbwNm5P8RGkx-xCE9I1utzVc/s640/blogger-image--86779915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvoR0mtL_5G3CiszsQMY8tilhdAZJuQZYZ3l8Cz8Dwc5_A2sBQpQoyBvUn-2D1ozoC-N_remLA9UhWb_Tfs_o90_L9Dlj-vCEL0LekgObVbkOopY6stuGxbwNm5P8RGkx-xCE9I1utzVc/s640/blogger-image--86779915.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But that wasn’t the worst part. The worst part was waking up
this morning. Can’t move. I have muscles there? How did I never know I have
muscles along the sides of my torso and if you piss them off they burn like
fire. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Two Advils and a hot shower later I was finally ambulatory.
Now I’m proud of myself for finishing. I’m dreading tonight, but I just keep
thinking it will be worth it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If I don’t see anyone around in the next week, I’ve probably
fallen and I can’t get to the keyboard without traumatizing my muscles further. I'll just lie there reminding myself that it's good for me.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Until next time, keep it regency y’all<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Marguerite Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10863876916017371318noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-345148743075000042.post-1350654067317345182013-07-07T12:07:00.002-07:002013-07-07T12:07:28.241-07:00The Roommate SolutionMeet Panini's new roommate, her daughter Patches. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWmM_zaPRQGBtO8DOT5YFmQKmPjszPs5IuCwyMCnZ6THZ7-9cfpkOL9kcb3fCp9Tf91WE285liKLSjVYWdy7_Ca2LqFVqxbO7XfEo4owPcIVGYic5FuoQsmIzlo3dOjsO6PoBAfZElf9M/s640/blogger-image-1582751894.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWmM_zaPRQGBtO8DOT5YFmQKmPjszPs5IuCwyMCnZ6THZ7-9cfpkOL9kcb3fCp9Tf91WE285liKLSjVYWdy7_Ca2LqFVqxbO7XfEo4owPcIVGYic5FuoQsmIzlo3dOjsO6PoBAfZElf9M/s640/blogger-image-1582751894.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Just check out her crazy pattern. I just love the spots on her beak.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-au9EgzOmzrOMSJbwNoZLQCGvMhrdRN5nknBPBKAYyP6v2Dgk6DhFYIKnMp8H_hATnh0ozVG5yoIDwdJG4eKyg-zytPkSQ4u9W2Q3MUwOdysCVoErIHkYrETwexWXJxQ2AWvvc7jiXhU/s640/blogger-image-842042849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-au9EgzOmzrOMSJbwNoZLQCGvMhrdRN5nknBPBKAYyP6v2Dgk6DhFYIKnMp8H_hATnh0ozVG5yoIDwdJG4eKyg-zytPkSQ4u9W2Q3MUwOdysCVoErIHkYrETwexWXJxQ2AWvvc7jiXhU/s640/blogger-image-842042849.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkm1TAqIwTvJALID6rQ2iJjw1TEtGji7PzvkCt1wDS3sm91DwwsU7tnvAg9EYJlCxsx9lhwmXN9vKGtVEJHUtPr2LLW2bxWSYAAkGCHbl9QWlW4xtQrcla2MNkDaNxoVDlIeQtcCHQJAY/s640/blogger-image--1458890358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkm1TAqIwTvJALID6rQ2iJjw1TEtGji7PzvkCt1wDS3sm91DwwsU7tnvAg9EYJlCxsx9lhwmXN9vKGtVEJHUtPr2LLW2bxWSYAAkGCHbl9QWlW4xtQrcla2MNkDaNxoVDlIeQtcCHQJAY/s400/blogger-image--1458890358.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Patches (AKA Patchy the Pirate) is one of a kind. Remember how I said Panini wasn't always faithful to her drake? Apparently when the mood was on her during mating season, she got busy with Sushi, my Embden gander. An Embden is solid white with blue eyes. When her grey African genes mixed with his solid white genes, the babies all turned out with interesting patterns, but none more so than Patches.<br />
<br />
Earlier this week, I thought we were going to lose Ms. Patches. She was walking in circles, staggering, dragging her wings. In short: one sick goose. All of these are symptoms of several things including a dietary deficiency and a bacteria that can live in stagnant water and kills birds. We isolated her immediately and began treating her for both. To be honest, given the severity of her symptoms, I wasn't sanguine. I should know better. Birds will always surprise you. They're more delicate than you think. They're also more resilient.<br />
<br />
Within 48 hours, she was doing great. We put her in a pen next to Panini. Now it's like they've always been together. Panini is thrilled to have another goose for company and Patches is a sweet little girl, not too wild to hang out with her hobbled mom. All this is good news because Panini has decided she is so totally done with her confinement. She feels much better and sees no reason she shouldn't be allowed out to graze with everyone else. Vet's orders falls on deaf ears, drowned out by furious honking. I set her and Patches out to graze by themselves for short periods. Panini tries to run from me like a naughty toddler when it's time to go back in her pen. She isn't fast enough to get away. Thankfully she isn't much of a flier. That would be a real problem. <br />
<br />
The good news is that we are almost at the four week mark. Woo hoo! Just two more weeks and we can get her cast off. No one will be more excited about that than Panini. Well, almost no one. I'm pretty sure Patches wants out, too.<br />
<br />
I'll be back this week with more farm updates and some actual writing news. Title reveal anyone? Mad Hatterly 4 does actually have an official title, blurb, and tagline. I can't wait to share them with you.<br />
<br />
Until then, keep it regency, y'all<br />
<br />
MargueriteMarguerite Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10863876916017371318noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-345148743075000042.post-73891376550410222732013-06-29T15:56:00.000-07:002013-06-29T15:56:08.644-07:00I need Minions<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I could really use some minions to do my bidding. What I have instead is Sara.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsWnoUw57uiPZyAm16NSi33WnzcehpieaNCACsL8g-HOvTzpNej-tXeoCzeH7pU_0laBpxGYkN0A1DozeBaPlMp_ePCXIF8DIawwbBV74Vn60i5cslP774uYkAbBRaTcoviwgdTgRmH1M/s640/blogger-image-1709740940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsWnoUw57uiPZyAm16NSi33WnzcehpieaNCACsL8g-HOvTzpNej-tXeoCzeH7pU_0laBpxGYkN0A1DozeBaPlMp_ePCXIF8DIawwbBV74Vn60i5cslP774uYkAbBRaTcoviwgdTgRmH1M/s640/blogger-image-1709740940.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
She's not much of a follower, sort of does her own thing. I love my cats, but I'm really thinking minion is the way to go.<br />
<br />
There has been a lot of buzz on the Internet lately about street teams, especially street teams behaving badly. A book reviewer pissed off an author who promptly sicced her street team on the reviewer and a rumble ensued . Okay, not so much a rumble as just much wailing and gnashing of teeth on the part of the author and her street team. It wasn't publishing's finest hour.<br />
<br />
I admit that I was sort of naive about street teams. When I first heard the term I was a little excited. What was a street team? Was it like a gang? Did we get to dress in colors and have secret signs? Cause I was totally down with that. Having my own roving gang of romance-loving street toughs sounded exciting.<br />
<br />
But no. I started doing some reading. What a street team does is promote an author's books. They take promo materials around and visit libraries and bookstores. Some are encouraged to place the books prominently in bookstores or turn the cover facing out (which must endear them to the employees). They are asked to post reviews and recommend the books to all their friends on Goodreads. They are asked to buy the book the week it comes out to boost the ranking in bestseller lists and promote the author on their blogs with reviews and snippets and book trailers. They are sent swag to hand out. Some even attend conventions so they can go forth and proselytize on behalf of their author. By the time I got to that part in my reading, some of these Super Fan teams were less gangster and more cultish sounding. But it gets more extreme for some, mobilizing to harass reviewers or vote down negative reviews or even post negative reviews on competitor's books. Fortunately not all street teams or authors are like this. Most are perfectly nice people, but the possibility for abuse exists when you engage a group of strangers to act on your behalf.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://i.chzbgr.com/maxW500/2068096768/h6CD6975F/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://i.chzbgr.com/maxW500/2068096768/h6CD6975F/" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Having a street team just isn't for me. I get tired of having promo thrust my direction all the time and I'm sure readers and bloggers feel the same way. A group of people dedicated to pushing my book forward all the time just isn't my thing. That's not to say I don't want fans.<br />
<br />
Of course I want fans. Authors don't write these books just for our own amusement. If I didn't want to share, I'd keep the stories in my head instead of putting them down on paper.I want people to read my stories. That's pretty much all I expect from a fan. Read me. That's my only expectation, but there are other things that make me insanely happy.<br />
<br />
If someone likes my books, I hope they tell others. Most people buy a book because someone they know recommended it. I love it when people take the time to write a review. If reviews aren't your thing, no pressure. But it's awesome when people do review my books. I love when someone tells me they enjoy my writing. Writers are fragile egos. We need a little petting sometimes and there is no better petting than a fan who loved one of your books.<br />
<br />
That's pretty much it for me. I'm happy when fans do what they've always done, without all the expectations of a street team or being so personally invested in an author that they're ready to go to war with anyone who doesn't like them. So no street team for me.<br />
<br />
But minions? I could totally use some minions, especially ones that made coffee in the morning or cleaned the house. Where can I sign up for some of those? I'm willing to trade swag for coffee any day.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Until next time,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Stay Regency, y'all</div>
<br />Marguerite Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10863876916017371318noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-345148743075000042.post-79791010117049136192013-06-25T16:26:00.000-07:002013-06-25T16:26:08.839-07:00King Lear...no...The Tempest...no...Romeo and Juliet...no...Macbeth...no...<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvpEF3sDzqXFph_uAK06LnYVazniTqyZih5METUi_2hRZjbgZgN7SVwy5IykkoQSsUWYFlgXpEq5O5vLjMqvb224dFOLP0y99SyAtgUgzElCZ8nthfH02Bi7O7jY2HRw2dfGSM3LM-sQk/s640/blogger-image--63056771.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvpEF3sDzqXFph_uAK06LnYVazniTqyZih5METUi_2hRZjbgZgN7SVwy5IykkoQSsUWYFlgXpEq5O5vLjMqvb224dFOLP0y99SyAtgUgzElCZ8nthfH02Bi7O7jY2HRw2dfGSM3LM-sQk/s640/blogger-image--63056771.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<em>All's Well That Ends Well</em>! Yeah, that. Today was Panini's two week check on the broken leg and the news was great. She's healing like a champ. She is starting to put weight on the foot, open and close her leg. Blood flow looks good. No major nerve damage. Just four more weeks of goose incarceration and we will unsplint the the leg. She wasn't thrilled to go back to the vet and boy did she let everyone in the waiting room know about it. On the bonus side, we got back in an exam room in record time. She was pleased with all the petting and attention from the staff. A girl likes to be properly admired, you know.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Last week I went to RomCon in Colorado Springs. The conference was awesome, the hotel, not so much. Wanna know what happens when you send an introvert into a room full of strangers? Answer: NOTHING! I hid in my room the first night. Too many strangers. I couldn't handle it. But the next morning I was lured from my room with the promise of breakfast and forced to interact with real people. By the end of the conference I was chatting it up and having a great time because a convention full of writers is just a big introvert fest. Whew. Best of all, I found an RWA chapter near me that I think I might click with. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
The husband and kids didn't manage to actually clean anything while I was gone, but they did leave the walls standing. Everyone survived and that's what counts.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
So everything has worked out just fine</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I've got some great news from my publisher that I will share when I can, including a title reveal and information about Mad Hatterly IV. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Until next time,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Stay Regency, y'all</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
Marguerite Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10863876916017371318noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-345148743075000042.post-74560868879061474782013-06-19T18:03:00.000-07:002013-06-19T18:03:49.829-07:00Mom is on vacation<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUtwQZKDv6kGP37g67_RUOwVw4zEnIeZobQqPgO4PTa9i6ZIzGjAb2KAbgJ5EYbNeBXUviQ_3sDjJ7C30-W9BvJi-yYFFWFfokQOb6mXkyFjftDzpZ-xaq8M_KyVL6LsU-Knsn09gh1w0/s640/blogger-image--138751281.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUtwQZKDv6kGP37g67_RUOwVw4zEnIeZobQqPgO4PTa9i6ZIzGjAb2KAbgJ5EYbNeBXUviQ_3sDjJ7C30-W9BvJi-yYFFWFfokQOb6mXkyFjftDzpZ-xaq8M_KyVL6LsU-Knsn09gh1w0/s640/blogger-image--138751281.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
So, I haven't been anywhere for years because of all the family stuff, but my bags are packed and tomorrow I'm headed to Colorado for RomCon. I'll be blogging about my experience.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm not sure what to expect. I can be a real introvert in crowds, but I'm determined to enjoy myself. No husband. No kids. No animals. There will be no poop to scoop. No mouths to feed. No dishes to wash. Just me and a bunch of romance fans.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Eep! Hold me?<br />
<br />
My kids are already freaking out a little about me being gone. My husband has taken off work and is staying home with them <em>so they won't be alone</em>. Um, these are teenagers. They stay home every day while we go to work. But whatever. I think they'll survive four days--only two without Mom at all. The endless questions are killing me. What will they eat? Food. There's food in the house, but Mr. Redneck will probably feed them pizza and burgers and take out. They won't starve. What will they wear? Clothes. Everyone has sufficient clothes washed that no one will be forced to touch the washing machine or go naked. Whatever will they do? Pfft. The same thing they do every weekend. Lay on my couch and play Wii or watch movies. <br />
<br />
Actually, Mr. Redneck has tickets for some cool events. They'll be surprised. In fact, looking at the list, they may want me to turn around and leave again, at least until someone needs clothes again.<br />
<div>
<br />
If your going to RomCon come and find me. I don't have swag and I've ducked out on most of my author responsibility stuff, but I'll buy you a drink in the bar and try not to embarrass you too bad with my Karaoke.<br />
<br />
Until next time, <br />
<br />
Stay regency</div>
</div>
Marguerite Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10863876916017371318noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-345148743075000042.post-31218116668572655332013-06-16T10:01:00.001-07:002013-06-16T10:01:14.331-07:00Winner, winner, chicken dinner!Winner, winner, gift card doesn't have the same ring to it. So how regency is this redneck Texas gal? Lets look at the options again.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK78z0y9ewOqZS3MZ34w4VgBZXFgBJTq1RnJ_40fZPXxlP9YymXTwThLp6tNlhvg0Q7pK-6SQuBLsliXFI3lOL5hdsAmVAF4LTv9spob-_eei065chuuxhxaO4VuWLvKZJZR6CCJ1TfyM/s640/blogger-image-2069152193.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK78z0y9ewOqZS3MZ34w4VgBZXFgBJTq1RnJ_40fZPXxlP9YymXTwThLp6tNlhvg0Q7pK-6SQuBLsliXFI3lOL5hdsAmVAF4LTv9spob-_eei065chuuxhxaO4VuWLvKZJZR6CCJ1TfyM/s640/blogger-image-2069152193.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Everyone thinks I've worn a corset, danced a waltz, and attended a Christmas Ball. And I have! Corsets are surprisingly comfortable. Granted mine isn't of the whalebone variety with no flexibility, but that's not what Regency ladies were wearing either. So I think those things make me a bit regency. Plus I would never lace mine so tightly I couldn't breathe. Not that vain, thanks.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I can indeed drive a horse and cart, although I'm more likely to be driving a donkey (because I have four donkeys and only three horses). My donkeys are all minis, little drafty guys just made for driving.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
There have been a few guesses that I've done everything on the list or nothing on the list. Nope. There really is something on the list I have never, ever done. Ever.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
The prevailing opinion seems to be that I never attended charm school. Not sure what that says about me, but WRONG, WRONG, WRONG! My sister was forbidden from commenting on this because she was right there along with me for multiple charm schools, every summer between the ages of 8 and 16, we attended a week of <em>charm school</em>. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I know, right? I learned the intricacies of a formal table. Salad fork? Fish fork? Dessert spoon? <em>Bring it on</em>! I am not intimidated. I learned how to curtsy and how to get stains out of white gloves. I walked and walked with a book on my head and spent hours learning the lessons of proper posture--most of which I promptly forgot. Lots and lots of charm school. Which would probably be hilarious to most of the people who know me in real life. Hey, I know how to behave like a perfect lady. I simply choose not to.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
So what haven't I done? Side-saddle. I've sat in one, but never ridden a horse that way. Let me tell you, the posture feels odd. And the muscles needed? My thighs would be crying for mercy. It's easier on the back than I would have thought, not really so twisty as it looks. There are quite a few side-saddle clubs near me who perform as drill teams. Occasionally I'm tempted to join one and learn but then I sober up and the urge passes. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
So, the only person to guess correctly is <span style="font-size: large;">EMMA J. LANE</span>! Congrats, you win the $20 Amazon card. I'll be confirming your email and sending it to you tonight. Enjoy. :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I'll be back with more newsy stuff this week, updates on Panini and my fall release. I'll be attending RomCon in Colorado, so come find me if you're there. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Until then, stay regency, y'all.</div>
Marguerite Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10863876916017371318noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-345148743075000042.post-762907008150209592013-06-14T18:09:00.004-07:002013-06-14T18:09:40.616-07:00Diary of a Mad Gray Goose<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
First a reminder that the contest ends tomorrow, so last chance to guess for an opportunity to guess how regency this redneck girl really is. The post about the contest is <span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://margueritebutler.blogspot.com/2013/06/how-regency-am-i.html">RIGHT HERE</a>.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Now, time for a Panini update. She has a lovely little pen near the porch. See?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2u6Di9Tx4JSIhrFQX7es-vDHUZh9abtcNamM9zZfV-jyjGAIOdSAU9KNZEvKFEuNj-_kgm580oywuYu8KhZykODFgdV-jAcJ-Bn6BBySdK4r-AlXQQVTX4CFt0VOvdGZiyJGGcRUu8_g/s640/blogger-image-1851887332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2u6Di9Tx4JSIhrFQX7es-vDHUZh9abtcNamM9zZfV-jyjGAIOdSAU9KNZEvKFEuNj-_kgm580oywuYu8KhZykODFgdV-jAcJ-Bn6BBySdK4r-AlXQQVTX4CFt0VOvdGZiyJGGcRUu8_g/s640/blogger-image-1851887332.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
She's right in the hub of activity there. At night we put her in a big dog crate in the garage to keep her safe from predators. At first, she thought her new lifestyle was pretty cool. All the food she wanted. Her very own bucket of water.Lots of extra attention from her people. Awesome, right? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
After a week, it's safe to say the bloom is off the rose. The honeymoon is over. She wants OUT. Now. I can't explain to her that I'm just following doctor's orders. She's not interested in my Nuremberg defense, thank you very much. And she's quite vocal in her complaints.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I know that she's lonely. :( Geese are very social. They live in a flock and don't like to be alone. They need other animals, especially waterfowl companions. Problem is that I don't want her jostled or stepped on. I can't risk putting another creature in there, like her mate. Notice I said creature and not goose? That's because her mate is a duck.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
He's a Swedish Blue Duck named Maverick. I mentioned how she lost her mate in a coyote attack. Well, after his death she took up with a duck (who was also mateless at the time.) That picture I showed of her in the last post? The little ducks behind the geese? Yeah, that's Mav, following his lady love around. They look ridiculous together. He barely comes up to her chest. In fact, when it's cold he climbs up on her back and sleeps on his girlfriend like she's a feather bed. But hey, who am I to judge love? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
They're pretty devoted, which is sweet, but I know they've strayed. See, I hatched a bunch of eggs this spring. I got a whole bunch of African/Embden crosses and Swedish Blue/Pekin crosses. So apparently during breeding season it's swinging orgy time. As long as everyone is happy and they don't shock the neighbors too much.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
The good news is that she is standing a great deal, opening and closing her foot, and even using it some to brace herself. I think this is a very positive sign. Keep those prayers and positive vibes coming for her. Let's hope we get a good report from the vet on the 24th.</div>
Marguerite Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10863876916017371318noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-345148743075000042.post-67437055244226996622013-06-11T12:54:00.001-07:002013-06-11T12:54:58.261-07:00A Goose StoryFirst, if you are looking for my contest, it isn't on this post. It's <span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://margueritebutler.blogspot.com/2013/06/how-regency-am-i.html">RIGHT HERE</a></span>. So go comment for a chance to win a gift card. The contest stays open until Saturday June 15th.<br />
<br />
Now on to the goose story.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzKSJcoyh0l0fKtWyoP_NnKGCNM_1H41y4GcT-Ol62nefBAe6BVkOahiOnC09RKMoBipRZiArc1ReVWmUmkoQcX4yobi-vpxtH35lq6Ssm1xVRXW91V-g7Bo3i-VWR-HDNXVGtS4zNcg4/s1600/IMG_0136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzKSJcoyh0l0fKtWyoP_NnKGCNM_1H41y4GcT-Ol62nefBAe6BVkOahiOnC09RKMoBipRZiArc1ReVWmUmkoQcX4yobi-vpxtH35lq6Ssm1xVRXW91V-g7Bo3i-VWR-HDNXVGtS4zNcg4/s640/IMG_0136.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The big grey girl in front is Panini. I call her my OG (Original Goose). See, I've always been a duck fan. When we moved to a farm with a big pond, I told my husband "We're getting ducks." Being the good, smart husband he is, he said, "Whatever you want." So we got ducks, built them a big duck house to be safe in, a fenced yard for when I wanted to keep them penned, life was good. My ducklings grew and I was excited for the day I could first turn them loose. Then the raccoons came.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I woke up one more to duck slaughter. Not a duck left alive. I cried and grieved and felt awful because the lovely house we had build wasn't raccoon proof. So we reinforced it. More ducklings were bought to fill my lonely pond. Turns out raccoons are evil. Over the next year, they pulled screens off of windows, they squeezed through tiny holes in the eves, they dropped from the trees onto the roof like little ninjas in the night, they even opened the door and let themselves in. Constant frustration and dead or missing ducks. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Finally, I'd had enough. I called my husband in tears to tell him that once again the raccoon ninjas had defeated our security and made it into the coop. No survivors. I was DONE. <span style="font-size: large;">DONE</span>! <span style="font-size: large;">YOU HEAR ME? N</span><span style="font-size: small;">o more ducks. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
But I missed the ducks. I missed the quacking and watching them play in the water. Ducks are so sweet, so helpless. I couldn't have more ducks just to serve them to the raccoons. That's when I decided to get even. I was going to boobie trap that coop. I wasn't getting ducks. I was getting geese. I went online that very day. It wasn't really the proper breeding time for geese and so there were only two choices for geese, Africans and Chinese. Everyone said those were the loudest, most aggressive, most obnoxious geese alive. Yes! Yes, I wanted badass geese! I was all on board. I bought ten goslings to be delivered.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Oh, my heavens. Goslings are truly the cutest babies alive. Friendly, talkative. I couldn't put them down in the coop of death, so I raised them in the house until they were big, way past when I should have. I ended up with the most spoiled group of geese imaginable. Boy, did they get big and loud. I'll never forget the first time a raccoon tried to break in. That raccoon must have thought he had entered the lowest level of hell. I heard the geese raising a ruckus and came running out, but the raccoon was long gone leaving only a quantity of fur behind. Large flock of killer geese 1 Racoon 0.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Over time, my original flock has passed on, but I have one left: Panini.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Panini is a survivor. She has survived snake attacks and a coyote attack that killed her mate and left her with huge, life-threatening wounds. Once she was kicked in the head by a horse and knocked unconscious. I thought she was dead. A few minutes later she staggered to her feet and was fine. I blogged about her<a href="http://margueritebutler.blogspot.com/2010/04/its-all-about-happy-endings.html"> trying to hatch inanimate objects</a> back in 2010 after a snake ate her eggs (psst: read it. There's a happy ending). She is sort of like the mother of my flock. She raises all babies, ducks and geese. She follows me around chattering and checking buckets for extra grain. She comes up to the door and knocks on it when she wants in--and has a fit when I won't let her come inside with the people. She is just as much a pet as my cats and dogs. Some tough farmer I am, right?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Now she is in another situation. She has a severely broken leg, most likely the result of being stepped on in the pasture. Have I mentioned she is fearless around the livestock? Her leg is splinted. The vet will x-ray it again in two weeks to see if it will heal. Now I go to a vet office with 14 vets. I live in ranching territory and they do a lot of big animal business as well as the normal cats and dogs. Heck, this is where I take my goats and donkeys. But the vets all agreed: First time anyone brought them a goose to fix. So they have done their best and we are doing our best for her. I have to believe she will beat this too.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So good thoughts and prayers for Panini these next two weeks. This goose story needs a happy ending.</div>
Marguerite Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10863876916017371318noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-345148743075000042.post-80326905020585242992013-06-08T15:07:00.001-07:002013-06-08T19:17:30.506-07:00How Regency am I?So, I'm retooling the blog just a little bit. As you know, I sort of abandoned things last year when family issues reached a crisis point. I've lost both my parents in the last three years, Dad just last October, and some things are more important than chatty blog posts.<br />
<br />
But I'm back. I've grieved and I am moving on. What's more healing than food recipes, cute picures of baby farm animals and funny Regency Romance novels? Not much. <br />
<br />
New look. New name. New posts. <br />
<br />
Welcome to the Regency Redneck. Just how Regency am I? Well let me tell you someof the Regency-type things I have done. These are all true, except one. Guess which one is the lie in the comments section and on June 15th I'll choose one of the correct answers to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card. Hah! How is that for a celebration?<br />
<br />
Okay, things I have done: (Or have I?)<br />
<br />
a) Worn a corset<br />
b) Danced a waltz<br />
c) Ridden sidesaddle<br />
d) Driven a horse and cart<br />
e) Attended a charm school for young ladies<br />
f) Been to a Christmas ball<br />
g) All of the above<br />
<br />
That's right. I threw in a wild card. Pick the thing you think I haven't done OR you can choose Defcon 5 Option (g) if you think this redneck from Texas hasn't done any of those Regency things. The contest is now open.Marguerite Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10863876916017371318noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-345148743075000042.post-83794361147010850172013-01-26T17:13:00.003-08:002013-01-26T17:20:18.158-08:00Microwave Peanut Butter FudgeSo, I've been tormenting folks on Facebook with all my food talk. I promised to share some recipes. This is probably the easiest fudge you will ever make. NO cooking skills required, so if you should happen to have, say, a 4ft child? He can make this with your assistance.<br />
<br />
You will need butter, peanut butter, vanilla, and powdered sugar. If you want to, you can add chocolate chips. I usually want to. <br />
<br />
So start with a cup of butter and a cup of peanut butter. You're probably saying to yourself, "Self, that's two sticks of butter. Marguerite probably doesn't realize how much butter she just said. I bet she only meant a 1/2 cup." Nope. I meant a whole cup. You can use smooth or creamy peanut butter. Your choice. I prefer to use salted butter. It gives the fudge a bit more zing. <br />
<br />
Put them in a microwave safe bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Nuke for two minutes. Stir. Nuke for two more minutes. Add one teaspoon of vanilla.<br />
<br />
Stir in a pound of powdered sugar. You're probably saying to yourself, "Self, did Marguerite just say a pound of sugar? Does she have any idea how much sugar that is?" Yes. Yes, I know how much sugar that is. But this is fudge, not rice cakes. Add the sugar a bit at a time, but stir the whole amount in. It will become hard to stir and lose its sheen.<br />
<br />
Now you can spread this mixture into a buttered 8 X 8 pan. But I'm lazy. I don't like extra dishes so I just line the pan with parchment paper. Spread the mixture in and then put chocolate chips on the top and press them down. Yes, I know they will start to melt. Stop talking to yourself. Just mash them gently and then stop or you will smear the melty goodness around. <br />
<br />
Put them in the fridge to cool, like an hour should do. Cut them into one inch pieces. You don't have to keep them refridgerated, but I like them cold so I keep them in the fridge.<br />
<br />
See, ladies? I told you it wasn't health food.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Marguerite Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10863876916017371318noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-345148743075000042.post-43222377547317142722012-08-20T05:00:00.000-07:002012-08-20T05:00:18.564-07:0010 Questions for Rhea Rhoden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb3UuQREmhSnTNqbVBvPLQ41I6trdoOmUN8_dxaEIuA4dzcDegO5pyOIZhLglGcQvMHWma5FOdtlTckWYGT5Ej9DsS-ocC0y3_GsRYfRtdXacasjzKEe7X3ggXGbz-pTsLJkxdDlsBjYc/s1600/findinggrace-200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb3UuQREmhSnTNqbVBvPLQ41I6trdoOmUN8_dxaEIuA4dzcDegO5pyOIZhLglGcQvMHWma5FOdtlTckWYGT5Ej9DsS-ocC0y3_GsRYfRtdXacasjzKEe7X3ggXGbz-pTsLJkxdDlsBjYc/s1600/findinggrace-200.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
The Olypmics may have had a closing ceremony, but we're still talking about it, or at least we are on my blog. Up next for Musaling Monday is Rhea Rhoden. Rhea resides in Minnetonka, Minnesota and has been telling herself stories since long before she could write. She attended the University of Minnesota with a focus on Journalism, then Brown Institute for Broadcast Journalism. After many adventures, misadventures, and a couple of short marriages, she found the love of her life in Regensburg, Germany, and has been living happily ever after since. <br />
<br />
<strong>1. First the easy one. Can you tell us a bit about yourself?</strong> <br />
Actually, this is a difficult question for me. I think of blogging as a social interaction, and I'm an introvert--although a friendly one. In a social situations, I can (and do) talk to almost anyone about almost anything. Then I rush back to my cave and rest with my wonderful husband and Keeper, our (huge) malamute puppy. I'm probably the least Zen-like person you'll ever meet. Instead of living in the moment, I spend an inordinate amount of time telling myself stories, many of which work their way into my writing--especially the characters.<br />
<br /><strong>2. If you could compete in any Olympic sport, what would it be?</strong><br />
Rhythmic gymnastics. Since I can't do it (by any stretch of even my vivid imagination), I had to make it happen through the heroine in Finding Grace (my slightly-paranormal contemporary romance available from Musa Publishing). She does a routine that includes it as part of her workout regimen. She has cooler music than most of I've heard at the Olympics, though. <br />
<br /><strong>3. What sport would you add to the Olympics (need not be a real sport)?</strong><br />
Malamute-walking in a Minnesota winter. It not only tests upper body strength, but balance, reaction time (can you say "squirrel"?), flat-boot skating skills, and lung capacity (insert expletive of your choice). Oh, and there should be a doubles event, as well (try walking two at once, I dare you). <br />
<br /><strong>4. If you were stranded on a desert island, what five things (other than books) would you take with you?</strong><br />
My husband, my dog, my iPad (that's kind of cheating, because of the book-thing), my knitting, and dark chocolate (the last two insure the first two remain living). <br />
<br />
<strong>5. What about books? If you could only have one book on that island, what would it be?</strong><br />
Really mean question. The only book I've read three times is Hermann Hesse's "Siddhartha" (twice in English--first time when I was fifteen--and once in the original German), so that probably qualifies as a DIK. If I start in on romances, or sci-fi, or any of that, I could never pick. <br />
<br /><strong>6. We all know the Olympic theme music. What would be your book’s theme song?</strong><br />
Although Grace Thorne has an incredibly eclectic taste in music, I'd have to say that the Stone's classic, "Gimme Shelter" would be the theme song she'd pick for both herself and Dagger. She does one of her rhythmic gymnastic-type workouts to it in the book. <br />
<br /><strong>7. Can you caption this photo? </strong><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDdE2DBExb-16-Ru0RPY0VM4sB1hyphenhypheng79gPQ43aQTdvQY6M8GJvo9HXAXa2hzShuQNdS9tRHi4T-3SOkTtv-ggVhEZSeCCV_cyec0t2Ei1SUAFrf2oWLcqLVfUgvv46QV_O-6tsRGTd9gQ/s1600/Reader+Cat.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDdE2DBExb-16-Ru0RPY0VM4sB1hyphenhypheng79gPQ43aQTdvQY6M8GJvo9HXAXa2hzShuQNdS9tRHi4T-3SOkTtv-ggVhEZSeCCV_cyec0t2Ei1SUAFrf2oWLcqLVfUgvv46QV_O-6tsRGTd9gQ/s320/Reader+Cat.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Once I get this spell right, it's gonna bye-bye Bowser, hello Minnie Mouse.</strong> </div>
<br /><strong>8. What was the first story you remember writing?</strong><br />
I distinctly remember creating a long-running Black Beauty-type fan fic series before I learned how to read, although I do remember vague stuff from even earlier. I think it helped that I grew up with a ghost of a young girl in the house to amuse, in hopes that she would remain out of sight (think Scheherazade-ish thoughts). Anyway, the first couple of stories that weren't class assignments were written just a few years ago. They're good enough that they deserve better writing skills than I had at the time, so once I've submitted my current WIP, I'm going to dust them off and edit them. <br />
<br /><strong>9. Give a gold medal to someone special. Other than your own efforts, to whom do you attribute your success as a writer?</strong><br />
Without question, my husband. He's read every word I've ever written for a story, argued plot points, bullied and cajoled me into writing the next scene so he could read it, lived on far too many frozen dinners, chased food down when the freezer was empty, and, well, you get it. <br />
<br /><strong>10. You know what time it is: Rejection haiku time. No one gets on the blog without a rejection haiku.</strong> <br />
<br />
My stuff not her taste<br />So I'm free for your fine house<br />That's so much better. <br />
<br />
Where can we stalk you--I mean find you-- around the internet? <br />
<br />My website <a href="http://www.rhearhodan.com/">http://www.rhearhodan.com/</a><br />
Join me on Facebook <a href="http://www.facebook.com/rhearhodan">http://www.facebook.com/rhearhodan</a> <br />
and/or Goodreads <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6152084.Rhea_Rhodan">http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6152084.Rhea_Rhodan</a><br />
<br />
Okay, and before I let you go, just a bit more about Finding Grace:<br />
<br />
Kidnapped by human monsters, Grace Thorne was ripped from her quiet intellectual life and left deeply scarred. She’s hidden herself for five years, but there’s no escape from the nightmares of the past, or visions of the future. When one foretells tragedy, she gambles her fragile defenses on a haunted man to prevent it—only to discover love is the biggest risk of all. <br />
<br />
Jack Daggery doesn’t need a mirror to know why people avoid him, but he doesn’t really care. After years working deep undercover, immersed in betrayal and death, all he wants is some peace and the quiet security company he co-owns. <br />
<br />Dagger has no idea why the foul-mouthed little server of questionable gender bothers him. But he does know that living with the ghosts of his past was hard enough without being tormented by the mysterious thorn in his side—or finding how much he needs her. <br />
<br />
<br />
Available in many formats for your e-reader from Musa Publishing. <a href="http://musapublishing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=12&products_id=299">http://musapublishing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=12&products_id=299</a> Also at Amazon, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Finding-Grace-ebook/dp/B0089Y2ZQG/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1340222886&sr=1-3&keywords=finding+grace">http://www.amazon.com/Finding-Grace-ebook/dp/B0089Y2ZQG/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1340222886&sr=1-3&keywords=finding+grace</a> Barnes & Noble, All Romance e-books, and other fine e-tailers. <br />
<br />
And now you can go. <br />
<br />
Go on.<br />
<br />
Why are you still here?<br />
<br />
It's the cover, isn't it? The hot hero with the tatts?<br />
<br />
M'kay, stay here and stare if you must but the blog post is done. <br />
<br />
No, seriously. Leave a comment and go home.<br />
<br />
<br />
Marguerite Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10863876916017371318noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-345148743075000042.post-54776749337861437102012-08-13T05:00:00.000-07:002012-08-13T05:00:14.432-07:0010 Questions with Cordelia Dinsmore<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb436/margueritebutler/michaelasgift-200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb436/margueritebutler/michaelasgift-200.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Cordelia Dinsmore has been writing since she was four years old and her brother taught her to write her name. She immediately began practicing her autograph. In anticipation of the days when she would be a famous author, Cordelia began signing everything in reach, including the garage door. She was already composing fiction in her head, however, and blamed the boy next door. That worked well, until her mother discovered her name written across her stomach in magic marker. By that time, Cordelia had perfected her signature and moved on to bigger projects. By second grade she had written a new ending for the Three Billy Goats Gruff, and made a lifelong enemy of Stephen Schultz, who ran screaming from the room when he discovered his character had been sacrificed in an act of poetic license. By high school, Cordelia had put new twists on several well-loved tales, but kept her skills within the confines of her alma mater. Today, she is finally coming out of her shell and sharing her stories with the world.<br />
<br />
:<br />
<br /><strong>1. First the easy one.Can you tell us a bit about yourself?</strong> <br />
<br />
I’m really old, but I love to act like a kid. What’s the point of living a long life if you can’t embarrass your children occasionally? I write under several different genres, from rhyming picture books to young adult. When I’m not writing, I love to play with my kids and granddaughter, work in the yard, trainmy dog, groom my horse, and dig for fossils. <br />
<br /><br />
<strong>2. If you could compete in any Olympic sport, what would it be?</strong> <br />
<br />
Oh, it would definitely be gymnastics. I love the balance beam. Don’t you? It would be so amazing to twist my body into contortions and flip upside down with nohands and not even hit my head on the floor, or dangerous objects like a narrow wooden board. And those parallel bars! I tried them once. I was able to hold myself suspended for several seconds, but could never find the strength to pull myself up in order to actually somersault over the top. <br />
<br />
Unfortunately,all of my weight and strength is confined to the lower half of my body, so in reality, I would be much more suited to something like Indian Leg Wrestling, but I don’t think they’ve made that an official sport yet. At least, not in the Olympics. (sigh) I will wait.<br />
<br /><strong> </strong><br />
<strong>3. What sport would you add to the Olympics?</strong><br />
<br />
Indian Leg Wrestling, of course. I was the champion of that in high school gym class. I could even throw Denise Trotman (fictitious name, of course) halfway across the gym on a good day, and she was built like Mrs. Trunchbull from Matilda. I think that was her name, wasn’t it? Love that woman. She’s so maternal.<br />
<br /><br />
<strong>4. If you were stranded on a desert island, what five things (other than books) would you take with you?</strong><br />
<br />
A toothbrush would be the most important item. I can’t abide grungy teeth, and if I had to resort to eating raw insects or sea creatures, I’d want to get all the little chunks out from between my teeth. The second item would be clean underwear. My mother always cautioned me to have clean underwear just in case of an accident, and you never know when that might happen. If a huge cruise ship hit the island and I got in its path, I’d definitely want clean underwear. Next I would want my pillow. I take it with me whenever I travel, because it’s used to my head, and those hotel pillows give me a headache like you wouldn’tbelieve. I would absolutely want ashovel, because I would want to dig for fossils while I was waiting to be rescued. You never know what you might find once you start digging. I’ve found prehistoric shark teeth in the middle of Kansas! Just imagine what I might find on an island. Last of all, I would have to bring my teapot. My grandmother left it to me, and it’s beautiful. If a cruise ship DID crash into my island, Iwould want to share a cup of tea with the survivors and learn all about their favorite books.<br />
<br /><br />
<strong>5. What about books? If you could only have one book on that island, what would it be?</strong><br />
<br />
Hmm.I think there might be an Idiot’s Guide to Island Stranding Survival, but I could be mistaken. If not, then I would want my Bible. There are many, many stories of survival in there, and it’s nice and thick, so I would have plenty to read while waiting for rescue.<br />
<br /><br />
<strong>6. We all know the Olympic theme music. What would be your book’s theme song?</strong><br />
<br />
It may seem a bit odd, because the lyrics can be interpreted differently foreveryone, but it would have to be In My Life by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. That is one of my favorite songs. In my book there is a lot of silliness, but there is also an underlying theme of love, and I believe this song addresses that.<br />
<br /><br />
7. Can you caption this photo? <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL2U2rbaPnrwvZ_Bj6_G9n6-W5eR34ZnenGT3FniwSJ3NCibulU2AuGmpmCZuYswBHB2s7iKWG0pca5-navKJ9AWuELsCFyJFmuhEMTnR8rb_GxKmupv0igsbcrC5j_q4HhrCA0rvoL8c/s1600/Reader+Cat.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL2U2rbaPnrwvZ_Bj6_G9n6-W5eR34ZnenGT3FniwSJ3NCibulU2AuGmpmCZuYswBHB2s7iKWG0pca5-navKJ9AWuELsCFyJFmuhEMTnR8rb_GxKmupv0igsbcrC5j_q4HhrCA0rvoL8c/s320/Reader+Cat.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Sure. I know that look well from my own childhood when my mother was curled up in her rocking chair with a gothic romance. <br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">“I don’t smell smoke, so if someone isn’t bleeding or already dead, go away.”</span></strong></div>
<br /><br />
<br />
<strong>8. What was the first story you remember writing?</strong> <br />
<br />
I don’t actually remember writing it, but my mother kept everything we made when we were young, so I guess it would be a poem titled, “The Tree In My Backyard.” My older brother dug up a tiny maple tree that came up from one of the seeds that fell from our larger trees. He let me observe as he transplanted it to the middle of our backyard. It grew beautifully, and is still there, although my parents sold the house many years ago. I have photos of my brother’s oldest son, my sister’s oldest daughter, and my oldest daughter, all sitting in the branches of that tree. The photos were taken several years apart, but are all quite similar. <br />
<br /><br />
<br />
<strong>9. Give a gold medal to someone special. Other than your own efforts, to whom do you attribute your success as a writer?</strong><br />
<br />
My mother deserves all the gold. She was always reading and writing, and encouraging me to do the same. She praised everything I ever created, and told me countless times to write everything down and keep it safe. Of course, I didn’t heed her advice for many years, so all of those pieces are gone. I used to dream in rhyme, and I finally began writing them down when they’d wake me up in the middle of the night. That’s what finally got me in the habit of actually writing rather than creating in my head and leaving it there. <br />
<br /><br />
<strong>10. You know what time it is: Rejection haiku time. No one gets on the blog without a rejection haiku.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Winter in my heart.</strong><br />
<strong>Another ‘no’ feeds the flames.</strong><br />
<strong>Rejections burn well.</strong><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Fortunately, life hasn't been all rejection slips for Cordelia! You can buy her novel Micheala's Gift from <a href="http://musapublishing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=306">the Musa store</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Michaelas-Gift-ebook/dp/B008BP8Y3Q/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1344809846&sr=1-1&keywords=cordelia+dinsmore">Amazon</a>, or <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/michaelas-gift-cordelia-dinsmore/1111567331?ean=2940014798983">Barnes and Noble</a>.Marguerite Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10863876916017371318noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-345148743075000042.post-10481087620723029292012-08-05T22:02:00.003-07:002012-08-05T22:03:10.329-07:0010 Questions for Emma J. Lane<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwuw3-EL1nnW6DMykhmgV-fLEAZcE6JgO5TX-miaqiJ2cxsczm4mzNk7Gq_gygJppzmnG1KiQUv8bct2wFHgoszf-yCFouKdNZlIy74Z_0CDfQjxAIyNx60emTADZGJA7Xw-1bIzVEOrg/s1600/belovedsoldierreturns-200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwuw3-EL1nnW6DMykhmgV-fLEAZcE6JgO5TX-miaqiJ2cxsczm4mzNk7Gq_gygJppzmnG1KiQUv8bct2wFHgoszf-yCFouKdNZlIy74Z_0CDfQjxAIyNx60emTADZGJA7Xw-1bIzVEOrg/s1600/belovedsoldierreturns-200.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
So, it's August and the world has gone Olympics mad. Me too. I love, love me some Olympics. I'll watch anything if it's an Olympic sport. Rowing? Bring it on. Diving? I'm there. Equestrian? Sign me up. How better to celebrate the London games than featuring a Regency author for this Musaling Monday. <br />
<br />
Emma Lane lives in Western New York near Lake Erie on a few picturesque acres with her ever patient husband. They own and operate a small herbtique which keeps their days busy and interesting during the summer months. They have two brilliant grown-up children and a wonderful pair of grandchildren. In one way or another, the entire family contributes to her stories. They are her biggest fans and she is ever thankful for it.<br />
<br />
And what would we do without fans?<br />
<br />
<br />
<h4 class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
1. First
the easy one. Can you tell us a bit about yourself?</h4>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p>I'm a native of South Georgia but have lived in Western NY for many years. Hubby and I have two brilliant children and two very handsome grandchildren. Although we traveled quite a bit in the past, I'm sort of a stay-at-home author now. We go south for a few weeks to catch up with relatives in the winter. I think they call us 'snow birds.' Oh, yeah and I'm an avid birder. I like hot fudge sundaes. </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<h4 class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
2. If
you could compete in any Olympic sport, what would it be?</h4>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
Olympic sport? Well, I used to play a very lot of tennis so if they still have tennis teams I'd sign up for that. Otherwise, swimming. </div>
<h4 class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
3. What
sport would you add to the Olympics?</h4>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<o:p>Since it’s the summer Olympics, how about corn shucking? </o:p></div>
<h4>
4. If
you were stranded on a desert island, what five things (other than books) would
you take with you? </h4>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
Desert Island, huh? I'd take my husband, my two children and my two grandchildren. Nothing is more important than my family.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<h4 class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
5. What
about books? If you could only have one
book on that island, what would it be?</h4>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
Choosing one book is painful, but it would probably be the Bible with Shakespeare a second.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<em>*Interviewer note* Ooh, now the geek in me wants to know which version of each. Revised Standard and Riverside?</em></div>
<h4>
</h4>
<h4 class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
6. We
all know the Olympic theme music. What would be your book’s theme song?</h4>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
My latest Regency is all about returning soldiers so perhaps a marching song. "Yankee Doodle Dandy" Is that a Regency song? </div>
<h4 class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
7. Can
you caption this photo? </h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 1em 0px; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw_vBDszvnVtt7vWPRy64WOZTuPQCfyOY4hbuegR2yLrJdQ2qcicqgSyJ5PyCr1er03TSTnW4e2HR8PeQT-d_NGSasn9lQ8-aJJohjLzhrSOwMpnOA6k9lOeeVxHCemVGHY8ESO_QazcY/s1600/Reader+Cat.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw_vBDszvnVtt7vWPRy64WOZTuPQCfyOY4hbuegR2yLrJdQ2qcicqgSyJ5PyCr1er03TSTnW4e2HR8PeQT-d_NGSasn9lQ8-aJJohjLzhrSOwMpnOA6k9lOeeVxHCemVGHY8ESO_QazcY/s320/Reader+Cat.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<h3 class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 1em 0px; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;">
"Research, research! Didn't I see something in here about lives 10, 11 and 12?" </h3>
<h4 class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
8. What
was the first story you remember writing?</h4>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
Short stories for Magazines. I wrote what I thought they wanted to hear (and obviously didn't). Vignettes of women at home and their 'adventures.' As if housewifery could be exciting. Okay, there was the time I tried to make cornbread and had to bury the results in the back yard and the damn dog dug it up and showed it to my new husband. But other than that…well, there was the time I made tuna noodle casserole and served it without the noodles. Nothing very exciting. Disconcerting maybe. I wonder if that's when my hubby developed that poker face. </div>
<h4 class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
9. Give
a gold medal to someone special. Other than your own efforts, to whom do you
attribute your success as a writer?</h4>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
My mom was my best audience. Trite, but true. When I was far away from home (with various degrees of homesickness) I would write long, highly exaggerated stories of my adventures. They were meant to amuse. My mom had this engaging chuckle we kids (7 of us) all loved to hear so we would try to make her laugh. As I wrote nonsense in my letters home, I could hear her laughter. She always encouraged me to write. I wish I had started earlier, but I can still hear her laughter in my head.<o:p></o:p></div>
<h4>
10. You
know what time it is: Rejection haiku time. No one gets on the blog without a
rejection haiku.</h4>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 1em 0px; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
Surging hope</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 1em 0px; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
dashed into</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 1em 0px; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
starting over. </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 1em 0px; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 1em 0px; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
Wow, seven kids? Your mom does deserve a gold medal! To read an excerpt of Emma's new Regency, <em>Beloved Soldier Returns</em>, check out her page on the<a href="http://musapublishing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=14&products_id=345"> Musa Publishing website.</a> Emma's books are also available on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Beloved-Soldier-Returns-ebook/dp/B008S6K7XI/ref=sr_1_5?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1344229171&sr=1-5&keywords=Emma+Lane">Amazon.</a> Amnesia, a forgotten fiancee, a Napoleanic War veteran, and family shennanigans. Do you really need to know more?</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 1em 0px; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>Marguerite Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10863876916017371318noreply@blogger.com11