The Nose Knows.....

by Robin Badillo

Thanks for having me, Anna Kathryn.

It’s quite a treat to be out and about, spreading my weirdness on other blogs. Fortunately, it’s already nice and comfy here.

I rarely get an opportunity to lighten up and have a little fun considering the stories I write are mostly about blood thirsty vampires. Don’t get me wrong, my vamps know how to let their hair down and have a good time, but they’re usually on the prowl for a warm meal or up to an entirely different type of yummy stuff altogether. *wink wink

But, I’m not here to talk about them, well not exactly.

I’m here to talk about eReaders and good old fashioned books…you know, those rectangular things filling all the libraries and bookstores?

It occurred to me that one reason so many die-hard readers have yet to purchase a Kindle, Nook or one of the other many devices has less to do with economics or conservation and more to do with their noses.

Now stay with me here.

While clicking from one page to another on my Kindle, trying to get back to a page I had inadvertently lost while accidentally pressing down the little doohickey on the side, something caught my attention.

Not that my thumb was tired of pushing the button, or that it was taking forever, but that I couldn’t smell anything.

Huh?

I know you’re probably wondering what I was drinking at the time when this epiphany struck, but trust me, liquor has never had this kind of an effect on me before—except the times when certain men have become much better looking after a pitcher of margaritas. Don’t judge.

What I mean about smell is that whenever I’ve thumbed through a paperback, when the breeze swishes across my face, the smell of new, fresh paper usually accompanies the air…come on, you know what I’m talking about. *knowingly nodding with you

Well, my Kindle had no smell.

Here’s where my genius epiphany comes in…

Did you know that in this ever-evolving age of technology, with computers, smartphones, and apps for just about anything and everything under the sun available right at your fingertips, the one thing I have yet to see is an app to bring smell to our treasured devices.

Ohh, I’ve heard rumors! I’ve seen all sorts of cool stuff while being forced to watch G4 with my son, but nothing has been actually created and put into use at this point…of course who knows what was just invented while you were reading this post. *shrugs

Wouldn’t it be cool if Kindles and Nooks had an app we could download to give us all those nostalgic emotions that come with reading paperback or hardcover books? All the perks while being eco-friendly and saving trees?

I bet there is such a thing on the horizon, but in the meantime, maybe someone should invent a scratch-n-sniff sticker we could adhere to the top of our device…right at our fingertips!!

Genius, I say, genius.

Now, not everyone gets excited by walking into a Library or Office Depot the way I do, so maybe a new book smell isn’t the best scent for all.

Imagine curling up with your eReader to read a good pirate story and have the smell of the salty ocean breeze right there, just waiting for you to inhale? Or perhaps you would savor the smell of fresh grapes while you read about two lovers overcoming all odds as they save their family’s vineyard. And don’t even get me started on a story about a helpless romantic who owns a quaint little bakery in Queens. Can you smell the cupcakes or hot apple pie? Well you could if you had a scratch-n-sniff sticker on your computer. J

It may just be some crazy idea and yeah, I have a chuckle just at the thought of it, but hey, with all the advancements in today’s technology, isn’t it our job to push the envelope? After all, necessity is the mother of invention….why not invent something to make our trip into the future that much more enjoyable?

I hope you all have a great week. Look out August, here we come!

If you would like to check out my blog/website, please do…just be sure you’re over 18.

Learn more about me at:
Website: http://www.robinbadillo.org
Friend me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robin.badillo
Like my Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorRobinBadillo
Check out my books on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Robin-Badillo/e/B004R7M2JY/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1343538410&sr=1-2-ent

Wednesay's Chow - Lisa’s No Fail Pie Crust

By Roseanne Dowell

This week's guest (I'm a writer...Now what?) offers us a a no-fail pie crust.  I have to admit, I find pie crusts too hard to make, so don't them, but a no fail....you gotta give it a try, right?

Ingredients:

6 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
2 Tablespoons Sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 ½ cups shortening
2 eggs
½ cups + 2 Tablespoons water
2 Tablespoons white vinegar

Directions:

Sift first 4 ingredients in large bowl. Cut shortening into flour. In a small bowl beat eggs and add water and vinegar. Sprinkle egg mixture over flour mixture and mix lightly. Add rest of mixture and mix well. Separate into 3 balls (each ball makes 2 crusts). For baked pastry shell bake at 475 for 8 to 10 minutes. Otherwise follow directions for filled pies.

The dough can be frozen for later use. Just take it out and thaw in refrigerator the day before you want to use it.

I'm a writer .... now what?

By Roseanne Dowell

My goal in life was to become a topnotch journalist. I loved writing. Always had. Ever since I can remember that’s all I ever wanted to be. Suddenly, the goal was at hand. Within reach. I got it. My first big byline! I beat out all the other reporters at the scene and the paper printed my story. MINE!


I was ecstatic. So… there I was drinking a cup of coffee and reading my story. My headline! GEORGIE PORGIE PUDDING AND DIE by me, Susan Weston. Word for word just the way I’d written it. Not one word changed. I’d been first on the murder scene the night before. Got there before the cops, so I got a pretty good look at the body. Turned out to be a guy I knew from the neighborhood. Pretty gruesome, too. Not a sight I’m likely to forget.

So like I said, I was drinking my coffee and reading my story and Okay, gloating a little bit. It made me feel good that for once my story got printed and not those other guys. This was it. I knew it. My big chance. Things were going to change now. No more fluff pieces for me. Nope, now the boss would have to assign me to some good stories. And then everything went haywire. The phone rang. Nothing unusual in that. My phone often rings. Of course I answered. The voice on the other end sent goosebumps up my arm, down my spine, and chills down to my toes. It still does. Just thinking about it.

I could hardly hear the caller. His raspy voice faded out, and I only caught a couple of words. Something about liking my story and strawberries. I didn’t have a clue what he was talking about. I figured it was a crank call. Reporters got them all the time. But something about that call bothered me. Nagged at me.

My life hasn’t been the same since. To find out what happened, you’re going to have to read my book, Ring Around the Rosy available from Amazon. Click HERE to buy it.






Excerpt:

Susan propped the News Gazette on the counter and focused on the headline. ‘Georgie Porgie, Pudding and Die’ by Susan Weston, it blared at her. Her headline. Her story. She’d done it. Finally got her headline. She drummed her hands on the counter and did a little dance step. She swore if her grin got any wider her face would crack. .”Susan Weston, journalist!” she shouted. God, she wanted to shout it from the rooftops.

The phone rang, startling her. “Who the heck is calling at this hour? “ She grabbed the phone. “Hello.” Bella rubbed against her legs, waiting to be fed. “Hello?” Susan grabbed the box of kitty food, filled the bowl, and set it on the floor.

“Hello,” she repeated, ready to hang up if no one answered this time.

The evil, raspy voice on the other end sent goose-bumps up her spine. “Who is this?” she whispered.

The voice mumbled something she could barely hear.

“Strawberries? What are you talking about?”

“Just for you,” the garbled voice continued.

“I can’t hear you. Who is this?” What kind of sick joke is this?

She caught the words, “loved your headline,” more garbled words, and “Watch for Jack be nimble.” Then the phone line went dead.

Susan grabbed the counter to steady herself. Her hand trembled, and she stared at the phone. She dropped the receiver back into its cradle as if it was on fire. But she couldn’t stop the trembling. Her stomach churned. Nausea filled her throat. What was wrong with her? Just someone playing a sick joke. This wasn’t her first crank call, why react like this? Maybe because none of the others had sounded like this.

He said he liked her story. That shouldn’t bother her. Something about that voice, so harsh, so evil. It gnawed at her. The hair prickled on the back of her neck. Something about it seemed familiar, but she couldn’t quite place it.

After pouring a cup of coffee, she read the story under the headline aloud, trying to keep her mind off the phone call. “Police are investigating the death of thirty-one year old George Lucas, whose body was found last night in Lagoon Park near his west side home.” The sound of her shaky voice surprised her.

What was the matter with her? “Get a grip, girl.”

Must be the effect of seeing the lifeless body. The way George Lucas’s eyes stared into space. What was he thinking when he looked into his killer’s eyes? The distant street lamp didn’t help. It cast an eerie shadow on the victim. His face frozen in terror, lips parted in a silent scream, and his head tilted to one side as if it was too heavy for his neck. The way one hand clutched at his throat and the other gripped the note, fingers frozen around it, sent icy chills through her, even now. She shuddered.

Thank God there wasn’t any blood, since the image would forever be embedded in her mind. Susan rubbed her arms to warm them.

Picking up the paper, she continued to read. “The coroner will determine the cause of death, but early reports indicate that Mr. Lucas was strangled. Lipstick was smeared across the victim’s mouth, and he clasped the nursery rhyme, ‘Georgie Porgie,’ in his hand. The teen who discovered the body reported seeing a man carrying a bag and wearing a gray shirt running from the park moments before. Police have no suspects at this time.”

Bella brushed against her legs, jumped on the counter, and snuggled against her.

Susan’s heart pounded. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. So much for the thrill of seeing her name on the front page. The image of the body filled her mind. Her hands trembled while she held the paper and reread the headline with her name below it. It was exactly as she had written it — not one word changed, short and to the point.

George Lucas lived in her neighborhood. She’d seen him a few times in Meliti’s Market talking to old Mrs. Meliti. Although they never spoke, they had nodded and smiled hello. Nice-looking guy, about her age. What a shock seeing him dead. Another shiver shook her body. Seeing a dead body was bad enough, but knowing the victim threw her for a loop. Made it personal.

Arriving only a few minutes before the police showed up and ordered her to leave, not that they had to tell her twice, she had viewed the crime scene and then skedaddled lickety-split. She knew enough about crime scenes to maintain a distance, knew if she got too close, she’d compromise the scene, maybe even leave trace evidence of herself behind. She didn’t need that. But she’d been close enough to read that paper in his hand, a nursery rhyme. She’d seen every gory detail.

The nursery rhyme letters, cut out from newspapers and magazines, and bowl of chocolate pudding and the strawberry pie that had been dumped on the victim’s head would stay in her memory for a long time. Of course, the police requested that information not be printed.

Requested, hell. Demanded was more like it, but Susan understood. Those were facts only the killer knew, and it prevented crank confessions. Couldn’t give the public too much information. After waiting behind the crime scene tape long enough to hear the possible cause of death, she hurried home to write her story before the deadline.

Susan walked around the kitchen. To sweeten the deal, her colleagues hadn’t shown up until well after they’d taped off the crime scene, hadn’t seen what she’d seen. So Ernie printed her story. Her first big byline! Even that cocky reporter, Dan Hill, hadn’t beat her out this time.

Staring at the large headline, she sipped her coffee. The words from the phone call rambled around in her mind.

“Strawberries. The voice on the phone said something about strawberries. Strawberry Pie dumped over the victim’s head.” Her voice cracked at the memory.

Only the killer knew about the pie. Her body shook. Had she been talking to the killer? What else had the caller said? Jack be nimble. Another nursery rhyme.

Grabbing the counter to steady herself, she repeated part of the nursery rhyme “Jack be nimble…”

Her mind raced. She pushed away from the counter and paced the kitchen, trying to remember the rest of the rhyme.

“Jack be nimble, Jack be quick, Jack jumped over the candlestick. That’s it!”

What the heck did it mean? Was he going to kill again? Was there a serial killer out there?

She grabbed the phone and dialed the police department. Maybe it was nothing, but she needed to report it. Something didn’t sit right.

Interview with Author Tanya Hanson

Today I have an interview with Tanya Hanson, who is a fellow author with me at The Wild Rose Press.  And we were together at the publisher's retreat a couple of years ago at the Silver Spur dude ranch in Texas.

Tanya, tell us a littl about yourself.

I’m a California beach girl happily married to my personal hero (firefighter and cancer survivor). We’ve got two grown kids, who are the best thing I’ve ever done, and two little grandsons who totally obsess us. I love travel, country music, Hallmark movies, and McDonald’s iced coffee. I don’t like to cook, am terrified of down escalators, am a proud Defender of Wildlife, and I volunteer at our local horse rescue. Spending the Fourth of July keeping Amigo calm during the fireworks was the best way to spend Independence Day!


Sounds like a busy life. And as a grandmother myself, I understand the obsession! When you decide to become a writer?
I’ve wanted to be a writer since the first time I read LITTLE WOMEN when I was eight years old.

I love LITTLE WOMEN.  It was one of the first books I bought with my very own money. I remember going to the bookstore and drooling over it for months before finally purchasing it.  Can you tell us about your road to publishing?
I procrastinated for far too long. Finally with the kids off to college, my hubby said, you better start finding out how to get published. Amazingly, one of my teaching colleagues was a pubbed romance author who directed me to Romance Writers of America and our local chapter. At the first meeting, I met best-selling author Charlene Sands, now one of my best friends and greatest inspirations. She really helped me get my start with critique and tons of handholding. And still does!

Tells us a little about your current book. What inspired you to write it?
SOUL FOOD is the fifth in eight contracted novellas in the inspirational Hearts Crossing Ranch series at Pelican Book Group. All are set on a ranch in modern-day Colorado. The heroine, Kelley Martin, is based a little on my niece Kelley...they are both vegetarians. Yet neither Kelley is “judgmental against carnivores”, as book-Kelley always says. The setting, a city slicker wagon train, is based on a real-life wagon train trip I took with my hubby recently around the Tetons. It is still almost surreal, looking back.

Buy SOUL FOOD here.

It’s amazing how real-life helps form most of my fiction. Of course the wagon-train setting is real, and my trip not long ago to The Wild Rose Press’s retreat on a ranch in Bandera Texas helped me with so many ranch details. Even small things in the book, like blood donating--I’m a regular having donated 57 pints, turn up in my stories. And hero Jason’s simple little “butterfly kiss” came from a children’s talk during a church service.

Before we go, what project do you have coming up that you'd like to tell us about?
Book Six, ANGEL CHILD, will be out in late 2012. It features a single mom falling in love with one of the sons of Hearts Crossing Ranch but scared to reveal her disabled child. Then I’m returning to sensual historical romance for the holidays with The Wild Rose Press’s CHRISTMAS FOR RANSOM, releasing November 28, features a good-hearted, good-looking outlaw who, unbeknownst, falls for a woman whose horses he just stole. She’s the schoolmarm he’s hired to teach him to read.

And I traded in the Stetson for a prayer cap. Pelican Book Group has acquired my young adult novel. “THE CIRCLE GIRLS: ONCE UPON A WITCH” will release under my new pen name, Anya Novikov. It’s spooky and time-travel-y and has a great message that finger pointing and casting blame without personal responsibility didn’t just happen in 1692. It’s all around us.

Thanks so much for being my guest today. I always enjoy learning about how other writers take the path to being published.

Learn more about Tanya here:

http://www.tanyahanson.com/
http://www.petticoatsandpistols.com/
http://www.goodchristiancowgirl.com/ (the wordpress blog is still being born)

Wednesday's Chow -Tuscan Dipping cookies (biscotti)

Happy Wednesday.  Sorry I'm late posting today....it was a hectic Tuesday.  This week's guest,   A.S. Fenichel (Check out her Monday post Interview with a Hero and learn about the Mayan cultural.) I love Biscotti and can't wait to make this recipe!

Tuscan Dipping cookies (biscotti)

Ingredients:

Butter – ½ stick

Sugar – 1 cup

Eggs – 2 large

Flour – 1 ½ cups

Almonds – ½ cup whole almonds

Baking Powder – 1 tsp

Almond Extract – 1 tsp

Directions:

Preheat oven 350 degrees.

With your fingers blend together butter and sugar. (The heat from your hands melts the two together better).

Add eggs and blend. (You can use a spoon) Add almonds and blend well before adding flour, baking powder and extract.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and dump the dough out on it. Shape the dough into a log about 1 inch high (WET YOUR HANDS TO SHAPE THE LOG TO KEEP THE DOUGH FROM STICKING TO YOU) and bake for 35 -40 mins. Until golden brown.

While the log is still hot slice and set aside to cool.

A.S. Fenichel
www.asfenichel.com 
andreamansue@hotmail.com

An Interview with a Hero

by A.S. Fenichel

Hey there! First I’d like to thank Anna Kathryn for having me here today. She’s been gracious enough to allow me to bring along a couple of friends of mine. Today I’m happy to be able to interview Nancy Jones and Asher Dove. Their story can be found in Mayan Craving.

First here’s a bit about me: I adore writing stories filled with love, passion, desire, magic and maybe a little mayhem tossed in for good measure. Books have always been my perfect escape and I still relish diving into one and staying up all night to finish a good story. Originally from New York, I grew up in New Jersey. Now I live in the southwest with my real life hero, my wonderful husband. When I’m not reading or writing I enjoy cooking, travel, history and puttering in the garden.

As I said I’m lucky to have with me the stars of Mayan Craving and I have some questions for them that I’m sure we’re all wondering about.

A.S. : I have it on good authority that Mictlantecuhtli, The Lord of the Dead is on the rise again. Do either of you have any thoughts on that?

Asher : We sure thought Ian and Aileen had killed Mictlan five years ago, but we won’t stand for that devil taking over Earth.

A.S. : What will you do?

Asher : We’ll find a way to kill him.

Nancy : But first we have to find my sister, Robyn.

A.S. : That’s a good point, Nancy. You’ve been looking for your sister since the End of Days. What makes you think she’s still alive and why do you think you can find her now?

Nancy : (Frowns and narrows her eyes at A.S.) I’ve known since that terrible day, December 21, 2012, that Robyn was alive. Recently I had word that she might be down at Chichen Itza.

A.S. : But the rest of your family is gone. What makes you so sure that Robyn survived?

Nancy : I can’t really explain it. All I can say is, I can feel her. I know she’s out there and I have to find her.

A.S. : Asher, since your story began, some people have characterized Nancy as… well, frankly… a bitch.

Nancy : <>

A.S. : If I can continue with my question. She’s been pining for your best friend for years. Why do you still bother with her?

Asher : (Smiles crookedly and glances over at Nancy.) I’ve been in love with Nancy Jones from the moment I saw her. It’s not like I can turn it off. <> Besides, I got a feeling she’ll come around one day.

Well folks, since Nancy will no longer look me in the eye, I guess it’s time to say good-bye to Nancy and Asher. Feel free to chat with me for the rest of the day. I’m happy to answer any questions about writing or the Maya.

Here’s a bit more about Mayan Craving: Surviving the End of Days was only the beginning of the journey for Nancy. After years of searching, she’s finally found her missing sister, but when she attempts to rescue Robyn, she enters her worst nightmare. Captured by demons and about to be sacrificed, Asher is her unexpected hero. Asher’s kindness and bravery arouse her lust, and leave her wanting much more than just his friendship.

Asher has been in love with Nancy since he first laid eyes on her, but her infatuation with another man always left him standing in the background. Her sudden craving for him couldn’t turn him on more. He can’t help finding rapture with Nancy, but the attraction could only be fleeting.

While danger and passion pull them together, doubt may rip them apart. They’ll need more than a carnal connection if they’re to survive.

Here are some buy links:

Ellora’s Cave: http://www.jasminejade.com/p-10057-mayan-craving.aspx

Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Mayan-Craving-ebook/dp/B0080K3E00/

Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mayan-craving-as-fenichel/1110608660?ean=9781419939181

Kobo: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Mayan-Craving/book-WzQKs8KmCUmY7m4-WB1zkQ/page1.html?s=HoybZBJlqE2RVLnOaEGGYw&r=1

You can follow A.S. Fenichel in the following ways or email her at asfenichel@hotmail.com

Blog: http://www.asfenichel.com/Blog--Mayan-Mentions.html

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/A.S.Fenichel

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/asfenichel

Common Medicines for the 1830 Family Home

By Anna Kathryn Lanier

A few weeks ago, I came across a reproduction copy of THE FAMILY NURSE or COMPANION OF THE AMERICAN FRUGAL HOUSEWIFE by Mrs. Child.  It was originally published in 1835 and is full of helpful medical help.  One chapter is Common Medicines.

Mrs. Child says, “Every family ought to keep a chest of common medicines, such as ipecac, castor oil, magnesia, paregoric, etc., and especially such remedies as are useful in croup.”  She stresses that medicines should be kept covered and have their names on them.  Medicines such as opium, laudanum, nitric acid, etc. should also be marked “in large letters, ‘Poison or Dangerous’” and kept out of reach of children.

 “The operation of medicine is always favored by very simple food, very sparingly used. Gruel is the best article. As a general rule it is better to avoid the use of emetics, when cathartics [purging] will answer the purpose equally well.”

What do these medicines do?  

Castor oil is a cathartic producing little pain.  It is recommended for pregnant women and those who just delivered, as well as children. You can mask the taste of it by mixing it with cinnamon water or with sweet coffee.

Carbonate of Magnesia is good for an acid state of the stomach. “A heaped up table-spoonful, well mixed in water or milk may be taken.”

Paregoric is used to control diarrhea.

What kinds of medicines were common in an 1837 household?  Besides those mentioned above, Mrs. Child suggests:

                                                                                           

Manna as a laxative, but because of its mildness, it can mixed with senna, rhubarb or some other cathartic.

Rhubarb is “at once a tonic and cathartic…Some aromatic is usually combined with it, to render it less painful.  1 ounce of senna leaves, 1 drachm of bruised coriander seed, and a pint of boiling water; steeped an hour in a eathern vessel, and strained.”

Jalap is also a cathartic (evidently, making people vomit was considered a good remedy for many illnesses).  It is recommended especially where physic is required and is good to use in cases of dropsy.

Alum in “a weak solution held in the mouth is excellent for canker.”

Ginger, cinnamon, cloves and carroway are not only cooking spices, but for medicinal reasons as well.  The Home Nurse knew how to use these spices for helping family members with such things as dyspepsia, tooth aches, digestive problems and flatulence.

Cayenne may also be used as home remedy.  Sprinkled on flannel it can be used as a rubefacient (causing redness of the skin) and was thought to be effective “for violent pain of the bowels and as a wash for rheumatism.”

Camphor must be dissolved in alcohol or expressed oil and is good for nervous head-ache or faintness.  “Likewise comforting to bathe the hands, feet, and forehead, in cases of dry skin and nervous restlessness.” Camphor can also be used for muscular pains.

Mrs. Child lists twenty pages of common medicines in her book (along with long definitions of how to use them). THE FAMILY NURSE is available via Barnes and Noble and a great resource for anyone writing in the 19^th Century.

Anna Kathryn Lanier

www.aklanier.com

www.annakathrynlanier.blogspot.com

Wednesday's Chow - Stuffed Mushrooms

It's back, too--Wednesday's Chow. I know, ya'll have been missing my recipes, right?  Well this week's guest, Cinsearae S. (Zombie vs Vamps) is sharing one of her family,s favorites - STUFFED MUSHROOMS. I can't wait to try them!

STUFFED MUSHROOMS

Ingredients:
 

16 nice-sized mushrooms (Remove stems and save for later)
1 stick of margarine
3 tbsp. Parmesan cheese
1 small onion
3/4 cup of seasoned bread crumbs
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
2 tbsp Recaito (check international foods section or other similar section of store)
about 10-12 large cooked shrimp*
1 tbsp crushed garlic
3 pinches of Italian seasoning

Directions:

Chop onions until nearly fine and saute with half stick of butter until opaque. (Save remaining half of stick for later.)

In the meantime, chop up mushroom stems and shrimp until nearly fine. Add to onions. Add recaito and parmesean cheese, then cook on medium low until cheese melts. Add bread crumbs a little at a time until mixture has a 'stuffing-like' consistency.

Get a dark nonstick cookie sheet and spray lightly with cooking spray. Line up your mushroom caps in rows of four, touching. When mixture has cooled down a bit, add mixture to mushrooms. (it's okay to let them overflow a little!) Top them with shredded mozzarella cheese.

Melt remaining half of stick of margarine. Add garlic and Italian seasoning to butter and pour this evenly over the mushrooms. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes, and enjoy!

*for those who do not like seafood or are allergic to shellfish, you can replace the shrimp with a bag of spinach. Cook spinach according to directions on the bag, then continue with directions above for making the mushrooms. :)

Learn more about Cinsearea and her books:

Website: http://bloodtouch.webs.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/cinsearae

Twitter: www.twitter.com/cinsearae

Bookstore: www.lulu.com/gratistavampires

Zombies Vs. Vamps: Who Makes the Better Monster?

Hi, ya'll!  I'm back. After having a crazy June, which included a wonderful vacation to Pigeon Forge, TN with one of my daughters and grandkids (check out FUN IN THE SMOKEY MOUNTAINS), I'm ready to jump back into my blog.  

I have Cinsearae S. as my first guest after the hiatus. Cinsearae has a great blog about Zombies vs. Vamps: Who Makes the Better Monster?  Be sure to leave a comment letting us know what you think!

 by Cinsearae S.

If it's not vampires, it's zombies.....and if it's not zombies, it's vampires. What is it about these two creatures of the undead that keeps us fascinated? There's plenty of humans out there that are getting quite sick of both, but for the rest of us, they continue to fuel our excitement, our cravings, our drive for more of the same.

Although at opposite ends of the spectrum, these creatures have terrified us for years, with vampires taking a more romantic spin after Bela Lugosi's take on Dracula. However, there is nothing---repeat---nothing romantic about the walking dead...unless someone considers themselves a necrophiliac!

In my latest novel, "Diary of a Vampire Stripper" Poor Audra has a lot on her hands. Her life is tough enough as it is, forcing herself to work as a stripper to make ends meet. But finding out her lover is a vampire at the worst possible moment, then being turnd by him against her will, not only does she have to deal with the cumbersome task of drinking blood in her own special way, her human boyfriend is turned into a ghoul by her rather jealous husband. Although there's not a whole lot of time for romance, Audra's human boyfriend sticks by her side through thick and thin, so when her jealous maker decides to hurt her by hurting him, well, there's some scores that have to be settled. Ghouls are considered beneath their kind and are frowned upon; the absolute bottom-of-the-barrel monster (next to zombies), and having a ghoul for a boyfriend is like taking care of an overgrown, messy zombie baby...if there ever was such a thing. Cadaver munchers don't make for pleasant company, and it takes a hell of a lot of love and devotion to stick by your signifigant other when they have a taste for somethig from the roadkill cafe. And this is only a small part of the whirlwind of insanity that has swept her up and refuses to put her down!

DIARY OF A VAMPIRE STRIPPER by Cinsearae S.

Trying to juggle college tuition and rent, young Audra Perez seeks a fast fix to her financial woes by auditioning as a stripper for the Hoochie Coochie Club. What she didn’t expect was to actually bechosen. Barely a few months into her new job, she becomes acquainted with a mysterious, distinguished gentleman by the name of Darren Von Eldon, and they secretly begin dating against club rules. Then one passionate night at his beach house changes Audra’s life forever.

Now as a newly-awakened vampire, this only adds to her day-to-day mundane burdens. Refusing to drain humans, she hunts birds for nourishment, and finagles a way to avoid going to classes during the day. But bigger problems loom ahead. Radical cops that know about her kind roam the night, seeking to destroy any and all ‘monsters’, and her best friend’s family has a bone to pick with Audra’s. Headless human bodies are turning up on vamp and were turf, each side blaming the other for the murders. It’s up to Audra and her friend Lu to figure out who’s doing the killings before an all-out war happens between their families, their search leading them beneath the city streets to encounter an abomination neither one of them will ever forget.

And the relationship issues? Well, it’s not easy dealing with a boyfriend and a vampire

husband, so let’s not even go there…

Available now for Kindle atAmazon.com or in print at https://www.createspace.com/3778782

DOWNLOAD CHAPTER EXCERPTS, TAKE A CHARACTER QUIZ AND SEE THE TRAILER AT http://bloodtouch.webs.com/doavs.htm

Dark Paranormal Romance/Horror author Cinsearae S. is the creator of The ABRAXAS Series and BOLEYN, Tudor Vampire, a Top Ten Finisher at the Predators & Editors Readers Poll in 2010. A digital artist, jewelry designer, and still-photographer, she is also Editor/Publisher of award-winning, Dark Gothic Resurrected Magazine. She also received the Author's Site of Excellence Award in 2007 from Predators & Editors, and is a Cover Artist for Damnation Books and independent authors. Her website recently won a Golden Horror Award from Horrorfind.com, and her shop, Mistress Rae’s Decadent Designs on Etsy recently won the Fright Times Award for Best Horror Collectible. She absolutely lives for Halloween.

Website: http://bloodtouch.webs.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/cinsearae

Twitter: www.twitter.com/cinsearae

Bookstore: www.lulu.com/gratistavampires

PS. Cinsearea was on my blog before, check out her post on Boleyn-Tudor Vampires for another interesting Vampire blog post!