Blog of the Year 2013 My first Star

Blog of the year 2013......

I have to admit that this year as a writer, for me, has been a phenomenal and amazing one, and far exceeded my dreams.

The very first post I placed on my Blog was back in February this year, just before Valentine's Day. Since that time my writing has gone from strength to strength. This I think, is partly due to constructive criticism from fellow writers and Bloggers, and also as we know, 

practice makes perfect.

I have had to date almost 16,500 views of my Blog and very proud to say that. I was excited when I got 10 views a day at the beginning and a possible 30 views overall in a week.

This Blogging award is particularly sweet, as it comes via one of my sister writers, and a fellow nurse Taylor Fulks.

Like Taylor, at the beginning of my Blogging experience, I struggled to work out how to use the tools of my trade in order to produce a visual experience that was both pretty and presentable. Especially after looking at some of the amazing Blogs available on the Internet. Over time though I have begun to learn the basics, and finally feel that I am getting somewhere.

Taylor's Blog Taylor~Made Thoughts & Doodles, is a fantastic Blog and well worth a visit, so please do and tell Taylor I sent you.

This is my first nomination for Blog of the Year Award - 2013, and came from the lovely, talented Taylor Fulks. Taylor is an author/blogger par excellence at http://taylorfulks.com/blog/

I am so grateful to Taylor as we have become firm friends, despite the pond that lies between us (known as the Atlantic.) We have so much in common as Taylor is a nurse ( like myself) and a writer and blogger too. Thank you so very much from the bottom of my heart Taylor.

This part of the Blog is where I pay forward this prestigious award (as this award is freely given from one author to another)

The Rules

1) Select the Blog or blogs you think deserve the "Blog of the Year 2013" award.

2) Write a Blog post and tell us about the Blog or Blogs you have decided to choose. There is no minimum or maximum number of Blogs required - and then you may "present" the Blog or Blogs with their award.

3) Let the Blog or Blogs that you have chosen know that you have given them this award and share these instructions with them ( please don't alter these or change the badges)

4) Come and say hello to the originator of the "Blog of the Year 2013" Award via this link 
http://thethoughtpalette.co.uk/blog-awards-2/blog-of-the-year-2013-award/

5) You can then also join the "Blog of the year" Award Facebook Page - click the link here

 and share your blog posts to an even wider audience

6) And, as a winner of the award - please add a link back to the blog that presented you with the award - then proudly display the award on your Blog.........and start collecting stars.....

Yes - that's right - There

 are stars to collect!

Unlike other awards which you can only add to your blog once - this award is different!

When you begin you will receive "1 Star Award" and every time you are given the award by another blog - you can add another

There are a total of 6 stars to collect.

Which means that you can check out your favorite blogs – and even if they have already been given the award by someone else – you can still bestow it on them again to help them to reach the maximum 6 stars! You can either ‘swap’ your badge for the next one each time you are given the award – or even proudly display all six badges if you are lucky enough to be presented with the award six times!

CONGRATULATIONS!

CONGRATULATIONS to the following, here is your first star (maybe your second, could even be your third) but it is the first star from me!  

This list in in no particular order but these are bloggers that a very eclectic mix of writers and bloggers

I recommend you visit and read and judge for yourselves whether my choices are the excellent choices I believe that I have made.

So, here we go:-

http://www.lelaniblack.com 

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7035890.Jonathon_Fletcher/blog

http://johndolanwriter.blogspot.co.uk/

http://seumasgallacher.com/

http://www.francispotts.com/

http://carolhedges.blogspot.co.uk/

http://thegrumblinggargoyle.blogspot.co.uk/

http://taylorfulks.com/blog/

http://www.claudiayburgoa.com/

http://www.mariefostino.blogspot.co.uk/

http://suzyayersauthor.weebly.com/blog.html

http://vanessawesterwriter.blogspot.co.uk/

http://misswishlade.wordpress.com/blog/

http://www.eroticsatisfiction.com/

http://kswarbrick.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/the-lovely-author-scarlett-flame-is-my.html?spref=fb

Book Review for Hungry Ghosts (Time, Blood and Karma Book Two) by John Dolan

Hungry Ghosts is the second in the series of "Time, Blood and Karma" by John Dolan. The first in the series being "Everyone Burns (Time, Blood and Karma Book One)"

This book takes you in to the world of farangs, and lets us experience Bangkok and Samui through the use of John's story telling. The descriptions and imagery makes the reader feel as if they have stepped in to these exotic locations. The smells, the sights and the language are brought to life through the telling of this thrilling story about a private investigator who is not short on character.

I enjoyed the first book in this series immensely and have anticipated the sequel with bated breath, downloaded and read this in short shrift.

The twists and unexpected turns abound once more, with further explanations and plot twists enough to make your head whirl. What you thought you knew after completing the first book is put test as further developments occur, demanding that you re-evaluate your previous assumptions.

David Braddock the main protagonist, proves to be a vastly troubled individual and in this book we get to dig deeper in to his psyche.

I will not provide any spoilers as basically they spoil! (hence the name) All I will say is download and read this fantastic book as I myself could not put it down once started. Dinners burnt and household tasks were left undone. This book will have you on the edge of your seat and also having a little chuckle with John's dry humour. David Braddock's amorous encounters with the ladies are numerous and varied, and you can't help having a soft spot for the rascal despite this. He proves once again to be a bad boy, but one with a heart.

I am now waiting (albeit impatiently) for the final book in the series (type faster John).

Well done once again Mr Dolan and a high five. Another well deserved five stars from this fan.

xxXXXxx

Blogger of the Year 2014 

I am very proud to say that I am through to the final three for Blogger of the Year 2014 on the site Skelat.

I was nominated by fellow writers and bloggers without my knowledge, therefore, when I found that I was not only nominated at all, but in the top ten initially, I cannot describe how excited, proud and pleased I was ( and still am.)

So maybe, just maybe you kind people would vote for me and possibly give me a chance of becoming Blogger of the year 2014. You have until New Year's Eve to vote. Voting then closes and the Queen of Blogging 2014 ( all three finalists are ladies) will be announced

You may vote here at :

http://www.skelat.com/voting.html

Debut Novel Bound for Passion

My Debut Novel is now available on createspace and on Kindle.  Soon to arrive on Amazon, I will update my page as it appears on each of the designated sites.


I am happy to report that I already have four 5 * reviews for my debut, which is amazing

I am currently working on a new story that I hope to add sometime this week end so keep your eyes peeled.

Bye for now

Scarlett

xXx

Night & Day Cafe Gig with The Bedroom Hour

The Bedroom Hour

I attended a gig recently at the Night & Day Café to watch a band I know well from Twitter, Facebook and YouTube the band are The Bedroom Hour. The gig took place on Saturday the 10th of August 2013 at the Night & Day Café. I have to give a shout out to Harriet and Jules on the bar that evening. Thanks girls you worked hard that evening

 

The Night & Day Café is an intimate venue in The Northern Quarter in Manchester and well worth a visit. It is situated on Oldham Street.


This was to be The Bedroom Hour's debut performance in Manchester and what a performance it was. Also playing on that evening were The Reveres and Narcosis.


The band members comprise of  Stu Drummond Lead vocals, Mark Dudley keyboards, Dan Rider bass and backing vocals, Rob Payne guitar and backing vocals and finally but not least Lewis Cosham drums.

The band have a number of songs available to download. A particular favourite of mine being X marks the spot with an extremely well polished video.

 

 

They played a number of tracks on the night and their set included x marks the spot, Nocturnal, Submarine, Midnight Game, Heart Will Haunt and Shadow Boxer. All in all the band are headed for big things.


Their debut E.P. is available to download "Themes" and if you ask the lads they will describe themselves as psychedelic rock but that are much more than that too. They have been compared to a number of bands including Elbow. All I know is they were magical to watch and all eyes were fixed on them, as they used their emotionally charged numbers in order to keep the audience entertained.

 

 

The night was an outstanding success with a fabulous atmosphere. Resulting in a further visit to the Night & Day Café lined up for the  Saturday the 2nd of November 2013 with special guests to be announced.

 

 

You will find them on Twitter

 

 

Facebook

 

 

http://www.thebedroomhour.com/

 

 

http://www.soundcloud.com/thebedroomhour

 

 

 

 

The Reveres

 

 

The Reveres also played that evening. They are a four piece band from Greater  Manchester. The line up includes Oliver Lomax - vocals, guitar & Harmonica, Paul Hesketh - Guitar & vocals, Josh Stewart (described as a Ronnie Wood lookalike!) Bassist, and last but no mean least Tim Hewitt - drums.

Their E.P. Pale was released on 25th February this year and also an Acoustic E.P.

 

 

The band are an alternative Indie rock band with influences from many sources including The Smiths, The Rolling Stones and the Jam to name but a few. Quite an eclectic mix.

The numbers they played that evening included Riders from Zero, Chase the light, Kick your Maker, Love in Vein and The Death of Miss X amongst others

You will find them on Soundcloud.

 

 

Facebook

 

Twitter

 

 

Narcosis

 

The final band in the line up was Narcosis.  This is a three piece band from Hinkley in Leicester.

The line up being Richard Brown - vocals, Christopher Cropp - guitar and Stephen PGB King on drums.

 

 

 

 

 

 

There record label is Lazy Llama Records.

 

 

Some of the tracks they played were Abusing Ron, Beautiful Ally, Mechanical Face and Flames are Forgotten

 

Three of these tracks are available here on myspace

 

 

Unfortunately it sounds as if this band are no longer on our shores

 

https://myspace.com/narcosismusic

 

 

https://www.facebook.com/Narcosishomepage

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday the 2nd of November 2013

 

The Bedroom Hour are once again at The night & Day Café in

 

 Manchester

 

 

I will be there Will you?

 

 

Scarlett

 

xXx

 

 

 

 

 

 

BOTYA 2014

Voted one of the top ten Bloggers of 2014 on Skelat

I have had amazing news this week as I have been voted one of the top ten bloggers of 2014 ( yes I know it is only 2013), on the site Skelat and I am so excited and honoured by this news that I had to share it with you


I hope to receive some votes, although I am up against some stiff competition. Also, some of those in the running with me are also friends of mine, which makes this doubly difficult


This award is voted for by my own peers therefore other bloggers, making it a prestigious award indeed

 

the link for this is here

 

 

Blogger of the Year 2014


Vote now your Blogger of 2014!

 First round begins 1st Novemeber and ends on the 10th of December.
Round two then begins on the 12th and ends on New Years Day!

---

Entries are now CLOSED! We can now reveal the top ten! In no particular order: Jonathon Fletcher Carol Hedges Dallas Dixon Garrard Hayes K.M. Francoeur Christa Simpson Carole Remy Marie Gilbert Claudia Burgoa Scarlett Flame Congratulations to our top ten! You have been the most voted for over 2013!

2014 could be YOUR Year! *The top ten bloggers will be randomly drawn on the First of November, the Semi-Final will begin on the 20th of November and end 1st January

What can you do now? Share this on your blog and meet the others, on November the first voting will open and you will have to secure as many votes as you can, to become Blogger of the Year 2014!

Read more: http://www.skelat.com/the-top-ten.html#ixzz2iq5Znduk

 

http://www.skelat.com/voting.html

 

From Professional Hockey Player to Published Novelist Guest Blog by Luke M. Murphy Author

 

 

 

 

 

From a family of avid readers, even as a child I always had a passion for books. Whether it was reading novels on road trips or writing assignments in school, literature was always part of my life.


In the winter of 2000, after sustaining a season ending eye injury while playing professional hockey in Oklahoma City. I found myself with a lot of time on my hands, and a new hobby emerged.


I didn't write with the intention of being published. I wrote for the love of writing, through the years, honing my craft, making time between work and family obligations.


Then I made the decision to take my interest one step further. I've never been one to take things lightly or jump in half way. I took a full year off from writing to study my craft.


I constantly read, from novels in my favourite genre to books written by experts in the writing field. My first two purchases were "Stein on Writing", a book written by a successful editor Sol Stein, and "Self-Editing for Fiction Writers" by Renni Browne and Dave King.


I read through these novels and highlighted important answers to my questions. My major breakthrough from Stein's book was to "Show don't Tell". I had to trust my reader. I even wrote that phrase and put it on a sticky note and put it on my computer monitor.


The self-editing book helped me to learn how to cut the FAT off my manuscript, eliminating unnecessary details, making it more lean and crisp, with a better flow. I learned to cut repetition and remain consistent throughout the novel.


I continually researched the internet, reading up on the industry and process "What is selling? and "Who is buying>" were my two major questions.


I attended the "Bloody Words" writing conference in Ottawa,, Canada, rubbing shoulders with other writers (published and unpublished), bombarding them with questions, learning what it took to become successful.


Feeling that I was finally prepared, in the winter of 2007, with an idea in mind, and an outline on paper. I started to write DEAD MAN'S HAND. It took me two years (working around full time jobs) to complete the first draft of my novel.

 

 

 

The first person to read my completed manuscript was my former high school English teacher. With her experience and wisdom, she gave me some helpful advice. I then hired McCarthy Creative Services, to help edit DEAD MAN'S HAND, to make it the best possible novel


I joined a critique group, teaming up with published author, Nadine Doolittle and Kathy Leveille, and exchanging manuscripts and information. Working with an editor and other authors was very rewarding and not only made my novel better, but made me a better writer.


When I was ready, I researched agents who fit my criteria (successful. worked with my genre, etc.) an sent out querying letters. After six months of rejections, I pulled my manuscript back and worked on it again. Then in my next round of proposals I was offered representation by Jennifer Lyons Literary Agent.


After months od editing with Jennifer, and more rejections from publishers, my dream was finally realised in April 2012, when I signed a publishing contract with Imajin Books (Edmonton, Alberta).

Back cover text for DEAD MAN'S HAND

What happens when the deck is stacked against you…

From NFL rising-star prospect to wanted fugitive, Calvin Watters is a sadistic African-American Las Vegas debt-collector framed by a murderer who, like the Vegas Police, finds him to be the perfect fall-guy.

…and the cards don't fall your way?

When the brutal slaying of a prominent casino owner is followed by the murder of a well-known bookie, Detective Dale Dayton is thrown into the middle of a highly political case and leads the largest homicide investigation in Vegas in the last twelve years.

What if you're dealt a Dead Man's Hand?

Against his superiors and better judgment, Dayton is willing to give Calvin one last chance. To redeem himself, Calvin must prove his innocence by finding the real killer, while avoiding the LVMPD, as well as protect the woman he loves from a professional assassin hired to silence them.

Short Bio:

Luke Murphy lives in Shawville, Quebec with his wife, three daughters and pug.

He played six years of professional hockey before retiring in 2006. Since then, he’s held a number of jobs, from sports columnist to radio journalist, before earning his Bachelor of Education degree (Magna Cum Laude).

Murphy`s debut novel, Dead Man`s Hand, was released by Imajin Books on October 20, 2012.

For more information on Luke and his books, visit: www.authorlukemurphy.com, ‘like’ his Facebook page www.facebook.com/#!/AuthorLukeMurphy and follow him on Twitter www.twitter.com/#!/AuthorLMurphy

Review Blurbs:

"You may want to give it the whole night, just to see how it turns out."

—William Martin, New York Times bestselling author of The Lincoln Letter

"Dead Man's Hand is a pleasure, a debut novel that doesn't read like one,

but still presents original characters and a fresh new voice."

—Thomas Perry, New York Times bestselling author of Poison Flower

"Part police procedural, part crime fiction, Dead Man's Hand is a fast, gritty ride."

—Anne Frasier, USA Today bestselling author of Hush

 

 

 

 

 

Well I hope you all enjoyed reading my guest blog this week, and many thanks to Luke and good luck with the book.

 

 

I found this a particularly interesting blog post as I am always intrigued as to how other writers came in to writing in the first place.

 

 

I see Luke also uses on of my little tricks, I always have a highlighter pen at the ready so that I can highlight a particular snippet of information that catches my eye. As a student at university my notes were always dotted about with highlighter and also sticky notes.



Love to you all

Scarlett

xXx

 

 

 

Blog Hop Interview - Tag You're It

First off I have to thank the very sexy Mr John Satisfy for the opportunity to take part in this Blog Hop.

Last week, I didn't run quite fast enough and so he tagged me.

Last week was his turn to post on his Blog where ( as we all get to do), he answered the same questions as I am about to do today.

Please do go and check out John's Blog as he is a very sexy, sensual writer and you will notice comments from myself there, as I do frequent and read his posts.

Thanks a bunch John for allowing me to join this fantastic Blog Hop and for thinking of me when hunting for new victims........oops authors to entice aboard.

Hopefully the authors I tag at the bottom of this post will participate on Monday the 30th September 2013 Here's hoping this will continue for a few weeks more.

There are links on John's Blog to the other authors participating in this Blog Hop go check them out too.

So here we go to our first question of the day


1) What are you working on right now?

Well, I am actually working on two novels at the moment. The first one to be published (hopefully before Christmas ) is The Prophecy Unfolds (Dragon Queen). This novel is a paranormal erotic romance set on a Steampunk world and will be published as an ebook initially but will also appear in print.

This book includes a full cast of colourful, dark characters, set on the planet of Syros. There are fantastical beings on this world, including dragons, werewolves and magicians to mention but a few.

The world of Syros as a Steampunk world abounds with dirigibles, automatons and huge mechanical dragonflies. The story begins with the kidnap and capture of the main protagonist Alex, and the sexy adventures she finds herself caught up in in the process.

The second book is an anthology of short erotic stories (as yet untitled), that will be released sometime after Christmas.

This is alongside of writing for my Blog, interviews on both my Blog and for the site Skelat, gig reviews and much, much more.


2) How does it differ from other works in it's genre?

The series of books are all set in the first person, sharing Alex's perspective of her on going situation. There is some tongue in cheek humour, at the situations she finds herself in.

The compilation of genre, and sub genre that involves paranormal, erotica, romance and Steampunk , although, not unknown is an unusual combination in itself.

Steampunk has a growing fan base and a more in depth explanation of what is known as Steampunk can be found in an interview I did for Casey Ryan on his Blog entitled  Brass, Leather, and Ingenuity: A Steampunk primer by guest: Scarlett Flame.


3) Why do you write what you do?

I actually write in a number of genre under my own name, as well as under my pen name of Scarlett Flame (you didn't really think that was my real name did you?) Including writing children's stories.

I write about the characters such as dragons, dragon riders, werewolves and magicians etc. as in the main this is what I like to read myself. That, and erotica I love James Lusarde, Cole Browning, John Satisfy, and of course the ladies too.  The ladies in question being Suzy Ayers, Molly Wishlade amongst others too many to mention. I love to convey a scene and set the mood and pace in order to draw the reader in and carry them along.

If in the  process of reading my stories it evokes a response, then my job is well done. It should also move the writer too, which is a good test especially with erotic fiction.

I also like other genres too such as horror, Sci fi and suspense thrillers too.

4) How does your writing process work?

I decide where I want the story to go, but sometimes the characters in the story take over and lead me a merry dance first. So the story may vary a little but I know the general direction that I want it to take.

I love the use of different words to describe and convey textures, feelings, aromas and atmospheres All that goes in to setting a scene.  I also love to collect words. By nature I am a word collector and have a notebook to prove it.

Should anyone ever find this notebook they may wonder what they have discovered as it is in the main an erotic thesaurus of sorts. I may be reading another author's work and see a word or phrase that grabs my attention, and it is added to the book.

I hand write the first draft as I feel the work flows easier for me that way. Then it is typed on to my computer and edited and proofread as I type.

On my hand written draft I will put words I know I want to add to help set the scene in the margins ready to use. This helps me add emotion or set the pace to the story. I then insert these in order to vary the scenes too so that hopefully they don't become too repetitive.

I also dream parts of my stories (as you can imagine I have pretty erotic vivid dreams) especially after writing a particularly racy part of a story as they remain fixed in my brain. I have a notebook and pen next to the bed then jot them down as best I can upon awakening. He he wouldn't you like to be a fly on the wall in some of my dreams?

All in all I am very happy with my musings so far, and readers have very kindly left very lovely comments regarding how well written they are. An especial accolade when most are left by fellow authors.

Thank you once again John for giving me the opportunity to share this story of my WIP (Work in Progress )

The three victims... oops sorry I mean to say author's I am tagging are;

Claudia Burgoa

Shaun Allan

Neil Winnington

I have another Blog almost complete so you get the joy of two in one week you lucky people

See you soon

Bye

Scarlett

xXx