An excellent post about ways to help authors!
A Highland Pearl by Brenda Taylor
Just in time for Christmas shopping, A Highland Pearl, will be published on December 2, but is now available for pre-order at Amazon.com for $2.99 until the publication date. An ebook copy of the novel will be awarded to a commenter on the publication date.
A sweet romance blossoms amidst feuding and war. With her reputation at stake after being accused of practicing witchcraft and hated as a member of a rival clan, Maidie considers leaving Clan Munro and returning to the home of her birth in Clan Cameron. Fierce battles, a tragic encounter, and a handsome clan chief compel her to make crucial decisions in this haunting romance set in the16th century Highlands of Scotland.
A Highland Pearl, is the first novel in the Highland Treasures series. The story takes place in 1508 A.D. Scotland when clan chiefs ruled the highlands. Loyalty pledged to a clan chief meant provision and protection for the clansman, but in return rents were paid to support the chief and his family and service in the chief’s army was required of each able-bodied man. Within the walls of the great castles, intrigue and mystery reigned. Clans vied for land, livestock, and power. Fighting and reiving or stealing were prevalent, yet a gentler side with passion, love, romance, family and faith permeated the life of the Highlanders. A Highland Pearl tells about all aspects of life in the Highlands of Scotland.
Excerpt from A Highland Pearl
Andrew stood. He must tell Maidie how he felt. He took her chin into his hands and looked into azure eyes. First, he kissed the tip of her nose, then a freckle on both rosy cheeks, and at last he found her mouth with fervor. Maidie wrapped her arms around his neck while he embraced her, pulling her closer. She returned his kiss much to his amazement. Her moist lips pressed firmly against his. His lips left hers, planting kisses on her eyelids, around her face, down her neck, and then on her mouth once more. She tasted sweet like heather ale and smelled of roses. His heart ached with love for the lass. How could he let her go, now that he had just found her?
He lifted his head. She sank into his chest. “I love you, Maidie. With all my heart, I love you.” He said it with little difficulty, because his heart brimmed with a deep love he had never before experienced.
“I pledge my fealty and my heart to you, Laird Andrew Munro. With all my heart I love you,” she answered with her head tucked under his chin.
He pushed away to look into her eyes. “I’ll come for you. No matter where you are.”
“I will be waiting.” Her eyes reflected the deep emotions of her heart like the black water of Cromarty Firth reflected the blue sky above.
“Come on, Munro, you’ve done enough love making. Time to get on with this exchange,” the leader of the guard commanded and nudged Andrew with his mount.
Stumbling, he released Maidie. The leader kept nudging him on. He looked back, but Maidie and Sven were surrounded by MacKenzie warriors and he could not see her. He took Briana from Colin as they walked to the grove where Gavin waited. Andrew pumped his fisted right arm into the air, calling out the Munro battle cry, “Caisteal Fàrdach A Chaoidh.” An embrace from his brother with whoops, hollers, and returns of the war cry from his warriors followed.
The mounted guard left Scara and Crag then turned back to the castle. Maidie and Sven had reached the gates. His men turned to ride back, and he watched the love of his life walk into the bailey of Castle Lach. God, take care of Maidie and the lad. Help me get her back.
About Brenda B. Taylor
The desire to write historical fiction has long been a passion with Brenda B. Taylor. Since elementary school, she has written stories in her spare time. Brenda earned three degrees: a BSE from Henderson State University, Arkadelphia, Arkansas; a MEd from Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas; and an EdD from Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas; then worked as a teacher and administrator in the Texas Public School system. Only after retirement could she fulfill the dream of publication.
Brenda and her husband make their home in beautiful East Texas where they enjoy spending time with family and friends, traveling, and working in Bethabara Faith Ministry, Inc. She crafts stories about the extraordinary lives of ordinary people in her favorite place overlooking bird feeders, bird houses, and a variety of blooming trees and flowers. She sincerely thanks all who purchase and read her books. Her desire is that the message in each book will touch the heart of the reader as it did hers in the writing.
Read more about Brenda and her books at:
Buy A Highland Pearl
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The Marriage Trap – Fun Fact and More from Marissa Garner
I am happy to share Marissa Garner’s debut release – The Marriage Trap – published through The Wild Rose Press. I have known Marissa for years, and I am thrilled that her fabulous story is finally out for the world to enjoy. I was fortunate enough to be Marissa’s editor on this novel. It was great working with her.
Without further ado…
The Marriage Trap by Marissa Garner – Contemporary romance novel
She dreams of marriage; he thinks the institution is a trap
Fun fact:
My favorite Hawaiian island is Maui, so it seemed only natural to make it the setting for my Hawaiian Heat series. Maui is magical. From the lush rainforest of the Iao Valley to the “moonscape” of the Haleakala volcano, from the rushing Hana Waterfalls to the windy Kaanapali beaches, the island offers a kaleidoscope of experiences. Balmy tropical breezes, sun-drenched white sand, and pounding teal surf provide the perfect relief from everyday stress and rev up a couple’s libido. That’s why I decided Maui was the ideal place for my characters to fall in love.
BLURB:
Ginny Fitzgerald has always dreamed of marriage and motherhood. But when she escapes her domineering former fiancé to attend a two-month writing seminar, she discovers more about herself than about fiction. Sparks fly and then ignite when she meets enigmatic Drew Morgan. He melts her reserved façade and unleashes her repressed passions. Sadly, Ginny believes she can never achieve her goals with Drew and fears the only happily-ever-after in her future is the one she’s writing for her romance novel.
Drew thinks marriage is a trap, and he’s made a pact with his brother to remain bachelors forever. Even when the Hawaiian Heat welds love and lust into his dream soul mate, he can’t marry Ginny. After she declines his invitation to live with him, he must choose between his opposition to the chains of marriage and the possibility of a lifetime of happiness.
EXCERPT:
“Virgin?”
Ginny Fitzgerald whipped her head around. “Excuse me?”
“Virgin?” the man repeated. “Not you, sweetheart, your drink. You told your boyfriend no, but he ordered for you anyway before going to the john.” The bartender smiled and leaned closer. “I thought maybe you’d like to go virgin on this drink without him knowing.”
“Thanks, but I don’t want the drink at all,” she said. “And he’s not my boyfriend.”
“Just kidding.” He winked. “But whoever the guy is, he’s working damn hard to get lucky tonight.”
Ginny shrugged. “I know that. I’m not a moron. I’ve been trying to politely discourage him.”
“Need help?”
“No, thanks. I’m handling it.”
“Good to know. I hate to see slime sneak up on nice girls.”
He wiped a small towel across the bar in front of her, but still held her gaze. Even in the dim lighting, his eyes twinkled an amazing teal blue like the water over the coral reefs.
“How do you know I’m a ‘nice girl’?”
He stroked his chin. “Let me count the ways. One, you don’t let someone push you into drinking more than you want. Two, you flinch every time that guy touches you, which means you recognize the jerk for the player he is. Three, and most important, if that type appealed to you, you would’ve left with him already.” A cocky grin lit the man’s face. “Definitely a nice girl.” With another wink, he moved down the bar to take a couple’s order.
Sneaking a discreet peek, Ginny watched the bartender’s efficient, fluid movements as he mixed drinks and chatted with the customers. And there was a lot more about him to admire. The sun had woven wheat-colored streaks through his wavy, chestnut hair and bronzed his face and arms, giving him a healthy, outdoorsman appearance. The short sleeves of his Hawaiian print shirt revealed taut muscles, and his khaki cargo shorts hugged narrow hips and a sweet ass.
Hot, hot, hot…
After a mental shake, she swiveled on the barstool, her gaze sweeping around the buzzing bar and reaching the crowded dance floor. Friday night was cranking up. The brilliant colors of the tropical motif added another layer of sensual heat to the already sizzling scene. Temperatures and decibels were on the rise. Upscale Club Lahaina vibrated with pulsing music. Uninhibited dancers pumped and gyrated, performing erotic mating rituals. Their wild abandon mesmerized Ginny and tugged at a longing she was reluctant to acknowledge.
With a heavy sigh, she swung back toward the bar, determined to keep the sadness swelling in her chest at bay. Hoping to boost her spirits, she’d stopped at the popular club in the charming little tourist town of Lahaina to toast her newfound freedom only because she didn’t want to face her silent, empty condo. Even though she’d chosen an inconspicuous seat at the end of the bar, a jerk had still managed to intrude on her private celebration.
****************************
On sale through The Wild Rose Press for 50% off! Only $3.00 for a limited time
Click here to purchase:
Find Marissa Here:
Website: www.marissagarner.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MarissaGarnerAuthor
Twitter: @M_Garner_Author
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/marissa_garner
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/garner1819/
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Elvis Presley – Ramblings of a Lifelong Fan – Part XXI – His Lighter Side
As if there isn’t enough to love about Elvis, he also had a great sense of humor. Those who knew him talk about how he loved to laugh and to make others laugh. I didn’t know him, of course, but I have seen examples of his funny side in documentaries, concerts, alternate takes of his songs, etc.
A few anecdotes about Elvis:
Ronnie Tutt, his drummer in the seventies:
“…he loved to laugh as much as he loved life. He had a great sense of humor – you could see his eyes sparkle when something funny was going on, which was most of the time if he had anything to do with it, and he usually did. It was great to play music together, but it was also great to laugh together.”
Wanda Hill, who worked in the MGM mailroom in the sixties:
“One day while I was staying at the Hilton Hotel (in the 1970’s), I was outside for some fresh air when I noticed a group of people staring up at the top of the hotel. Curious, I walked over and looked up. Sailing through the air were several little paper airplanes, and way up on the 30th floor was a tiny figure of a man, waving to us below. It was Elvis, curing his boredom flying paper airplanes and watching the people running after them – after all Elvis Presley had touched them!
“What I did not know was that he also put messages on the airplanes, written in baby talk, and he laughed as the people found them and read his messages while he was observing through his binoculars. It was just silly Elvis putting people on again!”
Sam Thompson – Elvis’ former girlfriend Linda Thompson’s brother who worked as Elvis’ bodyguard:
“Elvis even found humor when faced with an assassination warning at the Silverdome in 1975, while being outfitted for a bulletproof vest. ‘If there’s a problem’, I told Elvis, ‘we’re gonna kill the lights, and I’m gonna cover you’. Elvis looked at me funny. I was 6-foot-6 and 270 pounds. ‘I’d rather be shot at than have you jump on me’, Elvis joked. We had a big laugh.”
Some of Elvis’ favorite movies were the Pink Panther movies. He loved Peter Sellers as Inspector Clouseau and would often quote him. I’m ashamed to admit I’ve never seen those movies. I should definitely watch them since Elvis enjoyed them.
Check out this brief excerpt from a 1972:
I love a man with a sense of humor, and even a man who is not all that attractive becomes more so if he can make me laugh. But Elvis, the most gorgeous man to ever live, AND he was funny??? Sigh…
Filed under Entertainment, For Writers
99¢ Sale Ends Soon – How to Plot with Find the Magic & Suspense Thriller Without Mercy
The last day of 99 cent pricing for each of these books is November 15, 2014. Be sure to grab your copies now.
(They will, however, continue to be available through Kindle Unlimited after the sale ends.)
Find the Magic – How to Plot a Story in 10 Easy Steps
(Click on the cover to be taken to the Amazon Buy Page)
How to write a novel? That is the question. There are probably as many answers to that question as there are people who ask it.
Wanting to write and actually doing it are two very different things. I am well acquainted with the sometimes grueling process of churning out a story. Over the years, I have tried many methods for creating and completing manuscripts, and have tweaked and honed it down to a workable (for me) process.
Using specific examples from one of my own novels, Without Mercy, I share my method in this mini how to book. The first eight steps actually deal with plotting while the last two are designed to help expand your outline into a well-developed draft. There is no one, perfect way to create a story, but there will be a method, or methods that work for you. I’m not sure if this is the one, but it works for me. Only you can decide if it also works for you. Fingers crossed that it does!
*** Warning – Please do not purchase without reading a sample. (This is solid advice for any book, fiction or non. If you are not intrigued in the sample, you will likely not enjoy the book)
Review:
Format:Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
A quick read with easy to follow directions for streamlined plotting and excellent tips for rewriting clunky sentences. Includes some show and tell examples for clear understanding of the concepts presented. Will be one of my go-to reference books. I bought the book after seeing mention of it being released. A great bargain!
Without Mercy
(Click on the cover to be taken to the Amazon Buy Page)
How far will a mother go to protect her child?
When an apparently random bank robbery turns out to be a sinister plan, single mother China Beckett is thrust into a nightmare.
A group of mercenaries take over her life, threatening her young daughter and everyone they love. Each time China makes a mistake, someone dies. She’ll fight to the last breath to protect her child, but with no idea what move will be the wrong one, that might not be enough.
As the lives of China’s loved ones are jeopardized, she must take action, although she has no idea where to turn—and time is running out. But then, a startling truth is revealed and China discovers that the only person who can save them might be a ghost from the past.
*** Warning: Explicit language and graphic violence ***
Review:
By Virginia
Format:Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
Single mom China Beckett is Teller Manager for Greater Oklahoma Bank. On just another work day, she gets a phone call that her six year old has suffered an asthma attack at school. When she goes to her bitchy manager’s office for permission to leave, the boss from hell gives her a hard time.
Then the woman is shot. Dead. Right in front of China.A bank robbery is in process. And the robbers apparently know who she is. They call her by name.
Then the woman is shot. Dead. Right in front of China.A bank robbery is in process. And the robbers apparently know who she is. They call her by name.
This is how China Beckett is launched into a bizarre and horrifically violent period of her life. A period in which: 1. A scarred and psychotic bodyguard moves into her house; 2. Random people are killed in order to make her cooperate; 3. Her estranged lover returns from the dead; and 4. She finds out she is tougher than anyone thinks.
Wow, what a story. There is a man behind the curtain who is pulling the strings, manipulating everyone from the band of psychotic killers to their random victims to China and everyone she loves. We are kept guessing who that might be. Is it China’s current boyfriend, the sweet fireman and former mercenary? Her ex-husband, a successful doctor who suddenly ran off to San Francisco? Or Aiden, the father of her daughter, a man she
thought had died years before in a civil war in Africa?
There’s so much to like about Alicia Dean’s newest suspense novel. I was rooting for China from page one because she is brave, consistently putting her child’s safety above everything else. Riveted by the swift plot, I had no idea how she would rescue herself, save her child, and find the love she deserves. But I was sure she would do so because China Beckett is cool, smart, and tough as hell.
You’ll have to read Without Mercy to see how one devoted mother takes a life-threatening situation into her own capable hands. And manages to turns her whole life around.
Filed under Entertainment, For Writers
The Wild Rose Press Lobster Cove Series – Enchantment, a Ghost, and Fun Answers
Two more stories to introduce from the Lobster Cove series. Check out these intriguing concepts and fantastic covers!
L.A. Kelley – One Enchanted Evening
Was there anything in particular that inspired your idea?
I was playing around with a few ideas for a business to add to Lobster Cove and came up with the idea of a consignment shop. I wondered what kind of stories would be a good association with old clothing and hit upon an updated version of Little Red Riding Hood.
What was it like working on a series where you had to coordinate with other writers?
Lack of control can be a royal pain. The first person to use a character defines a character. If a contracted story states the mayor is a cross-dressing, Irish-Argentinian cat fancier with irritable bowel syndrome than that’s what goes into the spreadsheet. Anyone else wanting to use the mayor has to take Pedro O’Toole and his kittens, gastroenteritis, and feathered boa as is. Either that or its back to the storyboard.
One sticky problem I had was the name of a particular character, a minor, but necessary addition to my story. I couldn’t write around him, but he was not my character. His role had already been defined by another. That meant his name had been selected and it happened to be a name I detest. This is not the name for someone who is an asset to a community. This is the name of a kid who sat next to me in kindergarten, grabbing his crotch and making airplane noises. Seriously, I wouldn’t give a gerbil in one of my stories this name, but I was stuck with it. I gnashed my teeth each time I typed it in.
I had reservations about working on a series. Writing for me has always been a solitary art and I wasn’t sure I could be a team player. I was wrong. Despite minor irritations, working on One Enchanted Evening was a blast. It’s good to step out of your comfort zone. It stretches those literary wings.
The foremost pleasure comes from the collaboration with others dedicated to infusing life into a fictional town. The writers are an eager talented group ready to share ideas and research. An innocent query into the writer’s loop about a character or place brings a plethora of links, pictures, and helpful hints. Need someone to read a passage from a work in progress to see if it rings true? Just post a query. Someone will answer and give you the benefit of their experience. It’s a warm, supportive community with an enthusiastic cheering squad.
Was there any part of your story that was taken from real life…that you can tell us about, that is? 🙂
Nope. It’s all from my warped imagination.
Besides the main characters, who is your favorite character in the story and why?
Probably, the heroine’s sister, Annabel. She fiercely loyal, loving, and bossy without being obnoxious. She reminds me of a lot of women I admire.
What do you love that most people would find odd?
Really stinky cheese and bad SyFy movies.
What do you dislike that most people would find odd
Heat and humidity (I live in Florida)
Blurb:
Enchanted clothing has a mind of its own.
Restlessness plagued Charlotte Becker. Unable to settle down, she moved from place to place searching for an elusive something to calm her turbulent spirit. A sudden invitation from her sister sends her across country to Lobster Cove, Maine. Anchors abound by the sea, but surely nothing would keep her rooted in place in a pokey resort town during the off-season.
Drawn into a consignment shop named One Enchanted Evening, Charlotte is confronted by a mysterious article of clothing requesting her help to stop a man in a wolf mask from killing women. Charlotte agrees to protect the citizens of Lobster Cove and find the hunter before an innocent is slain.
Luke Maddox’s hunting days are over. Wounded in action, he left the Marines to return to Lobster Cove, the only place to bring him peace as a child. Hiding his disability, he accepts life will be nothing more than dull routine. Then he meets a singular young woman wearing an unusual cloak. She tells an incredible story of a wolf that walks on two legs.
And the hunt begins…
In One Enchanted Evening fantasy, humor, and romance are wrapped up in the cheeky retelling of a fairy tale. You will never look at a clothing from a consignment shop the same way again.
Excerpt:
Swallowing back her unease, Charlotte rolled up the window and got out. Except for her car, Main Street was empty. She pushed through the scrubby overgrown yard. Clearly illuminated on the door was the By Appointment Only sign. Somebody must be inside and she wasn’t going anywhere without a tow truck. Butterflies fluttered about her stomach as she scampered up the steps and knocked on the door.
“Excuse me,” she called out. “I don’t have an appointment, but my car and phone died and I need a tow—”
The door swung open. Charlotte drew in a breath and set a hesitant foot over the threshold. The interior lights activated, sending her heart pounding.
“Nothing to worry about,” she muttered. “Motion sensors or something. Hello?” she called louder. “Anyone home?”
Charlotte stepped inside. With the interior illuminated, more than a few armoires were visible. The old front parlor was crammed with trunks and bureaus. Battered chests stacked on top of each other lined the walls. Had all this stuff been here before? The size of the building was deceptively small from the outside.
“Great places to stuff a body,” she muttered.
“That’s true,” said a voice.
Charlotte made a leaping half spin around. Her heart shouldered her esophagus out of the way to race up her throat. She swallowed hard to force it back down. The elderly woman with the peasant blouse and purple bandana stood right behind her.
“However, I don’t recommend it,” she said, cheerfully, “as you’ll never get rid of the smell.”
Contact:
http://lakelleythenaughtylist.blogspot.com
www.facebook.com/l.a.kelley.author
Buy Links:
Debra Doggett – A Ghost of a Clue
Was there anything in particular that inspired your idea?
A couple of years ago I attended a Dumb Supper like the one that I put in the book. It was great fun and saw some interesting things. I have always loved ghost stories so when the series was started I decided the time had come for me to write one.
What was it like working on a series where you had to coordinate with other writers?
It was confusing, but fun. As things started to take shape the process became a real group effort. I had the chance to use some side characters from other stories and now that I’m getting to read those stories I feel a connection to them even though they aren’t “my” characters, lol.
Was there any part of your story that was taken from real life…that you can tell us about, that is? 🙂
The Dumb Supper, of course, came from real life. Along with that aspect, I am a practicing Wiccan so it was nice to be able to include some things about my spiritual path as well. The ritual in the book was especially fun to write.
Besides the main characters, who is your favorite character in the story and why?
I think the kids are my favorites. They are so open and into their ghost hunting that they were fun to write. Their reactions to what they see and experience are great.
What do you love that most people would find odd?
I love storms, especially the thunder and lightning part. I grew up in Louisiana so I was used to rain but I’ve lived in the desert of New Mexico for the last twenty years. Storms are a rare thing out here, at least with the rain part. I went from living somewhere that got like 20 to 30 inches of rain a year to a place that gets 9 inches or less a year, lol. But when they do come, storms out here are different. We can get all this great thunder and lightning that just makes you think it’s going to be a downpour then it might drizzle rain for five minutes. Or it might not rain at all. It’s like we get all the special effects whether we get the main event or not.
What do you dislike that most people would find odd?
The Wizard of Oz. I absolutely hate that movie, mostly because my mom made us watch it every time it came on when I was a kid. I have a wonderful friend who is a Wizard of Oz fanatic – she had all the collectible stuff on her desk at work. I used to just close my eyes and try to ignore it.
Blurb:
When Aurora “Rory” DuMont inherits her aunt’s cottage by the sea in Lobster Cove she considers it perfect timing. She’s ready for a change and the little coastal town sounds like the perfect choice. All her life she’s been a bit odd, mostly because of her ability to see ghosts. Little does she realize, thanks to the Lobster Cove Ghost Hunting Society, she’s still the talk of the town. Suckered into giving a talk at the society’s monthly meeting, Rory winds up in a debate with Travis Reed, the local middle school biology teacher, who’s a definite non-believer. Travis might not see ghosts but he sees a whole lot of other things when he sees Rory. With a little help from a lost ghost, they both just might get a clue as to how they really feel.
Excerpt:
“A biology teacher, huh? That does explain your present condition.”
“Too true. So, enough about me. Let’s uncover the deeply intriguing past of our new local witch.”
“You want to know more after the debate debacle?”
“I’m not looking for ghosts, just the skeletons in your closet.”
“It’s really obvious that you spend most of your time around pre-teens. You push the boundaries without batting an eye.”
“They might not get everything right, but they do understand that if you bat your eyes you might miss something important.”
“I don’t know how important my life story is. Believe me, it falls more to the boring side. And I think we’ve probably tied up this table for long enough.” She settled her cup on her now empty plate.
“Come on, I know you aren’t afraid of ghosts, so what’s got you nervous about letting a few skeletons out of your closet?”
Rory shook her head. “You aren’t going to let up, are you?”
“Nope. But, if you’re worried about freeing up Bea’s table space, we could continue this conversation at dinner some time.”
“Are you asking me for a date?”
“Sure am. Ned’s Lobster Shack has a great special Friday nights, and if we get there by seven, we’ll be sure to get a seat. We could find another table in the back, and you can tell me all about Aurora DuMont.”
Ghost of a Clue buy links:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-ghost-of-a-clue-debra-doggett/1120421765?ean=2940150717305
Debra’s social media links:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Debra-Doggett/205566736172548?fref=ts
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dgdoggett
amazon.com/author/debradoggett
Filed under Entertainment, For Writers
Elvis Presley – Ramblings of a Lifelong Fan – Part XX – The Movies 5-8
For the first eight years after Elvis returned from the army, he made movies and records but did no live performances.
I featured his first four movies in an earlier blog post, so the following four movies are next…
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G.I. Blues 1960
About: Elvis plays Tulsa McLean, an army tank crewman from Texas whose dream is to open his own nightclub with his buddies, who are part of his singing act. On leave in Germany, he places a bet with his fellow soldiers that he can spend an entire night with ‘ice princess’ a hard to get entertainer played by Juliet Prowse.
Side notes: The 1st Medium Tank Battalion, 32nd Armored was Elvis’ regiment when he was in the Army with the 3rd Armored Division in Germany, so it was used for the film. Also, just my opinion, Juliet Prowse was not nearly pretty enough to play the role of a sought after beauty who turned Elvis’ world upside down.
My favorite song from the movie: ‘The Best I Can’ (I know, it’s odd. I don’t usually like the ‘mainstream’ popular songs as much as I do the lesser known ones)
One of my favorite scenes: Early in the movie, Tulsa is on stage singing and a guy goes over to a jukebox and the camera shows, in the window of the jukebox, ‘Blue Suede Shoes by Elvis Presley’ and the guy (we’ll call him ‘first guy’) hits the button and Elvis’ Blue Suede Shoes begins playing while Tulsa/Elvis is performing. Another guy in the club says “Hey turn that off, the kid’s singing.”
First guy: “I want to hear the original.”
Second guy: “Turn that off.”
First guy: “Turn Tulsa off.”
A scuffle breaks out and Elvis goes up to First guy who is snapping his fingers to the song. Elvis snaps along with him for moment, then punches him and a brawl ensues.
Ha! He punches the guy for playing HIS song. 🙂 Love it.
Elvis and Juliet Prowse on the set of G.I. Blues
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Flaming Star 1960
About: Elvis plays Pacer Burton, a half breed Indian who is pulled between his white blood and his Indian blood. When a neighboring family is massacred by the Indians, hostility and mistrust among friends causes trouble for Pacer and his family.
This movie took me by surprise. I mean, I’d seen it before, quite a few times, but not in years and years. I didn’t remember loving it as much as I did this time. It was a well-acted, moving, and intense western. Elvis did an excellent job in the role. I cried, a lot. Very sad and emotional. I highly recommend it.
Side note: Elvis was inducted into the Los Angeles Indian Tribal Council for his role in the movie. Barbara Eden co-starred, but she was actually the love interest of Elvis’ brother. The movie poster is misleading.
My favorite song from the movie: Elvis actually only sang one song in this movie, ‘Cane and a High-Starched Collar.’ Not exactly one of his best, so I’ll have to go with the title song, ‘Flaming Star’ (which was originally recorded as ‘Black Star’ and Elvis had to go in and re-record, replacing ‘black’ with ‘flaming’)
A couple of my favorite scenes:
There is a scene where Pacer’s mother has been shot and she needs a doctor. Due to the new hostility against Pacer and his family, the doctor refuses to come home with him and treat her. The doctor’s little girl is playing outside (Pacer has known her her whole life). He grabs her up and tells her they’re going to play a game, but in reality, he is threatening her father that if he doesn’t come help his mother, he’ll hurt the child. Elvis does a great job of threatening the father while at the same time, comforting the child. He tells her, “Grownups don’t know how to play, do they?” She says, “This is a funny way to play, Pacer.” And Elvis says, “You know I won’t hurt you.”
Another scene I love is when he is fighting shirtless. What’s not to love, right? 🙂
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Wild in the Country 1961
About: Elvis plays Glenn Tyler, a young man with a troubled past and an alcoholic father, who dreams of being a writer (pretty cool, right?). He beats up his brother (played by Elvis’ long-time friend, Red West) in the beginning of the movie and is sentenced to probation and ordered to weekly counseling sessions with Irene Sperry, played by Hope Lange. He also moves in with his uncle, who wants to marry him off to his daughter, a single mom and wild girl, played by Tuesday Weld. Elvis actually has three love interests in this movie, the third being his longtime girlfriend, played by Millie Perkins. Again, I cried in this movie. Elvis does a wonderful job in this role, and it’s very dramatic and moving.
Side notes: Millie Perkins broke her arm when she had to slap Elvis’ character. The scene was not used in the movie.
The film was originally not going to be a musical, but Colonel Parker insisted that Elvis sing. Millie Perkins claimed that Elvis was not pleased. In one scene where he has to sing while they’re driving along in a truck, she said that Elvis said, “God, this is embarrassing. People wouldn’t do this in real life.”
At the end of the movie, Hope Lange’s character, after rumors of an affair with Glenn and the threat of Glenn going to prison for murder, attempts to kill herself. In the original ending, she succeeds, but that was not received well, so it was changed.
Hope Lange played the ‘older woman’ Glenn fell in love with, but in actuality, Hope was only 13 months older than Elvis at the time.
And, finally, Christina Crawford, daughter of Joan Crawford and author of Mommie Dearest, played a small role in the movie.
My favorite song from the movie: ‘In My Way’ or ‘I Slipped, I Stumbled, I Fell’
One of my favorite scenes:
Glenn gets drunk and goes with Tuesday Weld to Irene Sperry’s house, demanding that she return his story to him. He ends up spraying down her porch with the water hose while shouting at her to give him his story back. . It’s a very cute scene, with a touching moment. He was so adorable.
In this video, clips from the movie are shown while the title track from the movie plays:
Elvis and Tuesday Weld, who he briefly dated:
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Blue Hawaii 1961
About: Elvis plays Chad Gates, who has just returned to his home in Hawaii after two years in the army. His wealthy parents want him to join the family pineapple business, but Chad wants to be independent and he takes a job as a tour guide.
This movie was one of Elvis’ most popular, but it wasn’t one of my favorites, strangely enough. I enjoyed it, don’t get me wrong, but not as much as I did many of his others. I think it was partly because I wasn’t crazy about the music in the movie (even though the soundtrack spent 20 straight weeks at #1 on Billboard’s top LP’s and was Elvis’ most successful album) Yeah, I just don’t usually seem to go with the opinion of the masses. Also, there was no romantic conflict. He returned home to his girlfriend and they were together in the entire movie, with a few minor road bumps along the way. Joan Blackman played his love interest, and she was gorgeous.
Side notes: At the beginning of the movie, Chad is deplaning and if you listen carefully and turn up the volume, you can hear hundreds of screaming fans who were watching the shoot.
Angela Lansbury played Elvis’ mother, but she was actually only nine years older than him.
My favorite song from the movie: ‘Almost Always True’ or ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’
One of my favorite scenes:
Probably this scene where he’s singing Slicin’ Sand – He’s wearing these tight, white shorts and his body looks amazing, and it shows his fabulous butt. 🙂
Filed under Entertainment
Elvis Presley – Ramblings of a Lifelong Fan – Part XIX – Rare Recordings, Duets, and Remixes
Elvis released hundreds of songs over his career, and in the nearly forty years after his death, his songs are still being released. Many are never before heard recordings, some are remixes, some are alternate takes, and some are duets. I am not crazy about most of the remixes and duets. I like the pure, original sound of Elvis’ music. Below I’ve listed some of my thumbs up and thumbs downs.
Thumbs up:
Any song Lisa Marie records of her father’s. I think it’s awesome that she is a singer, and that she loves and respects her father so much. The songs she records with him are beautiful. I’m not certain how many she has done, but I know of a handful: In the Ghetto, Don’t Cry Daddy, and I Love you Because.
I’m Left, You’re Right, She’s Gone, the alternate version – This is an alternate version that was recorded by Elvis in the early years. It’s better than the one that was released. It’s moody and bluesy and gives me chills. They should have released this version, not that there was anything wrong with the one they did release, but this one is phenomenal. Do yourself a favor and listen to it.
This is a rare home recording of Elvis at a friend’s house in 1958 singing Happy, Happy Birthday Baby. Can you imagine sitting around a living room with Elvis while he belted out songs and played the piano?
Thumbs Down:
Lisa Loïs Duet of Love Me Tender – While this is a beautiful version, and the girl has an amazing voice, it gets a thumb’s down simply because when I hear the first few notes as I’m listening to Elvis radio, I can’t help but be disappointed that it’s not an ‘original’ Elvis.
Barbara Streisand Duet of Love Me Tender – The woman has a fantastic voice, and there’s no doubt she’s a superstar, and I love that she and Elvis had a mutual respect and admiration for one another, but to me, she tampers with the pure sound of the original arrangement. And, I’m not sure what those extra lyrics are at the beginning, but they’re not needed.
All of the remixes – Although these releases did well, I don’t care for the addition of the Techno sound to Elvis’s songs. I’m not sure how many were done that way, but a few I know about are Rubberneckin’, Little Less Conversation, and Bossa Nova Baby. Don’t get me wrong, I’d like them okay if I hadn’t heard the true versions, but Elvis didn’t need the Techno sound added. His music was timeless and perfect in its original form.
How about you? Do you agree, or am I way too picky when it comes to Elvis? 🙂
Filed under Entertainment, For Writers
Linda Andrews – Unmask My Heart
Linda Andrews is my guest today, and she’s unmasking a Halloween story…let’s get to know a little more about her and her latest release, Unmask My Heart.
Are there any tricks or habits you use when creating a story?
I have a playlist for every story I write. The current book I’m finishing up is a Christmas Story. You’d think I would be listening to Christmas music, but I’m not. It has Shake it Off by Taylor Swift, Grenade by Bruno Mars, Meanwhile back at Mama’s by Tim McGraw, Chicken Fried by ZBB, I’m not the only One by Sam Smith, Roller Coaster and Drink a Beer by Luke Bryan, and Centuries by Fall Out Boy, plus the 4 song album by Meghan Trainor. It’s just something about the lyrics and the beat of the music that puts me right in the mood.
Do you have another occupation, other than writer? If so, what is it and how do you like it?
By day I don my lab coat and goggles and act like an organic chemist. Okay, I actually perform extractions followed by analysis on a very expensive GC. I love bench work and my job, most of the time. But there are days when I think it would be nice to just be able to write all the time without cramming it into my off hours.
What do you dislike that most people wouldn’t understand?
I dislike reality TV shows that views have to vote for or against people and feature really folks being nasty to each other. That said, I do love forensic shows and history documentaries. My daughter points out these are reality shows. And I often counter that these things end well, the criminal is caught and the rest of us rose above the baddies in history. I don’t believe in being mean for entertainment purposes; there are enough jerk faces in the world that we shouldn’t encourage everyone else to believe this is how a society should function.
What genre have you never written that you’d like to write?
I’ve never written a mystery series and would love to write one eventually, but I think there’ll be ghosts in it and it’ll be a romance, so um, not really a mystery. I love mysteries and perhaps, there are just some genres we as writers should always enjoy but never ruin our love of them by writing them. 🙂
What is your favorite quote?
“Imagination is more important than knowledge.” by Albert Einstein
If you were stranded on a deserted island and you could have 3 (inanimate) objects, what would they be?
An iPad with keyboard and unlimited power (solar of course), an axe, and a knife. Yeah, I’m that practical. 🙂
Your favorite…
Movie Disney’s Beauty and the Beast
Music I find something I love in every kind of music 🙂
Place you’ve visited Home
Favorite Halloween Costume Some epic gold grillz
Place you’d like to visit Cornwall in England
TV show from childhood Scooby Doo
TV show from adulthood Masterpiece Theatre on PBS
Food Anything Mexican
Which do you prefer: Board games/card games or television? Board games and Uno
To be entered in the drawing for some Halloween bling, please let me know your favorite Halloween memory and why.
Below is a scene from my Halloween novella. My heroine wanted to look her best when she reunited with her first love. Fate had other plans. 🙂
Her heart faltered and stumbled to find its usual rhythm. The list of supplies slipped from her numb fingers. The neat rows of printing winked at her as the scrap of paper drifted to the ground.
Gabriel Stephens was back.
No one had warned her. No one. On her milk and egg delivery route this morning, she had seen six people and talked to each of them. Yet they had said nothing. It was a small island! The butcher, the baker, and the blacksmith all lived within a stone’s throw of the pier. They had to have known.
“I apologize for my appearance.” Gabe tucked his arms through the sleeves of his woolen jacket. A fancy white label flashed along the sleek lining before he slipped it over his broad chest.
No homemade clothing for him. Phoebe’s mouth opened and closed. Her knees trembled. She was no longer a child. She no longer had a crush on him. Her heart didn’t seem to be listening.
“Now, what can I do—” Adjusting the lapels of his suit, Gabe looked up. He blinked once. “Phoebe?”
Her reply stuck in her dry throat so she nodded.
A dimple winked in his left cheek. The one he always said came out to play just for her. His gray-blue eyes shifted into sapphire as his gaze traveled from her black hair to her muddy boots. “You are looking more beautiful than I remember.”
Blurb:
Her heart can’t give him up. Her head can’t trust him.
Everyone Phoebe Monpetit has ever loved eventually abandoned her. Even Gabriel Stephens, the man she thought she’d marry. For the last twelve years, she’s muddled through alone, cobbling a life together.
Gabriel took the first opportunity to escape his family’s constant fighting and rarely looked back. When war explodes across Europe, he learns what his cowardice has really cost him.
This Halloween, he’ll use every trick he can to win back Phoebe’s heart.
Will she keep her true feelings covered, or will she let Gabe unmask her heart?
Available Only on Amazon: Click Here
About Linda:
Linda Andrews lives with her husband and three children in Phoenix, Arizona. When she announced to her family that her paranormal romance was to be published, her sister pronounce: “What else would she write? She’s never been normal.”
All kidding aside, writing has become a surprising passion. So just how did a scientist start to write paranormal romances? What other option is there when you’re married to romantic man and live in a haunted house?
If you’ve enjoyed her stories or want to share your own paranormal experience feel free to email the author at lindaandrews at lindaandrews dot net She’d love to hear from you.
Filed under Entertainment, For Writers
Author Alicia Dean 