Today I’m featuring a brand new release from The Wild Rose Press. Please check out the book with the fabulous cover, and be sure to visit Dawn’s website.
Dawn Douglas with Paris Rose, a contemporary romance novella
Can the pain and problems of the past ever be overcome? Or is Lucy Rawlinson’s mission to win back her ex-husband truly impossible?
Fun Fact: Ideas for stories are always churning around in my head. I’d been wanting to write Paris Rose for a long time but it didn’t all come together until after a trip to Paris, when I was cooking a (French) meal at home and thinking about a short story I’d written a long time ago about a couple who’d parted over the devastating loss of a child. Even though that story was done and dusted, the characters in it wouldn’t leave me alone. I sat down and began to write Paris Rose.
I do not care for Elvis impersonators. I have always found them a bit cartoonish and unsettling. That is not to say I don’t enjoy a respectful tribute, even if the singer is dressed as Elvis. But, I find it very annoying when people think they sound like Elvis. No one sounds like Elvis. He was the one and only, always and forever.
Often imitated, but never duplicated:
I will have to say, though, I do have a few fond ‘impersonator’ memories. Not long after Elvis passed away, an impersonator put on a show in Oklahoma City. I don’t even recall his name, but he was respectful, and he did a good job. My sisters and I soaked up every radio show, every interview, every tv special, etc, after his death. So, of course, we had to attend that. One thing that sticks out clearly in my mind is when the guy sang “It Won’t Seem Like Christmas Without You.” The line in the song is, “If I get the one thing I’m wishing for, then I’ll see you tonight in my dreams.” The impersonator changed it to say, “Yes, Elvis, we’ll see you tonight in our dreams.” Which, of course, made my sisters and I sob uncontrollably. 🙂
For my fortieth birthday (which, it’s kind of odd that I celebrated since I’m only twenty-five, but anyway…), my sister and brother-in-law, Ruth and Tom Zimmerman, took me to Memphis for my birthday. We were on Beale Street and a young guy dressed in a gold lamé suit was performing. He was adorable and respectful, and he sang very well, but he didn’t try to make his voice sound like Elvis. Those are the kind of ‘impersonators’ I can enjoy. Not the fat guys with black wigs and ridiculously bushy sideburns who lower their voice and think they sound like the King.
Below is a photo of my son, Presley. Some of you probably saw it on Facebook, but I still thought I would share it here. He is not an Elvis impersonator, and he normally does not wear Elvis Presley jumpsuits. 🙂 He does, however, love Elvis music. I didn’t force it on him, I swear. He was on a cruise, and he entered a Karaoke contest singing Elvis songs. I didn’t get to see it, but I would imagine, based on his personality, he really gave them a show. He ended up winning the contest, and they gave him an Elvis costume to wear and brought him on stage for the finale.
Although I wasn’t there to see it live, he brought home a DVD, and I watched that. It was so much fun! He did a really good job and put on quite a show. And, you guessed it, he made his mama proud. 🙂
Obviously, I can’t say everything I want to say about Elvis’ music in one post, so there will most definitely be more, so stay tuned. 🙂
In twenty-three years, Elvis recorded almost a thousand songs, although the number that was actually released during his lifetime was just over seven-hundred. Thanks to Elvis radio, I have the opportunity to hear a lot of those rare recordings and outtakes where Elvis was himself, and he was human, and having fun with the guys. I love the ones where he is laughing–his adorable, sexy, infectious laugh. The people who worked with him said he had a talent for arrangements and was a perfectionist, who would keep at it until he had the recording just the way he wanted. They also say he could memorize lyrics more quickly than anyone they’d ever known. It’s funny that, even with Elvis’ unparalleled fame and popularity, the only music he ever won awards for was his gospel. I’ve never been able to figure that out.
One thing I love about Elvis music is that it spanned so many genres. With blues, country, rock, pop, soul, and gospel, there’s something for everyone. I have three children, who all ‘like’ Elvis, but my twenty-one-year-old son, Presley, LOVES Elvis. I didn’t force it on him, even with the name, I promise. 🙂 He actually could have grown up resenting me for the name, but he is proud of it, and truly loves Elvis. He’s on a cruise right now, and he called me last night to ask me about the lyrics to Jailhouse Rock. He wasn’t sure he could remember them all. I remembered them, but not exactly in order. (I know, it’s shameless, but we only had a few minutes to talk, and I was under pressure to hurry, and that song has a lot of short verses. It’s hard to remember the correct order.) Presley was a finalist in a Karaoke contest (in which he’d earlier sung Suspicious Minds) and was going to be singing Jailhouse Rock in the finals. After we hung up, a memory came to me of when he was around fifteen months old, and he was slapping his little hand on the stereo saying ‘Wock, wock,’ wanting me to play Jailhouse Rock. I did, and he started dancing and bobbing his head and snapping his fingers. SO freakin’ cute! (I have it on home video. It’s precious!)
Oddly, some of my favorite Elvis songs are the lesser known ones; many of them only a true Elvis fan would have heard. I re-discovered this one recently, and was struck once again by just how beautiful his voice really was. It gave me chills.
This is one of my favorites of Elvis’ early recordings, Love Me. There’s something about the way he starts the song, that first line, that makes me weak all over. 🙂 Enjoy this adorable video of him singing the song on the Ed Sullivan show.
Over the years, Elvis’ music had brought me a great deal of joy. It sounds odd, but if I’m stressed or upset, I can listen to his music, and it makes me feel better.
I have a confession to make, though. I don’t ‘love’ every song Elvis ever did. Even some of his most popular ones were not my favorites; such as Love Me Tender, Hound Dog, Blue Suede Shoes. I know, I know, I should be ashamed. 🙂 However, there were plenty of his songs that I DO love, obviously. I could list them, but we don’t have all day, right?
What about you? What are some of your favorite Elvis songs?
I’m happy to feature two new releases from The Wild Rose Press. Please check out the books and follow the authors on Twitter and Facebook, etc.
Now, for a bit about the stories, some favorite lines, AND the fun fact tidbits…
Willa Blair with The Healer’s Gift (A Highland Talents Novella) – Scottish Historical Paranormal Romance
The Healer’s gift changes everything Coira thinks she knows about herself and her future.
Fun Fact:The Healer’s Gift (A Highland Talents Novella) resolves the story of one of the most tormented characters in HIGHLAND HEALER (Highland Talents Book 1). Coira MacDugall deserves the harshest punishment for her actions in the Highlands. But her clan’s new laird, Logan, defies her expectations. And the Healer’s gift changes everything she thought she knew — about herself and the people around her.
A few lines from the story:
“Ye bring me peace. Did ye ken that? I desire ye, I canna hide it. But ye bring me peace.”
!!! Ebook On Sale – Only $2.00 – 1/2 Price at The Wild Rose Press through July !!!
Sharron Riddle with Walking Sticks: The Gift, a New Adult paranormal novel
Is death the only way to stop the cursed walking sticks?
Fun Fact: The Walking Sticks was inspired by Maori Legends – Native New Zealanders – who believed in blue skinned, fair haired fairy folk years before the first white men arrived to their islands.
A few lines from the story:
“I know, but it seems like weird stuff has been happening ever since I opened the package. The stick in my room…” Kerry looked around, lowered her voice. “I locked it in my closet, and I heard it in there. Riva, I swear, it was trying to get out.”
While Elvis’s movies are often regarded as silly and pointless, many people, including myself, find them highly enjoyable. Admittedly, they are not classic, Oscar-worthy films, and Elvis himself wasn’t pleased with the roles he played. He wanted to be a serious actor and admired other actors like James Dean and Marlon Brando. The only movie he was really proud of was King Creole, which was a wonderful film where Elvis was allowed to excercise his acting chops, and he did a fantastic job. After he returned from the army, his movies became no more than a vehicle for his singing. However, I thought they were fun and entertaining. I admit, I’m slightly biased, but even many non-Elvis fans enjoyed his movies. Some of my favorites….
Jailhouse Rock – I recently re-watched this and fell in love with it all over again. Another serious role where Elvis put on a great performance. And, there were some awesome songs in this movie, such as Don’t Leave Me Now, Treat Me Nice, Young and Beautiful, and of course, Jailhouse Rock. Sadly, Judy Tyler, who co-starred with Elvis in Jailhouse Rock, was driving home from Los Angeles to Manhattan with her husband, when they were in an auto accident, and she was killed instantly, at twenty-four years old, before the movie was released. Her husband died in the hospital the following day. People close to Elvis said he took her death hard, and was never able to watch the movie.
This is my favorite scene in any Elvis movie, ever. (Ignore the foreign subtitles and enjoy…)
Fast forward to his final movie in 1969, Change of Habit, where he played Dr. John Carpenter and Mary Tyler-Moore co-starred with him. Yep, still sexy…
Another movie I loved was Live a Little, Love a Little, for many reasons, but a big one is that he said my name in the movie…and hearing Elvis say my name was a thrill! 🙂 A few of my other favorites were Tickle Me and Girl Happy. But, I could go on and on, of course. Because, well, I’m a huge Elvis fan, if you haven’t already guessed. Not only was it fun to watch Elvis in the roles, what made his movies even better was that he starred with a lot of well-known actors, such as Charles Bronson, Nancy Sinatra, Ann-Margaret, Richard Egan, Angela Lansbury, and Bill Bixby.
I remember when we were young, my sisters and I going to the movies at the Chieftan in Oklahoma City and watching Elvis on the big screen. Heavenly!
Listening to Elvis radio now, I hear a lot of interviews with his co-stars and all of them have great things to say about him, about what a nice guy he was, how easy he was to work with, how he didn’t act like a star, and the women say he was a great kisser. I can only imagine. 🙂
As I stated previously, I mention Elvis in almost all of the books I write. So, of course I’m going to mention him a lot in a story set in 1957. Below is a snippet from my upcoming short story, End of Lonely Street, releasing with The Wild Rose Press on January 7, 2015.
Blurb:
All Toby Lawson wants is to go to college to become a teacher and to be free of her alcoholic mother and some painful memories. But when her mother nearly burns the house down, Toby must put her dreams on hold and return home to care for her. The only time she isn’t lonely and miserable is when she’s listening to her heartthrob, Elvis Presley. His music takes her away and helps her escape from everything wrong in her life.
Noah Rivers has always loved Toby, but no matter what he says, she can‘t get past the fact that her drunken mother once kissed him. He soon realizes the true problem lies in Toby’s belief she’s not good enough for him and in her fear she will be just like her mother.
What will it take to prove to her that she deserves to be happy, and that he would give anything to be the man to make her dreams come true?
Excerpt:
Noah glanced around the diner. Toby followed his gaze. The counter was lined with customers. A jukebox sat in the corner. Patsy Cline’s “Walkin’ After Midnight” now belted from its speakers. “What happened to college? I thought you were getting your teaching degree.”
She shrugged and took the dish cloth from her apron pocket. “That was the plan.” She wouldn’t go into how she’d had to put off her schooling to come home and see after her mother. Surely he’d heard the story about Constance falling asleep with a lit cigarette and almost burning down the house—with her inside it—from the town gossip mill. “I finished my three years at University. Now I have to complete my Post-Graduate Certificate of Education. I had to put that on hold for a while, so in the meantime, I’m doing this.”
“Great. That means I’ll see you often. Maybe we can get together for a movie or something? Jailhouse Rock is showing at the Bijou.”
Elvis and Noah at the same time? Her heart wouldn’t take it.
Before the break-up, she’d gone to the drive-in to see Rebel Without a Cause with him. James Dean had died less than a month earlier, and she cried throughout the entire movie. Noah had held her, comforted her. Let her cry on his shoulder. That was their last movie together. The night remained a sad memory for more than one reason.
This week, I have one new Wild Rose Press release being featured. (And it’s a hot one!) Please check out the book and follow the author on Twitter and Facebook, etc.
Enjoy the wonderful story, fave lines, AND the fun fact tidbit…
Nona Raines with Read to Me, an erotic romance novella
A shared love of erotica leads to one passionate night. Can it also lead to love?
Fun fact: I got the idea for how the characters first meet from an incident I witnessed years ago while riding the bus. A lady passenger accidentally sat on a strange man’s lap! My little writer’s brain saved that up to use someday in a story.
A few favorite lines from the book:
Had this man actually asked to read erotica with her? Yes.
And was she going to agree? Yes!
!!! A Review Tour for Read to Me is currently taking place and I am offering two $50 GCs in a Rafflecopter Giveaway. Here is the link to participate:
Elvis Presley has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I have always loved him—I don’t even recall the first time I discovered him. It just seems as though he was always there. My sister, Ruth, however, does remember when she discovered him, and I’m a little jealous of that memory, since I don’t have my own. (Nor do I remember the incident, so I’m telling her version, which is very short :)). She was five and I was seven (but, it’s really odd how, all these years later, she’s somehow older than me…hmmm…) 😉 Anyway, I digress. She said that I called her into the living room where Elvis’s movie, Harum Scarum, was playing (on our black and white television. This was around 1967, but we didn’t yet have a color tv), and I pointed Elvis out to her and said, “Look, isn’t he cute?” From then on, she and I grew up sharing our devotion to Elvis.
I can’t explain exactly how I feel about Elvis; only another true fan really ‘gets’ it. But, he was more than just an entertainer. He had this special, magical quality that I can’t name, but I know exists. Otherwise, why would millions of people all over the world love him so much? Why would they—nearly 37 years after his death—travel thousands of miles just to see his home? (And, they still do, daily in droves of thousands, from places as far as Australia, Ireland, England, etc.) Because, he touched people in a way no other entertainer has before or ever will again. Even if you are not an Elvis fan, you can’t deny the impact he had on the world. Yes, there are other successful, talented, well-loved performers. But, seriously, another Elvis? I don’t think so.
Although I have never wavered in my love for Elvis, I’ve recently gained a new appreciation of him now that I listen to Elvis radio on Sirius XM. It’s so awesome that they have an entire channel devoted to him. Nothing but Elvis, 24/7. And, that is all I ever listen to. Seriously, all the time, Elvis Radio. Not only do they play a ton of his great music, including rare recordings, but they have guests who knew the real Elvis. They share their memories of him, and hearing the intimate details of his life makes him all the more special.
Because of my adoration of Elvis, I have mentioned him in almost all of my published works. Here’s a little sample from “Poetic Injustice” a Romantic Suspense Novella (one of my older titles published through The Wild Rose Press) CLICK ON THE COVER FOR MORE INFORMATION
Snippet:
Samantha put in an Elvis CD and cracked the window just a bit. She loved the fresh smell of rain, and a little moisture wouldn’t hurt anything.
Love Coming Down, one of Elvis’ more obscure releases from the 70’s, was playing. The damp evening air and Elvis’ powerful voice filled the car, surrounding her, calming her. She released a breath and, along with it, some of the tension of the past few weeks.
Do you have any special moments to share about Elvis, or any other entertainer?
I love a good salad, but I have discovered, not all salads are created equal. Whether it’s a fast food salad, or a sit down restaurant salad, the choices are endless, and some are not quite up to par.
I decided to put various salads from various restaurants to the test in searching for the very best. I would like to say my criteria is the health/low calorie value, but that isn’t quite true. I am judging purely on taste/quality/price value. I try to choose salads over burgers and pizza for the most part, but I realize when cheese, bacon, and ranch dressing is added, the healthy advantages suffer a bit. But, I use minimal amounts of dressing, and I still believe that a salad must be a better choice than a bacon cheeseburger and fries, right?
So…each week I am featuring three different salads and giving them a rating based on my own personal criteria. Feel free to share your opinions about these salads or others, whether you loved or loathed them.
This is the rating scale I am using (because these are the elements that are important to me 🙂
(25 points possible)
1) Freshness: You can tell when a salad was made way earlier and just pulled from the cooler rather than prepared freshly. [1 through 3] 2) Type of Lettuce: I don’t care for iceberg lettuce, I love the really green stuff, and if a salad has brownish yellow lettuce, it’s a HUGE fail. [0 through 3] 3) Overall taste. [1 through 5] 4) Crispies. These are things like croutons, sunflower seeds, etc. Very important to me in a salad. Some salads have great ones, some have none, and some have sub par ones. [1 through 3] 5) Value for the $ – [1 through 4] 6) Variety of vegetables/ingredients: Some salads have lettuce and nothing else. I like a few other things thrown in like carrots, cucumbers, olives, etc. [1 through 4] 7) Cheese. A salad can have too little cheese or so so cheese, but it cannot have too much cheese, in my opinion. [1 through 3]
Wendy’s Barbecue Bacon Ranch
1) Freshness: 2 out of 3
2) Type of Lettuce: 2 out of 3
3) Overall taste. 3 out of 5 – Blending of flavors wasn’t that great.
4) Crispies. 1 out of 3 – None.
5) Value for the $ – 2.5 out of 4 – It’s a decent size but the flavor is a little lacking, so that makes it less of a value. and has plenty of taste and variety to make it worth the going price.
6) Variety of vegetables/ingredients: 3.5 out of 4 – With tomatoes, eggs, cabbage, carrots, and roasted corn kernels, it’s almost perfect, but not quite.
7) Cheese. 1 out of 3 – The cheese is good, but there’s so little of it.
TOTAL: 13
Panera Thai Salad
1) Freshness: 3 out of 3
2) Type of Lettuce: 2.5 out of 3 – A little mixed in not so green.
3) Overall taste. 3 out of 5
4) Crispies. 3 out of 3 – .
5) Value for the $ – 2.5 out of 4 almost 9.00
6) Variety of vegetables/ingredients: 3.0 out of 4 –. More variety, but not the best tasting ingredients.
7) Cheese. 2 out of 3 – None,although that type of salad shouldn’t. But I still can’t give it a 3.
TOTAL: 19
Whataburger Garden Salad with Grilled Chicken
1) Freshness: 3 out of 3
2) Type of Lettuce: 3 out of 3 – Nice and fresh and green.
3) Overall taste: 4.5 out of 5 – It has a great flavor, I LOVE their grilled chicken, but the flavor would have been improved with a few extra veggies or something added in.
4) Crispies: 1 out of 3 – Zero.
5) Value for the $: 4 out of 4 – Nice size, reasonably priced.
6) Variety of vegetables/ingredients: 2.5 out of 4 – Tomatoes and shredded carrots.
7) Cheese: 2 out of 3 – The cheese is good, but there’s not enough of it.
TOTAL: 20
So…what do you think? Have you tried any of these salads? Do you agree? Disagree? What are your most and least favorite salads.
As always…feel free to call me out on my math if I got it wrong…it’s not my strong suit 🙂
I am proud to share some of the latest releases from The Wild Rose Press… Please check out the books and follow these authors on Twitter and Facebook, etc.
Enjoy the wonderful stories, fave lines, AND the fun fact tidbits…
Annette Miller, with Night Angel, a paranormal novella
True love does conquer all.
Fun Fact: As a superhero fan, I always loved the fact that the heroes would win. The battles were always epic. Then I got to thinking. Heroes need love too. And the idea was born. I love romance and heroes. It just seemed natural to put them together.
A few lines from the story…
But didn’t this kind of stuff always happen in fairy tales? The path to true love was always filled with obstacles. Yes, she thought. But why does my path have major construction signs?
!!! On sale at Wild Rose Press for only 2.50 for ebook. On sale in print for 13.99 !!!
Melissa Snark with The Mating Game, Erotic Paranormal Novel
Two males…two friends…a competition for the right to claim The Heart of the Iron Stone Pack
Fun Fact: My hero, Zachary Hunter, is an author of suspense thrillers. Throughout the story, he comically falls prey to many of the foibles of writers everywhere: writer’s block, procrastination, not accepting criticism well, editor issues, people having issues about how his characters should act, and being tuned out to important real life developments because he’s “in the zone”. Most of the jokes are private and I may be the only one who actually think they are funny.
A few lines from the story:
“Oh, Zach.” Theresa sighed into the phone. The sound of her weight shifting atop fabric reached his ears. “What am I going to do with you?”
“I could offer all manner of suggestions.” Zach’s mouth went dry, and his voice had acquired a sultry tone, deliberately suggestive, a hint of the lewd.
!!! 50% off at The Wild Rose Press – only $3.00: Click HERE
I have two giveaways going right now, a June Rafflecopter and a Goodreads Giveaway. Enter for your chance to win this Nordic Lights Triskilian Dolphin Pendant or FREE signed print books of The Mating Game.
Melissa Snark is published with The Wild Rose Press & as an Indie author with five unique titles: A CAT’S TALE, THE MATING GAME, LEARNING TO FLY, THE CHILD THIEF, HUNGER MOON.
Her Loki’s Wolves series includes THE CHILD THIEF, HUNGER MOON AND BATTLE CRY (to be released in 2014).
She lives in the San Francisco bay area with her husband, three children and a glaring of cats.
She is a professional cat herder and unrepentant satirist who blogs about books and writing on The Snarkology.
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Author Alicia Dean 