Romantic Times 2008 Convention Blog

Finally able to blog about Romantic Times 2008 Convention. Funny thing, tomorrow we leave to stay at the hotel for Ravencon 2008 that I work as staff for.
It all started last Tuesday, April 15th, as my husband drove me to meet one of my roommates, author Mechele Armstrong. We left Richmond about 9PM, hoping that we missed the mess that always happens on the Capitol Beltway with people heading to work in Washington D.C. It was actually smooth sailing all the way to Pittsburgh. We got there about 3PM, checked into our room and I met my other roomie, Melissa, who writes with Mechele under another pseudonym for Ellora's Cave, plus another pseudonym with another author. Later I took the RT Virgin panel and afterwards met some members of the Femailers II yahoo group I'm with, along with my roommates and we took the hotel shuttle to Spaghetti Warehouse. The food was great, the company super and when I called my husband, all the women yelled, "Hello Bill!".
The next day RT started. I got my membership and bag at 8AM, did some panels, and got my booksellers prize to the right person. Later that afternoon was the Book Expo that I did signed as Sapphire Phelan. I even did the science fiction romance party, then went to my room to dress in my 1940s costume and went to the Ellora's Cave Hollywood party. Chocolate and party food, a dance, wild goings on, and I even won one of three baskets given by EC. At one point, my gold high heel pumps were killing my toes so went upstairs to my room and changed to jeans, tennis shoes and T-shirt to keep dancing. I got to be by 12:30PM.
Second day was more panels, the Wild West Luncheon where I had my first free meal, another neat social given by Mary Janice Davidson and others where they signed bags we got, some that they went sill on and added some memorable stuff. and by nighttime, got ready for the Under the Sea Fairy Ball with my roommates. We were joined by couple friends of my roomies and sat together and had a great meal, though not too sure about the cake deserts we got.
Friday was another round of panels, plus a social gathering with chocolate, port, champagne and chocolate covered strawberries, plus a free book by the author giving it that I got signed. Then went upstairs to room and prepare my vampire fangs. I got dressed in my Matrix pleather duster, a sleeveless glittery black top and pleather pants. I inserted fangs onto my canines, then put on some nifty half boots with gold panthers etched in heels and after my roommates got ready, we all went down to the ballroom with others. We got out table, I took out fangs (nope could not eat with them on), ate and watched Heather Graham, F. Paul Wilson, and others do a skit using fairy tale characters, classic monsters and Rocky Horror Picture Show characters. After was a dance, with a live band playing. I even won one of the trophies for Best Costume for my urban fantasy kick ass vampire. If you will be at Ravencon this weekend be prepared to see that vamp again or for the first time if you weren't at RT.
Saturday was mainly the Book Fair, where I sold quite a bit of Haunted Richmond and three copies of Coming Together: Under Fire anthology that as Sapphire Phelan I have a sensual fantasy romance story included. After we went to the military mixer, after that to dinner at Joe's Crab Shack and back to get ready for Dorchester's Boots made for Strutting party. I wore my new, decorated boots which went over well by a lot of people as they got pictures taken of as I dance. I got more free books and we went to bed by 12:15PM as Melissa, Mechele and I had to get up by 6AM next morning as Melissa had a flight out of Pittsburgh by 9AM and Mechele and I hot the road by 9AM too.
Good thing too, as it rained for us all the way home, worse as we hit Virginia.

Two bit of good news--pitched to two editors, one from Dorchester, the other from Kensington about my urban fantasy and they both want to see it.

Ghost Hunting, Writing, RT and Ravencon

Well, my next two weeks will be busy. Finishing and editing last part of an urban fantasy novel that I will be pitching to two editors (one from Berkeley and the other from Dorchester) at Romantic Times Convention next week. I hope it goes over with them. I know one of my characters is a favorite with my writer groups. Then on Saturday (unless it rains, which the news has been threatening about) I'll be ghost hunting, or investigating with some investigators at Cold Harbor Civil War Battlefied here. I've done it a few weeks ago with one of the investigators, Laura and a friend, Susan at Evergreen Cemetery. Got some cool pictures--one you can see some ecto, maybe a figure. Monday I'll join Laura and the other investigator, along with a paranormal radio station coming to town and do Wrexham Hall. First, Wrexham is beautiful, a house from 1700s that became two houses later on. And the ghost, Susannah, is active.
So, like I said busy.
Then on Tuesday the 15th I leave for Romantic Times. Not with my husband--he stays home--but with one of my roommates at the Hilton and a fellow member of Virginia Romance Writers. Been excited about this. Working on costumes, lately my boots for the Boots is Made for Walking Dorchester party. Working to finish this novel. Packing.
Then once back from RT on 20th I'll only have about four days until my husband and I leave for the Crown Plaza West hotel Thursday the 24th. That night will be Unhappy Hour at the Edgar Allen Poe Museum (they're one of our guests for the con). Then on Friday, three days of craziness, fun and a good time. Working too, as a member of the staff.
So, like I said, busy as a bee.Will I go insane? I'm a writer, what else can you expect?
On RT, I will be signing copies of Haunted Richmond at the Saturday the 20th book fair. If want more information on the book fair, what price would be just for that, or even about the convention in general, the link is Romantic Times 2008 I'll be signing as Sapphire Phelan at same book fair, Coming Together: Under Fire, an erotic collection of short stories and poetry by authors of Phaze Publishing. Proceeds of this anthology goes to the fire victims of the Southern California fires in 2007.

Anyway, got to get off and pound the computer keys on that book. Have a good day, everyone.

Check out My Interview on Shadow Talk Radio Tonight at 7PM Eastern

I'll be doing a paranormal radio show interview tonight, April 2nd on Shadow Talk Radio Wednesday. They have been voted as Best in America of top ten of haunted talk shows by Haunted America Tours

The link is http://www.shadowtalkparanormalradio.com/ and you should be able to access the show on there. It starts at 7PM Eastern.

Virtual Blog Tour Stop of Author Patricia Guthrie and Her Novel, In the Arms of the Enemy

For much more information about Patricia Guthrie and In the Arms of the Enemy, visit her virtual book tour site - http://inspiredauthor.com/promotion/Patricia+Guthrie Get it at AMAZON and Barnes and Noble .

Book Summary:
WANTED: ASSASSIN TO KILL RACE HORSES ON DEMAND
FLEXIBLE HOURS-GOOD BENEFITS.

Light Sword Publishing announces the release of Patricia A. Guthrie’s first published novel “In the Arms of the Enemy.”

When the death of a racing stable’s prize horse and his trainer is blamed on the stable’s owner; his son, Adam Blakely, goes undercover convinced that the trainer’s partner, Maggie McGregor, is the killer.

Determined to leave the tumultuous world of horse racing, Maggie returns home to try and find peace. When a handsome horse owner moves his horse into her father’s boarding stable and asks Maggie to train his horse, family finances dictate that Maggie accept--and that’s when the accidents begin.

Drowning in deception and lies, Maggie and Adam search for a killer and uncover an insurance scam so insidious, it threatens to rock a horse racing empire and bring the killer to their doorstep. They need to learn to:
Keep your friends close; but your enemies closer.

Review magazine "Affaire de Coeur" says, "With a strong mystery and a sizzling romance, Ms. Guthrie captivates readers from the start. This is an enjoyable thriller with a plot that will keep you guessing until the climactic end.”
* * * * * Rated five stars

AUTHOR BIO
Patricia A. Guthrie is a resident of Park Forest, Illinois. A recently retired music teacher from the Chicago Public Schools (May Community Academy and Chicago Vocational Community Academy) and former opera singer, Author Patricia A. Guthrie is now an avid horse owner, dog obedience trainer and writer. Ms. Guthrie lives with three feisty collies who act as “ghost writers” and help her write at every given opportunity.
This story is dedicated to those horses lost to man’s greed and inhumanity and to those humanitarians whose mission is to save and protect them.
In the Arms of the Enemy By Patricia A. Guthrie

1.) -Please tell us about your latest book.

When the death of a racing stable’s prize horse and his trainer is blamed on the stable’s owner; his son, Adam Blakely, goes undercover convinced that the trainer’s partner, Maggie McGregor, is the killer.

Determined to leave the tumultuous world of horse racing, Maggie returns home to try and find peace. When a handsome horse owner moves his horse into her father’s boarding stable and asks Maggie to train his horse, family finances dictate that Maggie accept--and that’s when the accidents begin.

Drowning in deception and lies, Maggie and Adam search for a killer and uncover an insurance scam so insidious, it threatens to rock a horse racing empire and bring the killer to their doorstep. They need to learn to:
Keep your friends close; but your enemies closer.
~
Review magazine "Affaire de Coeur" says, "With a strong mystery and a sizzling romance, Ms. Guthrie captivates readers from the start. This is an enjoyable thriller with a plot that will keep you guessing until the climactic end.
Affaire de Coeur fated In the Arms of the Enemy five stars and chose it to be a reviewer’s pick.

2.) -What can we expect from you in the future?

My next book, Waterlilies Over My Grave, is due to come out in spring of 2008. There are two other novels in the works.

3.) -How do we find out about you and your book? Where can readers find it?

www.lightswordpublishing.com, www.Amazon.com. www.Borders.com,
www.waldenbooks.com , Barnes and Noble and most other online sites.
You can order the books if you go into your local Barnes and Noble and Borders.

4.) -How may readers contact you?
My email address: Patguth@aol.com. Website: www.patriciaanneguthrie.com,
www.paguthrie.blogspot.com, and www.myspace.com/paguthrie and, of course at Nikki Leigh’s virtual book tour site, http://inspiredauthor.com/promotion/Patricia+Guthrie.

5.) -How would you describe the genre in which you do most of your writing?
Romantic suspense/ mystery/suspense, depending on the varying degree that the romance plays. In Arms of the Enemy, the romance between the hero and heroine make them equal players. The romance and mystery entwine, don’t separate. You could pull the romance out, but you’d have to rewrite most of the book.

6.) What motivated you to start writing in this book?
The seed started years ago when the disappearance of the candy heiress Helen Brach set off a huge horseshow scandal. Horses were being murdered for the insurance money; a lot of insurance money. Many horsemen were indicted. Many went to jail.

I lost the idea that all horse people were benevolent souls who loved their horses. Money plus greed plus valuable horses equals some of the sleaziest excuses for human beings in existence.

By the way, most horse people do love their horses. I want to mention that most strongly. Many of us are horse poor. Many of us get kicked, bucked, thrown and licked to death. Some of the nicest people in the world are horse and dog enthusiasts.

7.) -What kind of research do you do?

Whatever needs to be done. I’d like to say when I’m writing about Romania, I spend a nice leisurely month in the Carpathians. However, I’m not that rich.

I spend hours on the internet, books, pamphlets, talking to people etc. I spend a lot of time throughout the different drafts of the novel making sure my facts are correct. In The Arms of the Enemy, I talked to my barn owner (where my horse is boarded) she is a horse show judge and has been in the business since she was a child. She read my books for any inconsistencies or incredible stupid bloopers on my part. For Waterlillies Over My Grave, I took the visual scenery from upper Maine where we’d stayed when I was a kid for the summer months. Perfect setting.

8.) -Do you have a set schedule for writing or do you just go with the flow?

I try for eight hours a day and usually get five or six. I get more done when I have a set schedule. If I go with the flow, the flow may never come. I have to treat writing as a day job. When I was teaching (working full time) I might take a few precious moments during the day to write and plot, but mostly I had to work at night and on weekends. Of course, I plotted on the way to work and on the way home. But half the time I’d forget the most important details. And no, a tape recorder has never worked for me. But, I understand it works for others.

9.) -Where do your ideas come from?

Seeds are usually planted from news stories or live events. In the Arms of the Enemy came from an exposed horse show scandal from long ago. Water Lillies came from my interest in psychology and watching a man descent into madness.

10.) -Who, if anyone, has influenced your writing?

Probably Agatha Christie, because I read her books a lot growing up.I’d also give credit to some of my workshop leaders: Debra Dixon, Joanna Wayne, Margie Lawson, Sue Viders, Linda Daly. I can’t remember them all. At one time, when I had the time, I was addicted to workshops devoted to different areas of writing. I would suggest new writers do the same. Not only are many of the group leaders great, but the other writers in the class would make great friends and colleagues.

11.) -How long have you been writing - have you always wanted to be a writer?

I’ve always been in the creative arts in some way. I started out as an opera singer which means theater, acting and singing the works of writers-composers.

Writing is just the other side of the coin. Now I’m making up the stories. I started realizing this is what I wanted in the late 90s, but it wasn’t until I retired from teaching music in the Chicago Public School System that I realized I was now a full-time writer and when I got published, I was a full time author.

12.) -What is the most rewarding thing about being a writer?

Whenever someone tells me how much they loved reading my book and ask if there’ll be a sequel. That feels warm and squishy.


13.) Among your own books, have you a favorite book? Favorite hero or heroine?

I can’t say I have a favorite book. I prefer romantic suspense, mystery and suspense as a genre and/or subgenre. I think my favorite heroine has to be Elizabeth Bennett from Pride and Prejudice. Sheâ’s so human. Not afraid to speak her mind in a time when that was not expected of women. OH, and I love Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum. She does all that with a gun that usually goes off in the most unexpected places.

14.) -Please tell us about yourself (family, hobbies, education, etc.)

My family: I have a brother who lives in Brooklyn and works with computers (very handy brother) and a sister who’s an Episcopal priest who worked as chaplain at Cornell University for years.

I have a master’s degree in music and opera theater from Manhattan School of Music. I sang professionally for years, until I moved into other endeavors and ended up as a music therapist then as a music teacher for the Chicago Public Schools.
My three collies (Alex, Roxi and Zuri) take up much of my time as does my horse, Jackson. I also like to read and to doze off to the primary election results.

15.) -Are there any words of encouragement for unpublished writers?

Yes. I hope this is encouraging. This is an extremely difficult and frustrating business. Just because you get published does not mean you have talent coming out of your ears. And, just because you don’t get published does not mean you don’t have talent coming out of your ears. You have to learn to wear two hats. One the recluse who stays behind the computer and writes and the other outgoing personable business person who networks and learns to sell. Hard because the two skills are not always compatible.

Obtain all the writing skills you can. There are many great books out there. Donald Maas, Self Editing by Renni Browne and another author who escapes my mind, Creating Memorable Characters by Sue Viders, Goal Motivation and Conflict by Debra Dixon, Stephen King’s On Writing. I could go on and on. Those books lie in my treasure cove of books easily obtained at a moment’s notice. They’re all dog-eared.

The next thing is to write-write-write and write. Anything Garbage if necessary.
There are two types of writers: the pantzers who write from the story in their heads and the plotters who organize everything before they even start. Some of us are in between and our finished product looks nothing like our original outline.

I suggest you read everything in your genre you can. Go to conventions and seminars. Join your local RWA (Romance Writers of America) if you’re a romance writer, or Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime. I believe there are organizations for almost any genre.
But above all write. WRITE Did you hear that? WRITE.

16.) Now for something fun:

Chocolate or vanilla?

smell of vanilla. Life is good...

Favorite color?

Don’ t really have one.

Favorite character in a book?
I love Samwise Gangi from Lord of the Rings. He’s the real hero to me.

Favorite mythological being?
The unicorn.

Do you like science fiction, fantasy, horror, romance or mystery?
I’m crazy about mystery and romance, (that’s why I combine the two into romantic suspense) and some of the old fantasy types, like Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia, LOR, Harry Potter. I’m not turned on by the new fantasy that muscles its way across lines into erotica. I love good horror. Stephen King’s The Stand and It remain two of my favorite books of all time and Dean Koontz with his hero retriever Einstein melts my heart.

All time favorite actor?
Varies from day to day. Pierce Brosnan has always been a favorite as has Hugh Jackman. Kenneth Balogh for roles in Shakespeare plays.

Actress?
Maybe Joan Hickson as Miss Marple, Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman come to mind. Emma Thompson, Cate Blanchett, Gwenyth Paltrow as Emma. Oh dear, I am going on.

All time favorite book?
What ever I happen to be reading at the time. Some soft spots though: Black Beauty, Seabiscuit, Lord of the Rings, Chronicles of Narnia, anything by Janet Evanovich or Agatha Christie. Etc.

Favorite TV show?
Nancy Grace and Glenn Beck I haven’t a clue why.

Favorite Movie?
Seabiscuit with Toby McGuire.

What makes you laugh out loud?

My animals.

If you could go anywhere in the universe where would that be?
A composite spot. My house in front of a lake with pine forests behind me. A place for my horse and dogs. That would also be my secret desire. Although I could transfer to a log cabin if someone would build on for me. Sigh. No, I have no desire to go to the Moon or to Mars.

A secret desire? See above.

Review of Prosperity by Deborah Woehr

Find this book at AMAZON

Amanda Thorne is an embattled clairvoyant, who refuses to believe in God or the afterlife, even when the ghost of her murdered husband confronts her from his grave. More ghosts confront her when she finds herself stranded in a tiny town in Arizona.Two of them mistake her for a prominent woman who was murdered 79 years ago. One of them wants to avenge him for the murder, and the other wants to kill her all over again. She and her misplaced deputy friend must uncover the truth about the murder before history repeats itself." Read the excerpt HERE . Read more of Deborah Woehr's writing and book announcements at: HER BLOG .

Ghosts hang around for a variety of reasons. There’s unfinished business. Maybe it’s due to their mortal realm home being more their heaven on earth so why go beyond the veil? Another reason that is given is due to terrible violence done to the ghost when he/she was alive, and the spirit wants justice or revenge. Even if the ones who did it to them are no longer there, or are haunting the same space as the victim. This is the reason for the frightening occurrences in Prosperity, Arizona.
A clairvoyant that neither believes in God or the afterlife, Amanda Throne is confronted by her murdered husband at his grave. He threatens her, telling her she should be in the grave, not him. He promises to get her and then she wakes up, finding herself actually standing in front of his grave. This is just part and parcel of what makes up her life after his death and as we find out, their marriage when he was alive. She has known Hell long before she gets to Prosperity. Finally, between her husband’s ghost and her living mother-in-law, she decides to get in her car and take off. She makes it to Arizona, where her car breaks down in the desert, about a mile from Prosperity.
She finds herself forced to stay in the town, due to circumstances and the sheriff. She gets together with one of the sheriff’s deputies, Travis Colbain, and at first they want nothing to do with each other. But gradually, as the hauntings increase and people in the town die and become earth-bound spirits stuck in the town’s dimensions themselves, both join together to dig up the past and hopefully end the growing horror.
Deborah Woehr’s horror tale, Prosperity has interesting, complex characters. Each person, even the nice ones, has a nasty side. There are those too who refuse to hide this, like the Wilders and even Bud. And when townspeople die, they find that they are already in Hell, unable to escape the boundaries. Worse, Amanda discovers that two of the spirits mistake her for a murdered woman from seventy-nine years ago. One wants her to avenge him while the other wants her dead.
This book explores not only the theme of the paranormal kind of hauntings, but digs into those of the psychological kind that haunt both the living and even the dead. Lines between evil and good can be splattered by many shades of gray. That sometimes, a town is more than just s town, but the center of Hell itself. And that is why Prosperity will scare you.
I give Prosperity 4 Dragons.

Catch Me at Galacticon 2008 in Virginia Beach, Virginia 3/22

I'll be at this one-day convention, doing an author panel 4 to 4:45PM and manning the Ravencon 2008 table rest of the time.

GALACTICON 2008
WHEN: Saturday, March 22, 2008

TIME: 9:00AM to 5:00PM

WHERE: Central Library 4100 Virginia Beach Boulevard Virginia Beach, Va. 23452-1767
757-385-0110

ADMISSION: FREE

A science fiction, fantasy and horror mini convention with panels, dealers, events and more. it's free to attend. For more information: Galacticon 2008

Directions:
Take 64 East to 264 East
Take Second Independance Exit to Pembroke
Right onto Virginia Beach Blvd.
Library is on the Left Five stoplights up.

Read an e-Book Week March 2-8th-Get Anthology as e-Book Free

Be GREEN and reduce your carbon footprint by reading ebooks! Read an Ebook Week is March 2-8 this year. Here's the site to read the environmental stats and the history of ebooks: http://www.domokos.com/readebookweek.html .

You can download one free--an anthology, Mining the Muse, the Collective Works of Chesterfield Writers Club Anthology, I have a horror flash fiction, "Prey", included. The print book costs, but the download is free. Check it out at http://www.lulu.com/content/1490758 .

New Review for Haunted Richmond in Campfire Tales. Issue 5

Below is some of what the reviewer for Campfire tales, in Issue 5, had to say about Haunted Richmond, Virginia:

I am proud to say that Mrs. Kinney has weaved a work that not only informed and educated me, she did it in such an entertaining and escapist way that I didn't even notice: such is the power of her narrative. Upon reflection, her skill at presenting unbiased facts in such a fashion as to leave the reader's mind open to the possibilities of…what if…is the greatest single accomplishment of Haunted Richmond and the very gifted lady that penned it.Haunted Richmond is, in itself, like a walk through the cemetery that lurks just beyond the reach of the city lights, no matter where you live. The very one where you'll find yourself whistling a tune just to break the eerie silence that can too easily become ominous—and the thrill that you made it through without an unseen spirit grabbing your ankle or some lurking beats biting into your flesh. In short, Haunted Richmond is one awesome journey through a very frightening and very exciting place.

Leaping Ahead on February 29, 2008

It's leap year today. For those born on February 29th, it's their birthday. Of course, that supposedly happens only every four years. Or do they celebrate it on March 1st or February 28th during the non-leap years? Good question.

For a woman wanting a certain man, she can ask him to marry her. In many of today's cultures, it is okay for a woman to propose marriage to a man. Society doesn't look down on such women. However, that hasn't always been the case. When the rules of courtship were stricter, women were only allowed to pop the question on one day every four years--February 29th. It is believed this tradition was started in 5th century Ireland when St. Bridget complained to St. Patrick about women having to wait for so long for a man to propose. According to legend, St. Patrick said the yearning females could propose on this one day in February during the leap year. According to English law, February 29th was ignored and had no legal status. Folks assumed that traditions would also have no status on that day. It was also reasoned that since the leap year day existed to fix a problem in the calendar, it could also be used to fix an old and unjust custom that only let men propose marriage. The first documentation of this practice dates back to 1288, when Scotland passed a law that allowed women to propose marriage to the man of their choice in that year. They also made it law that any man who declined a proposal in a leap year must pay a fine. The fine could range from a kiss to payment for a silk dress or a pair of gloves. In the United States, some people have referred to this date as Sadie Hawkins Day with women being given the right to run after unmarried men to propose. Sadie Hawkins was a female character in the Al Capp cartoon strip Li'l Abner. Many communities prefer to celebrate Sadie Hawkins Day in November which is when Al Capp first mentioned Sadie Hawkins Day. Strangly enough, there's a Greek superstition that claims couples have bad luck if they marry during a leap year. Apparently one in five engaged couples in Greece will avoid planning their wedding during a leap year.

This year, for my husband, they didn't take medical and dental out of his paycheck that normally only happens twice a year. This year it will be three times.

What makes Leap Year different for 2008 from 2007? Well, in February there is five Fridays this year and not four. It began on a Friday and is ending on a Friday. Between the years 1904 and 2096, leap years that share the same day of week for each date repeat only every 28 years. The most recent year in which February comprised five Fridays was in 1980, and the next occurrence will be in 2036. February 29th is associated with age-old traditions, superstitions and folklore.

In the Gregorian calendar--the calendar used by most modern countries--there is criteria that determine which years will be leap years. Every year that is divisible by four is a leap year;
of those years, if it can be divided by 100, it is NOT a leap year, unless the year is divisible by 400. That makes it a leap year. That means that years 1800, 1900, 2100, 2200, 2300 and 2500 are NOT leap years, while year 2000 and 2400 are leap years. 2000 was special in that it was the first instance when the third criterion was used in most parts of the world. And the longest time between two leap years is eight years. The last time that occurred was between 1896 and 1904. The next time will be between 2096 and 2104.

In the Julian calendar–introduced by Julius Caesar in 46 BC and patterned after the Roman calendar–there was only one rule: any year divisible by four would be a leap year. This calendar was used before the Gregorian calendar was adopted.
Why are they needed? To keep our calendar in alignment with the earth's revolutions around the sun.

Vernal equinox means the sun is directly above the Earth's equator, moving from the southern to the northern hemisphere. The mean time between two successive vernal equinoxes is called a tropical year–-also known as a solar year–-and is about 365.2422 days long.

Using a calendar with 365 days every year would result in a loss of 0.2422 days, or almost six hours per year. After 100 years, this calendar would be more than 24 days ahead of the season (tropical year). That's not desirable or accurate. That's why to align the calendar with the seasons we make any difference as insignificant as possible. Adding a leap year approximately every fourth year, the difference between the calendar and the seasons are reduced significantly, aligning the calendar with the seasons more accurately.


Now, no calendar of today is accurate. they're off by seconds, minutes, hours and days every year. Making a calendar more accurate, new leap year rules would have to be introduced to the Gregorian calendar. This would complicate the calculation of the calendar. It will, however, need some modifications in a few thousand years. The tropical year is approximately 365.242199 days, but it varies year to year, because of the influence of other planets.

An interesting note, February 30th was a real date once. In Sweden and the Soviet Union once upon a time that is. The introduction of this date was temporary though. In Sweden, February 30 resulted from an error with calendar conversion in the 18th century. About two centuries later, the Soviet revolutionary calendar featured February 30 as a result of an attempt to cut seven-day weeks into five-day weeks and to introduce 30-day months for every working month.

How is leap year significant to you? Do you plan to do something different than what you would do any other day? Or is it just another day to you? If it's your birthday, how do you celebrate it on non-leap years?

For me, leap year adds one more day to write. What better way for me to celebrate it!

Shevacon Is Coming!!!

Shevacon is approaching. No, that's not a threat. It's coming, and that is that! I was a writer guest of theirs last year and enjoyed it immensely. And now I'm back this year. Don't know about better, but maybe still warped. I'll be doing some panels, maybe a book signing and reading, and if can fit it in, hang out in costume at some point with my husband--who wears stormtrooper armor--and other members of 501st. Oh, and party too. Of course. What's a con without a good party where on can let her hair down. Well, maybe not. A writer has her reputation to protect. LOL!
So if you're in Virginia, or coming to Shevacon anyway, come check out the panels I'll be on. Like Sex in genre fiction (hey, Author P.N. Elrod is on it, besides author friends, Elizabeth Blue and Kristy Tallman ) or the paranormal one with author Rosemary Ellen Guiley and two real-life ghost busters. Saturday, I'll be doing the Iron Author challenge. Plus a couple other super panels.
I can't wait. I need to let my hair down. Been writing like crazy the past few days here. Got a late night radio interview tonight at 11PMEST/ 9PM MST. It's Residual Hauntings Live Internet Radio Show and you can access it at http://www.residualhaunting.info . I'll be talking about Haunted Richmond, Virginia and my other works.
Anyway, if you're at the convention, do say hi. :D For those who want to go but need the address of the Holiday Inn Roanoke-Tanglewood where it will be held, here's their website link: Shevacon .org .

Dr. Jones is Back, and Good as Ever!

Well, today the trailer finally premiered. My husband and I watched it on Access Hollywood. Now those who know Bill and me know he has the official Indiana Jones fedora from the '80s and the costume. We bought a new official Indiana Jones fedora couple months ago at Cracker Barrel, of all places. Can you believe that?

Anyway, this trailer just got us excited and we can't wait until May 22nd when the movie comes out. Even better, the next day, we'll be at Balticon in Baltimore, Maryland. And my husband's birthday is that Monday, Memorial Day. Quite a weekend for us in May.

How many can admit seeing the Indy films when they first came out, even buying first the videos, then the DVD set? There's something about a man like Indy that is the perfect hero. Even with the odds stacked against him, he still comes out punching. And yeah, still gets the woman too. Every woman has to admit watching Indy on the big screen that secretly they wish he'd come along and with his bullwhip, yank them to him.

Anyway, I can't wait for the new movie for my reasons and my husband can't for his. And with this film and others, it looks to be a summer 's worth of super films to keep you out of the heat.

For those wanting to see the trailer that havent yet, here's the official Indiana Jones website where it's at: http://www.indianajones.com/site/index.html .

The man with the hat and whip is back. And guess what? He's just as good as ever.

Interview with Jenny Gardiner, Author of Sleeping With Ward Cleaver

ISBN-10: 0505527472
ISBN-13: 978-0505527479
Dorchester Publishing
AVAILABLE NOW! Amazon.com B&N.com Borders Powell's .

A fellow member of my RWA chapter, Jenny Gardiner, just had her book, Sleeping with Ward Cleaver come out. It won the American Title III contest, sponsored by Dorchester Publishing and Romantic Times Magazine! Just reading the blurb and the excerpt from it has made me laugh and yes, struck a cord. So I asked her if I could interview her and she graciously accepted. Please learn something about her and her book, plus do go out and buy it. I plan to when I share the book signing with her and six other wonderful authors at the Short Pump Barnes and Noble in Short Pump, Virginia. For the addess and phone number of the store check my website at Pamela K. Kinney's and Sapphire Phelan's Website . And for those of you too young to know what the title means--Ward Cleaver was the father of the late 50s to early 60s TV show, Leave It To Beaver. For information on that show: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leave_it_to_Beaver.

Blurb:

Claire Doolittle realizes her life hasn't quite met up with her expectations. Overwhelmed with the demands of motherhood and life in general, it doesn't help that the funny, romantic and thoughtful man she once married has turned into a real-life version of Ward Cleaver, the famously dull, bossy father from the 1950's sitcom Leave it to Beaver. And the last person in the world Claire ever imagined having to sleep with for the rest of her life is a man whose sex appeal more closely resembles that of George Washington than George Clooney.Throw in an ex-fiance who returns via e-mail to try to woo Claire back with promises of what was, and a sexy young colleague of husband Jack's, whom Claire suspects of some sort of hanky panky, and you have the ingredients for a mid-life crisis that threatens to plunge Claire's world into chaos.
For excerpt from the book: HERE

1.) -Please tell us about your latest book.

SLEEPING WITH WARD CLEAVER

2.) -What can we expect from you in the future?

My next book, which my agent will be shopping in the next few weeks, is titled MARY KATE GOES OVER THE FALLS and is about a woman trapped in an abusive marriage who goes out to pick up her husband's dry cleaning and instead picks up a handsome hitchhiker on the side of the highway, the lure of whom reminds her of the lip of Niagara Falls, said to tempt people to jump in.

3.) -How do we find out about you and your books?

The best place to go is my website: http://www.jennygardiner.net . I also have a group blog with 5 other fabulous debut authors and we have some really exciting guest authors including John Grisham, Meg Cabot, Meg Tilly and Jodi Piccoult. That site is: http://www.thedebutanteball.com/

4.) -How may readers contact you?

Since my book just came out, I'm just starting to get emails from readers and it is so gratifying because so far they've been people who totally related to the novel and really appreciated the book, which is so nice! (I would contact her through her website).

5.) -How would you describe the genre in which you do most of your writing?

I'd say mainstream women's fiction best describes the genre. Though my books usually have an HEA, so it sort of slips around in genres, depending on who's deciding!

6.) What motivated you to start writing in this book? Honestly, I came up with the title. I thought it was catchy , so then I had to invent a book to go along with it. But I've always been very intrigued by relationships, marriage, the fine line that exists between love and hate in marriage. My parents went through an extremely bitter divorce and I guess I was always so curious about how people can go from loving each other to hating each other, and if they can do that so readily, then can they go back again?I also love that women tend to blossom as they approach middle age--their kids are getting older and more self-sufficient, yet for men, they're usually hunkered down, entrenched in their careers, and not necessarily receptive to their wives re-inventing themselves. So the situation is ripe for conflict.

7.) -What kind of research do you do?Ahhh...LOVE Google! So far the books I've written work with Googling information I need. I have a book I'm thinking about writing that will involve me having to do a LOT of research on Nepal, so I have been stockpiling books on Nepal for it.
?

8.) -Do you have a set schedule for writing or do you just go with the flow?

When I'm in writing mode I try to write in the morning. Lately with my book coming out I've been completely wrapped up in publicity, so not getting any writing done. But I've got kids with busy schedules so sometimes I just have to write on the fly.

9.) -Where do your ideas come from?

All sorts of places. With Mary Kate the idea came from one night when we were sitting at dinner and we kept eavesdropping on the couple next to us and the man was very controlling and strange and extremely boring and from that came the idea of a woman who had to get away from an abusive husband, and how it had to be an act of impulsivity that was terribly out of character for her.A lot of times I'll incorporate things from things I've heard in the news or heard from people.

10.) -Who, if anyone, has influenced your writing?

If you go wayyyy back, I'd say that I was really taken by the writing of James Joyce and J.D. Salinger. I like stream of conscious writing and I love an introspective first person voice. Current authors I really love include Meg Cabot, Jonathan Tropper, Bob Flaherty, Rick Marin, Alison Pearson.

11.) -How long have you been writing - have you always wanted to be a writer?

I've always had writer in me--in some form or another I've been writing forever. As far as fiction, I started making things up just a couple of years ago--I came from a journalism background, so when I realized you could just make things up it became much easier to write. LOL

12.) -What is the most rewarding thing about being a writer?

It's just so awesome doing what comes naturally and you have an excuse to do it when you're viewed as a "writer" rather than someone just hacking around on the keyboard. You can work in your sweats with no make-up!

13.) Among your own books, have you a favorite book? Favorite hero or heroine?

Probably not. Once I write a book I sort of forget about my characters. But then it's fun to be reminded of them again, like when it is time to do revisions, etc. I become very fond of all of my characters as I write them.

14.) -Please tell us about yourself (family, hobbies, education, etc.)

I grew up in Pittsburgh, went to Penn State. I worked in newspaper, radio and TV, then worked as a publicist for a US Senator, then as a photographer (had a lot of fun photo shoots including Prince Charles, Liz Taylor, a World Welterweight Boxing Match, the President of Uganda)

15.) -Are there any words of encouragement for unpublished writers?

Don't give up! And read LOTS!

16.) Now for something fun:

(I'm answering with the choices provided though my first preference might not be either of them!)

Chocolate or vanilla?

Chocolate.

Erotic or inspirational?.

Erotic.

Favorite color?

Hot pink.

Favorite paranormal being?

I'm not such a paranormal girl, though I do like fairies!

Favorite mythological being?

Hmmm...have to think on that!

Do you like science fiction, fantasy or horror?

Not so much.

All time favorite actor?

McDreamy is pretty hot...Matthew McConnaughey (but he's sort of flakey!)

Actress?

Drawing a blank on someone right now but I know there's someone!

All time favorite book?

Too many to choose from!

Favorite TV show?

America's Funniest Videos. (I love to laugh!)

Favorite Movie?

One of all-time is When Harry Met Sally, but I LOVED Juno.

What makes you laugh out loud?

America's Funniest Videos. Sometimes the Comedy Channel on XM Radio.

If you could go anywhere in the universe where would that be?

I'd stick to earth--maybe the Caribbean ;-) . Ooohhhh...I LOVE Africa too.

A secret fetish?

I am gluttonous with Peanut M&Ms.

Mardi Gras is February 5th--Time to PARTY!!!

February 5th is Mardi Gras. A time to party and let loose your inner part animal. So says the official website at http://www.mardigrasday.com/. I’ve only been to New Orleans once—back in 1988, Labor Day weekend at the World Science Fiction Convention then. Even then, I could see that New Orleans was one of a kind. We did Bourbon Street, I visited a Voodoo Museum in the French Quarter, check out shops and places with floats and costumes inside the buildings and chow down on wonderful New Orleans food and breakfasted on beignets. And of course, did World Con too.
Every year, on Fat Tuesday, just before Lent starts (and being Catholic, I know this means giving up something near and dear to me (like chocolate), we make jambalaya or gumbo, or something appropriate to New Orleans. I know for others, this being two days after the Super Bowl, is just another excuse to keep on partying.
Now if you want to go all the way, here’s some links to places. Floats for Dummies: http://www.mardigrasday.com/mardigras/floats.php . Make an easy float and parade it around your neighborhood. Heck, get the neighborhood into the act!
Make a King Cake. Or buy it. If buying: http://www.mardigrasday.com/mardigras/kc_index.php
A small plastic baby is placed inside the cake, and tradition is that whoever gets the baby must bake the next cake or throw the next party.
And don’t forget the costume, or at least wear a mask. Then make a Hurricane or some super neat beverage, and party.

Now for recipes:

King Cake
Brioche:
1/2 cup warm water, about 105 to 115 degrees
2 envelopes active dry yeast
4 1/2 to 5 1/2 cups sifted flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1/2 cup lukewarm milk
3 eggs
4 egg yolks
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 tablespoons butter
1 egg, lightly beaten
with 1 tablespoon milk
a tiny doll or coin
.
Icing:
3 cups confectioner's sugar
1/4 cup lemon juice, strained
3 to 5 tablespoons water
2 candied cherries, halved
.
Sugar Topping
Paste food coloring: purple, green, and yellow
3/4 cup sugar
PREPARATION:
Brioche:Combine yeast and the warm water. Combine flour, sugar, nutmeg and salt in a large mixing bowl. Stir in lemon peel. Make a well in center and add yeast and water mixture, along with milk. Lightly beat the 3 eggs and 4 egg yolks; add to liquid mixture. With a large wooden spoon, gradually incorporate dry ingredients into liquids in the center well. Beat in 1/2 cup of the butter and continute beating until dough forms ball. Use a food processor or dough hook for beating, if desired. Place ball on floured board and knead until smooth and elastic, incorporating more flour as necessary, a little at a time. Butter the inside of a large bowl with 1 tablespoon of the butter. Place dough in bowl and turn so the entire surface will be buttered Cover bowl and set aside for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until doubled in bulk. Brush a large baking sheet with remaining butter. Punch dough down on lightly floured surface. Knead, then pat and shape dough into a cylinder about 14 inches long. Place on baking sheet and form into a ring. Press bean or doll well into dough so that it doesn't show. Set aside again to rise for about 45 to 60 minutes. When ready to bake, brush the top and sides of the ring with the egg-milk mixture. Bake the King's Cake in middle of oven at 375° for 25 to 30 minutes, or until golden brown. Slide cake onto wire rack to cool.
Icing:Combine the confectioners' sugar, lemon juice and 3 tablespoons of water in a deep bowl; stir until the icing smooth. If too stiff to spread, beat in 1 teaspoon water at a time, until desired consistency is reached. It should be thin enough to run slowly down the sides of the cake. Spread the icing over the top of the cake, letting it to run down the sides. Prepare the colored sugars:Squeeze a dab of green paste into the palm of one hand. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of sugar over the paste and rub hands together to color the sugars evenly. Put colored sugar in a cup and repeat process with green, then twice with purple and yellow, putting each color in a separate cup.
Sprinkle the colored sugars over the icing immediately, forming a row of purple, yellow, and green strips, each about 2 inches wide, on both sides of the ring. Arrange cherry halves evenly on top of the cake, pressing them gently into the icing.

Crock-pot Jambalaya

1 pound chicken breasts or tenders, boneless, cut in 1-inch cubes
8 to 12 ounces smoked sausage, sliced
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 large can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
1 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup dry white wine
2 teaspoons dried leaf oregano
2 teaspoons dried parsley
2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 pound shrimp, cooked
2 cups raw rice, cooked

Combine chicken, sausage, chopped bell pepper, and chopped onion in slow cooker. Add tomatoes, chicken broth, wine, oregano, parsley, Cajun seasoning, and pepper; stir gently. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours. About 30 to 45 minutes before eating, add cooked shrimp and hot cooked rice; heat thoroughly.Serves 8.


Now get out there and PARTY!!!!!

New Review for Haunted Richmond, Virginia from NightsandWeekends.com

Got a new review of from NightsandWeekends.com. Here's a partial of what the reviewer said about Haunted Richmond, Virginia : Rich in detail and atmosphere, Haunted Richmond draws you back in time to linger among the spirits of past history and sometimes past tragedy. This is an enthralling book that's not to be missed—especially for lovers of the paranormal.

Rest the rest of the review at NightsandWeekends.com/Haunted Richmond, Virginia

Join Me and 7 Other Authors for Book Signing Feb. 9th in Richmond, Virginia

I'll be joining fellow authors from my Virginia Romance Writers of Amercia chapter at a book signing Saturday, February 9, 2008 4:00PM to 6:00PM at the Short Pump Barnes and Noble 11640 W. Broad Street Short Pump, Virginia 23233 804-360-0103.

SCHEDULED TO APPEAR AND BOOKS TO BE SIGNED:

Pamela K. Kinney aka Sapphire Phelan
HAUNTED RICHMOND, VIRGINIA (Pamela K. Kinney)
FORBIDDEN LOVE: BAD BOYS (Sapphire Phelan-Soul Seduction)
FORBIDDEN LOVE: WICKED WOMEN (Sapphire Phelan-Being a Predator is a Bitch)
FORBIDDEN LOVE: SACRED BANDS (Sapphire Phelan-The Dark Man)
COMING TOGETHER UNDER FIRE (Sapphire Phelan-Shadow Lover)

Mary Burton
I'M WATCHING YOU
COLD CASE COP

Donna Dalton
THE CAVALRY WIFE

Jenny Gardiner
SLEEPING WITH WARD CLEAVER

Shara Lanel
ENLIGHTENED LOVE
PRIMITIVE PASSION
THE ZODIAC SERIES AIR

Sherry Morris a.k.a. Sammie Joe Moresca
SMOLDER
COMING TOGETHER FOR THE CURE
HUNDRED DOLLAR BILL

Mary Montague Sikes
EAGLE RISING

Natale Stenzel
PADORA'S BOX

A Nonfiction Article and A Poem of Mine in Top Ten of P&E 2007 Readers Poll

"Haunted Chesterfield" is #7 in Top Ten of Nonfiction Articles of Preditors and Editors 2007 Readers Poll . You can read this article at http://www.chesterfieldobserver.com/news/2007/1031/news/016.html
or at http://www.chesterfieldobserver.com/news/2007/1031/PDF/page_22.pdf.

Though not by me, but by my pseudonym, Sapphire Phelan, "Costumed Scare" is # 8 in Top Ten of Poems of P&E's 2007 Readers Poll. You can read this poem in Phaze in Verse poetry anthology published by Phaze.

Appearing at Marscon in Williamsburg, Virginia Jan. 18-20th

I'll be at Marscon (http://marscon.net ) this upcoming weekend in Williamsburg, Virginia. I'll be doing the speculative fiction erotica panel as my pseudonym, Sapphire Phelan, and will also be joining fellow authors and couple publishers at a table in the dealer's room. I'll be selling and signing my books there, along with other authors' too on Friday, January 18th, 6-10PM, so come on by and say hello. I'll have Haunted Richmond, Virginia, copies of horror anthologies my stories are in, copies of my chapbook of ghostly fiction, Beyond the Four Walls, and anthologies and e-Books on CD of my erotic romance fiction by Sapphire Phelan.

Haunted Richmond, Virginia Nominated for Library of Virginia Literary Awards

Woohoo! I have super news. Got a letter yesterday, telling me that Haunted Richmond, Virginia was nominated for the Library of Virginia Literary awards! How cool is that? To learn more about these awards the link to their website is http://www.lva.lib.va.us/whatwedo/awards/ .

UPCOMING LIVE APEARANCES So Far For 2008

Marscon 2008 -January 18-20, 2008-Holiday Inn Patriot-Williamsburg, Virginia. Will be sharing a table in dealer's room with fellow authors and publishers of EPIC . I'll have print and some CDs of books from both Pamela K. Kinney and Sapphire Phelan.

Shevacon 16 2008 -February 22-24, 2008--Holiday Inn Roanoke Tanglewood-Roanoke, Virginia. Author guest, and signing there, besides doing panels.

Virginia Festival of the Book-March 28, 2008-2:00 PM-Traveling Historic Virginia: Sites and Tales panel-Sun Bow Trading Company110 W. South Street(434)293-8821. Sharing with Jean L. Cooper (A Guide to Historic Charlottesville & Albemarle County, Virginia) and Donna Akers Warmuth (Legends, Stories and Ghostly Takes of Abingdon and Washington County, VA) . I'll also be at the book fair the next day for a stint with Phaze Publishing table as Sapphire Phelan.

Romantic Times Convention 2008-Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (as mainly Sapphire Phelan though also as Pamela K. Kinney)

Ravencon 2008 -April 25-27, 2008- Crowne Plaza Richmond WestI-64 and West Broad Street 6531 West Broad Street Richmond, Virginia 23230 (804) 285-9951.

I've Been Nominated in Preditors and Editors Readers Poll 2007!!!

I have several stories, poems, anthologies my stories and poems were in plus Haunted Richmond, Virginia nominated under All Other Novels even though it's non-fiction. Most are by Sapphire Phelan, but some by Pamela K. Kinney. Please go and vote for them. You can only vote for one book or poem in each area. The Readers Poll ends midnight of 15 January (GMT). Readers Poll Awards will be announced in February.

Haunted Richmond, Virginia: http://www.critters.org/predpoll/novel.shtml

Give Me Something Good To Eat
Prey (in Mining the Muse anthology):
http://www.critters.org/predpoll/shortstoryh.shtml

Anthologies: Mining the Muse, the Collective Works of Chesterfield Writers Club :
http://www.critters.org/predpoll/antho.shtml

Authors Website: http://www.critters.org/predpoll/author.shtml