“It was a dark and stormy night…” These descriptive weather #element laden words (spawning many GIF riddled parodies) by author Edward Bulwer-Lytton send chills down my reader’s little gray cells every time–you know trouble is coming! Gray skies, shards of lightening crashing down, howling winds, the furnace heat off a desert floor, torrential rains sweeping you down a dark abyss–what better way to set the mood for a scene? When I travel, I try and take pictures to remind me later as I write what I was experiencing in the moment from a weather and setting perspective. The feature picture this week is from a bridge overlooking the River Ness in the city of Inverness, Scotland. The clouds and ominous skies taunted you, daring you to close that brelly! I can still feel the cool winds buffeting my cheeks as we stood against the railing taking in the serene river views.
I use the picture filled emotions in my stories as much as possible. Deadly Receptions begins with the unbearable heat of August, sucking the breath right out of you (I remember that 2018 summer vividly, uugghh). In the Vail scenes, you’re hit with the refreshingly cool air, billowing down the slopes of the Rockies (love is in the air). In Mistletoe and Mayhem, it’s all about the gales and polar crown vortexes chilling the chimneys of Cherrywood Hall, perfect for a Christmas with mur-dah and mayhem lurking in every corner (-26 degrees is cold folks!)! The #elements are an important behind the scenes character in your story–let them help you set the mood! It’s Wednesday, time for #DearDiary:
#AmCelebrating, Deadly Receptions Lands an Official Selection Award!
The medallions are out, I’m so honored to receive this award in the Mystery category for New Apple Literary’s summer eBook contest. Deadly Receptions; the Debut of Castlewood Manor received the accolade this time. The first three books have all received this honor–shall we see what Mistletoe and Mayhem can do? New Apple Literary’ s 2019 annual selection deadline is coming up. See the details here:
Thank you to all my early #readers!
Several of you have taken your precious time doing an early #read and getting the #bookreviews ready for Mistletoe and Mayhem when it hits the stores. I can’t tell you how much your support means to me–you’re the best! #Reads and #BookReviews–a #writer’s best friend (and a perfect #Christmas present, #JustSayin)…
The raging Martian battles continue this week from the #writers of Twitter…
Author Colin Powell, The Last Days of the Fighting Machine, the Martian Apocalypse of Victorian Britain, 5 STARS
The Martian carnage in Britain continues in this latest tale of Victorian SciFi suspense by Author Colin Powell. Ships from around the world are trying to stop the menacing tripods with their blazing canons. The crew of the French vessel, the F.S. Ney, are doing their fighting best against the alien beasts, but take a fatal hit. A few men escape to the British shores, but is anyplace safe?
Constable Adrian Llewellyn faithfully keeps up his daily routine of surveying his ravaged countryside, looking for survivors and surveilling the brutal Martian beasts that still roam his turf. Few people remain, the last of the brave souls of the mass population who did not flee and perish by horrible means. P.C. Llewellyn sees a change in the atmosphere–the Martians influx is now few and far between, and those left standing on their three-legged pods are flailing. A chance encounter brings him, the French sailors, his former poacher nemesis, and a family with a mentally challenged son together. Will this homespun group be able to survive against the remaining alien beasts determined to extinguish them with their deadly technology?
This is a page-turner read, filled with human drama and suspense as these fledgling few make a grand last stand. The unexpected hero in this fight against the beasts will make your heart swell with pride. I thoroughly enjoyed this latest Martian invasion tale from Author Powell and can’t wait to see what happens next!
I do love the #Writers of Twitter, ARC for Author Sheila Patel’s Magic Vodka Wardrobe, Book 4…
One of the perks of being friends with the #writers of Twitter is you just never know when you might be included in a story. No spoilers here, but I can’t wait for this latest romp in the #MagicVodkaWardrobe4 by Author Sheila Patel. Details coming soon, stay tuned!
Next up in the #reading queue:
Next week I’m headin’ to the Big D, with my bat hat fine-r-y!
I’m so excited for my first ever mystery #writer conference next week. My agenda’s packed, and since the first day of the conference is #Halloween, I thought I’d wear my new crazy bat lady headband! It’s an attention getter, but I have a feeling I won’t be alone in my spooky get-ups. Stay tuned for pics!
Sensational Writers and Holiday Recipes, do you have a recipe?
Author Bibiana Krall is on a mission to pull together recipes from the #writers of Twitter this holiday season and publish the collection of delectable treats on November 29th (Black Friday). She shared her new #bookcover design for the eBook–so glam and fab! There’s still a few remaining slots open–send in those recipes and share in the fun! Details here:
Crowns and Kisses,
Veronica
P.S. Do you have fave weather #element moments from your #travels? I’d love to hear about them. Gemma and Rikkhe approve! 🙂 #V’s 60th B-day, January snorkeling in #Iceland #ItWasFreezing But I remember every lovely minute still to this day ❤ (And it’s the scene for a very special #Element-al moment for Gemma and Kyle in Deadly Receptions <3)
Comments