Monday, April 9, 2012

Weddings and Ghosts With Mary Marvella

            Thanks for inviting me to visit your blog.  I know your daughter's wedding is much on your mind. I remember the weeks and months before my daughter got married. Her daddy is a photographer.  She and I have worked with him at many weddings. She started as our "assistant" at six when our baby sitters bailed at the last minute. Since she is also a wedding photographer, so she knew exactly what she wanted and what she didn't want. Mama's help was not needed.  There were a few last minute things Mama had to do, big things I could have done earlier if she had asked for my help.

     Seven years later my friends still talk about how elegant the wedding was. Daughter traded services with her caterer and her florist.  She chose to have a Krispy Kreme donut cake instead of the traditional chocolate for her groom's cake.  Krispy Kreme is an Atlanta institution. She had a lovely buffet of hot and cold foods and a Varsity food station. The Varsity is a hotdog and hamburger joint known for onion rings, fries, and more food perfect for college students. The Atlanta location is within sight of Georgia Tech.  There were many guests dressed to the nines for her Saturday afternoon wedding and reception at the old Biltmore Hotel, very traditional.  Many folks headed to the varsity line and dined on hotdog and hamburgers (likely remembering younger days).

     What has this to do with my writing? Hmmm.  Only that I believe in fairytales and romance. I also write against trends.  My characters tell me their stories and I write them. Haunting Refrain is my version of a paranormal book.  I have no super heroes, animal shifters or kick-ass heroines. This book has no demons, aliens or angels.


I published Haunting Refrain & Forever Love after more than 20 years as a fulltime writer.  Before that I taught language arts for 15 years and helped my ex photograph weddings and sell wedding albums, fairytale love stories told in pictures.

Blurb:
When Sarah Overby found ghosts in her attic she hesitated to tell her best friend, William McKeown. She didn’t think he’d understand. Telling him he lived a previous life as her husband would make him think she was crazy.

William has adored Sarah forever, he just doesn’t realize this isn’t the first time he loved her. His feelings for his best friend are changing, but he doesn’t believe in ghosts, reincarnation or lasting romantic relationships.

Love, Lust, and Sweet Tea.

Excerpt
The warm evening was too pleasant to go inside so soon. Sarah sat on her porch, leaning against the brick support. The sky was full of stars. At least she could see them here, unlike in larger cities, like Macon. Here she absorbed their splendor.
She closed her eyes, soaking in the night sounds and scents. An image formed in her thoughts. Broad shoulders, tanned arms. Warm brandy flavored breath caressed her face as a man’s heat touched her. Firm, moist lips touched hers. Her breathing became fast and shallow. All her daydreams and fantasies became one overwhelming need as her lips responded to the kiss. Strong hands touched her cheeks, caressed her neck, then held her shoulders. His woodsy scent intoxicated her.
If this had been real, Sarah would’ve stopped the hands that moved to her waist.
Had Peter come back? He never smelled woodsy. No, she was dreaming the sexy dream. She wouldn’t open her eyes and wake up. Her phantom lover smelled like William. Her heart raced when he kissed first one cheek, then the other.
“Sarah!” His voice was low as he moaned her name over and over. “I’ve never felt this way before, Princess.” His lips were gentle when he kissed her mouth. “My Sarah.”
“William?” The dream was too real. No. A man was kissing her. “William!” Her body wanted to continue what her mind knew shouldn’t be happening.

So, do you like stories of reincarnation and ghosts? Please comment for a chance to win an ecopy of Haunting Refrain.


http://amzn.to/IgKSpD   Amazon
http://bit.ly/u7LIhK   Barnes & Noble
http://bit.ly/srsciP   Smashwords

Mary Marvella.com
www.pinkfuzzyslipperwriters.blogspot.com
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Monday, April 2, 2012

What's in it for me? The Reader?

What’s in it for me? The Reader?
I bet you’re asking yourself that question right now. “What’s in it for me?” or even, “Why should I come to your blog and leave a comment?” I really only have one answer for you, and that is “Because I value your opinion!”
Seriously. I sit behind my desk, typing away at my computer and wonder, “What would readers really want read?” or “Would they hate that my ‘strong and silent’ hero can sing like Keith Urban?”
It’s not just the multitude of authors out there I’m trying to glean wisdom from, but the reader. You are, after all, the ones who will buy my book, read my book, and with fingers crossed (mine of course) love my book and tell others.
So, here’s a question for all you readers out there. “What are you reading, and why does it work for you? Inquiring minds want to know.
Now, I want to hear from you, really I do, but if you need an incentive, I’m giving away an autographed copy of my book, Dragon Lover, to one lucky commenter. I’ll be here all week to answer any and all questions, and drawing will be held on Friday.