Writers Supporting Writers

SUNSHINE STATE ROMANCE AUTHORS

Yesterday was a great day indeed! I had the pleasure of being a guest at one of the The Sunshine State Romance Authors monthly meetings. 

The program was on Effective Dialogue given by Author Anna Small. Hey I don't know about you but I can always use tips, help and support for my writing. 

Sunshine State Romance Authors is a chapter of Romance Writers of America.

It's nervous enough being a first time attender and with those of us with a little anxiety it doubles, LOL.

But the warmth, happiness and over all atmosphere of being with these writers, was absolutely fabulous!!

I found a lot of support and loved being welcomed with open arms and smiles. 

There was even a gift give away at the end of the program. 

I was one of the drawn names!!!! *Squeal*

(I never win anything! so it was very exciting!)

I won a book written by Jessica Nelson

Love on the Range

And I will be reading it, after my grandmother. 

for you see, I went to see her after the program. She is 89 years old and is recovering from a stroke. She asked if she could read it when I proudly displayed my winnings  and I never, ever say no to her.  She's just to important in my life.

So, yes, I will be returning to visit these awesome authors again. I'm looking forward to a membership with The Sunshine State Romance Authors and renewing my membership with RWA. 

Sometimes the writer can lead a solitary life. It's good to know there are others out there who know what you're going through and who support you and your career, because they are living it as well.

THANKS SSRA for a great time and learning adventure!!!

#sunshinestateromanceauthors

** All rights to the SSRA logo and name, and cover art for Love on the Range belong to the owners. **

Fun Drink Friday - Chica Cherry Cola with Smirnoff Vodka

CHICA CHERRY COLA

Here's a Labor Day sipper to try. 

WHAT'S INSIDE:

1.5 oz. Smirnoff Amaretto

3 oz. cola

Squeeze of lemon juice

HOW TO MIX IT:

Build in rocks glass over ice. Garnish with lemon twist with cherry.

Read More at: Smirnoff.com 

Hooked on -- TriPeaks

Yep, so instead of regular solitaire, I've become hooked on TriPeaks. 

It's a great way to unwind from the day job to clear the mind or even to plot a few scenes. Multi-tasking gotta love it.

Fun Drink Friday - Cherry Punch Cocktail for Mom's Brunch

Cherry Punch Cocktail

For those mom's having a get together or brunch as you send the little lovies back to the educational system after a long hot summer. Here's a cocktail that can be made with or without alcohol.

Ingredients:

1 bottle of sparkling white wine OR 1 liter of sparkling lemonade

1 bottle of cherry juice or nectar

1/2 cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice

Freshly pitted cherries, for garnish

Directions:

Pour the ingredients into a tall pitcher and stir well. Pour the blended punch into a glass filled with ice, and then garnish with fresh cherries.

For added impact, freeze a few of the pitted cherries the night before and swap out the ice for the frozen cherries. This will also ensure that the punch does not become diluted.

Serves:

8

Save time on party planning by pitting the cherries the night before, and rather than making individual drinks, opt instead for a large pitcher for simple serving. (If cocktails are not on the menu, simply replace the sparkling white wine with sparkling lemonade for the same bubbly effect.)

Head on over to: Celebrations for the full "How to Host a Back to School Brunch for Mom's."

Quotes on Writing

Fun drink Friday - Peach Iced Tea with Pinnacle Vodka

Pinnacle® Peach Iced Tea

Ingredients

1 part Pinnacle® Peach Vodka

2 parts Iced Tea

Directions

1. Mix ingredients and serve over ice.

2. Garnish with lemon or lime wheel.

Sponsor recipe courtesy of Pinnacle® Vodka

Read More at: Food Network 

Great Review for A Warrior's Longing!!

A Warrior's Longing

Night Owl Reviews

... A Warriors Longing is definitely steamy. The chemistry between Lord Gage and Meiken is strong enough to raise anyone’s blood pressure. C.A. Salo did an excellent job blending the sci-fi, romance and erotica genres....

• 3¼ Stars

• Author: C A Salo

• Review by: Victoria Cross

• Genre: Erotica

• Tags:

• Erotic Romance

• Science Fiction

• Publisher: Whiskey Creek Press LLC - Torrid

Welcome to Neris, Mercenary planet light years from our own Milky Way Galaxy.

When first commander Gage DaHee is called home to restore his family's villa as Lord, he finds that betrayal within the walls of his childhood home have left one brother dead and another never to wake up.

Mieken SivNa, guard to his mother and long time childhood prankster, sends his blood raging both from fright when she's wounded and lust the moment her violet gaze meets his head on.

Angered at the abuse of his mother and loyal warriors, Gage has no mercy for the cousin scheming behind his back to take his lands, especially when Mieken is kidnapped and learns of her delicate condition.

Will betrayal, duty and a yearning for independence ruin the best relationship either warrior has ever had?

The Mercenaries of Neris Series Books are best read in order.

A Slave's Way Out

A Lady's Challenge

A Warrior's Longing

Fun Drink Friday - Sea Breeze

Photo By: Ocean Spray

Sea Breeze

Makes: 1 serving

Ingredients 
3 ounces Ocean Spray® Cranberry Juice Cocktail, chilled

3 ounces Ocean Spray® 100% White Grapefruit Juice

1 1/2 ounces Absolut® Vodka

Preparation

Pour all ingredients into a tall glass filled with ice. Stir and serve.

Ocean Spray Test Kitchen

by Ocean Spray

Photos By: Ocean Spray

OceanSpray.com

Words are Tools

Words are an author’s or is it authors ... tool. 

We’re supposed to wield them with absolute precision, as any professional in their field would.

What happens when an author spells something wrong?

What happens when the wrong punctuation is used?

What happens if no one knows that the author could have a learning disability?

What happens when a person with a reading or learning disability loves to do one thing…write. Even though that person hated English class, and everything about it.

What if that person remembers what a verb is…is because of those commercials on TV? VERB it’s an action.

What if that person has no idea what a run on sentence is?

And no matter how many times, someone can explain it to them, they have to write it down in order to remember it.

It’s frustrating and embarrassing, because they know, their words are not coming out correctly. 

And even though it’s wanted, it’s hard to join in on online chats with others, for fear that, they may spell a word wrong, or more than one word wrong.
What if people look at them differently because they spelled a word or words wrong?
What if they do join in, they may not talk much, maybe a one or two word reply to most posts, and maybe smiley faces.

How many authors out there have ever thought about this?
How many authors have a reading or learning disability?
How many authors have family with a reading or learning disability?

I am a certified tutor for The Barton Program. I once tutored children and adults with Dyslexia.

Dyslexia is a reading disability that can be mild to profound and severe. Dyslexia is often accompanied with other disabilities, such as SPD (Sensory Processing Disorder), Dyscalculia (Math’s dyslexia), Dysgraphia (Writing), and ADD, or ADHD. The list can go on, and on.

Dyslexia is genetic and can pass from one generation to the next. One brother may have ADHD, the other may have Dyslexia.

Dyslexia is in my family.

To learn more about The Barton Program, you can go to:

www.BrightSolutions.US

Fun Drink Friday - Sparkling Sangria with Cava

Sparkling SangriaPhoto: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Jan Gautro

Flavor this cava-and-brandy-based sangria with blueberries, cherries, raspberries, strawberries, nectarine, and apricot nectar for a sweet summer cocktail that tastes as good as it looks.

Ingredients

• 1 cup cherries, pitted and halved $
• 1 cup blueberries $
• 1 cup raspberries $
• 1 cup quartered small strawberries $
• 1/2 cup chopped nectarine (about 1) $
• 1/3 cup brandy
• 1 cup apricot nectar, chilled
• 1 (750-milliliter) bottle cava, chilled

Preparation

1. 1. Combine the first 6 ingredients in a large pitcher, and chill for at least 2 hours. Stir in 1 cup nectar and wine. Serve immediately.

Note:

Cava is a Spanish sparkling wine with less acidity than Champagne; you may substitute another sparkling wine, such as prosecco, if you prefer. Top each beverage with a mint sprig for a fragrant garnish.

Jackie Mills, MS, RD, Cooking Light 

AUGUST 2013

Also featured in: Cooking Light, June 2008

I love a good Sangria and what I liked about this is they use a Spanish sparkling wine instead of Champagne.

My taste buds just don't like Champagne, so this is a must try for me.

For other great recipes go to: Cooking Light