Monthly Archives: April 2012

Vampire Dating: Your Boyfriend is a Vampire. Now What?

Posted on April 29, 2012 by Tricia Drammeh

So, you got yourself a Vampire. Now what?

This is a continuation of our Vampire Dating Guide Series. If you haven’t read last week’s article, Vampire Dating: The Pros and Cons, you might want to check it out, especially if you’re one of those girls who hasn’t yet made up her mind that dating a vampire is something you’d like to do.

But, what about those of you have already made the leap (either voluntarily or against your will) to vampire dating? Are there ways you can protect yourself and ensure that you retain as many rights as possible in your new relationship? Can you retain your rights without alienating your new boyfriend, thus causing him to either break-up with you, or drain you of all your blood before pitching your broken body into river? You betcha.

Helpful Hint #1- Avoid other supernatural creatures

Yeah, yeah. I know what you’re thinking. Things worked out well for Bella. Sure, Edward was a little jealous over Bella’s friendship with Jacob, but will all vampires be this understanding? Probably not. If you’ve read the Carpathian series by Christine Feehan, you will know that some breeds of vampires mate for life. Should someone encroach upon their territory and even place one paw on their woman, a Carpathian vampire will become so overcome with rage, there’s no telling what he might do. So, long story short, just stay away from other supernatural creatures. And, you might want to stay away from other guys altogether. Just to be safe.

Helpful Hint #2- Vampire Fashion: Dressing to Impress

Vampires aren’t like other people. Your boyfriend might think your generic jeans-with-hoodie combo is endearing (for a while), but you want to set yourself apart from the two-hundred other girls in your school who look exactly the same. (We don’t want him to get confused, do we?) Does this mean you need to rock a gothic, black lipstick, black hair, black everything combo? No. I mean, have you seen Alice Cullen? She’s a total fashionista. Dressing to impress your vampire means recognizing that your boyfriend enjoys the finer things in life. Show him you enjoy the finer things too. Or, better yet, be one of the finer things in his life.


Helpful Hint #3- Avoid Conflict

In a vampire/human relationship, most conflict arises when the female tries to assert her independence. Vampires are used to getting their own way, so he’ll expect to get his way in terms of his relationship with you. Does this mean you can’t ever show your own mind? Of course not. Just don’t show it in front of him. Sometimes it’s okay to be stubborn: when it comes to defending someone you love (as long as it’s not another guy), when it comes to keeping up pretenses in front of human friends and family, or when it comes to saving your boyfriend from himself or from other supernatural creatures. Sure, your boyfriend will be upset at first. But, once everything works out, he’ll thank you profusely while telling you, “Don’t ever do that again.” If it doesn’t work out, well you’ll probably be dead, so it won’t matter. Just be careful, okay?


Helpful Hint #4- Introduce your boyfriend to family and friends as soon as practical

Your family and human friends are important to you, right? It’s important to introduce your boyfriend to your family and friends as soon as you can, otherwise he might not realize they’re ‘off-limits.’ Nothing kills budding romance faster than finding out your boyfriend literally had your dad for dinner. So how do you integrate your new boyfriend into your life BV (before-vamp)? This is tricky, and there’s no right answer for everyone, but there are a few tips to help ease your boyfriend’s transition into you inner circle:

  1. Set ground rules early on. If your boyfriend is not a vegetarian, you’ll have to accept that some distant relatives and acquaintances are fair game. But, if you want to ensure the longevity of your close family and friends, it’s important to let your boyfriend know up front which family members and friends you’d like to keep around.
  2. Don’t be defensive. “Dad this is Dimitri, and I know he’s really pale and he never comes out in the daytime, but he’s just like everyone else, okay?” This entire statement falls under the “Don’t” category. Don’t over-explain your boyfriend’s appearance or nocturnal habits. Don’t explain anything at all. If anyone asks, roll your eyes and shrug. Play it cool. Your parents don’t expect a straight answer, so don’t give them one.
  3. Plan fun get-to-know-you activities everyone can enjoy. Places to go: mini-golf at night, movies at night, midnight bowling. (Notice a theme?) Places to avoid: all-you-can-eat buffets, an afternoon beach party, the local blood drive, tanning booths, the house of mirrors at the carnival.
Helpful Hint #5- Fight for your right to Immortality.

Bella asked for immortality numerous times, but Edward always managed to deflect her shameless pleas. If your boyfriend is suddenly stricken by morality, and he’s decided to do ‘the right thing’ by preserving your mortality, what should you do? Again, all vamps are different, so what works for one may not work for another. But, never fear! I’ve provided a list of strategies which should yield favorable results.

  1. Whine. Sometimes he’ll do what you want just to shut you up.
  2. Beg. It’s worth a try, right?
  3. Bargain. What’s the one thing a vampire wants more than anything? If he’s a vegetarian, tempt him with a trip to the zoo. If he’s a carnivore, tempt him with the horrible biology teacher you had in ninth grade. A girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do.
  4. Play dirty. Remind him of all the other soul-destroying things he’s done over the years. Tell him that one more drop in the cosmic bucket of his sins won’t make much of a difference.
  5. Appeal to his sense of aesthetics. Does he like wrinkles, sags, and puffy eyes? Well, that’s what he’ll have to look forward to if doesn’t grant you the gift of eternal life soon!
Helpful Hint #6- Be Selective
This one’s a toughie. Instinct tells you to snag the first vampire who flashes his pointy teeth at you. After all, who knows when you’ll have another opportunity to date an immortal? Resist the urge to date the first vamp who comes your way. You are special. You deserve the best. Don’t settle for some 1930′s Dracula throwback. Wait for a cute one.
Categories: author, dating, dating advice, Favorites, goth, paranormal, tricia drammeh, twilight, undead, Vampire Dating, vampires, vamps, writer | Tags: , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Dating a Vampire: The Pros and Cons

Posted on April 21, 2012 by Tricia Drammeh

Today, I’m going to explore a very serious issue facing young women today: Vampire Dating. I won’t get into the psychological implications of society’s fascination with the undead (girls fantasizing about being with an older, experienced man who still looks good, the incredible appeal of immortality, the idea that there is a soul mate out there for everyone and if the whole vamp things pans out, you can live with your one true love forever…) Analyzing vampire books and media is overdone and boring, so we won’t go there.

They say art imitates life. I don’t know if this is true, but if it is, then we have a problem. If vampire novels and movies are based on plausible scenarios, this means there are legions of young women who might be faced with a serious dating dilemma. Readers just like you might be forced to decide: Should I date a vampire?

Okay, okay… I can hear everyone asking, “Is she serious?” Yes. I am. Isn’t it better to be prepared rather than blindsided when that pale, nocturnal, enigmatic stranger asks you out? Ladies, shouldn’t we think with our heads rather than our hearts? If we are to believe vampire novels, women tend to fall into these relationships; they’re already in love before they realize what it is they’ve gotten themselves into. I suggest we all take a step back and consider vampire/human relationships logically. That we take emotion out of the equation for just a moment and consider the pros and cons of pursuing a relationship with an immortal.

Dietary Habits:

  • Pros: Your boyfriend doesn’t eat real food like an ordinary guy, so there’s more double-chocolate fudge cake for you. Yippee!
  • Cons: You’ll look like a greedy glutton as you’re plunging into the cake while your boyfriend watches with amusement/ disgust. Plus, he might decide to eat you.

Attractive Appearance:

  • Pros: Your boyfriend will look totally hot forever.He’ll never age, never get a pot-belly, never wrinkle, never sag, never have morning breath, etc.
  • Cons: Until the ‘transition’ takes place, you will continue to age, have morning breath, have to shave your legs, etc. Imagine the pressure of having to look good all the time, always knowing that he looks perfect?

The Secrets:

  • Pros: It’s fun to know stuff other people don’t know. People will know there’s something different about you, but they won’t know what it is.
  • Cons: Secrets are only fun if you can whisper them to certain people with the standard disclaimer, “Don’t tell anyone,” all the while knowing they’ll tell someone else who will tell other people, and soon everyone will know how cool you are, and you’ll be the talk of the whole high school! Seriously, if your boyfriend is a vampire, you can’t tell anyone. Ever.

Immortality:

  • Pros: Your boyfriend will live forever! If you’re lucky, he’ll cut you in on the deal and you can live forever too.
  • Cons: If things go wrong, you might not get the immortality you bargained for. If he breaks it off with you, you’ll spend the rest of your (dying) days crying over the vamp who left you behind. If you break it off with him, and he doesn’t take your rejection well, and if he’s one of those obsessive types (see obsessive and possessive nature below) he can stalk you forever. Literally! He can make your life a living hell for as long as you live and there’s nothing you can do. If you’re lucky, he’ll kill you and get it over with. Worst case scenario is this: He follows you around for the rest of your life, biting holes in your tires, leaving bloody corpses in your front yard as a reminder of your love, and making a general nuisance of himself. He’ll watch you grow old and laugh at your saggy, baggy wrinkles. But, that’s only the worst case scenario. That won’t happen, right?

Obsessive and Possessive Nature:

(Note: Not all vampires will possess an obsessive nature, but if popular media is to be believed – and when have they ever lied to us before? – most vampires are very possessive creatures and will fight to the death for the woman they love)

  • Pros: Your boyfriend will love you so much, he’ll never let any other guy near you. Everyone will be jealous that you scored a totally hot guy who loves you so, so, so much that he can’t stand to be away from you for one single second!
  • Cons: Your boyfriend won’t leave you alone for one single second. When will you have time to shave, or use the powder room, or brush your teeth? Sure, it’s nice to have someone who hangs on your every word, but sometimes you might need some ‘me’ time. If you are a minor still living at home, your boyfriend’s obsessive nature might trigger parental concern. Many states have anti-stalking laws, so you might need to caution your boyfriend to rein in his more obsessive traits until you’re of legal age. Just a thought.

Super Powers:

  • Pros: Your boyfriend can use his supernatural abilities to do stuff to make your life easier. He can persuade teachers to cancel tests, he can rearrange your whole room with his amazing mind powers, and kick the snot out of any ex-boyfriends who try to mess with you.
  • Cons: If he’s telepathic, he can read minds. He might read yours. He might find out about the time you used your dad’s deodorant because you ran out of your own. He might find out you read this post and you’re more vampire dating savvy than he expected.

Dear readers, I hope you’ve found this post helpful. The next time a vampire asks you out, you have the information to make an informed decision about your dating options. Should you decide to enter into such a relationship, you know what to look out for. You know how to use the vampire’s unique traits to your advantage. And, you know to ask for him to share the gift of immortality before things go awry and he leaves you, taking his gift with him.

Remember: knowledge is power, ladies.

Categories: author, blogger, dating, dating advice, Favorites, goth, high school, paranormal, romance, tricia drammeh, twilight, undead, Vampire Dating, vampires, vamps, writer, writing | Tags: , , , , , | 8 Comments

Game On

Posted on April 19, 2012 by Tricia Drammeh

My websites and blog have been ridiculously busy the last couple of weeks. After handing over my blog to a couple of guest-bloggers, participating in Titanic Week, and interviewing two authors who have had recent book releases, I’m ready for some ‘me’ time.

For those of you who are familiar with my site, you’ll notice I’ve made a few changes. My interview sites are no longer part of the main website. It was time for my babies to leave the nest and fly alone, so Authors to Watch and Young Adult Author Spotlight are now stand-alone sites. (For those of you who might have interviewed with me, don’t worry- your links are still intact.)

Also… you can only follow my site through the blog page. If you signed up to follow my site on the main page, you’ve been lost in the rubble of reconstruction, but if you’d like to re-subscribe, this is the place to do it. (Please follow me. My blog looks so forlorn without the little faces in the ‘followers’ box.)

As I reclaim my blog and revamp the appearance of my site, I am preparing to make even more drastic changes in my offline life. I won’t have a lot of time to meander on the internet, write meaningless posts (well, except this one, of course), or chat on Facebook. For now, I need to hunker down, take care of a few things, finish writing a couple of books, and get serious.
I’m done playing. Game on.
Categories: author, blog, blogger, tricia drammeh, writer, writing | 2 Comments

Titanic Week: The Final Hours

Posted on April 15, 2012 by Tricia Drammeh

Today marks the final day of Titanic Week, but more importantly, it is the centenary of the sinking of the RMS Titanic.

Melanie Dent and I would like everyone reading this post to assist us in honoring those who perished. Please visit the Titanic Victims List and read through the names…and imagine.

On April 15th at 2:05am, the final lifeboat was lowered into the ocean. Over 1500 people still remained aboard the RMS Titanic, and at 2:17 the captain announced, “Every man for himself.”

Imagine… Just days ago, even the steerage passengers were feeling invulnerable as they climbed aboard the Ship of Dreams. For those traveling to America to begin a new life, they hugged their families close and looked forward to a bright future that never came.

Imagine…You are on the Titanic. Can you feel the moment of disorientation when you’re awakened from your bed? The gut-wrenching fear when you’re told to don a life vest, gather your loved ones, and prepare to disembark?

Imagine… You are one of those who are told to wait.

Imagine… You are prodded and herded above deck, separated from those you hold dear. Women and children prepare to board a lifeboat, while the men prepare to meet their watery grave.

Imagine… You are one of the 1500 left behind when the final lifeboat is lowered into the ocean.

Imagine… The freezing cold water pouring in, covering the deck, soaking your clothing, while you pray to God for mercy. Screams of terror and desperation fill your ears. And, then it happens. The ocean overtakes you and the monstrous, sinking boat pulls you under with it. You fight to break the surface of the water. It is dark, frigid. Your limbs are heavy. You can’t quite get your bearings, but it doesn’t matter, because there’s nowhere to go.

Imagine… It is nearly two hours before help arrives. The Carpathia picks up the first lifeboat at 4:10am. It is too late for many. Of the 2,227 original passengers, only 705 survive.

Over 1,500 people died. Men, women, children. Please remember those who lost their lives. When you read a book about the Titanic, or watch James Cameron’s Titanic on the big screen, remember.

To help commemorate Titanic Week, Melanie is hosting a special giveaway. Her novels, The Lynchcliffe Cuckoo and Eye of the Storm, are available for free in eBook format through April 17th. For more details, please visit the Facebook event page: Titanic Centenary Giveaway or the official Lynchcliffe page.

Melanie and I would like to extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who has helped us commemorate Titanic Week. To everyone who has visited my site, the official Lynchcliffe site, and the Facebook event page, we want to thank you. To the members of Night Reading, thank you so much for your participation, encouragement and support. And, to all my readers and Melanie’s fans, we couldn’t have done this without you. Thank you all!

A special note from Melanie Dent: As the author of the Lynchcliffe series I am thankful for the support that has been shown for my work throughout the last few days. I am thankful to Tricia for allowing me to hijack her blog and website, and for her faith in and appreciation of the series from the start.

I would like to end Titanic week by sharing a quote from The Lynchcliffe Cuckoo Vol 3: Making Peace with the Past.

“It is hard tae live when you are not at peace with the dead.” – Dr Hamish George to Helena, Lady Lynchcliffe..

I think that Hamish is right and this applies not merely to those whose loved ones perished on the Titanic but to everyone who has ever lost someone they loved.

Special Links for Titanic Week:

The Lynchcliffe Cuckoo on Amazon.com

The Lynchcliffe Cuckoo on Amazon.uk

Eye of the Storm on Amazon.com

Eye of the Storm on Amazon.uk

Titanic Timeline

Encyclopedia Titanica

Join the Titanic Week discussion on Night Reading

Lynchcliffe Novels on Facebook

Titanic Movie Facebook Page

http://www.uscitizenship.info/titanics-immigration-to-the-united-states/

Categories: books, centenary, interviews, lynchcliffe, melanie dent, titanic, titanic week, tricia drammeh | 7 Comments

Titanic Week: Eye of the Storm

Posted on April 14, 2012 by Tricia Drammeh
Today, guest blogger, Melanie Dent, introduces her novel, Eye of the Storm. For those of you who have been following the Authors to Watch interview page, this should come as a real treat!

Don’t forget to get your FREE eBook copy of Eye of the Storm and The Lynchcliffe Cuckoo Volume I. This special deal last through April 17th. For more information, please visit The Titanic Centenary Facebook Page. 

Tricia: Welcome back, Melanie! Thank you for giving us a sneak peak of Eye of the Storm. Out of all your Lynchcliffe Series books, I have a special place in my heart for this one. You give the reader a chance to see Lewis at his best…and his worst (which is still pretty good.) And, you offer some insight into the character we all fall in love with in the main Lynchcliffe series. So, without further
rambling, I will hand over my blog to you…

Melanie Dent: Eye of the Storm: Lewis Franklin’s Story is my favourite out of all the Lynchcliffe books I have written. Choosing favourite extracts is near impossible, so I have picked out three related to drowning.

I like this extract as it shows something of Franklin’s reaction to the news that his beloved nephew, Daniel, has drowned on RMS Titanic.

Franklin was ashen when he saw the headlines. The Titanic had struck an ice-berg and sunk. His worst fears were confirmed when Jenkins brought him a telegram. He slit it open with his knife but he knew what it would say.

MR LEWIS FRANKLIN STOP DANIEL FRANKLIN MISSING PRESUMED DROWNED STOP HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES STOP WHITE STAR LINE STOP

Franklin sat for a while numb with shock. He was now the last Franklin living.

He pulled himself together for he had to go to fetch Lord Lynchcliffe from the railway station. He was still trying to digest the news.

Lord Lynchcliffe looked solemn when he came out of the station.

“It’s terrible news Franklin.” He said.

“Aye. I had a telegram this morning, my Lord. Daniel is missing presumed drowned.”

“I’m terribly sorry Franklin.” Lord Lynchcliffe’s face was ashen. “I thought he didn’t want the new life.”

“He didn’t, my lord. His mam died last week and he managed to get a ticket so he could get there in time for her funeral.”

Lord |Lynchcliffe laid a hand on Franklin’s shoulder.

“If there is anything we can do for you Franklin please let me know, if you need time off or anything like that.”

“Thank you my lord.” Franklin opened the car door. “It hasn’t sunk in yet.”

“Take the rest of the week off, Franklin, for you need time to grieve properly.”

“Thank you my lord.”

Franklin drove back to Lynchcliffe Park in silence.

Lord Lynchcliffe gathered the servants together in the kitchen. Franklin stood beside him his face a mask as he fought to keep a rein on his feelings; not wanting to let himself go in Katie’s presence.

“Daniel Franklin is missing presumed drowned!” Lord Lynchcliffe announced. “I want us all to show Franklin as much support as possible for it is a terrible tragedy and Daniel was well liked here by those who met him.”

Lord Lynchcliffe left the servant’s hall.

“I’m very sorry Franklin.” Jenkins said.

“Thank you.”

“I will pray for him and his mother.” Mrs Halliwell said. Franklin shook his head.

“Daniel’s mam died last week. He was on the Titanic in order to get to New York for her funeral.”

“I never met him but I’m sorry.” Donald said.

“I’m sorry too.” Katie said.

“Thank you all.” Franklin said. “Now if you don’t mind I want to be alone.”

This extract is another favourite as Franklin is faced with the news that his best friend, Abe Fleming, has drowned on a fishing trip in the North Sea.

“Do what the hell tha wants!” Franklin snapped. “I am past caring!”

He was tired and irritable for he had not slept well due to a sense of foreboding he could not at that moment explain.

Sylvia stormed out slamming the door behind her.

Lawson walked in and handed Franklin a telegram.

“It’s urgent Franklin.” He said. Franklin slit it open with his knife.

Sylvia was crying in her room. She felt bad after the disagreement. Phillips was handsome enough but she had no love for him and did her best to avoid him. She was hurt by Franklin’s lack of concern and she realised that maybe she had been a little unkind.

She ventured back into the kitchen but did not hesitate although Lawson was present.

“Lewis I’m sorry for what I said. I didn’t mean it but I was trying to see if I could make you jealous.”

She stopped in her tracks when she realised that Franklin was stood staring into space his face ashen and his hands shaking as his body tensed.

“Lewis what is it?” She said urgently.

“There’s been an accident.” He said in a voice that did not sound like his. “Abe and his wife have drowned.”

This final extract reveals Franklin’s first adulthood encounter with death as he finds the bodies of his father and brother.

“Tha is a good son, Lewis.” She whispered. She took hold of his hand. “Last thing I told your father was that I loved him. I hope he remembered that.”

“It wasn’t the last thing, Mam.” Lewis said gently.

“Tha knows it was, Lewis.” She said, tears pricking her eyes. “I haven’t said as much to Alice but when tha loves someone, like I loved tha’s father, tha knows here.” She placed her hand over her heart.

Lewis was deep in thought as he went to join the search party at the beach. He knew his Mam had been right but Lewis felt a desperate hope he would prove her wrong.

He was searching through some jetsam, which had been washed ashore, when he found something that made his heart race. He held part of a wooden plaque that he knew like his own hand. He could make out letters. Susa. His father’s boat had been named Susan Marie after his mother; Lewis’s grandmother. He realised that the wood was similar in texture to other pieces cast ashore during the night from the sea.

Then he heard a shout and it was the eeriest sound he had ever heard drifting across the quiet beach. The sound of a whistle in the wind distorted to eerie echoes of itself

“Lewis!”

He followed the sound and his heart stood still for, lying on the sand, were the cold death-stiffened bodies of two men.

There was no mistaking the inert bodies of James and David Franklin.

Lewis sank to his knees beside them. He hesitantly brushed his father’s hair from his forehead and grasped his hand. Both men’s eyes were open staring now at nothing. Lewis gently closed them out of respect before he buried his face in his hands, shaken with heaving sobs, and wept as though his heart would break.


Tricia: For those who might be interested in learning more about Eye of the Storm and other Lynchcliffe novels, please visit the following links:

Eye of the Storm on Amazon.com
Eye of the Storm on Amazon.uk
Lynchcliffe Site
Lynchcliffe on Facebook

Categories: centenary, lynchcliffe, melanie dent, titanic, titanic week, tricia drammeh | 2 Comments

Titanic Week with Melanie Dent

Posted on April 12, 2012 by Tricia Drammeh

This has been an exciting week for my blog. Melanie is my second guest this week! As many of you know, I’ve been running a special feature on my website this week, not only on this Blog, but on my Authors to Watch interview page as well. Why? Well, because it’s Titanic Week. On April 10th, 1912, the Titanic set forth on its maiden voyage. It never made it to its final destination. Sadly, the Titanic struck an iceberg and sank during the early morning hours of April 15th. Many perished in the disaster.

To commemorate this tragic event in history, I am collaborating with author, Melanie Dent. Through a series of interviews about her popular historical fiction series, book excerpts, and Titanic articles and facts, we hope to bring the Titanic to you.

If you’d like a refresher course in Titanic history, I found an excellent website which is packed full of interesting pictures, facts, and even has a Titanic Timeline! http://www.encyclopedia-titanica.org/

For those of you who are not familiar with Melanie’s work, I’ve provided a summary of her first book in the series, as well as some helpful links if you are interested in learning more.

The tragic & unexpected death of a new mother sets in motion a chain of events that is to have far flung consequences for her daughter, Margaret.

Certain that he cannot give Margaret the life she deserves Thomas Frazer, her grief-stricken father, makes the heart-wrenching decision to place her into the care of his childless employers who adopt and raise her as their own.

When Lord and Lady Trevelyan die on board RMS Titanic Margaret is sent to live with relatives she had never known existed. There she develops a passionate attachment to Lewis Franklin, a humble chauffeur whose own nephew perished on the ship.

Attempts by a spiteful maid to sabotage Franklin’s reputation are foiled but it draws the pair closer together when society dictates Franklin is not good enough for a lady. When she is insulted by a suitor, later exposed as a fraud, Margaret learns the truth about her origins.

Then a murder causes Margaret & Franklin to pull together to help a household in mourning. She must now make sense of what she has learnt as she and Franklin work out what the future holds for both of them.

To find out more about Melanie’s work, please visit her website: Lynchcliffe or her Facebook page: Lynchcliffe Novels. Melanie’s books can be purchased at Amazon.com or Amazon.UK. 


Guest Post by Melanie Dent.

One hundred years ago this Tuesday the White Star Line vessel RMS Titanic set out from Southampton Docks to make her maiden voyage to New York. She never made it!

Most people know the year the Titanic sank even if they can’t recall exact dates; much the same as people recall that the Battle of Hastings took place in 1066

I was struck by something that a friend across the Pond said recently; that she heard on a radio show that a lot of kids don’t realise that the Titanic was a major historical event as they think only of the movie starring Leonardo Di Caprio and Kate Winslett. Quite what is taught in history these days is unsure, but it is proof educational standards are in severe decline.

The heroine of The Lynchcliffe series loses her adoptive parents on the ship and our hero, Lewis Franklin, loses his nephew, Daniel. Lady Helena Lynchcliffe loses her sister. Far too many people died.

Tricia asked me to provide a few excerpts from my novel, THE LYNCHCLIFFE CUCKOO VOL 1, as they pertain to the Titanic disaster. I hope you enjoy reading these as much I enjoyed writing them.


Owing to a visit by inspiration concerning a major plot development The Lynchcliffe Cuckoo Vol 1 is currently being republished but will be ready for Titanic Centenary Giveaway
https://www.facebook.com/#!/events/210828545689393/
Apologies to those who have already downloaded but if you wish to contact Amazon and explain that you know there has been an update they should send the updated version to your kindle (or pc) device free of charge. I know this from experience as have made this request many times and they have complied.

(I like this part (from chapter one) where Lady Helena Lynchcliffe gets a bit of a shock:)

Lady Helena Lynchcliffe was on the telephone

“May I speak to Lady Helena Lynchcliffe?” A male voice “Speaking.” Helena said.

”Lady Lynchcliffe, my name is John Shaw. I work for Leggett, Taylor and Shaw, the legal firm that represents Lord and Lady Trevelyan.”

“I see.” Helena said.

“I regret to inform you that Lord and Lady Trevelyan were passengers aboard the Titanic and are missing, presumed drowned.”

Helena saw that her hand was shaking.

“I see.” She said. She and her sister, Celia, had not spoken for many years after a furious row at their parents’ funeral when Celia had actually insinuated that Jeremiah Lynchcliffe was carrying a torch for his daughter in law after adding to that the knowledge that she had kept to herself for years about the fact she had been raped. Helena had tried several times to heal the rift over the years, especially when her own children were small, but Celia had never answered her letters. Helena would never know that they had been burnt unread. Now it would seem it was too late. Helena was glad that John Shaw could not see her discomfort; the fact that she had turned pale, her quivering lip and shaking hands.

“I am calling you concerning your niece,” Shaw went on. Helena almost dropped the receiver.

“I was not aware I had a niece.” She stammered. “I had thought that it was not physically possible for my sister to have children.”

(I also like this one as it introduces us to the hero, esteemed chauffeur Lewis Franklin)

The unexpected summons to Lord Lynchcliffe’s study surprised Lewis Franklin as he tried to recall the last time he had been called there. He put down his cracked mug and went out into the chill April evening.

Jenkins announced him and bade him enter.

“My Lord, my Lady.” He smiled although smiling did not come easy given the news he had heard that day about the death of his nephew, Daniel, aboard the Titanic. Daniel had been travelling to New York for his mother’s funeral as she had died the previous week. She and her second husband; an Irishman named Liam, had immigrated five years before. Daniel and Franklin had been close so Franklin felt the loss acutely.

“Hello Franklin.” Helena said.

“Good evening my Lady.”

“I was sorry to hear about Daniel.” Helena said. “He was a lovely young man and a real credit to you.”

“Thank you, My Lady. Daniel had his whole life ahead of him. It’s such a waste. “

“I know.” She swallowed. “I have found out that my sister and her husband were on the Titanic.”

Franklin was astounded.

“I was not aware tha had a sister, my Lady.”

“We had not spoken for many years. The sad thing is I tried to mend the rift several times when Michael and Sarah were small.” Regret was etched deep into her face.

“I am very sorry, My Lady. Daniel and I were on good terms and that is hard enough to bear. I can’t even imagine what it must be like for a person to lose someone that they were at odds with. “

“I found out that I have a niece. Her name is Margaret and she’s twenty. She’s studying French literature in Paris at the moment. The term at the Sorbonne finishes next week then she will be coming to live here with us. I want you to take His Lordship and myself to London next week to meet her and her maid?”

“Of course, my Lady. I have a favour to ask though.”

“Of course, Franklin.” She waited.

“In a couple of weeks there is to be a memorial service in Hyde Park for those who have lost loved ones on the Titanic. I was wondering if I might change my day off that week to go.”

“Certainly, Franklin.” Helena said. “Once again I am sorry for your loss.” “Thank you, My Lady, my Lord.” He bowed as he left the room.



(I like this scene as Margaret and Franklin share their first kiss.)



“Well goodnight Lewis.” She kissed him on the cheek.

He drew a deep breath. If he could just taste her it would be a memory to live on.

“Margaret,” His voice was deepened, husky with emotion as he instinctively pulled her into his arms and kissed her hard on the mouth, every nerve of his body burning with acute desire. Surprised but touched, she kissed him back with a hardness that both alarmed and aroused her. She held him tightly. She stroked his back lightly through his thin shirt, tracing his hard muscles and the curvature of his spine and he trembled with pleasure as any tension he might have felt relaxed instantly.

Franklin’s mouth continued to cleave itself to hers. She felt his need, his urgency as she matched it, kiss for kiss as she felt him press against her. His mouth felt hard as it moulded to hers and she felt weak and, afraid she might fall, tightened her arms around him. In reflex he tightened his hold on her. She could taste him; he tasted of honey and fine wine and she felt giddy with the taste. She felt herself tremble as she realised how much she longed to feel his mouth elsewhere on her body; her breasts and her sex were highly aroused and aching for him.

His mouth moved to her ear, which he nibbled gently, and down to her jaw and throat before he put his hand under her chin and lifted her face with the utmost care so that their eyes met.

“Oh Margaret!” He sighed. “I wish I could be sorry for that. But I’m not and I never will be. I’ve wanted to kiss tha since the moment our eyes met. I’m a servant but I am also a man.”

“Don’t you dare ever be sorry, Lewis Franklin.” She declared. “I’m not sorry either. I will live on the memory of that for a long time.”

“So will I.” he whispered. “Live on the memory of that kiss, I mean.”

“Goodnight Lewis.” She said softly.

“Goodnight Margaret.” He whispered, releasing her from his embrace with the utmost reluctance.



Tricia: Thank you, Melanie, for visiting with us. I love the book excerpts (especially the last one). To all my readers out there, please visit my Authors to Watch page to read my latest interview with Melanie. And, be sure to check back later this week when Melanie visits again to share some excerpts from Eye of the Storm.

Categories: authors, blog, interviews, lynchcliffe, melanie dent, titanic, titanic week, tricia drammeh | 9 Comments

Titanic Week

Posted on April 11, 2012 by Tricia Drammeh

My friend, Melanie Dent, is helping me co-host Titanic Week. Right here on my site! It has been a true honor to co-organize this event. I’ve never done anything like it, and I have Melanie to thank. Her first novel, The Lynchcliffe Cuckoo, begins during the pre-World War I era, and the Titanic tragedy is a focal point in at least two of her novels. She has graciously provided interviews, blog excerpts, and some Titanic links in order to commemorate the event.

Please remember those who perished in the tragedy, by visiting the following link: http://www.encyclopedia-titanica.org/titanic-victims/. It is truly saddening when you read the names on this list: men, women, children, and infants died when the Titanic struck the iceberg and subsequently sank.

Please visit Titanic Week on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/events/263411847086225/ and stop by my site each day for more Titanic Week posts.

Melanie and I compiled some links if you’re interested in learning more about the Titanic tragedy, or if you’d like to keep up to date on centenary events:

http://www.encyclopedia-titanica.org/
http://www.titanic-facts.com/
http://www.travelbite.co.uk/holiday-ideas/2012/04/10/titanic-centenary-events-around-the-world
http://www.titanic100.ie/

And, be sure to visit Melanie’s website to learn more about her novels:

http://lynchcliffe.wordpress.com/titanic-week-2/

Categories: centenary, melanie dent, titanic week, tricia drammeh | 2 Comments

Wayne Zurl: Writing What You Know

Posted on April 9, 2012 by Tricia Drammeh

It is my pleasure to introduce author, Wayne Zurl, who has graciously accepted my invitation to appear on my blog as a special guest.

Wayne Zurl is the author of many books, including the recently released A LEPRECHAUN’S LAMENT. His popular series features brilliant police officer, Sam Jenkins, and is available on both Amazon and on Barnes and Noble. Mr. Zurl has been featured on numerous blog posts and interviews, and it is truly an honor to have him on my blog today.
Please join me in welcoming Wayne Zurl. Any comments or questions are appreciated!

 




WRITING WHAT YOU KNOW and Getting Inspiration From the World Around You
 
By Wayne Zurl

Picture a half-dozen old cops sitting around a table. The waitress just removed the dishes, but each man still holds a drink.

The former ranking man of the group takes a sip of single-malt scotch. “We laughed when it was over,” he says, “but for a few minutes, we were all sweating.”

“I remember,” another retired detective says. “Came close to soiling my knickers there.”

A third man at the table speaks, “They shoulda made a TV movie outta that one.”

The six people looked around at their colleagues, nodded, and sampled more of their beverages.

The guy with the single-malt whisky retired and eventually tried his hand at a new occupation. Today he’s writing police mystery novels—only because of the old author’s maxim: ‘Write what you know.’

Suppose you’ve never been a cop? Can you still write mysteries? Why not?

Let’s look at the TV series LAW & ORDER. It ran for almost twenty years and at most utilized one technical advisor with police or prosecutor’s experience. How did the writers knock out so many quality episodes? They looked at the world around them, used real-life drama as a basis for their script, and filled in the blanks.

Every episode came with the disclaimer, ‘Any similarity to an actual event or real persons living or dead is purely coincidental,’ or words to that effect. But as any fan will tell you, that statement is pure hogwash. A blithering idiot could draw parallels with actual events recently in the news; the premise, at times, was blatant.

The show’s producer made a fortune with that show, and anyone can cash in on the same idea. Life is full of good stories, just change the names to protect the innocent—and keep yourself out of civil court.

I often say my stories are based on actual incidents. That’s true, but no fiction can be totally unembellished fact or it would be a report and not a novel—probably boring to read. I claim to have a better memory than imagination. That’s true, too, but some imagination is always necessary in fiction. My last release, A LEPRECHAUN’S LAMENT, was based on an actual case, but I couldn’t resist inventing a beautiful Irish girl and a few other touches just to make fiction better than fact.

Really don’t have the imagination to conjure up an epic fantasy novel, but still feel the call of writing? What’s the problem? What do you do for a living? UPS driver? Server in a posh restaurant? Bank teller? That last one comes with oodles of possibilities for good drama.

Hear about a hostage situation on the 6 o’clock news? How about a UPS driver walking into the middle of that? You’d get all the details of the package delivery business correct and with a little research, fake your way through the police procedures.

The local papers run a story about employees finding a body in the parking lot of a classy restaurant? Okay, server, embellish that event front and back with your knowledge of the food business and what you’ve seen happen in the dining room or bar.

And let’s not waste words on what kind of excitement can come from the customers and staff in a bank.

Look around you. Read the newspapers. Watch the news. Use Life as a basis for a story that becomes uniquely yours when it smacks you between the eyes like a 2×4. It’s not plagiarism unless you rewrite someone else’s work. Draw inspiration from . . . who knows what!

Almost every interviewer has asked, “Where do you get the inspiration for what you write?” The actual plots may come from my past or what I see down the road. The inspiration may come from anything. Often it hits me while driving at 70 on an Interstate. Sometimes my eyes click open at 2 a.m. and I remember something that might make an exciting story. Or I may hear an explosion while sitting on the porch. Like a cop in a street-crime unit who doesn’t get complaints to answer, you have to go out there and drum up your own cases. Writers can’t look for stories in someone else’s books. The world is like a take-out menu waiting for you to select something and go with it.

Biography

Wayne Zurl grew up on Long Island and retired after twenty years with the Suffolk County Police Department, one of the largest municipal law enforcement agencies in New York and the nation. For thirteen of those years he served as a section commander supervising investigators. He is a graduate of SUNY, Empire State College and served on active duty in the US Army during the Vietnam War and later in the reserves. Zurl left New York to live in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee with his wife, Barbara.

Thirteen of his Sam Jenkins mysteries have been produced as audio books and simultaneously published as eBooks. Zurl’s first full-length novel, A NEW PROSPECT, was named best mystery at the 2011 Indie Book Awards, is currently a finalist in the 2012 Eric Hoffer Book Awards, and was nominated for a Montaigne Medal. His second novel, A LEPRECHAUN’S LAMENT, is available in hardcover and paperback with eBooks coming soon.

For more information on Wayne’s Sam Jenkins mystery series see www.waynezurlbooks.net. You can read excerpts, reviews and endorsements, interviews, coming events, and see photos of the area where the stories take place.

Tricia’s Note: I’d like to thank Wayne for his informative and entertaining post. He’s absolutely right: inspiration is everywhere. I hope you all have found inspiration right here in this blog.

 
Categories: authors, books, rules, work, writing | 5 Comments

Shamblers, Amblers, and Severed Heads: Zombies in Literature

Posted on April 7, 2012 by Tricia Drammeh

Yeah, I like zombie books. Who doesn’t? Well, I used to be one of the zombie book haters. Or, rather, I just didn’t ‘get’ it. I stumbled through life, undereducated about the undead. Then, a co-worker gave me a stack of zombie books and told me to read them. So, I did.

As a fan of Jane Austen, I naturally gravitated toward Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith (who transformed a classic into a gore-fest) and Jane Austen (who is dead and unaware of the collaboration). I loved it! If you’re looking for a book that combines satire, zombies, romance, and big words, this is the book for you.

Awash in romantic notions, I plunged into the stack of zombie books and delved into Dead City by Joe McKinney. It was a good book, full of action and shootings, but did little to stir my romantic imagination.

I asked my co-worker why there weren’t more zombie romance novels. He told me to shut up. But, then he gave me another book: Married with Zombies. It’s a goodie! Jesse Peterson has created an amazing, entertaining trilogy featuring a married couple who arrive at their marriage counseling session only to encounter their therapist eating a previous patient. “The family that slays together, stays together,” Peterson says on the cover of her first book. Isn’t that heartwarming?

Last, but not least, I have to give a shout-out to I’ve Been Deader by Adam Sifre. This one’s a little different—well, a lot different. It’s hilarious (which I love in a zombie book) and the main character is a zombie (which is brilliantly unique). Fred is a ‘thinker.’ He is so intelligent, in fact, that he’s able to control other zombies. It’s refreshing to read a book that explores the zombie’s point of view, so I would highly recommend this to hard-core zombie fans, or to those who are gently easing into zombie-lit.

So, if you haven’t read a zombie book, you really should give it a try. If you’re looking for fast-paced action (Dead City), classic literature (Price and Prejudice and Zombies), or intelligent humor (I’ve Been Deader), zombie-lit has something for you!

Some Zombie Links:

Categories: adam sifre, apocalypse, books, pride and prejudice, romance, shamblers, undead, zombies | 1 Comment

All the cool kids are doing it, so why can’t I?

Posted on April 4, 2012 by Tricia Drammeh

Up until about a year-and-a-half ago, I didn’t realize how many people had blogs. I’d never given it much thought until I went to a meeting for a group of local writers and the leader insisted that every aspiring author should have a platform. “If you don’t have a blog, get one. They’re free.”

Of course, I immediately set up a blog. With my fingers poised above the keyboard, I stared at the blog. It stared back. The tension was unbearable, and it wasn’t long before I caved under the pressure, defeated by a simple blog.

I had nothing to write about. Writing a novel? That’s easy. Writing about me and my interests? Who wants to read that crap? Seriously, people have better things to do, I thought. So, I abandoned my blog for a while. I’m not sure why I went back to it. I think it had something to peer pressure. All the other writers I ran into on writer’s sites were blogging, so obviously I had to do it too. Right?

“If all the other kids decided to jump off a bridge, would you do it too?” my mom used to ask. What a silly question! Of course I would. I mean, if all the other kids were doing it, then it must be a good idea.

Sometimes when I said, “All the other mothers let their kids do it,” my mom would counter with, “Well, I’m not the other kids’ mother.” She had no idea how I envied all the other kids. The ones who could watch rated R movies, stay out past midnight, and drive to Florida on spring-break with a car full of like-minded would-be alcoholics. My mom never let me do anything.

Well, she can’t stop me now. All the cool kids have blogs, and now I have one too. At last, I fit in with the “it” kids. Now that I have what they have, I can write what I want, when I want…if I can think of something to write about. And, even if I can’t think of something to write about? Well, I don’t let that stop me. Obviously. I mean, look at this particular post!

My blog and I still have the occasional staring contest. Whoever blinks first loses. Sometimes the screen flickers and I count that as a point for me. Me and my blog? Yeah, we’re cool.

Categories: author, blogging, blogs, paranormal, pretty fly for a white guy, the offspring, tricia drammeh, writing | 5 Comments

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