| I'm Partying! |
[May. 18th, 2008|03:33 pm] |
Hello everybody! I'm Kia Wolfe, and I've locked my "writer" in a closet and I'm partying over at the Samhain Cafe. It's a character chat, and it's a lot of fun.
By the way, Shadows of Evil is my book. Cheryel tries to claim it, but it's all mine! It hits the electronic stands on May 27. I can't wait!!!
Kia |
|
|
| |
[May. 12th, 2008|12:51 pm] |
For some reason that I don't understand, the link on my last post isn't working. It looks right, but it doens't go there.
Here is the link to my Yahoo group. (I hope)
And the OFFICIAL teaser for Shadows of Evil is: Kia must learn to trust—before the evil in her house destroys them all.
While I'm captured with the linking madness, my author page link for Samhain is here. :)
|
|
|
| Shameless Promotion :) |
[May. 12th, 2008|09:52 am] |
Take a trip to the quaint little town of Mountain Shadows. Nothing ever happens there...well, except around that old Strode house. The one Kia Wolfe just moved into. Coincidence, really. She'll be perfectly safe. And so will you. Come visit. You don't believe in ghosts, do you?
Shadows of Evil coming May 27!
Join the month-long celebration at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cheryel_hutton/ |
|
|
| Movie Diet |
[Apr. 13th, 2008|06:01 pm] |
| [ | Tags | | | movies | ] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| |  enthralled | ] |
I finally had a chance to see Chocolat yesterday. I’ve heard for years how good it is, but just never had the time or opportunity. Yesterday I had that opportunity, and I decided any movie with both Judi Dench and Johnny Depp in it must be good. I must say, the film definitely lived up to its reputation. I sat rooted in my seat for two full hours, afraid to move lest I miss a moment. Fantastic characters, great direction, an amazing story. And all those scenes of beautiful chocolate! Ahhh.
As any of you who read my blog should know, I rarely talk about a particular book or movie. I have never felt myself competent to judge. After all, I’m a big fan of the silly B-movies from years past and movies based on the comics. How can someone who likes Howard the Duck presume to have anything to say about a serious film—like Chocolat, for instance?
It’s like this. I love a tasty, well prepared meal. Fresh, flavorful ingredients. The richness a medley of spices produces. The mouth-watering aroma of cooking goodness. Yum!
But I also like a simple sugary taste. I’m not talking about fancy stuff. I’m talking about colas, milk chocolate, plain doughnuts. Yep, I’ll admit to being a junk-food junky. But I can only take so much. Then I find myself looking for something with a little more flavor.
During one of the (beautiful!) chocolate scenes in Chocolat, I had an epiphany. This movie was a gourmet meal. Full of rich story, interesting people, well-done symbolism. And mouth-watering Johnny Depp (oh wait, that’s a different subject).
Howard the Duck is a cola (soda, pop, soft drink, whatever you call the things). Quick, sugary, fun but not at all good for you. And the alien movies with the $29.99 sets? Junk food. (By the way, not all horror or alien films are junk food, some of them are gourmet goodness.)
So, now I have a language with which to talk about books and movies. Cool. I feel good. But I’m craving a bad-for-you alien movie. Hmm, I wonder if there’s a weekend B-movie on the Sci-Fi channel?
Countdown to Shadows of Evil release: 6 weeks and 2 days!
|
|
|
| Diner Fun :) |
[Apr. 11th, 2008|11:35 am] |
I wanted to let you know that I have a post over at the Otherworld Diner today. It's about an interesting customer we had not too long ago...
I'll try to do a proper post here later today. Anybody know where I can buy more hours in a day (or maybe just enough energy to do what I need to do in the hours I have).
Have a great weekend!!! |
|
|
| It's Spring! |
[Mar. 28th, 2008|11:24 am] |
I blogged today on the Otherworld Diner about doing spring cleaning your life to make more room for relaxation.
I hope everybody is enjoying the longer days and the warmer weather (unless, of course, you don't HAVE warmer weather). Fall used to be my favorite season, but these days I'm loving spring the most.
Take care! |
|
|
| Stingray Strikes Again |
[Mar. 21st, 2008|08:09 pm] |
A woman was killed yesterday when a stingray jumped out of the water and into the boat she was riding in. And a ripple of fear crossed the country. Steve Irwin was killed by a stingray. Clearly the things are dangerous. Maybe we should kill them all.
Just a few years ago, it was within the realm of possibility that that last sentence might have really come to pass. A couple of freak accidents and we’re ready to take on the “dangerous predator”. Hunters would be dubbed brave and daring. Stingray carcasses would quickly become prized trophies. Soon the dreaded creatures would be all but wiped out, and humankind would be safe once again. Or not.
Thankfully, the days of hunting a species to extinction are all but over. We, as a species, are beginning to accept the idea that we are responsible for our world. Species continue to become extinct every year, mostly in the rainforest regions of the world. But at least we aren’t so oblivious anymore that we feel we can intentionally exterminate an entire species just because we want to.
Wild animals protect themselves from predators, and humans are predators. An animal doesn’t know the difference between a vacationer and a hunter. Or even a man and a bear. A boat and a huge shark. We invade their home turf, and then wonder when they fight back. Are animal attacks becoming more common? No. When people lived mostly in or near the wild, animal attacks were a normal part of existence (as it still is in some places). The difference is that nowadays we live in cities and suburbs that are mostly insular from animals except those we bring into our lives as pets. Now, in our mostly urban existence, an attack by an animal is rare. Therefore newsworthy. So we all hear about it. And begin to think animals are dangerous. And think maybe we’d be better without beautiful creatures like stingrays.
But today we have more knowledge. We know that killing off one species can impact the entire ecosystem. We know that all creatures play a part in the interplay of the vast system that is the life living precariously on the big ball of rock we know as the earth. The stingrays won’t be hunted to extinction.
Maybe we’re finally growing up. |
|
|
| Computer Musings |
[Feb. 29th, 2008|01:23 pm] |
On the group blogs I'm part of, I posted two entires on computers, the Internet, and life in the 21st century.
"Twenty-first Century Distractions" is at the Sweet Treats & Spicy Tidbits MySpace blog. I discuss television and the Net and how it's changed the way we live.
"Welcome to the Future" is at the Otherworld Diner. Here I talk about how computers and the Internet has changed writers and writing.
Come check them out, and while you're there check out my fellow bloggers. :) |
|
|
| Shadows of Evil cover |
[Feb. 21st, 2008|03:20 pm] |
I'm so excited. First I find I have a revised cover for Shadows of Evil, which has more of a romance feel. Since that's what the book is, this one fits better (although I did love that wolfie). Then, I discovered that my book is up on the "coming soon" page at Samhain. This means I have a definite date for the electronic release (paperback release will be early next year).
Sooooo....
Shadows of Evil will be available from Samhain Publishing
on May 27, 2008!
YAY!!
|
|
|
| Laurie Contest deadline extended! |
[Feb. 18th, 2008|11:36 am] |
The deadline for the SMRW's Laurie Contest has been extended, and we are in need of manuscripts. I've posted the basics below, and more info can be found at SMR's Website.
The Smoky Mountain Romance Writers of Knoxville, TN proudly announce the Laurie Contest for unpublished authors's extended deadline of February 29, 2008.
Participation is open to all unpublished authors not contracted in novel length romantic fiction 40,000 words or more at the time of the contest deadline. Previous finalists and winners may not re-enter the winning entry, even in edited format. They may, however, enter another work.
Guidelines
Send a title page, the first chapter (not to exceed twenty-five (25) pages), and the synopsis (not to exceed five (5) pages) via e-mail as an attachment, along with the entry form to the coordinator for the category you are entering. The total number of submitted pages for chapter and synopsis is not to exceed 30 pages. Do not “borrow” pages from the synopsis to add more pages to the chapter.
Use Microsoft Word format (.doc) or rich text format (.rtf).
The title page should be a separate attachment and include the manuscript title, author's name, address, e-mail, telephone phone number, category, target publisher and line, and if the manuscript is complete (this is for our information only).
Each page of the manuscript shall have one inch margins, be double spaced and have the title, category, and target line in the upper left hand corner, and a page number in the upper right hand corner in the form of a header. Do not put your name; you will be disqualified. Font face should be Times New Roman 14 pt., Courier, or Courier New 12 pt. Not to exceed twenty-five (25) lines per page. The margins, number of lines, font and size will be checked. The first page of the manuscript shall begin 1/3 of the way down the page (about 8-12 single spaced lines).
Deadlines:
The entry, entry form and fee must be received by Feb. 29, 2008. NO EXCEPTIONS. Use the PayPal link on the webpage to pay the entry fee. If you prefer to send a check or money order, please contact Deborah Brent at LaurieContest@gmail.com
Finalists will receive notification of the final round status by approximately March 31, 2008.
The winners will be announced the end of April or first of May 2008.
Short and Long Contemporary Series (40,000 - 85,000 words)
Historical (Includes Regency):
Single Title Contemporary (90,000 - 110,000 words) (includes romantic suspense and mainstream)
Paranormal/Fantasy (Includes Sci-Fi, Time Travel, Fantasy, etc.)
Manuscripts entered in the incorrect category will be disqualified. Contact the contest coordinator if you are unsure of the category to enter. Entry fees will not be refunded for disqualified manuscripts.
Authors may enter as many submissions as they like. Each submission must be on a separate entry form and must be accompanied by a separate registration fee. The same manuscript cannot be entered in more than one category.
|
|
|
| Shadows of Evil |
[Feb. 14th, 2008|06:48 am] |
In honor of Valentines Day, I'd thought I'd introduce my upcoming paranormal romance novel to the world. And so, I give you, Shadows of Evil:
For Kia Wolfe, moving to an isolated mountaintop is an act of independence from her demanding family and ex-fiancé. She's literally dreamed about the regal old house for years, and for the first time in her life she feels at home. She's here to stay, even though the house's history of violent deaths is enough to scare off most people.
Excerpt:
Garrett leaned toward Kia, his expression serious. "I don't consider scaring women living alone in spooky old houses funny. In fact, I don't think living alone in a place like this one is at all amusing. "
She was really getting tired of this subject. "Maybe you don't think much of my decision to buy this house, but I'm happy. I love it here. "
He seemed to consider that. "You really do, don't you?"
"Yes, I do." She looked around her, taking in the big, bright kitchen. "It's a wonderful place to live."
"I agree, it's probably the nicest house on the mountain. An area I love, by the way. But what I told you is true. Check the newspapers if you don't believe me."
She tilted her head as she considered his expression. "I believe you. But stories tend to get exaggerated. Rumors become fact. The tales get bigger as they go from one person to another."
His neck reddened just a touch as his lips tightened. "The old newspapers are on microfilm at the library. Go and check it out for yourself."
"I think I might just do that." his quick, angry intake of breath had her feeling repentant. She smiled softly. "It'd be cool to research the history of my house."
"You'll find out that I'm telling the truth. No rumors. No exaggerations. People have died here."
Propping her elbows on the table, she leaned forward. "Oh, I never believed you were lying. I just think you're overreacting. After all, you don't know me all that well. Yet." She slowly, deliberately ran her tongue over her lips, and watched his eyes widen. "Thank you for your concern, sir. But I think I can take care of myself just fine."
His Adam's apple moved as he swallowed. He opened his mouth as if to say something, then closed it again.
"Something wrong, cowboy?"
"Not a thing, ma'am." He reached his hand out, touching her arm with the tips of his fingers. "Feel free to call on me anytime. For whatever you need."
Her arm tingled where his strong, work-roughened fingertips touched it. "I appreciate that. A talented man does come in handy sometimes."
"I have many talents," he whispered, as he slid his fingertips up and down her arm slowly, gently, leaving warm tingles in the wake of his touch. Her breathing hitched up a notch, as she imagined other things he could do with those fingers.
Excerpt unedited.
Copyright 2008 by Cheryel Hutton
Shadows of Evil will be available from Samhain Publishing in May 2008.
|
|
|
| New Post |
[Jan. 18th, 2008|03:06 pm] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| |  mischievous | ] |
I posted a blog entry today at Sweet Treats and Spicy Tidbits, the published author blog for Smoky Mountain Romance Writers. It's about how I'm odd. Okay, stop your snickering. :) |
|
|
| Past and Present |
[Jan. 17th, 2008|10:45 am] |
| [ | Tags | | | memories | ] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| |  pensive | ] |
A memory has been haunting me the last couple of days. I was a kid, maybe ten or eleven years old, and I was at a friend’s house. We were washing dishes. She was washing, I was rinsing. I kept handing her pieces back because they weren’t properly cleaned. This went on for a while, and then her mother, who was lounging in the room next to the kitchen spoke. “Cheryel, haven’t you ever washed dishes before?”
To this day, I wonder why I ever ate at that house again. Or why I even went back there. I think the answer lies in my isolation. I didn’t have so many friends that I could afford to let one go because my world was so small. I wasn’t allowed to attend school due to my family’s fear, and possibly embarrassment, of a congenital heart condition. By this time I finally got to attend the fifth grade it was too late. I felt like a Martian. And I’ve never completely gotten over that feeling of not truly belonging.
Even now I feel different from those around me. But I do make new friends and expand my boundaries on a regular basis. And I have the confidence to drop “friends” who really aren’t. My health still isolates me, but I’m no longer a child stuck in a small town. I live in a city, my car takes me where I want to go, and the Internet connects me with people all over the world.
I’m grateful for the contact with all of you who read my blog, for everyone I’ve met via cyberspace. I may be having a bad day and be stuck in my house, but with my trusty computer I can surf out there to the far reaches of cyberspace.
Have I mentioned I’m grateful to be alive in the 21st Century? |
|
|
| Interesting |
[Jan. 16th, 2008|11:24 am] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| |  impressed | ] |
Normally I hate commercials, but this one I love.
|
|
|
| Happy New Year! |
[Dec. 31st, 2007|06:41 pm] |
| [ | Tags | | | holiday | ] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| |  happy | ] |
I'd like to wish everybody a very happy New Year!
May your dreams come true in 2008! |
|
|
| I've been interviewed! |
[Dec. 20th, 2007|11:28 am] |
I have an interview, and an excerpt from Shadows of Evil (coming from Samhain in May) at Aspiring Authors. If you get a chance, stop by and say hello!
|
|
|
| Friday Wanderings |
[Dec. 14th, 2007|11:01 am] |
Since the contract is signed and sent, I'd like to announce officially that I will have a novella coming out from The Wild Rose Press. No idea yet, when this will happen, but I'm thrilled!
I got my revision email from my editor at Samhain Publishing. And I have to say Eve is an amazing editor. She found mistakes that had me going, "well, duh."
I'm not doing a long post here, but if you just especially want to read more, I posted to The Otherworld Diner, and to a new group blog the published authors at Smoky Mountain Romace Writers have started. The blog is found at myspace and is called Sweet Treats and Spicy Tidbits.
Have a great weekend everybody! |
|
|
| |
[Dec. 7th, 2007|10:24 am] |
| [ | Tags | | | holiday | ] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| | happy | ] |
Happy Hanukkah to everyone who celebrates. (This is the third day of the eight day holiday.)
“What?” Some of you may say. “But it’s nowhere near Christmas.” While the two holidays fall relatively close together, the Jewish calendar is a lunar one, while the one that hangs on everybody’s wall is a solar one. An interesting thing about the difference is that the solar calendar has an occasional leap year, and the Jewish calendar has a leap month every few years. Of course, Jews only use the Jewish calendar for holidays and such, they use the one everybody else does most of the time.
Just a little trivia.
Also, check out the new blog I'm participating in here. |
|
|
| Contract! 001 |
[Dec. 3rd, 2007|03:42 pm] |
This is from when I signed my contract with Samhain. Hubby gave me roses (isn't he sweet!), and Cujo had check them out to make sure they were okay.
I looked horrible when this pic was taken, but I wanted to remember that day.
|
|
|
| |
[Nov. 22nd, 2007|05:36 pm] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| | thankful | ] |
Happy Thanksgiving!
Hope all of you have a wonderful day. |
|
|
![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
dragon_quill's journal
ecstatic
creative
tired
