Ten Days Before Christmas Giveaway

Ten days until Christmas morning and excitement is in the air in the Claridge home.  The kids are in their last week of school before break and they can’t wait to be done.  They’re already planning sleep overs and movie dates.  Teacher’s gifts are bought and wrapped and ready to be hauled to school.  It’s fun, fun, FUN!

To recap, in case you missed the original post, I’m hosting a Twelve Days before Christmas Giveaway (sponsored by Global Publishing Group) wherein I will be giving away free copies of my books plus some of the other GPG author’s books. 

Here's how it works... I'll post the giveaway and the first person to email me, gets the free item of the day!  Each blog will go live at 8:00am MST (that's 7:00am for you West Coasters, 9:00am for you Mid-Westerners and 10:00am for my East Coast friends.)  It’s too easy not to play!

 

Email me with the subject line:  Day Ten 

Email me by clicking HERE

 

Here we go!

Sing with me....though I'm going to have to change up the lyrics a bit...

On the twelfth day before Christmas an author gave to me

A free copy of Petals of Blood!

On the eleventh day before Christmas an author gave to me

An S.R.Claridge Ebook of my choice for free! 

On the tenth day before Christmas an author gave to me 

A Tetterbaum’s Truth ebook copy!

 

 

Twelve Days Before Christmas Giveway

Today we are exactly Twelve days away from Christmas morning.  I love Christmas!  It makes me feel giddy, like a little kid who is bouncing off the walls with excitement.  I love waking up in the morning, making hot chocolate for the kids and coffee for me and my husband, sitting by the fire and watching our children dig into their gifts.  I love how their eyes light up when they've opened something they've been wanting and the reality hits them that they finally hold the coveted item in their hands.  It makes my heart smile.

In honor of the twelve day countdown to that blessed morning, I'm going to host my own Twelve Days of Christmas Giveaway (sponsored by Global Publishing Group).  Prizes will be copies of my books and of books from other GPG authors.

Here's how it works... I'll post the giveaway and the first person to email me, gets the free item!  Each blog will go live at 8:00am MST (that's 7:00am for you West Coasters, 9:00am for you Mid-Westerners and 10:00am for my East Coast friends.)

Email me with the subject line:  Twelve Days

 

Email me by clicking HERE

Let's begin:  Sing with me....though I'm going to have to change up the lyrics a bit...

On the twelfth day before Christmas an author gave to me

A free copy of Petals of Blood

 

 

 

Mother's Day Mystery

Looking for a last minute Mother's Day gift?  How about giving her the gift of mystery and suspense?  S.R.Claridge novels are available in all downloadable formats from Smashwords.  It's immediate.  It's easy.  And Mom is sure to love it!

Start her out with a romantic suspense, like No Easy Way.  Or start her on the Mafia thrill-ride of the Just Call Me Angel series.  If it's political cult action she craves, House of Lies will keep her on the edge of her seat.  Or Petals of Blood is sure to wet her whistle and make her long for more.  Whichever you choose, or choose them all, you're sure to make this Mother's Day great!

A Novel & A Bottle

I have recently learned that George Clooney has released his own line of high-end Tequila, called Casamigos. It is a small batch of ultra-premium tequila that has been tasted and approved by not only a master distiller, but by George himself.   The batches are numbered and signed. 

I love the name...a simple combination of Casa (home) and Amigos (friends).  The name alone makes me want to invite some friends to my home and drink up.  

 

Another idea...why not sit down with a good book and a bottle of Casamigos?  Lose yourself in the suspenseful twists of a Claridge novel and the passionate throes of a Clooney bottle. 

What can I say… he’s a man after my own heart.  Cheers, George!

What Will Santa Bring YOU?

Looking for something suspenseful this Christmas... Want to add some mystery to your life?  What does Santa have in his bag for you?

 

 

 

Barnes & Noble

Amazon

Smashwords

"S.R.Claridge novels are a non-stop ride of action and adventure."  BookWatchMagazine

 

 

"S.R.Claridge writes bona fide suspense thrillers." Apex Reviews

 

 



Kindle WINNER

Congratulations to Kindle winner:   MELISSA SOPRI

Melissa's name was randomly selected from my list of blog members and subscribers.  In addition to the kindle, Melissa will receive a free download of any one of my novels.

As a thank you to my readers I will periodically draw names for more gifts, so make sure your name is on my list; and tell your friends too! 

Either join as a member or as a subscriber today!

Happy Holidays and Happy Reading!

Comedic Interlude

Instead of blogging today, I wanted to take a comedic interlude.  Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Boomerang of Shame

Here is an excerpt from a letter I received after I posted yesterday’s blog, entitled “Don’t Quit: Re-new It!”  

“You claim to be a Christian but you write books about murder and on your blog you’ve condoned spanking, which is a form of abuse, and abortion which is killing.  The fact that you refer to yourself as a follower of Christ is apprehensible.” 

There was a time when receiving an email of this nature would have reduced me to tears.  Thankfully, those days are gone.  I have reached a point in my life where I am confident in who I am and in my relationship with God.  He loves me…everyone else doesn’t have to.  So, it is with a comical grin that I respond to this email.  

First, let me point out that I believe the word she meant to use was "reprehensible" and not "apprehensible." 

In regards to my books, the Just Call Me Angel series is a suspense series centered on the Mafia.  It would be virtually impossible to write a story about the mob that didn’t involve killing.  These books are fiction and in no way voice a personal conviction that murder is acceptable.  They are simply written to entertain readers.

Likewise, my debut novel, No Easy Way, and my short story, Petals of Blood, are also murder mystery/suspense novels.  I don’t want to point out the obvious, but when writing a murder mystery one sort of has to include an actual murder into the plotline.

Just because I am a Christian does not mean I should write books that fall into the Christian genre.  It’s neither my desire nor my calling.

As for the picture of spanking that was included in yesterday’s blog, I placed it there because I was talking about the Fifty Shades series, wherein spanking is an integral part of the story; not because I was in any way condoning physical abuse.  That being said, I do believe there are those that include spanking in their bedroom activities and I do not condemn them for doing so.  To each their own.  Live and let live. 

On the topic of abortion, you may read my blog, “Out-Of-The-Closet Confessions” if you’d like to better understand my thoughts.  

This email is a prime example of judgmental, holier-than-thou people, with whom (Christian or not) I disassociate myself.  It is this exact type of condemnation that drove me away from the church for twelve years of my adult life.  It is this attitude that I find UN-Christ-like, and I don’t want people to think ALL Christians are similar to the elitist few among us.

All Christians are not radical bigots.  All Christians don’t cast judgment and point fingers. 

Reading murder mysteries or writing murder mysteries doesn’t make me less of a Christian.  The fact that there may be whips and chains in someone’s bedroom, doesn’t make their heart less committed to Christ.  BUT… the fact that you judge others based solely on what you think you see or how you think things should be, tells me YOU are the one that should refer to your Bible and look up the passages about not judging others. 

So, if you’re without blemish, cast that stone; but, first, let me give you a piece of advice.  If I were you I’d duck, because I think your stone is a boomerang of shame...and it's headed right back-atcha! ~

 

 

 

Death Trap - Excerpt Contest

Guess correctly in the comment section below or via email to authorsrclaridge@gmail.com and win a free copy of my 2013 Pushcart Prize nominated short story, Petals of Blood.  Be the very first to provide the correct answer and you can win a free downloadable copy of Death Trap.  Good luck!  :)

The excerpt below is from the fourth book in the Just Call Me Angel series, entitled Death Trap.  Who is Angel with in this scene? 



_____________________________________

Before she had a chance to ask him what this was all about, he pressed her against the side of the wall and kissed her; deeply and passionately.  He kissed her in a way he hadn’t done in a long, long time and Angel felt her body melt beneath his touch.  His fingers wrapped around the back of her neck and weaved through her hair, as he pulled her close, using his other hand to guide her hips against his.  She felt his wanting and wished for a moment she could make the world and all of time stand still so they could openly express the ignited desire trapped between them.  His fingertips brushing gently over her breasts confirmed something she knew all along; her body ached for him.  Other men had come and gone but he knew her like no one else.  There was no awkward fumbling, no questions and no fear of embarrassment; he knew exactly what she liked.  The truth was, despite her mixed emotions, she had missed him.  They’re relationship had ended so abruptly that her heart never truly learned to let him go.

“I don’t know what to say,” she whispered.

            “Say you feel what I feel between us,” he urged.

            “I do.  You know I do.”

            He grunted frustration and then pulled Angel into another deep kiss.  “I want you.” He smiled and his brown eyes sparkled with desire.  “I want you so bad I can’t concentrate.”

            Angel knew the feeling.   There was a part of her that wanted to push him into one of the patio chairs and climb on.  The thought sent shivers of delight up her back and she wondered if he knew what she was imagining.

            Leaning his hands against the wall on each side of Angel, he whispered in her ear.  “Someday I’m gonna bring you out here, when the night is clear and you can see a million stars stretched across the sky; and I’m gonna make-love to you.”

            Angel couldn’t stop the smile from spreading across her face.

            “I’m gonna touch you in ways no man has ever touched you,” he whispered and she could feel the warmth of his breath against her ear.  “I’m gonna bring you more pleasure than you ever dreamed possible,” he said and then ran his tongue up her neck and fondled her ear lobe.  Angel’s body flushed with desire.  “I know how to take you there,” he said and Angel knew he wasn’t bluffing.  She remembered his magic fingers.  “I’m going to make you tremble and shake in my arms,” he whispered and Angel felt like she was going to explode from the longing that was filling her entire being.  He brought his lips close to hers.  “Do you want that as much as I do?”  He asked.

            Yes!  Omigod, yes, yes, yes!  She didn’t say it aloud, but gave a simple nod of her head.  While she was hanging in the anticipation of another passionate kiss, he pulled back. 

            “I gotta go,” he grinned, “but I’ll be back to finish what we started.”

 

Subscribe to Win!

Subscribe To - OR - Follow my blog and you will be entered to win a FREE copy of one of my books... any book you choose.  So spread the word, there's nothing to lose!  :)

Winner will be announced on Monday, October 1st.

 

Pushcart Prize Nomination - Petals of Blood

I woke up yesterday to the exciting news that one of my books, a short story entitled Petals of Blood, has been nominated for the 2013 Pushcart Prize.  Needless to say, I've been grinning ear-to-ear ever since...and my husband says I'm glowing.  :)

If you'd like to read Petals of Blood, you can download a copy for only $.99 from Amazon, Barnes&Noble or Smashwords.  If you like what you read, please post a review for others to see. 




FREE Read

Please enjoy a FREE sample of several of my novels, and if you like what you read, please leave a review and share this with your friends.  There is nothing more fulfilling or rewarding for a writer than to hear that people are enjoying their books.    :)

Nail Gnawing Submissions

Whenever I submit a new manuscript to my Publisher, it is with both trepidation and excitement.  My hand hovers over the SEND button for several minutes, as I read and re-read what I have written; and then ask myself the same nagging questions over and over.  Is the manuscript ready to send?  Did I edit it enough?  Did I format it correctly?  Did I tie in all of the loose ends?  Did I define the characters well enough?  Is the story clean of redundancy?  Is it the best work I could give? 

At this point, I usually save my email as a draft and go back through the manuscript one more time.  Then, I retrieve the email and, once again, hover over the SEND button; conflicted by my own emotions.  I'm excited that it's done and scared that it will not be accepted.

I recently submitted my seventh manuscript (six full-length novels and one short story), wherein I went through the aforementioned process.  Once the SEND button was depressed, the agonizing nail gnawing began.

Thankfully, she didn't make me suffer long.  Yesterday, I received an email that my manuscript has been accepted.  In fact, she not only accepted it, she loved it.  This brought a huge sigh of relief and a smile that hasn't left my face.  

Now... it's time to grow my nails back and begin working on the sequel.  :)


 

I'm Really A Dog

Have you ever felt like the dog in this picture... like you’re trying so hard to blend in but no matter how much you look and act the part, you’re still different?  I have.  In fact, I feel this way most of the time.  I’m surrounded by other parents whose methods of parenting are far better than mine.  I’m amid team moms that are more dedicated to the sport and to the team than I am.  I’m amongst PTA members who are way more obsessed with their child’s education than I am.  I’m in a Bible study with ladies that trump me in the department of morality and purity.   It’s not that I don’t care about my children’s education or if their team wins or about being a good mom… it’s moreso that I don’t talk about these things constantly or regularly voice my opinion on them.  Trying to look and act the same often requires a certain level of either silence or faking or both.

Blending in can be exhausting.  I think that’s why I seek solace in writing, for on the pages of a novel I can live vicariously through each and every character.  When I’m deep in the throes of writing a novel, I don’t feel the unspoken (and sometimes spoken) condemnation on the way I live my life or the choices I make.  On the page, I can simply be the dog.    

In real life, I often want to scream, but that, too, would be considered an abnormal reaction amongst the herd of sheep.  So, I sit quietly, stifeling my bark, and wondering if anyone will notice I’m really a dog.  ~

Meeting Your Match

The other day I was asked if I publish my own books and if I publish other writer’s books.  I’ve been asked this question A LOT.  The answer is no.  In fact, I know little about the literary world from a publishing aspect.  I have several writer friends who have chosen to self-publish their books through Amazon and other outlets; some are happy with their decision and others are not.  I have friends who have signed with literary agents and those who have signed directly with publishers.  I don’t believe there is a right or wrong path.  Each avenue presents positives and negatives.  Each route has challenges.  I think the important thing is for every writer to ask themselves what they want and then pursue the avenue that best matches that outcome.  One must realize that writing is a subjective field, just as all other facets of entertainment.  A book that I may love, the next person may deem mediocre.  Getting published is a matter of finding the right “fit” for your work and for yourself.

When I began my journey toward getting my debut novel (No Easy Way) published, I received thirty-six rejection letters and did about a million re-writes.  Then, I entered a contest and my book was nominated for The Heart of Molly award through Heart of Denver Romance Writers.  Before I knew it I had found the right publisher for my book…the right “fit” for my work and for me. 

Since then I’ve had five novels published and one short story and I couldn’t be happier.

If you’re a writer who is considering getting your work published, ask yourself what you want, research the available outlets and then don’t give up.  Finding that perfect publisher for your work can feel like online dating… you might have to jump through a lot of hoops and kiss a lot of toads before you finally meet your perfect match. ~

Balancing Life

Balancing a family and a writing career isn't easy.  In fact, just being a mom and a wife has its challenges.  I've reached the stage in life where I spend more hours in my car than I do in my home (not counting sleeping time, of course).  Between my son's football, basketball and baseball schedules and my daughters rehearsals, piano/vocal lessons and run club, I have officially added a new repertoire to my resume, and it's called "chauffer."  Were it not for the invention of the laptop, my writing career would be null and void. Before I owned a laptop, countless chapters had been etched onto napkins in my car, or scribbled onto old receipts dug from the bottom of my purse.  Now, my laptop goes where I go and at practices and rehearsals and lessons I can usually be found sitting in my car with my computer propped atop my lap, rapidly typing away.  It's what I do and what I love to do.  ~