Romance and America's Independence...

     Happy 4^th of July, to all of my American friends! For those of you not from the United States, I’ll give you a brief history of this American holiday…it’s the anniversary of our independence from British rule.

     Fortunately, we got over the pesky squabbles with our friends on the other side of the pond and think the Brits are awesomesauce now. I have no doubt women had a part in that make up process. We’re all about the HEA.

     Anywho, July 4^th is one of my favorite holidays, I love my country. And it got me thinking…about the two lovebirds in my 1Night Stand story, To Feel Again. And what Jackson and Leah’s story would be like if it took place during Colonial times.

*queue time travel music* (though I have no clue what that sounds like) 

      Leah thought her plea to the mysterious Frenchwoman, Madame Evangeline, had gone either missing or ignored. What folly to think the woman had the ability to bring the man of her dreams to the isolated countryside of Virginia. After losing her betrothed, Mark, in battle, Leah had little hope of marriage prospects. Eligible men were off, fighting in the war, dying for their country and she had no doubt that unless she took appropriate measures, she’d live a lonely life without a husband or children. Sending a heartfelt letter to Madame Eve a year after Mark had passed and the mourning lifted from her weary heart had seemed like the right thing to do if she had any hope of happiness.

     And finally, Madame Eve had replied—the letter tucked snug in the pocket of Leah’s apron. Her heart raced each time she read the words:

My dear Leah, my heart cries for you and the loss of your patriot. His sacrifice will never be forgotten. Yet time must march on and I am happy therefore to have found a gentleman of fine integrity who I trust you will find most agreeable. He is the owner of the trustworthy establishment, The Castle Inn….

***

     “I don’t have time for this.”

     Jackson read the letter from Eve one more time before leaning back in the chair with a curse. His agreement with her extended only to providing lodging for the affaires de coeur she initiated. He had no desire to partake of her business other than to receive the generous funds the satisfied patrons readily added to his inn’s coffers. However, Evangeline appeared to have other ideas and threatened to find another proprietor to attend to her matchmaking needs—if he didn’t agree to his own affair.

     A sound in the courtyard below drew his attention and he brushed the curtain aside. Emerging from a small carriage was a lovely young woman. Her plain yellow dress fluttered in the brisk spring wind and wisps of blonde hair escaped her bonnet.  Her hand, fine-boned and petite, brushed the wayward strands back and as if drawn to him, she glanced upward, catching his gaze.

     Lovely young woman, indeed.

Okay, so forgive my lack of historical writing, I'm pleading artistic license. But hey, romance is romance, no matter when it happens! And I'm quite sure that if Leah and Jackson had met back in 1776, they would have had just as much fun as they did in 2011, when Madame Evangeline did her mysterious matchmaking thing in To Feel Again!

Valerie Mann

www.valeriemann.com

Valerie's Fun Facts this Friday....

by Valerie Mann

 I'm shy. I know you're laughing so hard right now, milk or some other beverage just shot out your nose. I've learned how to make small talk with anyone because of my job, but if you ask me to approach someone who makes me nervous, I'll balk.

What you see is what you get with me. I can't fake nice. And I seriously hate bullies.

I read the ending of mystery stories before I start chapter one because I absolutely can't stand not knowing whodunnit. And I'm usually too stupid to figure it out.

I love cloudy, dreary days. Too many sunny days in a row is irritating. Hence, living in Florida was torture for me.

I kick major butt at any trivia game. A guy proposed to me after I beat him at Trivial Pursuit. My mother-in-law got mad at me for not auditioning for Jeopardy one time. And I think smart is sexy.

My feet look like Fred Flintstone's. You can ask my husband, he reminds me of this fact quite regularly. And after walking for days at RT, they are very FLAT Fred Flintstone feet. Ouch.

I have so many unfinished stories, I've pissed off my author friends badly over it. They don't want to hear it when I say I have another story brewing in my head. You guys know who you are.

I never knew I liked cats until I got the coolest feline who ever walked the planet. I'm not lying and don't try to convince me your cat is better. You so won't win.

I like hard rock music, but I only play classical music on the piano. However, the classical music I play is pretty heavy stuff so I guess that makes sense.



I like anchovies, liverwurst and brussels sprouts. But not at the same time.

I just started another story yesterday.  Did I tell you I have a lot of unfinished stories?

If you still think I'm worth knowing, you can find me at www.ValerieMann.com or email me at valeriemann09@yahoo.com

Valerie Mann is Thankful, Thoughtful, and Thirsty (sort of...)

What I’m thinking about…

Hmmm, this is a dicey question. That would imply I have more than two brain cells to rub together. Some days that’s iffy. Anyway, I’ve been thinking a lot about how happy I am to work at something I really enjoy doing. Being part of the Decadent Publishing team, working at 1PlaceForRomance.com, doing some writing and connecting with so many cool people as a result. That’s not to say I don’t have aggravating moments…but heck, I have those driving behind Grandma Slower-than-Molasses Moses or dealing with my kids’ teachers. So yeah…life is good!

What I’m thankful for…

See above.

And finally, I’m thirsty for…

Oh stop it, you thought I was going to say a fine cocktail or British beer, didn’t you? Nah…I’m thirsty for more TIME. I want what the Beatles had—8 Days a Week (and now you have an ear worm, don’t you? LOL). I want more time to write. An extra day, or even a couple of extra hours a day. “Not right now, sweetheart. It’s 14 o’clock, Mommy has to write.” Doesn’t that sound awesome?  What would YOU do with a couple of extra hours in a day, or one more day per week you could call your own?

**most creative answer gets a copy of either Hey You, or To Feel Again. So make it a good reply!

Valerie Mann

www.ValerieMann.com

Facebook: valerie.mann

Twitter: mannvalerie

My, How We've Grown! (Some of ) The Decadent Team

Heather Bennett (owner) ~ 2nd Grade

Colleen Beilke ~ Review Coordinator

Lisa Omstead (owner)

Kathleen Gallagher

Why don't they leave me alone? I have no time for photo shoots. There are more important things on my mind. 

Shiela Stewart:

This is back when I was sweet and innocent. And then I grew up! Muhahahahahaha!!

                               Valerie Mann 

First time in the snow... BEFORE

 

                                                                                           ...and AFTER

and what's up with the Bozo the Clown boots? I have big feet, but really??

Mahalia Levey

 

Leanne Dyck (The Sweater Curse):  "My huge head full of words waiting to put pen to paper." (Picture taken in 1962 by my Dad)

Ellen Keener ~ 

First, I always liked cars better than Barbie.  Second, can you tell that Mom always cut my hair, and I hated it? When we lived in Winchester, the neighbors actually had to explain to friends once that the screaming coming from our backyard wasn't because I was dying  - it was just Rich (my mom) cutting Vanessa's hair.

Wendy Burke

From a very young age, Wendy Burke was destined to be full of hot air.

 

Ashlynn Monroe

 Silke Juppenlatz

This was umm... 1965 or so.

Looks like I managed to water everything -- except the dilapidated plant which is crying out for some... water!
That’s what I call precision splashing, it takes a lot of practice!

Leslie Soule

Are You Ready?

It's time to rock with...

Run Devil Run, an L.A.-based rock band well known locally for their dynamic live performances, diverse musical talent, and humorous video antics has lent their faces, titles and lyrics as inspiration for a five-book series with the publisher.

Like what you see? Join Decadent Publishing and see Run Devil Run LIVE at the Viper Room in LA on Tuesday, April 5th for a very special performance to celebrate the Run Devil Run Anthology!

Click HERE for details and tickets, which includes 
transportation from the Westin-Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles 
(and some goodies along the way!).

HEY YOU...playlist, that is...

Wow, talk about inspiration! How many authors can say that the title of their book corresponds with the title of a rock song?  And the band even gave permission?

Music is a huge part of my life and flows into my writing. I have a playlist for every single book I've ever written and burn a CD of the songs to listen to on my commute to work. This is my playlist for Hey You.

HEY YOU
Run Devil Run
at the Roxy 12/4/2010

Not making fun of the band because they rocked it, but the crowd singing along cracked me up. Run Devil Run sure does inspire the fans!

Outside (Staind) ~ The demon Watcher, Marek, knows he'll be on the outside, looking in...forever.

It's Not You (Halestorm) ~ What Cara keeps telling herself when she's trying to ignore her growing feelings for her demon. "I don't see your name on my tattoo"...gosh, Cara! That's gonna hurt his feelings!


It's Been Awhile (Staind) ~ "It's been awhile since I could hold my head up high". Poor, tortured Marek...he never feels like he's deserving of anything, including Cara's love. 


Ashes to Ashes (Faith No More) ~ just a really dark, brooding song. And except for the short hair, the lead singer in the video is pretty much my vision for the demon, Marek.


Terrible Lie (Nine Inch Nails) ~ "Seems like salvation comes only in our dreams".  Since the only way Cara and Marek can truly communicate is in her dreams, she begins to welcome sleep so she can be with him.


Addicted (Saving Abel) ~ "It's unlike anything when you're loving me"...what girl doesn't like to hear those words?


Over and Over (Three Days Grace) ~ "I know what's best for me, but I want you instead".  Pretty much sums up how Cara feels and how Marek wants her to feel. Oh, the angst. 


Love Hurts (Incubus) ~ "Love hurts, but sometimes it's a good hurt, and it feels like I'm alive".  Marek needs all the help he can get to feel alive. Just sayin'


Sound of Madness (Shinedown) ~ "I wrote the book on madness. Wrote the book on pain. The darkest hour never comes in the night.  When you gonna wake up and fight?"  I'll take What the Nocent says to Marek for $100,  Alex.


Acts of Man (Midlake) ~ "Great are the sounds of all that live. And all that man can hold".  Poor Marek really misses his mortality.

I'm Alive  (Kenny Chesney/Dave Matthews) ~ "Breathing in and out's a blessing, can't you see. Today's the first day of the rest of my life".  *SPOILER* Pretty sure both Cara and Marek are thinking this when Marek returns to her after sacrificing his soul to save hers.

Life is Beautiful (Sixx AM) ~ "Just open your eyes and see that life is beautiful". 

The end.

For Better or Worse ~ Decadent Authors in the Spotlight

 



"The tin grin was in. My mom took this picture in 1981 when I was nineteen. I had braces for six years," says Leanne Dyck (author of The Sweater Curse). Leanne offers no explanation for the glasses or the hair, however.





 



 







Rita Hestand - 1960s  "Me, the one is a picture of my hair ratted back in the late 60's, it is sticking out all over, the other is what it looked like when it was combed into a style.  My mother was a hairdresser and took both pics."

Kathleen Gallagher ~ "If I Could Turn Back Time", was released June 1, on my birthday. If Cher could wear the wild hairstyle, so could I. 

 Ann Mayburn ~ late 80's. "Those giant dark glasses, that tough girl glare, I was hell on wheels! Pink and grey 10 speed wheels that is. On a walk...with my grandma and my little brother. Yep...I was a real bad ass."

Valerie Mann ~ 1976, Denver, CO. Dig the groovy beaded headband and sexy hotpants (too bad the picture cut off the view of my legs). My mother made those duds for me - they said "VOTE" all over them. 

My father and I came home and found a wild duck in the yard. Judging from the stranglehold I had on it, it's no wonder it flew away during the night. 

 Clare Dargin - late 90's. That was a meeting for my job a little over ten years ago.  And they were going over from table to table taking pix and I was, oh, I've been here all day... okay... <cheez!> now go away so we can finish and I can go home!!

Maureen O. Betita
~ 1976. "I was 16 and this was my pic from my student body card. Oddly enough, I thought I was fat. Sigh. Man, I loved that shirt! And I often wore it with my light blue bell bottoms, painted with flowers on them... I still own them in my memory box."
















Mahalia Levey ~1993 April just admitted early into the military :)

Sheila Stewart ~ "Do not piss me off!!"

Mari Freeman ~ Mardi Gras Road Trip, New Orleans 1985

Gracen Miller - 1989 ~ Good Lord!!--that hair is atrocious!!!  LOL  And to think I paid for that awful curl job.  *shudders*  Looks more like I stuck my finger in an electric socket.  :-)

  












Jennifer Robins, Age 15
Jennifer always wanted to write even at an early age but couldn't find the needed time until she grew much older. 

 

Deena Remiel ~ A long time ago, in a land far away called Long Island, there lived a girl. There, she shed her sheltered world and came into her own as a college student for four years. This girl was captured in photograph in her second year, 1985. She partied hard, made great friends, and studied well.