7/20/14 7/20/14

Author Interview: R Barri Flowers, Summer of Paradise Ranch

Today's post is brought to you by YA Reads Blog Tours, and is an interview with R. Barri Flowers, author of the bestselling teen novels, COUNT DRACULA’S TEENAGE DAUGHTER, TEEN GHOST AT DEAD LAKE, and OUT FOR BLOOD, come the start of an exciting new young adult adventure series, Summer at Paradise Ranch (Paradise Ranch Series #1)Can you tell us about your book, Summer at Paradise Ranch, in 15 words or less?It is a YA romance, coming of age, and adventure novel in Maui, HawaiiWhat was your favorite scene to write?My favorite scene to write was when Lexi Montoya, the protagonist, first learned to hula dance. Though not a natural, she caught on quickly as part of her adventure on the island.What was the hardest scene to edit out?At the beginning of the novel when Lexi had to say goodbye to her boyfriend, Matt, and other friends in Seattle before embarking on her journey to Hawaai.Do you have a favorite quote from the book?“Good morning,” she said, adding, “or in Hawaiian, aloha kakahiaka.”If Summer at Paradise Ranch were to be transformed into a movie, who would you cast to play the main characters?That’s a fun question! Let me see… there are so many great actors, I will have to list a couple of choices for each character for readers to pick from as their choice when reading the novel.Lexi, the protagonist: Brit Robertson, Hunter King, or Vanessa MaranoMitsuo, the cute Hawaiian she is gushing over: Jake Austin or Avan JogiaLexi’s mother: Rachelle Lefevre or Ashley JuddLexi stepdad, Ernesto: Jason Momoa or Lou Diamond PhillipsApril, Lexi’s red haired next door new friend: Molly Quinn or Katie LeclercKikue, Mitsuo’s girlfriend: Bianca Santos or Lindsey MorganMatt, Lexi’s boyfriend: Grey Damon or Liam HemsworthRory, Mitsuo’s best friend: Tahj Mowry or Devon BostickWhat made you want to write more of a YA/adventure/contemporary book as opposed to your previous YA paranormal series?As a part time resident of Hawaii, I was inspired by the diversity of the islands with its rich history. I felt that Maui, in particular, lent itself to a fun teen adventure novel, where my protagonist, Lexi, was out of her element and had to adapt while going through the typical teen drama and coming of age. This included learning to hula dance, ride a horse, and surf.Did you find that transition to be at all difficult?Actually, it was quite easy to go from a YA vampire series, such as Transylvanica High, to a non paranormal and more realistic teen tale. That said, I really enjoyed writing my YA paranormal novels, COUNT DRACULA’S TEENAGE DAUGHTER and OUT FOR BLOOD, and developing this world.Will there be a sequel to Summer at Paradise Ranch?Indeed, there will be a sequel, SECOND SUMMER AT PARADISE RANCH, as part of four book YA adventure series, followed by THIRD SUMMER AT PARADISE RANCH and FOURTH SUMMER AT PARADISE RANCH.Are you currently working on anything else?Yes, I am working on the third book in the Transylvanica High series, titled, KULA’S REVENGE; as well as an adult murder mystery, MURDER ON KAANAPALI BEACH.What is the best book you’ve read recently?INVISIBLE by Lorena McCourtneyWhat is currently in your TBR pile?There are several books I want to read when I have the time, including:MR. MERCEDES by Stephen KingGHOST SHIP by Clive CusslerTHE CURSED by Heather GrahamONE SUMMER, 1927 by Bill BrysonSHARON TATE: RECOLLECTION by Debra Tate***You can find Summer At Paradise Ranch at the following locations:Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Smash Words * Google Books * iTunes

7/14/14 7/14/14

July in Italy

Summers in Italy are a thing to behold. I'm fairly certain the phrase, "La dolce vita" was first coined during an Italian summer...perhaps in July...I stumbled across this poem by Cristin O'Keefe Aptowicz, and thought it rather a fitting The figs we ate wrapped in bacon.The gelato we consumed lustily:coconut milk, clove, fresh pear.How we’d dump hot espresso on it,just watch it melt, licking our spoonsclean. The potatoes fried in duck fat,the salt we’d suck off our fingers,the eggs we’d watch get beaten’til they were a dizzying bright yellow,how their edges crisped in the pan.The pink salt blossom of prosciuttowe pulled apart with our hands, meltingon our eager tongues. The green herbswith goat cheese, the aged brie pairedwith a small pot of strawberry jam,the final sour cherry we kept politelypushing onto each other’s plate, saying,No, you. But it’s so good. No, it’s yours.How I finally put an end to it, plucked itfrom the plate, and stuck it in my mouth.How good it tasted: so sweet and so tart.How good it felt: to want something andpretend you don’t, and to get it anyway.

— Cristin O’Keefe Aptowicz, “July”Here are a few pictures I've snapped this summer so far... SaveSave

7/13/14 7/13/14

It's Tea Time with My Boys!

As I mentioned in yesterday's post, my boys and I had a "fancy" tea, honestly it wasn't all that fancy, I brewed a pot of tea, and served them in proper tea cups, but they considered it fancy business and I took the opportunity enjoy a cup of tea with my boys.Earlier in the week I'd mentioned going to Tea when we make it to the UK they thought me crazy...However...I think they're coming 'round.Now I really want to throw a tea party. Save

7/12/14 7/12/14

Let's Talk Tea! My favorite Supermarket Teas

I love tea. LOVE tea. Over the last year or so, I've really gotten into loose teas. This afternoon as I was having a "fancy" tea with my boys, I thought I'd share with you some of my favorite teas, nothing too pricey as most of these you can find at your local grocer or supermarket.*Some of these teas, I only had in tea bag form, so I had to open them up. I'll specify which ones those were, as I'm sure they'll appear less appealing than the whole loose tea.Twinings, Christmas Tea* - I discovered this tea this past Christmas season at my commissary. Initially I found it in tea bags and I love the aroma, for this photo, I had to pop open a Keurig version as that is all I've got left (I bought 5 boxes when I found some after the holiday season sitting alone on a shelf.) It is a black tea infused with what I like to call, "Christmas scent", Twinings USA calls it "spiced flavours of cinnamon and cloves." I like to enjoy it black or with milk and sugar. This is also a favorite of my boys, who usually steel my cup, when-ever I made some.Twinings, Earl Grey - You can't get any more classic than this tea with it's iconic blend of black tea and Bergamot. I like to make this tea with milk and vanilla syrup to transform it into a "London Fog Latte". Yum. Yum.Twinings, Lady Grey - Is my favorite tea. I love it's soft citrusy goodness that comes from orange and lemon peel. I often have this in the afternoon, or in the evening curled up with a book.Taylors of Harrogate, Green Tea with Lemon*- When my husband returned from his six month deployment to the UK, he brought me back things he knew I'd love, like tea cups, and a model of a those adorable double decker red buses in you seen in London and about 6 boxes of teas for me to try. Among them were a few boxes (in tea bag form) of Taylors of Harrogate teas. This Green Tea with Lemon, is absolutely lovely and refreshing.Harney & Sons,Yellow & Blue- This lavender and chamomile blend of tea is what my boys get when the ask for tea just before bed. Inside each tea bag is a perfect blend of whole leaf teas packed with chamomile buds and lavender....If I had one wish for this tea, it would be more lavender flavor.Teapigs Peppermint Leaves Tea -This was another gift brought back by my husband from England. Each nylon bag is filled with whole leaf tea. This peppermint tea is absolutely perfect. It's minty with out slapping you in the face. I'm sort of in love with this brand of tea for it's great quality and eco-concious biodegradable packaging. I was very happy to learn one can find it on Amazon! Yay!Bigelow, Green Tea with Lemon- After my husband brought home the Taylors Green Tea with Lemon, I was worried I wouldn't be able to find it anywhere else, locally (here in Italy and at my commissary) so when I spied the Bigelow I figured I 'd give it a try. I'm so glad I did because it's pretty good and a pretty close match quality wise to the Taylors version. These boxes of tea bags are easy to find your local supermarket and I think Bigleow is definitely one of the best supermarket teas out there.Taylors of Harrogate, Scottish Breakfast Tea - When I first tried this tea I was worried it would get bitter, like the Earl Grey can tend to do, but I found there to be no bitterness when over brewed. Win! Win! This is perfect for the morning! (I'm sure the whole tea version of this one is quite pretty too.)Bigelow, Constant Comment - This black tea is great for a hot cup either with or without milk (I'm also not apposed to using cream.) or with lemon and honey. You can also make a great iced tea with Constant Comment, or even get creative and add fruit or syrups for extra flavor, I'd try peach or raspberry! Just follow the directions for seeping your own brew or iced or hot tea.Taylors of Harrogate teas can be purchased in the US on Amazon or at Whole Foods.Tea Pigs can be found online at www.teapigs.com and Amazon.Twinings & Bigelow can be found practically anywhere.

7/11/14 7/11/14

We Have One Life - Tennessee Williams Quotes

“ When did we become so small and so apologetic? Why do we apologize for our humanity? Love what you love, and make no apologies. This is your identity. The most horrendous suspensions of freedom are self-imposed. We imprison ourselves daily, hourly. We have one life, one shot at all the glorious things of life, and we walk about constricted, apologetic, afraid. We have so little time; we have so little space upon which to spread our love and our talents and our kindness. Run toward life fulsomely and freely. It runs from us so quickly, like a frightened dog or youth or daylight. Chase it and care for it. ”— Tennessee Williams: We Have One LifeI've really nothing to add. My husband snapped this gorgeous picture, and I thought this quote rather lovely to go along with it. xo

7/10/14 7/10/14

Favorite Colors

Meh synth Schlitz, tempor duis single-origin coffee ea next level ethnic fingerstache fanny pack nostrud. Photo booth anim 8-bit hella, PBR 3 wolf moon beard Helvetica. Salvia esse nihil, flexitarian Truffaut synth art party deep v chillwave. Seitan High Life reprehenderit consectetur cupidatat kogi. Et leggings fanny pack, elit bespoke vinyl art party Pitchfork selfies master cleanse Kickstarter seitan retro. Drinking vinegar stumptown yr pop-up artisan sunt. Deep v cliche lomo biodiesel Neutra selfies.Exercitation photo booth stumptown tote bag Banksy, elit small batch freegan sed. Craft beer elit seitan exercitation, photo booth et 8-bit kale chips proident chillwave deep v laborum. Aliquip veniam delectus, Marfa eiusmod Pinterest in do umami readymade swag.Disrupt vero ea id fugiat, lo-fi lomo post-ironic irony kitsch Banksy. Tumblr kale chips single-origin coffee Wes Anderson +1 tousled, disrupt butcher sapiente banh mi brunch nisi irony. Artisan wolf fap lomo, laborum Tumblr anim consequat fashion axe sartorial leggings viral.

Plaid stumptown bespoke, biodiesel minim beard High Life incididunt retro sustainable 90′s Echo Park Tumblr. Photo booth et 8-bit kale chips proident chillwave deep v laborum.

Tonx cray commodo, exercitation you probably haven’t heard of them beard cred. Selfies iPhone Kickstarter, drinking vinegar jean shorts fixie consequat flexitarian four loko disrupt dreamcatcher beard craft beer stumptown. Paleo 90′s bitters eu, yr incididunt YOLO sapiente fingerstache.

Tumblr kale chips single-origi
Et leggings fanny pack
Pitchfork selfies master cleanse

Salvia esse nihil, flexitarian Truffaut synth art party deep v chillwave. Seitan High Life reprehenderit consectetur cupidatat kogi. Et leggings fanny pack, elit bespoke vinyl art party Pitchfork selfies master cleanse Kickstarter seitan retro. Drinking vinegar stumptown yr pop-up artisan sunt. Deep v cliche lomo biodiesel Neutra selfies.

7/8/14 7/8/14

Flowers & Decorations

This is a Heading

Disrupt vero ea id fugiat, lo-fi lomo post-ironic irony kitsch Banksy. Tumblr kale chips single-origin coffee Wes Anderson +1 tousled, disrupt butcher sapiente banh mi brunch nisi irony. Artisan wolf fap lomo, laborum Tumblr anim consequat fashion axe sartorial leggings viral.

Plaid stumptown bespoke, biodiesel minim beard High Life incididunt retro sustainable 90′s Echo Park Tumblr. Photo booth et 8-bit kale chips proident chillwave deep v laborum.

Tumblr kale chips single-origi
Et leggings fanny pack
Pitchfork selfies master cleanse