Sunday, December 27, 2020

New Year’s Resolutions and an Ancient Roman God

 

January is the month of Janus, the two-headed god of ancient Romans in charge of new beginnings. His two faces gazed in opposite directions so that he could watch the start and the end of each day. With such a momentous job, Janus was the natural choice to usher in the New Year. But the actual first day of the New Year was up for grabs until the Roman Senate settled on January 1. Janus became the god people prayed to for mercy from their enemies and for a prosperous time ahead.

Janus is one of the few Roman gods that has no counterpart in Greek mythology as the Zeus/Jupiter or Hera/Juno duality. Janus was one of the "good gods" who humankind could appeal to for help in everyday life. How Janus became associated with the negative connotation of being hypocritical or deceitful: "two-faced" or "Janus-faced," remains a mystery. God of doors, gateways, beginnings, childbirth, the future and the past, he was often called upon at the start of wars. To show his support, the doors to his temple in the Roman Forum would remain open during wars, while they stayed closed during times of peace.

Beginning the New Year with resolutions is a tradition we are very familiar with. Many people pledge to work on bettering themselves, and vow to stop smoking, lose weight, or give up drinking. The ancient Romans also had resolutions, eager to throw out whatever bad luck they had in the old year and replace it with good luck in the new. They believed in giving New Year's gifts: olive branches from special, sacred trees; gold-covered nuts; or from the wealthy, gold coins of Janus himself.

We in modern times also look forward to a fresh start on January 1 and derive comfort from traditions with our family and friends. Our custom of having parties on New Year's Eve comes from the belief that what people did or ate on January 1 would affect the luck they would have throughout the coming year. What better way to ring in the New Year than celebrating with those you love?

Many people still believe in the tradition that if a tall, dark-haired man is the first person to enter their house, they will have good fortune for the entire year. And as for food, black-eyed peas are a requirement to eat on New Year's Day, along with ham or hog jowls, a symbol of prosperity. Some regions consider cabbage as lucky food, doughnuts as the circle of life, and even rice is considered fortuitous.

Whatever your New Year's resolutions are, may the god Janus be smiling down upon you.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



January is the perfect month for reading my JANUS IS A TWO-HEADED GOD, an award-winning science fiction romance is available at Amazon.com and Smashwords.com

The sequel, JANUS IS A TWO-FACED MOON, is available on Amazon.com and Smashwords.com.

Happy New Year!

Susanne

Susanne Marie Knight

www.susanneknight.com

Read outside the box: award-winning Romance Writing With A Twist!

Monday, December 7, 2020

A Puppy For Christmas!

Just look at this adorable puppy!! Wouldn’t you want to see him as a holiday gift?

He’d be no muss, no fuss. Why? Because he’s Yo-Yo, the Yuletide Yorkshire, featured in the Minx Tobin murder mystery series, Case Five: THE YULETIDE YORKSHIRE. (Catchy name, right?)


Who is Minx Tobin, you ask? Minx is a fitness instructor newly relocated to Los Angeles, California, who has a knack for solving puzzles--puzzles concerning dead bodies. For fun, romance, and... unexpected corpses, follow her adventures in the Minx Tobin Murder Mystery Series!

HO, HO, HO... OH!

Home for the holidays, Minx Tobin introduces her parents to her homicide lieutenant, Gabe Harris. Unfortunately for her, her ex-fiancé Jared drops in on them, creating friction. But Jared soon needs Minx's help in the sleuthing department because a gruesome "present" is found under the tree. Once again, Minx is hot on the trail of a desperate killer.

All Gabe wants to do is propose to the woman he loves. Instead, he has to deal with a cast of East Coast characters, including an unexpected murder. Why do dead bodies always seem follow Minx Tobin??

Visit http://youtu.be/EIjQKNbuZWw to see a trailer of an older version of this book.

The Yuletide Yorkshire is available for purchase electronically at Amazon.com and Smashwords.com and other Internet locations.

And while I’m not expecting a puppy to be under my Christmas tree, I will be seeing my grand-kitty. Here he is hugging a kitty of his own. Isn’t he the sweetest thing?


HAPPY HOLIDAYS from my house to yours!

 

Susanne

Susanne Marie Knight

www.susanneknight.com

Read outside the box: award-winning Romance Writing With A Twist!

Tuesday, November 17, 2020

Thanksgiving Thanks

Keeping this short and sweet: Here in the U.S.A., Thanksgiving is a special time to give thanks for the many blessings we receive daily. YOU are a blessing in our lives and I thank you all for being you!


HAPPY THANKSGIVING from my house to yours!

 

Susanne Marie Knight

www.susanneknight.com

Read outside the box: award-winning Romance Writing With A Twist!

P.S. Along with your Thanksgiving turkey, try a cornucopia of thrilling Romance Writing with a Twist reads in these genres: Paranormals, Regencies, Science Fiction, Mysteries, Suspense, Fantasy, Contemporaries, and much more!

 

Wednesday, October 28, 2020

A HALLOWEEN TREAT--An Interview With Author Zelly Jordan

Witches, ghosts, and hobgoblins... Halloween is a perfect time of year to enjoy yourself. Chills, thrills, and spills (of candy!) are the order of the day. And while I’ve given up dressing in costume for this special day, I do have fun giving out plenty of the sugary stuff when spooky visitors knock on my door.


For this special HALLOWEEN, I have a sugar-free treat for all of you. Zelly Jordan, author of the 5 star FRACTURED and UNVEILED--THE UNBREAKABLE SERIES--has kindly taken time out of her busy schedule and gives us a private fireside chat as she talks about what makes Zelly Jordan tick. Read on to learn more about this exciting author!

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1. Let’s begin at the beginning! Tell us about yourself. Is there a colorful Australian phrase that describes you? I know you mentioned you’re a two pot screamer--very vivid!

There’s a few phrases that would probably suit but how do I chose just one? Well, I don’t.......I ask my friends to do it. Phrases such as “bright eyed and bushy tailed” and “an always stoked bonza sheila” were tossed around but my favourite is a plain and simple “she’s a bonza sheila.” I’ll gladly accept that compliment.

(If curiosity gets the better of you and you wanna know what that means - contact me or google it.....Lol). As for who I am.....

I’m a middle aged Croatian born, Australian raised woman who has basically been forced into retirement due to health issues and who discovered she could write through sheer divine guidance. And I call it divine because in hindsight when I look back at the health difficulties that forced me to close down my business and pushed me out of the work force, I may not have ever begun writing at all had that not happened.

I was a very busy self employed single Mum and I never had time for much outside of work or mothering. Having gotten divorced before my son turned 5 years old (he’s now 24) I was focused on keeping a roof over our heads and raising him right and something like writing was in the very dark recesses of my mind, pushed there by circumstance and necessity, a childhood dream seemingly to never come true.

As much as it was awfully stressful when I had to quit work, I’m now so grateful for it because it allowed me the time I needed to take my life into a new direction, albeit unintentionally. Writing during this time was purely a cathartic distraction to keep me occupied mentally and to correct what I thought was a terrible storyline in a television show I was watching at the time. So, to me, it’s a divinely timed blessing, in many ways.

2. Why did you become interested in writing for publication? What was the process? Are your family and friends supportive of your writing?

My family and friends are supportive and quite proud. Many of them were completely shocked when I announced I was about to publish my first book as most hadn’t known that I had been writing at all - it was simply something I was doing to keep me sane. My online friends were well aware, however, as were the followers I had started to accumulate. I had originally put my writing on a fanfiction website and I’ll always remember how it felt when I’d posted my first few chapters and had really positive feedback from different corners of the world. I was so buzzed.

I didn’t actually become interested in publication until the day I was asked about it. Before then, it was purely for my own entertainment and I didn’t even briefly consider publishing - it was nowhere in my mind. But one day, out of the blue, I had a phone call from a publishing company who had somehow gotten my number and called, asking about publishing my work. This was early April 2016 and I remember it clearly because I told them that yes, I’d love to be published but my mother had just unexpectedly passed away a couple weeks before and could they call me in six months. There was a heavy period of mourning and healing to go through at the time and I didn’t think anything more about it.

But they did call back months later and so began the process of publishing. I had lots to do - finish writing the book, build a following, build a website and blog and I had to learn how to do it all as I didn’t have a smidgeon of a clue. Ooooh, the techno-knowledge-hell I had to immerse myself in! I was so lacking in this field that I didn’t even know the meaning of “blog”......no joke. 

 But thankfully I had lots of help from friends who held my hand through it and I’m so grateful to each and every one of them.

3. Now published are Book 1 and Book 2 of The Unbreakable Trilogy. What inspired you to write this series? What kinds of research did you do? How did you get to know your characters?

The inspiration for this series was a television show whose storyline I was really unhappy with. I felt that the show was spoiling the whole premise and basic traits of its characters. I was adamant that they were taking the show into directions it shouldn’t go and felt sure I could write it better. How snarky of me, lol.

The characters started off in their fanfic form as being true to the show but when I was approached to publish, EVERYTHING changed, naturally. I let my characters evolve and develop in their own time and let them run rampant through my mind in any way they chose, most often late at night when I was trying to sleep. And good Lord, did they!! Some nights they spoke so loudly to me, I’d be awake till 4or5 am, the cheeky buggers.

As for research, that’s all been done online....as an Aussie writing a story set in New York and having never been there in my life, it’s been interesting learning all I can about the town. Its time consuming, for sure but so much fun. I remember how much time it once took to research what kind of street food a person can get in NY if they were walking a particular borough - just in that borough, nowhere else - LOL. However, I really enjoy that aspect of it as I’m a naturally inquisitive person and love finding out stuff. To be honest, I sweated bullets over getting the feel of the city right and hope I at least came somewhat close. 

4. How do you promote your books? Do you have any favorite promotional sites? Any success stories? Horror stories?

I have used Facebook and Twitter and my own website most consistently. In the beginning I went on a couple of book tours and used paid promotional services sites that would blast out ongoing tweets etc. But these things I only do when I have the spare cash because honestly, on a singular basis, they aren’t so costly but when you do them over and over and over, it sure adds up! (particularly with the exchange rate to Aussie dollars). These types of services have been really good all along but I’m in an actual horror story right now - fighting to get my money back from a Twitter author service which has done such a horrible, fraudulent job of their promo and are dodging their refund policy. It’s infuriating but I’ll keep fighting.

I had been offered huge promotional deals from a couple publishers but didn’t take them up, mainly because of their ridiculously exorbitant prices but maybe one day, when I become as famous as Stephen King, I’ll change my mind about that cost.

Overall, these methods have been good but I’ve found that getting involved with a writing community has been of the best benefit, not just in terms of promotion but of finding support, both emotional and book-worldish. The best part is the friendships you form with other writers......they inspire me constantly and I love that.

5. What’s a typical writing day like for you?

Typical? What’s “typical”?

Honestly I used to be more consistent and predictable in my writing routine but I’ve found that the pandemic and the extremely long and harsh lockdown that my town, (Melbourne) has just gone through, completely stuffed that up. Utterly smashed it to smithereens. However, I do still find that my most productive writing time is in the evening, as it was before. I tend to dedicate part of the day to promotional activities, including tweets, Facebook posts etc etc, usually during the daytime. And another thing that is still consistent is that there will always be a coffee by my side...not just coffee but cappuccino as I’m a coffee snob. (I’m allowed to be however as Melbourne has some of the best coffee in the world.)

Oh and I don’t write in the mornings. Ever. Because I’m generally not functioning as a human till I’m on my second cuppa.

6. How do you define your writing? 

I don’t define it as anything but my own. I tend to write in the same style as I speak, particularly in my blog and I think I sound like just me, an ordinary person unlike anyone else in the writer’s world. My characters all have a trace of me and my personality in them and and a lot of what I’ve written is in first-person. But not all. In fact, It’s really amazing to me when I switch to writing in a different character’s POV, how the voice in my head changes. Literally, the sound of their voice is different. It’s so fascinating and fun. I don’t know if other writers experience that or not, but boy, it’s a kick. So far, all my published work has been in my main male character’s viewpoint but I have written in others and will do so again.

I also don’t define my genre as being just romance because my stories are far more than that alone........they’re action, adventure and thriller as well. I describe them as sexy-smexy with loads of suspense and intrigue and a twist of paranormal. But be warned that I don’t do “ fade to black”.


7. What’s your latest Work-In-Progress and future projects in the works?

Right now, I’m writing the third instalment of The Unbreakable Series and debating a fourth one. I’m hoping to release my first book Fractured in other languages sometime soon plus I’m working on some fanfic stuff I promised to do for a few friends. Other than writing projects, I’m crafting - doing things such as painting house decor items and repurposing them in various ways. I find painting quite soothing.

8. What are your five favorite novels and why?

Five!? Geez, I don’t think I have just five because there’s so many. I can say that I loved the first few books in J.D.Robb’s In Death Series. And I’ll always have a soft spot for Gone With The Wind as it was the first really long long book I remember reading as a very young teenager and it made an impression on me for how complex it was. I was probably way too young to be reading that at age 14 but I enjoyed its grandness. Of course, now as an adult I see it in a completely different light but it’s still a magnificent story. From that book I went onto historical romances and this brought on my love of romance in general. (always on the saucy side if possible.)

9. What are you passionate about outside of writing?

Justice and the desperate need to see the USA reverse itself from the road it’s currently on. Ice cream. My Angel and Tarot cards. Coffee. My footy team. My crystals.

10. What’s a guilty pleasure of yours? *wicked grin!*

Didn’t you see the word ice cream in the question above? I am passionate about ice cream and hell yeah, it’s a guilty pleasure of mine. I could eat that stuff, in any flavour, all day long till I was either sick or in a diabetic coma.

 But I can’t sadly. And bread - that’s a guilty pleasure too. Oh, and cheese! Definitely cheese.

(Why are mine all food stuff? That’s boring. I need better guilty pleasures)

11. Tell us five things most people don’t know about Zelly Jordan!

Geez, that’s a tricky one because it depends on who’s asking - my family and friends in real life OR my friends and followers online. However, since the majority reading this probably aren’t familiar with me, I can tell you that....1: I have way, way more insecurities than I let on; 2: ditto that with pet peeves, lol; 3: I live in 24/7 pain; 4: I’ve had many otherworldly incidents happen to me that prove without a doubt that there is life after death and 5: if I love, I love wholeheartedly and if you’re my friend, you have my fiercest loyalty - full stop. There’s a ton more but you said 5......

12. Where can we find more information about you and your books?

My website is full of information - lots of previous interviews and pictures of inspiration as well as book links and of course, my blog. I’m also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Amazon and Goodreads. I’m even on LinkedIn but I barely use that. I love meeting and interacting with my readers so don’t hesitate to come say hello. 

Website. http://www.zellyjordan.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/zelly309

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@zelly309

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/ZellyJordan

Amazon: http://amazon.com/author/zellyjordan

Instagram: http://www.Instagram.com/zelly309

Email: zellyjordan@gmail.com


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Okay, I’m back! I HAD to look up bonza Sheila. Google says: A wonderful girl. That’s Zelly, Author Extraordinaire and Queen of her Domain, for sure. She’s an excellent writer and a wonderful friend.

Here’s a special treat for her that she can indulge in all day long!



Mega thanks again to Ms. Zelly for chatting with us.

Hope you all enjoyed this no calorie Halloween treat. But be sure to have real candy on hand on Halloween night for Trick-or-Treaters just in case you hear the patter of tiny, spooky feet on the other side of your door!

BOO! HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

 

Susanne Marie Knight

www.susanneknight.com

Read outside the box: award-winning Romance Writing With A Twist!

Sunday, October 4, 2020

The Buzz on A DELICATE CONDITION

A DELICATE CONDITION got its start when I first saw a picture of a woman’s legs in high heels. Immediately I knew I wanted to have that picture as the cover for my next book. As my next project was destined to be a time-travel Regency, I envisioned the Regency hero--whoever he was--treated to the sight of a modern woman’s lovely lower legs complete with sexy heels. That decided, all I had to do was fill in the rest of the details! Ha!

At the time I was heavily into researching genealogy. So mixing ancestors with modern day descendents also seemed perfect! Add in mysterious Tibetan monks, magical magnetic stones, and voilĂ , A DELICATE CONDITION was born.

LONGING FOR A FAMILY:

Odessa (Dessa) Franklin is all alone in the world. She’s suddenly contacted by her long lost great aunt, Verna, who supposedly died nearly eighty years ago. But Verna has a hidden agenda and Dessa has a curiosity that rivals a cat’s. Using Verna’s mysterious magnetic stones, she soon finds herself in a house full of relatives... back in the nineteenth century!

TOO MUCH FAMILY:

Michael De Lyndley, the Marquess of Hampton and a gentleman astronomer, prefers studying the stars than having family members roam about his manor house. His house is in mourning however and overflowing with family. Just when he thinks his relations will leave him in peace, a new one appears... unexpectedly, wearing the most peculiar apparel. The woman purports to be his late brother’s widow and claims to be with child; at least the letter that precedes her states this information. Fighting his attraction to his new sister-in-law, Michael struggles to learn the truth about the lovely and enigmatic Odessa.


Dessa’s wish to be part of a family takes a strange turn when she suddenly finds herself back in time in the home of her ancestor, the Marquess of Hampton.

 Amazon.com and Smashwords.com

Available in print at Amazon, http://www.amazon.com/dp/1980841799

 

This book is part of the prestigious Elegant Regencies line.


Here are some fabulous reviews:

5 Stars! A Wonderful Story. My admiration of the work from Susanne Marie Knight continues. A Delicate Condition is a wonderful story about time travel and life back to the Nineteenth century. A story where Dessa finds her way back to be with her ancestors with the help of her great Aunt and some magnetic stones. A brilliant story was put together and how life was in regency England with a romantic twist. This is highly recommended, a fascinating story from a brilliant author.--Mark D. Radford, Author.

5 Stars! Genealogy, time-travel, and Regency England... oh my! You’re in for a treat with this new romance, A DELICATE CONDITION. As we mentioned before, Susanne Marie Knight has been described as a formidable talent, a rare gem, and a talented, versatile author. Indeed! Excitement builds for the reader as the connection between Odessa and the De Lyndley family is revealed!--Regency Fiction World

5 Stars! It’s a fine mess Dessa Franklin has gotten herself into! By indulging her curiosity, she ends up back in time, stranded with her ancestors! What’s a girl to do? A DELICATE CONDITION is a very entertaining and plausible tale of a modern young woman’s plight as she tries to navigate the complex world of Regency England.--Twists on Romance.

5 Stars! didn't want it to end. I didn't put it down for long. Read it too fast. I enjoyed it.--Amazon Review

Been waiting and waiting for Susanne’s next time-travel Regency. A DELICATE CONDITION is worth the wait. I love it!!--A.K. Reviews

Just wanted you to know how much I enjoyed A DELICATE CONDITION!--S.G. Reviews

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As always, I like to include in these Buzz Blogs a tidbit from real life. In this case, it’s my life! Back in the last century, I took a class trip to New York City’s Museum of Natural History, and of course saw the Hayden Planetarium. Oh, it was absolutely fabulous. As a budding science fiction writer, I gobbled up all the fantastic out-of-this-world sights! And of course, the famous meteorite, which now looks like this, below:


The meterorite is 4.5 billions... BILLIONS... of years old and weighs thirty four tons. 
Let me tell you, that mega huge piece of iron is difficult to forget!

Anyway, while doing research, I found that a meteorite actually crashed in England in 1795. Naturally, I had to weave that well-documented event into the story, with Odessa relating her experience of touching the New York meteorite.

 While the meteorite was no longer at the original site, a monument was erect to commemorate the crash. Here, Odessa, along with Michael’s fellow gentlemen astronomers view the monument. Written on it is:

 

Here

On this Spot, Dec. 13th 1795

fell from the Atmosphere

AN EXTRAORDINARY STONE

In Breath 28 inches

In Length 36 inches

and

Whole Weight was 56 Pounds

THIS COLUMN

In Memory of it

was erected by

EDWARD TOPHAM

1799

Lord Roberts [one of the astronomers] returned to the front of the monument. “Well, where is the demmed thing?” he roared. “It didn’t just up and walk away!”

Evidently Stockman didn’t find the comment humorous for he gravely shook his head. “The Major put the rock on display for a time. Exhibited it at Piccadilly in London, too. Open to the public, it was.” He shrugged. “But sold it, I guess. Or gave it to James Sowerby, a naturalist as he calls himself. Been with Sowerby since aught four.”

Odessa touched one of the sun-bleached red bricks on the monument. “That’s too bad. I would’ve loved to feel the meteorite. I actually did touch one once in New York. The stone was so pitted, it was almost like fingering something that had passed through the depths of hell.”

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yep, I still remember that! I hope you enjoy Dessa and Michael’s love story. 

Happy reading,

 

Susanne Marie Knight

www.susanneknight.com

Read outside the box: award-winning Romance Writing With A Twist!







Saturday, September 26, 2020

The Buzz On A SESTERCE FOR HER THOUGHTS

A SESTERCE FOR HER THOUGHTS is a completely different genre for me. Time-travel to Ancient Rome? Two thousand years into the past? Omigosh! What am I thinking??

The truth is, the idea intrigued me. So here’s how this seed of a storyline grew. I was in the middle of my Sedona West murder mystery series when I received as a gift the DVD set for the BBC production,” I, Claudius.” I’d watched some of the programs over the years, but not the entire series. Honestly, it was a real treat to sit down and “binge watch” them. I already had in my library some of the historical sources dealing with this time period: Suetonius and Tacitus so I was familiar with this fascinating retelling of Roman events. And Claudius, dear unusual Claudius... what actually happened in Rome all those years ago?

What if... what if I could go back in time and interview him? Yep, my writer’s mind was working furiously. I’d already planned a time travel Regency as my next book, but I think it was when Claudius’ invasion of Britannia was mentioned that the light bulb went off. The emperor’s military campaign came to a head in Colchester, known as Camulodunum back then. And this meant I could still do a time travel to England... but back to the year 43 AD instead of Regency times!

The more I thought about it, the more convinced I was to try to write this novel. But what did I know about Ancient Rome? About Roman legions? About everyday life for the nobility, freedmen, and slaves? Not too much, I can tell you. So I read non-fiction and fiction books on all topics imaginable. I watched many DVDs to get a feel for the flavor of life back then. As for Latin... yikes. That was super hard.

After months of massive research, I was ready to weave together my story: a forensic anthropologist, Olivia, who inadvertently time-travels back to 43 AD; a weary Roman legate, Quintus, who yearns for retirement; and the Emperor Claudius, who was a bit mysterious, even back then.

A SESTERCE FOR HER THOUGHTS:

Olivia Kent knows a brass sesterce is an ancient Roman coin with a value roughly calculated to be one fourth of a day’s pay. What she doesn’t know is that one particular sesterce is going to transport her two thousand years back in time to 43 AD and Rome’s invasion of Britannia. With the help of a Druid priestess, Olivia dresses as a Roman soldier, and meets Emperor Claudius, along with a handsome legion commander. She changes both of their lives for the better... and her own as well. But here’s her dilemma: should she remain back in the first century where she can make a difference? Or should she take a chance and try to return to her own time?

A QUARTER FOR HIS THOUGHTS:

Quintus Antonius Avitus, commander of Legio XX Valeria Victrix, has served Rome faithfully but is weary of war. On this invasion, he comes across a puny, injured soldier, Livius. The soldier states that he is an American from a land to the west of Britannia--which is impossible since there are no lands past Britannia. But Livius is full of surprises, and also turns out to be a comely female named Olivia. Perhaps she is telling the truth? She is unlike any woman he has known. However, she insists that she cannot stay and must return to her home, despite the fact that Emperor Claudius wants her to accompany him to Rome. Quintus is torn: omnia vincit amor facit--does love conquer all? Or should he continue to auxilio imperatoris--help his Emperor?

An ancient coin transports Olivia two thousand years back in time to the Roman invasion of Britannia and into the arms of a hunky legion commander!

Available on Amazon.com and Smashwords.com.

 The print copy is also available on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/1980841799

 This book is part of the Exciting Time-Travels line.


Here are some fabulous reviews:

 * 5 Sesterces... and 5 Stars! I confess I’m new to the genre of Ancient Roman romance and all that, and I have to say now, after reading A SESTERCE FOR HER THOUGHTS, I’m hooked!! Olivia, our fish-out-of-water from the twenty-first century, has to quickly adjust to the brutal world of Imperial Rome. Fortunately she has help, otherwise it’s for certain she would’ve been in more danger than just the initial beating at the beginning of her adventure. Her concern for the Emperor Claudius is touching, and as for Quintus, well, he is a warrior with macho integrity. As a couple, they have a huge divide in cultures and expectations to overcome. Thankfully, they concentrate on the things they have in common, instead of the differences. And then, of course, comes Olivia’s dilemma... For a peek into a creative imagining of what may have happened two thousand years ago--an alternate reality, do yourself a favor and read A SESTERCE FOR HER THOUGHTS.--Just Imagine Fanzine

* 5 Stars! Quite a different read: part creative and part historical. Ms. Knight shows just how very different life was two thousand years ago, and yet people still had the same needs driving them. I enjoyed how she sprinkled Latin into the conversations to show how Olivia had to slowly translate and interpret Roman conversations. Frankly, I enjoyed everything: we discover each piece of the puzzle, to then put it all together to learn the surprise twist... or twists at the end. Excellent!--Norwood Reviews

* 5 Stars! An Outstanding Time Travel Adventure! The charming and delightful novel allows the reader to time travel back to the Roman Empire... You will be captivated by [Olivia’s] adventures--if you are like me, you will also probably learn a lot about ancient Rome that you didn’t know before!--Amazon Review

 I am devouring this book!! Very, very few novels set in ancient times, even fewer romances, and as for time-travel... basically zip. Wonderful story!--Reader Comment

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Onto my tidbits from real life that I like to include in these Buzz Blogs. A pair of dice plays an important role in A SESTERCE FOR HER THOUGHTS. As it turns out, dice-playing was a favorite activity of the emperor’s. It’s documented that Claudius even wrote a book on it. So I had Olivia bring her lucky pair of dice with her on her trip to Colchester. Here’s a picture of the blue dice, below. They are mine and really were a souvenir from Las Vegas. As for winning $500 there, well, no, that didn’t happen, unfortunately!

In front of the large blue dice is a pair of gold dice I purchased online based on an Ancient Roman pair that the emperor might have actually owned.



Here’s the scene where Quintus, given the dice by Olivia, hands them over to Claudius.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 With a frown, the Emperor took the small bag. He opened the drawstring and looked inside. “B-By the sacred she-wolf of Rome!” Two dice tumbled out into his hand; two colossal-sized dice the color of a moonlit sea. And just as transparent.

Claudius fingered each one. “These are very finely made, Quintus. And what are they made from? My own set of gold dice seems paltry next to these Am-American wonders.”

“Look at the side with the number ‘Two’, sir. A strange phrase: ‘Las Vegas.’ What can that mean?”

Claudius pulled out his gold dice and handed them to Quintus. As tiny as the dice were, they felt heftier than the overly large set of dice.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For a highly unusual time-travel romance with a heavy dose of history, give A SESTERCE FOR HER THOUGHTS a try. I hope you enjoy Olivia and Quintus’ extraordinary story!

Happy reading,

 

Susanne Marie Knight

www.susanneknight.com

Read outside the box: award-winning Romance Writing With A Twist!

Tuesday, September 22, 2020

The Buzz On BREAKS AN EGG

Here’s Book Three, PUSHES UP DAISIES, in the Sedona West Mysteries series. Things are coming to a head in Cozy Haven with Sedona’s candy store stage of boyfriend shopping. But before she can make her selection, something pops up in the daisy patch... and it’s not a flower!

The titles of the series:

SLEEPS WITH THE FISHES--Book One

BREAKS AN EGG--Book Two

PUSHES UP DAISIES--Book Three

 A LONG, HOT, SUMMER!

Cozy Haven’s summer is heating up. A bar fight concerning a past date rape; a missing tourist found; villagers complaining about extortion; several people bashed on the head; a daylight abduction... it’s no wonder that tempers are exploding. Folks are at each other’s throats, and that leads to yet another murder to investigate. Sedona West can’t catch a break. Playing host to her sister and baby niece, she has to change her plans and help solve these crimes. The temperature is rising with her would-be suitors as well. These two hunky men are getting impatient for her decision. Should she choose Harrison Oakdale, the celebrity psychologist? Or does she prefer Doug Marino, Cozy Haven’s sheriff? What to do? What to do? Or maybe, when her own head is bashed by the killer, she’ll no longer have a choice... 

Sedona finds herself in the thick of things with more murder and mayhem. And, oh yes, a decision on which candy store flavor to call her own!

Available at Amazon.com and Smashwords.com.

 The print copy is also available at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1095889680

 

This book is part of the Intriguing Mysteries line.


Here are some fabulous reviews:

5 Stars... or 10! Absolutely love this book. Love this series! Juggling everybody’s needs except her own, Sedona is in the middle of one big summer mess. This is the book where she (hopefully) makes her choice: Team Harrison or Team Doug. And oh, what swoon-worthy men those two are! Filled with of action, suspense, great characters, and of course a dead body or two, PUSHES UP DAISIES covers all bases. As to which flavor of candy Sedona selects, be sure to pick up your copy to find out!--Mystery Maven’s Reviews

5 Stars! This is number three in the three book Sedona West Mystery Series. While this book can be read without the first two, it’s enjoyable to get the full multiplex experience of everything the characters go through. I thoroughly enjoyed reading how Sedona rebuilds her life after an acrimonious divorce, solves a few murders, and gets wined, dined, and wooed by two delicious men. Lucky Sedona! And lucky us, the readers!--Norwood Reviews

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 Now for my “Tidbit From Real Life”: so, not actually from “real” life, but it concerns something from Star Trek, one of my all time favorite TV shows... and movies. After Star Trek’s three seasons, the mystery of what the “T” stands for in James T. Kirk is finally revealed. The “T” is for Tiberius... a most unusual name.

In PUSHES UP DAISIES, Sedona sees Sheriff Doug’s nameplate and wonders what does the T. stand for in Dugan T. Marino.

Doug says, “I wish I could say T. stands for Tiberius, but I can’t. It’s Thomas.”

Her reply. “I like Thomas. But it’s too bad you can’t be an emperor of Rome. Or even Admiral James T. Kirk.”

Just a bit of fun! I hope you enjoy Sedona West’s adventures!

Happy reading,

 

Susanne Marie Knight

www.susanneknight.com

Read outside the box: award-winning Romance Writing With A Twist!


Tuesday, August 25, 2020

New Fantasy Romance--THE AWAY PLACE


Here’s your chance to escape from the everyday world with my latest romance: THE AWAY PLACE. This new fantasy is now available at Amazon.com and Smashwords.com. Soon to be in print at Amazon.com.

Down-and-out Marta Jordan gets a second chance when the magical North and East Winds stage an intervention. Will she accept their challenge and to learn to love again?

A HEALING HEARTS ROMANCE

THREE STRIKES AGAINST HER: Marta Jordan has hit rock bottom... and she’s only twenty-one. Her parents are killed in a tragic accident, her new husband steals from her, and a serious health diagnosis threatens her life. Marta is in desperate need of an intervention. Enter her fairy godmother and fairy godfather: Sola and Quill--the East and North Winds. Providing an enchanted cabin so Marta can heal, they also offer her a do-over... and a chance to walk on the wild side. Will Marta throw all caution to the wind (pun intended!) and listen to her magical helpers?

SECOND TIME’S A CHARM: Joe Noble is every woman’s Mr. Wrong. So much so that his wife not only divorced him, but their ten-year-old son, Nicky, too. Now only looking for a good time with no strings attached, Joe gets a wake-up call when the consequences of his irresponsible actions finally catch up to him. He has a choice: he can continue to drift or he can “man up” to become a good father, in addition to wooing and winning the woman of his heart, Marta.

BONUS: The fairytale, “The Princess’ Soulmate” is also included!

PRAISE FOR THE AWAY PLACE

* 5 Stars! A romantic, sweet, and unforgettable fairytale! THE AWAY PLACE serves up two opposites, Marta and Joe, who are both recovering from the slings and arrows of life. Throw in the magic of a delightful godmother and an incredibly sexy godfather, and you have the ingredients for a delightful story that will please all romance readers! THE AWAY PLACE is a wonderful place to leave your everyday burdens at the door!--Twists on Romance Reviews

* 5 Stars! THE AWAY PLACE delivers! You’ll find magic, romance, sexy encounters, second chances, precocious children, healing hearts, and an original classic fairytale: “The Princess’ Soulmate.” Young Marta Jordan has been hit so many times by tragedy, she’s begging for a do-over. The Four Winds of Myth and Legend decide to grant her request... in the form of good-time bad boy, Joe Noble. But whiskey-drinking, love-‘em-and-leave-‘em Joe is nobody’s hero. Or is he? Escape from your ordinary world with Ms. Knight’s latest fantasy, THE AWAY PLACE!--Just Imagine Fanzine

Fantasy/Paranormal/Contemporary novels by Susanne include:

The Away Place (Fantasy)

The Two Of Cups Is For Lovers

Love At The Top

One Wife Too Many

Grave Future (Paranormal)

Past Indiscretions (Paranormal)

The Coming (Paranormal)

Competitors! (Paranormal)

The Wakefield Disturbance (Paranormal)

Uncovering Camelot (Fantasy)

A Karmic Connection (Paranormal)

Now available at Amazon.com and Smashwords.com. Soon to be in print at Amazon.com.

Forget your cares and troubles at... THE AWAY PLACE!


Susanne Marie Knight

http://www.susanneknight.com

Read outside the box: award-winning Romance Writing with a Twist!

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Monday, August 17, 2020

The Buzz On BREAKS AN EGG

Here’s Book Two, BREAKS AN EGG, in the Sedona West Mysteries series. Sedona is trying to move forward in her life but her dead husband keeps pulling her back in!

The titles of the series:

SLEEPS WITH THE FISHES--Book One

BREAKS AN EGG--Book Two

PUSHES UP DAISIES--Book Three


BREAKS AN EGG --Book Two

Just when she thought she was out, she gets pulled back in!

Sedona West wants to move on from the unfortunate murder of her ex husband, however Jervis still has a trick or two up his dead sleeve. He stole two million dollars--now missing--and the Mob thinks she knows where the money is. Her cabin burglarized and shots fired, she turns to the town’s hunky sheriff and the swoon-worthy celebrity psychologist for support. She’d rather turn to them for romance, but gangsters and thugs, masquerading as tourists, have other ideas. More than anything she needs to put the past behind her and live a normal life, but not yet. Sampling the “candy store” goodies of Harrison and Doug will have to wait. Right now Sedona is worried about staying alive!


Sedona’s dead ex husband keeps putting her at risk. Two million dollars that he stole has gone missing, and the Mob thinks she knows where the money is. But she doesn’t... or does she?

 Available on Amazon.com and Smashwords.com.

 The print copy is also available http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1797870319/

 

This book is part of the Intriguing Mysteries line.


Here’s a fabulous review:

* 5 Stars! The second book of the Sedona West Murder Mysteries Series revisits Sedona’s ex husband and his missing wallet. Sedona just wants to move forward but unfortunately keeps getting pulled back behind. Familiar characters and some new ones play a part in this delightful story. Susanne Marie Knight’s superb writing brings her characters to life and keeps you turning the pages. A really fun series filled with suspense and humor, and also recalls memories of dates that have gone south. I’m on the edge of my seat for the last book in the series: PUSHES UP DAISIES.--Mystery Maven’s Reviews

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Here’s my “Tidbit From Real Life”: Dr. Harrison Oakdale, or rather Dr. Harrison James Oakdale, is a celebrity psychiatrist who questions Sedona on the origin of her name. When she asks about his name, he says, “I was named after my great great grandfather, James Harrison Oakdale. My parents just switched the names around, to dub me Harrison James Oakdale.” One of my great great grandfathers was also named James Harrison... James Harrison Knight, not Oakdale! James served twice in the American Civil War. After being released due to a leg injury, he then re-enlisted and became a captain in the 2nd Tennessee Cavalry Regiment. In 1865, he was mustered out of service at Nashville, TN.


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I hope you enjoy Sedona West’s second adventure in BREAKS AN EGG! Next up and the finale is PUSHES UP DAISIES.

Happy reading,

Susanne Marie Knight

www.susanneknight.com

Read outside the box: award-winning Romance Writing With A Twist!

Monday, August 10, 2020

The Buzz On SLEEPS WITH THE FISHES

The Sedona West Mysteries are a three book series detailing how a lovely young woman recovers from nasty divorce, how she handles being involved in not one murder but too many, and how she finally gets her happily ever after... or does she??

Here are the titles:

SLEEPS WITH THE FISHES--Book One

BREAKS AN EGG--Book Two

PUSHES UP DAISIES--Book Three

I started this series because I missed being able to spend more time with my characters as I did in my Minx Tobin murder mystery series. Watching Sedona recover and grow from her circumstances was very satisfying for me. She also becomes very resourceful. And here’s a secret... I had one man in mind for her when I began but it turns out she chose somebody else! Let me tell you, that was a surprise!

So here is the info on SLEEPS WITH THE FISHES.

SLEEPS WITH THE FISHES--Book One

Sedona gets more than she bargains for when she moves to the idyllic town of Cozy Haven. Her intention is to piece together her shattered life. But Fate decides to throw major roadblocks in her way. First, the hunky sheriff has his eye on her. Second, a celebrity psychologist tries to get her on his private couch. Third, her disreputable ex husband unexpectedly makes an appearance. And fourth, a Girl-Night party turns into an actual Murder party... with all the guests drugged by sedatives in the wine. Talk about a major hangover! And now, Sedona finds herself under the sheriff’s scrutiny as a possible murder suspect. She had the means, the motive, and the opportunity to kill the deceased so how can she convince everyone that she’s innocent?


After waking up with the hangover of the century, Sedona is shocked to learn she is a murder suspect! Can she actually be the killer?

 Available on Amazon.com and Smashwords.com

The print copy is also available at http://www.amazon.com/dp/1797870319.

This book is part of the Intriguing Mysteries line.

Here are some fabulous reviews:

5 Stars! I adore Ms. Knight’s Minx Tobin Murder Mystery series so I was very excited to learn of this new one: the three book Sedona West Mystery series. Book 1: SLEEPS WITH THE FISHES tells of a newly divorced woman starting over. Will she get her second chance at love? Spoiler Alert: Not in this book, she doesn’t. But things look hopeful that Sedona will decide on her man in Book 2 or 3. As we soon learn, Sedona is in a “candy store” phase when it comes to men... and oh, what men to chose from! In this book, we have a very satisfying murder (!) that then comes with a satisfying conclusion. Looking forward to Book 2: BREAKS AN EGG.--Mystery Maven’s Reviews

5 Kisses! We first discovered this author in the 90s (!) and Ms. Knight keeps getting better and better. SLEEPS WITH THE FISHES is the first in a 3 book series, where, to be blunt, a murder victim sleeps with the fishes! Realistic characters, idyllic setting (except for the murder), and an evolving love story, this mystery novel has it all. Highly recommended.--The Romance Guide

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For my “Tidbit From Real Life” that I always like to include in my books, I’ll tell you about an inside joke. Dr. Harrison Oakdale is a celebrity psychiatrist with a little too much ego for his own good. When he sees what he thinks is an interloper on his vacation rental land, he assumes she, Sedona, is there to provide him with a night of pleasure--a celebrity groupie. Then he spots a book cover by her side that is identical to one of his bestsellers. I’ll let Harrison describe his first encounter with Sedona:

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“Of course, you’re reading the perfect book.” He gestured to the hardcover on the dock, next to her lounger chair, and then smirked.

But she didn’t get the connection. She glanced down at the book, and then up at him. Her eyebrows formed a vee of confusion. “This book?”

He’d forgive her for being obtuse. “Certainly. My book was on the New York Times best-seller list for thirty weeks in a row last year.”

Sure, he was bragging, but he was entitled to gloat every now and then.

“This is your book?” she asked.

He didn’t come out here to talk about his books. “Naturally.”

“You wrote The Creative Writing Workbook?”

“What? No, I...” He took a good look at the book and sure enough, the title was as she said, not his Grow Into Your Life best-seller. The Creative Writing Workbook was authored by a woman.

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The joke here is that the book in question is my book. Here’s the cover:


I certainly had fun with that one!

I hope you enjoy Sedona West’s first adventure in SLEEPS WITH THE FISHES! Next up is BREAKS AN EGG.

Happy reading,

Susanne Marie Knight

www.susanneknight.com

Read outside the box: award-winning Romance Writing With A Twist!