New Metal Shows True Creativity

I love music. Like many writers I have playlists for each book. When I'm in the writing cave, I love to listen to new music and new artists.

I found music from a new band out of Ohio. Chemical Empire is impressive and there is definitely talent there.

The first time I heard Desire to Hate, my jaw hit the floor and I immediately listened to it several more times before sharing it with my music loving nephew. His head bobbed then his eyes flew open and he shouted, "This is the shit!" Which is his way of saying it was F-ing awesome.

I love the layers of the intro, the guitar-work is amazing. I'm not one big on unclean vocals but accepting how artists are using them. In Desire to Hate, the sound and placement of such were perfect. I love the unpretentious, refreshing approach of letting the music carry the song. The clean vocals were excellent, his control on point. However, I feel he has a wider range hidden in there and look forward to future work. The flow of vocals with the music is incredible. Chemical Empire shows lack of fear to explore a depth of atmosphere with a stupendous delivery. I totally dig the lyrics, inspiring one to be true to oneself.

Desire to Hate is going onto a playlist and Chemical Empire has gained a few new fans in my crew.

The emotionally charged Suffocating is Chemical Empire's second release. Guitars dominate this piece while rhythmic percussion pull the piece together, showcasing the level of talent. The intro is quite long but is a perfect lead in with the haunting sound easing the listener into the meat of the song. Musically, a lot is happening but is well developed, busy but not cluttered. The timing of each drive pulls the listener in. The vocals wrap around the listener and one will actually begin breathing in time with the words and rhythm. Crazy! The tune ends suddenly with a drift, referencing the haunting of the intro. Well done and worth a listen.

Suffocating will definitely work it's way onto a playlist...perhaps, first chapter of Hawk's Honor. I have a scene in mind for Painted Soul as I rework the book.

Chemical Empire has struck a chord with me in the sense the band seems to be true to their artistic and creative souls. The authenticity of expression is obvious in the way a thought or emotions is expressed through the music. Every note, every word, every pitch and sound made has a purpose and it moves me. Music from this new artist has filled my creative mind, filling it with images, emotion and story ideas. My mind is blown, leaving endless words flowing into my stories as a result. (Perhaps this will be the band who may be interested in collaborating with me for my Dark Soul project of creating a soundtrack for a book. #FutureWork.)

Support creative artists. Please visit Chemical Empire's social media, write a comment, and share.

www.chemicalempire.com

https://www.facebook.com/chemicalempireofficial

Another new Chemical Empire release, Cold Wave, is expected to drop Jan. 19. Stay tuned!

Tasty Tuesday - Cook up Some Fun

Break up the work week with a romantic meal. Don't have time? You have to eat, right? 

Grab a bottle of wine and push your honey into the kitchen. Be a little silly and wear matching aprons. Then get cooking. Get a little messy. Have fun.

Working together while cooking fosters a sense of togetherness, reinforces the idea of the two of you being a team. 

Share a bit of wine while cutting veggies and talking about the day or whatever. Maybe share three things you like about each other. Be sure to add sexy glances and sweet touches.

If kids are underfoot, keep things PG-13. However, it is healthy for children to see their parents working together and flirting with each other. Feel free to include them or shoe them out of the kitchen with the idea of you preparing the meal and they can set the table.

The collaborative effort will result in a delectable meal and perhaps a little foreplay.

Ask the Author: Strangest Google Search

 

What is the strangest thing you’ve Googled while working on a story?

Penis Tattoos

I love throwing curves to my characters and surprises to my readers so while reworking the previously published Soul Series, I came up with an idea to give one of the heroes a very unique tat. I'm not telling which fella, readers will have to wait to find out. For those who've read the books, I'd love to see some guesses.

Who is getting a special tattoo?

Puzzola, Erick, Michael, or maybe Duncan?

Wintery Naughty Game Night

 The wind is icy, the snow is blowing, or it's simply a yucky night and going out isn't in the cards. What to do? Have an indoor Date Night.

One of the finest kinds of dates is one when you both put down your phones and enjoy some tech-free time apart. A simple way to do this is with a couple's game night. You'll be surprised by how much you enjoy each other's company with just a deck of cards or a pile of board games, whether you want to keep it private or have a number of people around.

If it's just the two of you, play a sexy game. Keep a bedroom board game or a deck of naughty cards on hand. Check out stores such as Lover's Lane for some fun couple games.

Get Outdoors for a Healthy Libido

 

Between weather and work, everyone spends too much time inside. It's probably time for you and your honey to get back outside in the fresh air if you both feel the consequences of a sedentary winter lifestyle. Toss on your warm gear and hit nature. Get your pulse circulating while admiring the incredibly lovely backdrop of a winter wonderland by going for a trek in the woods or a nearby park.

Walking in cold weather is beneficial to your health.

> Burn more calories

> Sleep better

> Cooler temps boost brain power

> Boost your immune system to fight infections

> Reduces stress

The bleakness of winter often brings about depression and can be responsible for a low libido. Head outdoors for a bit of fun with your honey. A little bit of winter sunshine can do wonders as well. Afterwards, warm up with a hot beverage or snuggle time for an improved libido.

Eagle Dance EXCERPT

She brushed the gray tips and white strands of hair that gave him such untamed nobility. With a finger, she traced his face from his temple to his jaw, across his lips, then scraping her nails along the fine hair under his chin. A man of his enormous size would be capable of great strength, and a gal could easily lose herself in his arms for more than one night. His gaze intensified under her scrutiny.

 

“What do you see when you look at me?” he asked and lowered his eyes. Sinfully long lashes brushed his cheeks.

 

She considered him to be the most gorgeous man alive. His eyes mesmerized her. Some would consider the unusual color to be eerie, but she saw a whirlwind of emotions, from pain to hope, drawing her into his soul. Did his unusual appearance cause issues and uncertainty in his life? Despite his intimidating frame, he exhibited control and gentle qualities in the tender way he’d held her when they danced and the way he’d admitted his soft spot for animals. In arms like his, a woman could find paradise in many ways.

 

She cupped his face and forced him to meet her gaze. “I see a handsome, mystical warrior from another world.”

 

“Handsome, huh? I think you need your vision checked. I am nothing more than a simple Chippewa from Michigan.” His mouth was inches from hers. “However, I can be magical and take you wherever you want to go.”

 

“Then dance with me,” she whispered.

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Ask the Author: "How did you become a writer?"

As a child, I was a daydreamer. I loved creative play and listening to my grandmother tell tales of her youth. As I grew older, I fell in love with books and learned to put words together to create my own stories. In high school I wrote silly love stories for friends and poetry. In college I learned from a wonderful professor the skills and freedom of how to use the words I knew rather than fancy words not in my everyday vocabulary. With such tools and the creativity in my mind, I became a writer.

Ironically, my first book "Painted Soul" published in 2004 was based on a short story I wrote in a notebook when I was 16 years old, visiting friends in England. "Painted Soul" became the first book in a series of five, three of which were published by Vanilla Heart Publishing.

The Soul Series has been pulled out of publishing and I've received the rights back. I am currently reworking the books and completing the series for future publishing.

I recommend to those who wish to write, to do so often. Keep notebooks full of stories and poetry. You never know when years later, one of those little tales will inspire something much larger. 😉

A Cozy Date Night

It's doggone cold out.

Here in Michigan, the temps are dropping and baby, it's freezing! Who wants to go out?

Is there anything better than watching a wonderful movie while cuddling with someone special?

Make Don't simply put on the same old boring movie, make it Date Night. Have some yummy snacks, mull some wine or spike that cocoa. then grab a clean snuggly blanket. *Clothing optional under the blanket.

For a bigger event, pick a movie in advance and plan dinner with a theme similar to the movie. Enjoy your dessert during the film. Be sure to save some whipping cream for afterwards.

If a night without the kids isn't an option, involve the whole family to plan the night. With a little extra effort, Netflix and chill will actually feel special again.

Thursday 13 - Favorite Heavy Metal Christmas Tunes

This is a list of my favorite Metal Holiday Tunes from the past. These are ones, I play year after year. In the last couple years and lately, some new holiday music has been produced. I'll make a new list of those on another date.

1.     Christmas Dreams – Trans-Siberian Orchestra

2.       Heavy Metal Christmas – Twisted Sister

3.       We Three Kings – Halford

4.       Walking in the Air – Nightwish

5.       Kidnap the Sandy Claws – Korn

6.       Naughty Christmas – Lacuna Coil

7.       Viking Christmas – Amon Amarth

8.       The Magic of Christmas – Dee Snider & Lizzie Hale

9.       On Christmas Day – Magnum or Christmas Truce – Sabaton

10.   Carol of the Bells – August Burns Red

11.   Mistress for Christmas – AC/DC

12.   X-M@$ - Corey Taylor

13.   Little Drummer Boy – Christopher Lee

For more fun and Thursday 13 lists visit: https://newthursday13.blogspot.com/

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Thursday 13 - Holiday Fun

 

Christmas doesn’t have to just be for kids, but it can also be a time to relight that fire with your honey. Here are a few ideas to add some romance to your holiday.

1. Take a walk in the park
2. Go ice skating
3. Sip hot chocolate (or something a little stronger) by the fire
4. Rent a cabin in the woods for a weekend getaway
5. Share a dessert by candlelight
6. Cook a meal together
7. Have a leisurely breakfast in bed
8. Spend the evening at the theatre
9. Take a drive to "nowhere in particular" and stop whenever inspired to enjoy the scenery
10. Park in a secluded spot (be sure to have lots of blankets) and gaze at the stars.

11. Watch a Christmas themed movie together. Enjoy popcorn and warm spiced cider.

12. Visit a local coffee shop you’ve never been in

13. Go to a local tree farm. Cut down a fresh tree. If you use an artificial tree, see if you can collect fresh greens and make an outdoor arrangement for your porch.

For more Thursday 13 lists and fun, visit: https://newthursday13.blogspot.com/

Have a great Thursday! I'm heading to a From Ashes to New concert tonight!!!