Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Teaser Tuesday ~ from Vampire's Trill



Here.” He held a plastic bottle, twisted the top with a sharp crack, and handed it to me. “Drink. You need to replenish. I had little choice,” he said apologetically.
I took the water, finding I was extremely thirsty, and before I realized that I didn't have gloves on, I drank down several gulps before a vision slammed into me.
Vasyl stood in front of a brightly lit pop machine. He examined it all over, trying to unravel the mystery of how it opened. Giving up in frustration, he grabbed the sides of the machine, shook it some, and while on-lookers stood by gaping at him, he ripped the entire front of the machine off; plastic bottles of soda in various colors and flavors spilled out and rolled everywhere.
Quickly he chose a bottle of water. Then, stepping over to a snack machine, he ripped the front of it off. Candy bars and bags of chips fell everywhere.
Righteous!” someone in dreadlocks cheered. No one moved forward, but the crowd that had gathered greedily eyed the snacks and drinks. Those several paces away snatched up the bottles that had rolled towards them before running from the scene.
Vasyl chose a few more things from the mess on the ground. As soon as he flashed away like Super Mana dozen people dove on the spilled candy and drinks.
The bottle fell from my hands, and would have dropped to the barn floor had Vasyl's quick reflexes not caught it. We stared at one another.
You took my gloves,” I said, somewhat vexed.

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Sabrina on her relationship with vampire, Bjorn Tremayne

When did my life go so... weirdly?
When I met Bjorn Tremayne, that's when!
Matthias Huse, actor
Well, it went all to hell before that, really, when I answered that ad for a clairvoyant. Stupid me. I should have known better to answer an ad that came from vampires. What was I thinking?

Well, I was thinking, okay, sure. My mom was turned back when I was a kid. I knew that around that time a vampire had come to me and bit me. I had either repressed these memories, or the vampire himself--who turned out to be Vasyl--had made me not remember some of this stuff.

But, yes. I went to meet Nicolas Paduraru at a local bar, for the interview. What happens? Almost as soon as I get there, a damned werewolf bites me. Of course, Nicolas comes out of the bar with Steve Pumphry *another vampire*, and chases the wolf off, and then tells me he has to suck the venom out. Well, I fall for this, of course. What was I supposed to do? I thought I was going to die!

And after surviving all that, it all just followed that I was hired to find out who was killing vampires in his ultra-modern vampire/human hotel aptly named Tremayne Towers in down-town Chicago. Hey, I needed the money. I keep trying to remind myself that.

Then I met Bjorn Tremayne, vampire magnate, second only to his brother, Erik. They were both Vikings in their former human lives a little over 1,000 years ago. Now they're big business men who run the North American Vampire Association--a vampire camarilla. Uh, no, humans don't know that they're vampires, just as a side note.

I knew, right when I saw the video of Tremayne--those aqua eyes, his huge frame, blond hair *sigh*--I was in trouble and I was right. I mean can anyone blame me?

You see, we have this strange relationship. Well, strange only because it's between a human (me) and a vampire (him). I mean what could I expect? He couldn't possibly fall in love with me. His desires for blood and sex were all very well conveyed and explained in one of our little "meetings" when he showed me precisely what he enjoyed, and later on began to demonstrate... on me.


The first book in
Sabrina Strong
Series

Vampire's Trill, second
book in the Sabrina
Strong Series

When it comes right down to it, after the many times since that first time with him, and up till now, I'm still unsure if we are in love, or just in a strange dysfunctional co-dependant relationship where ... well, it's like this strange life and death dance/struggle. I can't survive as a sibyl without him, and he can't survive now because of the way things have gone so wacky. Every time I look, someone somewhere has done something to just whack it further out of place so that it now seems that it will never go back to the way things once were.

But, I guess that's life.






Thursday, February 23, 2012

GREET & MEET DAY on LORELEI'S MUSE

Wow! I'm able to post something today!!!

Hello, my pretties.  Yes YOU out there!

I'm amazed at all the nice people who have come over to my blog and begun to follow me! 132 Followers for Lorelei's Muse as of today! That's really wonderful!

Problem is I can't see who you all are. There is no way that I can find you unless you make a comment. Really! I kid you not!

So, what I thought I would do is make this post for all of you who have recently become followers since, let's say the first of this month (February). I gained a bunch of you during the blog hops and a few more through a couple of interviews and such. So, it's up to you if you want me to return the Following to your blog. All you have to do is leave a comment, message, whatever. Say Hi--anything simple, so that I know who you are and then I can come and visit and follow you too! Unless, of course you'd rather remain one of my lurkers, and stalkers--which is fine! I've got LOTS of those!

I thought I'd post a picture of me in a rock shop while on vacation in Silverton, Colorado. My husband caught me in a moment here.

Lorelei Bell in an unguarded
moment choosing a geode
So, leave a comment if you want me to know you you are out there! You may already have done so, which I'm so grateful for your stopping by. Your support is very important to me, and I'd like to come and support you as well, if you'd like.

Monday, February 20, 2012

Teaser Tuesday - The Dreadful

Hey, everyone! I just thought I would give you a very breif tease from my third book. This is when Sabrina frist sees what is called a "Dreadful". She doesn't know what it is in this scene.


He leaned again against the fireplace, but then he straightened and, as if he became aware of some other presence, I saw his eyes flash to the other end of the room. I hadn't noticed before that someone in a full-hooded cloak stood there, it was as though he'd always been there and because he was all in black, he simply blended in with the shadows. He made no noise. I could see no face within the deep cowl, and his hands were hidden inside the roomy opposite sleeve. He stood absolutely still. He looked like someone in a Halloween costume assuming the persona of Death. I really hoped this was not an omen. My Knowing told me this being wasn't human, but something more. Supernatural, but what, I wasn't sure. I couldn't get a read from it. Not at all, and I couldn't feel an aura. It was as though the thing didn't exist. Even a ghost would give off something that I could read. And yet I felt a dreadful oppressive feeling emanate from it, and I shouldn't have gotten that at all.

Coffee Klatch Monday - Book Signing?

Hey, out there! I thought I'd put up a TEA cup, because some of you like tea, so here is equal time!


So, as you may know I'm looking to get a book signing somewhere else. I canceled with B&N. My reasons were justified. No one ordered the book and I wasn't going to sit there and be a victim of their stupid rules and so I canceled before they could ditch me. (You can't fire me! I QUIT!)

I was going to approach this grocery store manager where me and my husband shop twice a week, and I'm in there all the time because my bus route stops right in front of their store. I've talked to him a number of times in the past. He's a very nice, friendly person. We even have pet names for one another because he couldn't pronounce my name. So, I am "Dove Chocolate". And his is "Top Banana". I hadn't had the chance to speak to Top Banana, and to breach the subject was rather difficult for me in the two minutes I might have when I run in and use the a-hem... I mean we're talking about a grocery store, here. Why would he want to host a book signing? (shrug)

So, today I get this email from John R., a long-time friend of mine. His daughter happens to work at this store. She actually spoke with Top Banana about my having a book signing at the store and according to the email, he likes the idea. He likes doing different things to bring people into the store. Just last week he hosted a breakfast for couples who had been married for 50 years or longer on Valentines Day. They hosted 150 people in the store! You should have seen it! They had them in the deli, and produce playing bingo!

Anyway, I was astounded! First of all that someone would go out of their way to approach someone about me having a book signing in a store where they work--in my behalf! And the fact that I was actually going to ask him myself... at some point when I got up the nerve. Some real behind the scenes going's on here (Mom, you're winking, I know you are!)

So, there's no doubt I've got my peeps and my guardian angels all watching over me, somehow working their magic into the frame work of my crazy life.

So, I didn't quit believing I'd have a book signing. I didn't let this business get me down. I moved on. I didn't panic. I went into Plan B mode... and Plan B fell into place before I could actually take a step in any direction.
Lorelei Bell is author of "Vampire Ascending",
"Vampire's Trill" and "Spell of the Black Unicorn"

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Matching Actors to My Male Characters

Well, a few weeks ago my search was for a hot/cool car for Tremayne to drive (in the 4th book). We decided on the Mustang Super Snake. Today I'm trying to match up actors with a couple of my main characters.

Today my focus is on two main characters: Bjorn Tremayne and Nicolas Paduaru. I've kept searching for a hunk that could fill the Viking-vampire's 7 foot frame and I think this guy will serve nicely.
Matthias Hues -actor

Matthias Hues is German born, and has been in several action and martial arts movies. He played a supporting role in Star Trek 6, where I believe he played an Klingon. He also played a bad alien in "Dark Angel". I think his 6'5", 250 lb. frame would serve a believable master vampire. And I had a bunch of my fans/friends agree that Matthias has what it would take. Hunk all the way...oops, I think I may have drooled a little.
I'd like to thank Suburban Vampire for drawing my attention to a new Dracula film starring Hues. It's called "Dracula 2012"





John Stamos
 I asked around for people to suggest someone to play Nicolas. He is an impeccable dresser, a 600+ year old vampire from Romania, he is dark, suave, debonair, sophisticated, and delicious looking with dark eyes that are somewhat haunting, which might make a woman say 'yes' to just about anything.


I want to thank Shelly Arkon for suggesting John Stamos for this role. I would have to agree with her suggestion.



Hmmm, who will play Dante, the Native American? I also need the twins, Heath, and Lief with their British accents and caramel-colored hair.

What you you do when you're trying to picture your characters in your mind? Do you picture actors, athletes, friends?

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

CONTEST WINNERS ANNOUNCED!

I want to thank everyone who came to my blog and participated in the two contests I had for Valentine's Day! Thank you, I love you all! You're all awesome!

Now for what you've all been waiting for:
WINNER FOR "BLOODY HEARTS BLOG HOP" IS:
AJGMA!!!

WINNER FOR THE "VAMPIRE'S DAY SOIREE" IS:
RETRO-ZOMBIE!

And I had a separate contest for the ebook... WINNER IS:
ALEXANDRIAWEB!!!

Those of you who have won an autographed copy of Vampire's Trill please contact me at loreleibell4@gmail.com with your mailing addresses *that way I can come spy on you* (just kidding)

And Alexandriaweb, I need your contact information AND what format you need the ebook in (Kindle, PDF, etc)

I'd like to thank VampLit for allowing me to partake in their blog hop  "Bloody Heart's Blog Tour", and also thanks to Holly of Holly's Horrorland for the First Vampire's Day Soiree!

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS!!!



Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Welcome To Vampire's Day Soiree!

Hosted by Holly's Horrorland! Oh, yes, my pretties. Fun, fun, fun. Do visit the link to find a buch of wonderfully creepy creative individuals with various things to give away.

And...to anyone who resides in the U.S., I'm giving away one autographed copy of Vampire's Trill!
But wait... there's more. I will also give away an ebook of Vampire's Trill to anyone anywhere!


Just leave a comment, and which you prefer. I will announce winner on the 15th for the Vampire's Day Soiree giveaway.

Oh, and Happy Vampire Valentine's Day!

Monday, February 13, 2012

Bloody Hearts Blog Hop

So, tomorrow is Valentine's Day. But we have Bloody Hearts Blog Hop going on here! There's lots of things to win if you go to the link above and check it out.

But wait! I've got a contest going on too, since I've signed in blood--not really--to be in this blog hop thing.

I've got one autographed copy of Vampire's Trill to give away to anyone residing in the U.S. All you have to do is leave a comment and your name will go into the hat and we'll pull a name out, and on Wednesday, the 15th the winner will be announced. You will have to check back and see if your name has been posted and follow the directions on getting your info to me.


Sunday, February 12, 2012

Join Me This Week...

Hello, my pretties!
So, this winter has been on and off. We're currently on--and having the cold temperatures that one associates with Midwest winters. I live in an old house that has no insulation. So, I've got cold air seeping in somewhere. I've got plastic and Styrofoam stuck over my windows. Blankets covering areas where the wind comes through. Two heaters going! Two pairs of socks and fingerless gloves, my heaviest sweats... just so I can be in here doing this and not freeze while I do.

Since I've weathered the weather I hope you are stopping in to see me. And especially tomorrow. Why? Because this week I've got some giveaways going!

Beginning tomorrow it's BLOODY HEARTS BLOG TOUR!
I will be giving away ONE AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF VAMPIRE'S TRILL! All you need to do is leave a comment and watch for announcement for winner on the 15th, which is Wednesday.

On VALENTINES DAY ONLY! I am participating in the Vampire's Day Soiree and another chance for an autographed copy of Vampire's Trill ! All you need to do is leave a comment here that day on the blog post. Watch for it--the post will have this banner up:

Come join me if you want a chance to win my latest book in the Sabrina Strong Series!
(Participants must have address in the U.S. only for this prize)



Hope to see you, my pretties!

Saturday, February 11, 2012

To All New-Born Vampires: Correct Biting Positions


The correct feeding position for vampires.



Hi, Bjorn, here. Since the Powers That Be have returned us to the antiquated days of hunting humans, I knew it would be only a matter of time that we would begin making new vampires. *sigh*

So, I thought I would put this up so that all of you newbies out there are aware that there is a correct feeding posture and that when done properly, you get the best results.

When you approach your victim from behind you can get to that juicy jugular properly. If done from the front, it will feel awkward, and things can get messy if your fangs don't hit the vein just right. Also, biting from behind the victim saves your clothing from those messy stains that won't come out. I don't think you want to get your best shirt or suit blood-stained and have to pay through the nose for a cleaning, or have to burn the damned thing. I hate when I've ruined my best pair of jeans and shirt when... well, never mind.

Also, keep in mind blood stains on your clothing would bring undue attention to you as you leave the scene. I don't want to have to clean up after you. So get the job done right or I'll have to repremand you... and I'm not always kind.

Seeing that Valentines Day is just around the corner I didn't want to leave anyone out, including my newest turns, so Happy Valentines Day, in case I don't see you on Tuesday.

By the way, my new quarters are just about to open up and be ready to move into. P. M. me if you haven't gotten the coordinants.

Your Loving Sire,

Bjorn Tremayne

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Gobs O' Stuff

 Hello, my pretties, and how are you this fine day, Hmmm? I had a pretty darn good day. I can't complain when one of my passengers offers me a chocolate chip cookie! And that really brightened things up for a while.

I've got a few announcements to make.

Firstly, my vampire poem, "A Vampire's Imago" has been published by Dark Moon, and it appears in their latest "Dark Eclipse" #8, which can be found on Amazon. Lots of great writers of horror can be enjoyed for just a couple of bucks.

For those of you who remember I had taken on the Writer's Campaign back in the fall and I wrote this poem and had a lot of complements and views. Well, I thought if people liked it that much it should be placed somewhere. After my first short story appeared in one of their horror books, I thought I might try them with this poem. Before doing so, I took it off my blog. So, if you went looking for it, now you've found it.

We all know that next week is Valentines Day on Tuesday. If you don't know this and you have a significant other you'd better plan now on what you will be giving that person for Valentines Day, if you have not done so as yet. I'm working on a home-made thing. And I'm hoping for my box of chocolates and a card that makes me teary-eyed.

And naturally there are certain blog hops and fun things to do if you wish to do them. I have no time at all, so naturally, I've joined two!

I'm joining in with the Bloody Hearts Blog Hop, on February 13th through 15th in which I will be giving a book away.

And then I'm going to be going in on the Vampire's Day Soiree, because it's sure fun to find brand new peeps to visit their blogs too. And I will be giving another book away (yay!)


Then, right after that--as my tongue hangs out of my mouth--I will be on Juniper Grove's blog, and if I remember correctly, I think it's an interview and I know for sure another give away.

Have I forgotten anything?


Oh, yes! My first book, Vampire Ascending--the ebook--is on sale for $2.99 if you have yet to get your copy because funds were low, this would be a good incentive for you to do so!

Alrrriiiight! Have a good rest of the week, my pretties! I'm going to have to get some writing done!

 
 
 
 
 
Click Here to go to Amazon to grab you a copy!

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

A Terrible Accident That Could have Been Avoided

Hi everyone. Today I'm not posting my Teaser Tuesday, mainly because of yesterday's accident. I was not involved, but it did happen in front of me.

The incident involved a pickup truck and a pedestrian. I didn't seen it right at the moment it happened, but the driver of the bus in front of me did, and others who were coming to shift change also saw it happen. I heard this gasp from the people behind me--I'm not sure where my eyes were at the time of impact, but I looked up and saw a man on the ground next to a pick-up and the driver came out and around to look. We got on our radios to tell base to call 911. That's exactly when the man called too.

The driver of the pickup truck chose to go around our two buses, as we were making a right hand turn out of the student center. We had our signals on. The bus in front of me had stopped, because the pedestrian was crossing the road in her path. The driver of the pick up made the choice of passing us both, and hit the pedestrian--who could not have seen him--or expected a pick up to be coming around the bus.

We, as drivers, see this all the time, on a daily bases. People driving their vehicles making bad choices. Just an hour before this, my husband said a woman in her car had driven out an entrance (yes, she was in the wrong lane coming out of a subdivision), did NOT stop for traffic. My husband was on a stretch of road where the speed limit is 45. He was going 40. He had to break HARD in order to avoid her. Had he hit her--and I stress this--a 12.5 ton bus would have flipped the car over. She might not have survived at that speed of impact.

I'm not sure what people are thinking when they get into their cars, and choose to ignore basic traffic laws, which are there to protect them and others. Why would a person fly out of an entrance--just because they are late for class? Why would some one pass a bus when it is in the middle of making a right hand turn and go around the bus? Because they're in a hurry?  Numerous times people have gone out the inbound lane while the buses are lined up to turn right or left out of the student center. This is an accident also waiting to happen.

I really don't care if people think "I got away with not stopping, I can continue with my behavior without hurting anyone". No. You will not. Is it worth it to hurt or kill someone else--or yourself--just because you're in a frigging hurry? You don't like to wait behind a bus? You don't have one G.D. minute, or maybe not even that long to do what you're supposed to--like wait your turn?

At the writing of this I have no idea what the condition of this person is. He was unresponsive moments after the accident according to one of our drivers when she went up to see how he was. The driver of the bus in front of me was very shook up. There was nothing she could have done to prevent it. She didn't see this idiot coming around her. It's almost impossible to expect the unexpected in our jobs, but that's exactly what we are told and trained to do. One moment of not looking around, a relaxed moment where you feel as though you are in control can, in a split second, come to disaster.

As a driver for transit, I have to stress that we go slower because we are responsible for the people on board our buses, and those who are driving, walking and whatnot around us. It's almost impossible to take on this heavy load and not be stressed out at the end of a couple of shifts when you see shit happening around you and think "God that was close!"

I'm writing this as a personal request to all of you who drive. PLEEEEEEZ! Don't be in such a hurry that you cause an accident. The driver of the pick up will most likely get a ticket, he may be liable for this person's injuries... yada, yada. He might not have owned up to the fact it was his fault at that time when he spoke to the authorities, but there were witnesses who saw what happened. Sort of hard when this is the hub of action and people are coming and going.

And if you are a pedestrian or on a bike, consider what you are doing. Are you taking responsible actions? This person jay-walked in front of the bus. The cross walk was only 50 feet away. Why do people do this? Because they are lazy and in a hurry and have no doubt they will survive their moment of stupidity.

Friday, February 3, 2012

Lorelei Unplugged - When Fish Costs More than Steak & Killing People over a Game?

Well, kids, just got back from getting my hair cut. We go to Hair Cuttery, because my husband is very fussy about how his hair is cut. So, we've been going there for a while. It was $15. I got my hair washed. When she asked if I wanted it blow-dried (it was 30 out), I said yes. I think she told me it was $22. So, $7 for someone to blow my hair dry... well. I said no. I only had enough for the cut. I had a nice hair cut, and she put some nice stay-in conditioner (told me how much, if I wanted to buy it, of course--which I declined again).

I paid her and put my coat on, hood over my wet head and walked quickly next door to the grocery store where my husband was shopping.

I ducked into the ladies room and did my business and there is this nice warm blowing air coming out of a vent and I dried my hair that way--had to bend over, but that just made my hair fluffy--right?

I find my husband in the produce section. I didn't tell him about the blow drying thing (not until later).

We ventured to the meat department. My husband makes up the list, and knows what we will eat the next few nights. He owns this part of our life. I have nothing to do unless I have to cook it.

We go to the fish department. Catfish we find out cost more per pound than the two steaks we later purchased! Farm raised! When did catfish become a delicacy? We spent $100 total for groceries for the next 3 days. It's only the two of us. If we had kids we'd be on government aide! Like the woman in front of us who bought baby food, and the cashier was having to do something weird with a couple of pieces of paper the woman gave her, and she told us it was red tape they had to do.

Yesterday we went to a different store because it was closer and we could save on a few (only a few) items. This store has its draw backs. They had a lot of lunch meat sliced up--I mean it was mounds of it and it was at least a dozen different ones, maybe twice that much. Dennis tried some of the low sodium turkey. It was too dry. The guy tried to say that low sodium tends to be dry. We beg to differ. We think it was because this stuff had been sitting around too long. It wasn't fresh. We bought a different one. We had a pizza made up to take and bake it later. We spent $40 there.  Fortunately we save with a gas card from our other grocery store--even got a free car wash in the deal.

We know we aren't the only ones struggling. I just don't know how people actually get by. Prices keep on going up, but how do they expect people to pay for things if they keep this up? I think someone needs to kick some ass somewhere.

Oh, and speaking of that... In the news yesterday several people were killed over a SOCCER GAME! In Egypt, I guess. I mean what the hell? I'd like to raise hell for the price of food and our heating costs and someone gets up set over a frigging soccer game. PLEEEZ! Those people need a reality check!


Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Love Is In The Air....

Well, maybe.

Wow. Did you notice that your calendar changed over? It's February. What that means is I've got a few announcements as to what I'm doing and a few places I'll be this month. I've got a busy month ahead, and we'll see if I survive it.

First up, on the 6th I'll be hopping over to a good friend of mine from across the pond, Carole Gill (author of The House on Blackstone Moor). I'll be there just talking about writing in general, if you would like to join me for that.

Oh, and Valentine's Day--that week--I'll have two blog hops going at once. I'm going to also be giving away books--so you'll have to stop by and find out what and how to enter.

I'm doing the "Bloody Hearts Blog Hop" which goes on from the 13th through the 14th and the winner will be announced on the 15th










And I'll be on the Vampire's Day Soiree on the 14th, which also has a give away as well.

After that, on the 16th I've got an interview on Juniper Grove. And another give away.

Well, if that isn't enough, I will be live at a book signing in DeKalb's Barns & Noble, and hope to see a lot of my friends, family and local fans (and some not so local).

There you have it for my itinerary for this month. See you out there!

AUDIO BOOK NOW AVAILABLE!

Hi, everyone, I have some great news! My first Sabrina Strong book, Ascension, is now in an audio book format.  NOW THAT I HAVE YOUR ATTE...