Sample Issue: August 2009
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THE PRIVATEER NEWSLETTER
Dispatches and miscellany from author Danielle Thorne
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Ahoy!
Welcome aboard. This month’s newsletter features:
Update on the New Voices Competition [Captain’s Log]
Amish Romance? [Poop Deck]
Review of FREE FALLING [Crow’s Nest]
Addicting Caramel Corn [Galley]
Can Men Write Romance? [Powder Keg]
New Releases [Spotter’s Hail]--NEW!
Fun Facts [Abaft the Beam]
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Captain’s Log:
It’s been a busy month since the New Voices 2010 writing competition kicked off. I’ve questioned my sanity since volunteering to co-chair this contest for teens, but I’m trying to remind myself that it’s all for a good cause, even if I feel like a floundering fish. There’s nothing like hands-on experience! Check out our new website at www.newvoicesyoungwriters.com.
Speaking of hands-on, I am happy to report I am almost halfway through my next contemporary romance set in Newnan, Georgia, and of course, the Caribbean. I can’t seem to keep pirates or beaches out of my novels. FYI, my first release, THE PRIVATEER, has been entered in the 2009-2010 Epic Competition in the Historical category. I am hoping to place as a finalist this year. Next year, I’ll sweep. Bwa, ha, ha, ha! Thank you to Karen Nutt for an awesome review of THE PRIVATEER over at Goodreads.com (http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/66808221).
Poop Deck:
Very interesting news of a growing sub-genre in the Romance field: Amish Romance. Evidently there are an increasing number of Amish romances catching the eye of publishers. As to whether these Amish romances are all “sweet” or turn “hot”, remains to be seen, but according to an article in TIME, these “bonnet books” hitting the best seller lists are chaste stories that bring to life sweet romance in a slow-paced world of sacrifice and faith. Word is that many Amish groups have banned the tomes, but it’s not stopping an Amish-based readership from growing up. At best, this should encourage everyone to write romances from whatever background they choose. Love IS universal.
Crow’s Nest Review:
Title: FREE FALLING
Author: SANDY JAMES
Publisher: BOOKSTRAND
This was delightful fun. I was intrigued to have a heroine who was an "empath." Since this story was about her finding love despite having special abilities, I realized I needed to read more of the series to see her in action. After reading this, I definitely want to. Great hero and heroine inter-action with fleshed out characters that were unique and a fun change, from appearances to personalities. A nasty villain does a great turn as a psycho--always fun stuff. A wonderful gangster-era mystery woven into the storyline moved the action forward. For me, this was a page turner, and I don't say that often because I read on a tiny screen on my i-phone. A fun, suspenseful romance that doesn't disappoint. Note: Heat Rating is Sensual to Hot.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Powder Flasks [You’re the Bomb!]
Galley:
DANIELLE’S CARAMEL CORN CRUNCH
6 cups of popped Kettle Corn, such as Act II Microwave Kettle Corn
3 cups of rice cereal squares such as Rice Chex
2 cups of honey and nut oat cereal such as Cheerios
1 cup of salted cashews
1 cup of chopped pecans
2 cups of brown sugar
1 cup of butter or margarine
½ cup of light corn syrup
2 teaspoons of vanilla
½ teaspoon of baking soda
1 pinch of cinnamon
Stir the first five ingredients in a lightly greased baking or roasting pan and set aside. In a medium saucepan, bring the brown sugar, butter, and corn syrup up to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. When mixture begins to boil, STOP stirring, and time for five precise minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla, baking soda, and cinnamon. Pour over popcorn and stir until coated evenly. Bake at 250 degrees for one hour, stirring every twenty minutes. Spread on wax paper or paper towels to cool completely. Break into pieces. Stores well in an airtight container for two weeks…but it never lasts that long.
Powder Keg:
A growing number of men are writing romance, and from the female point of view. Can anybody do it better than Nicholas Sparks? Sweet Romance writers that I know, say YES. So does Larry Hammersley. This author has no problem telling a love story, and the word is he does it right proud. I’ve seen great reviews for his sweet romance, MOTORCYLCE WOMAN, and his book, LAB PARTNERS (http://www.thewildrosepress.com/larry-hammersley-m-249.html) is on my To Be Read list. How do you feel about men writing romance?
Spotter’s Hail:
Contemporary Sweet Romance Coming Soon: TURTLE SOUP by Danielle Thorne
http://www.awe-struck.net/comingsoon.html
Sweet Romantic Suspense September 15th: Anne Patrick’s JOURNEY TO REDEMPTION
http://www.suspensebyanne.blogspot.com/
Abaft the Beam:
DID YOU KNOW?
The number of guns affixed to a ship’s name (64 or 38, for example) had nothing to do with the size of the guns, only the number on board. Thus, a large ship could have a mix of smaller sizes and not necessarily be weighted down with all 32-pounders. Also note, the (British) Navy did not take in to account carronades, but only counted the long guns. For you landlubbers, we’re talking cannons here! (Source: The World of Jack Aubrey; Miller, David)
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Thanks for signing on.
See you next voyage!
daniellethorne
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Q: How do you judge a pirate’s intelligence?
A. With an AYE-Q Test!
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©Danielle Thorne This newsletter may be forwarded, quoted, and pirated in any responsible and respectable way. Just give me some credit, ya scallywag, by leaving in me byline!
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