Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Two Great Reviews for Finding Passion!

BrandyWine at Enchanting Reviews gave Finding Passion
5 Enchantments! Here's some of what she said:

FINDING PASSION is the perfect combination of love, lust, and marriage.

Ms. Tyner shows how we can all make mistakes but at the same time make them right by giving the person we love everything we are and treasuring everything they give back.

I rate this book a perfect 5 Enchantments.



Click HERE to read the entire review.



I also received a review from Rosemary at Joyfully Reviewed. Here's what she had to say:

Finding Passion is a lesson in lack of communication. Pamela Tyner illustrates the pain and misunderstandings that comes from not expressing your wishes. I enjoyed the sensual revelations in this second-chance love story.

Click HERE to read the entire review.

Monday, October 29, 2007

Bat Out Of Hell

Thirty years ago this month, in October 1977, Meatloaf’s Bat Out of Hell album was released.

This is my absolute favorite album. Over the years, I’ve purchased many copies of it (I wear it out and have to keep replacing it).

Even my teenage sons, who normally aren’t impressed at all with the music I listen to, love this album. So, today I’m posting videos of their favorite songs from it. The videos suck, but the songs are fantastic!

#1 son’s favorite: Two Out Of Three Ain't Bad



#2 son’s favorite: Paradise By The Dashboard Light
(I wonder if that has anything at all to do with the fact that #2 son is a baseball player, and this song includes a portion of a baseball game broadcast?)

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Reminder--I’m Guest Blogging Today And Giving Away A Prize!

Just a reminder that I’m guest blogging today HERE.

Please drop by!

Leave a comment on the post and your name will be entered into a drawing for a pdf download of my novella Finding Passion. The winner will be announced on Halloween.

And while you’re there, be sure to take at look at the other authors’ guest blog posts from this month. Many of them are also giving away prizes.

Saturday, October 27, 2007

Rain At Last!

We’re finally getting some rain, which is desperately needed since we’re in the middle of a drought. It’s been raining for a few days now (off and on), but it’s supposed to end today :(

They’re predicting a grand total of approximately 4 inches. Considering that our lake levels are more than 8 feet below normal, it’s a far cry from what we need, but it’s certainly better than nothing.

And at least there have been no fires here, something I'm very thankful for. I’m beginning to think that California’s just going to burn completely up.

Friday, October 26, 2007

Birth Order Characteristics/Continuation From Yesterday's Post

Characteristics of the oldest child:
* High achievers
* Perfectionist
* Responsible
* Take on a leadership role
* Play by the rules/concerned with 'fairness'
* Want approval from others


Characteristics of the middle child:
* Flexible
* Diplomatic
* Peacemaker
* Good at negotiation and compromise


Characteristics of the youngest child:
* Outgoing
* Have the ability to 'charm' others
* Risk takers
* Question authority
* Often considered spoiled, demanding, impatient, self-centered
* Remain 'the baby' by expecting others to do things for them, make decisions, and take responsibility


Characteristics of an 'only' child:
* Only children tend to have a lot of the same characteristics as oldest children.


Of course, not all children display all tendencies associated with their birth order. But, generally speaking, I think most people tend to have the majority of those traits (to some degree, at least). And I think when writing, authors benefit a great deal from being aware of the traits and incorporating them into their characters' development.

I just realized that to date every single one of my heroes and heroines have been first or only born children. I wonder if that’s because I’m an oldest child so it’s easier for me to identify with them? Hmmm. I’ll have to keep that in mind with my upcoming stories. It would be fun, I think, to write a middle or a youngest child.

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Using Birth Order To Develop Characters

A few years ago, I read the book A Passionate Proposal by Emilie Rose (Silhouette Desire, August 2004). The hero (a youngest child) and the heroine (an oldest child) grew up in the same town. They meet up at their high school reunion, and here’s a part of the conversation that they share:

Hero: "What you doing now?"
Heroine: "Teaching."
Hero: "I didn’t know you wanted to teach."
Heroine: "We never discussed my plans. We focused on your goals."
Hero: "Ouch. Was I selfish SOB?"
Heroine: "No. You were the youngest in your family. The world tends to revolve around the one occupying that niche."

I smiled when I read it, because, in my opinion, it’s generally true of youngest children.

As I continued reading, I was thinking, “This author has nailed these characters.” One way she did that was by using their birth order personality traits to the fullest advantage in the story.

There are some psychologists who feel that birth order does not affect personality development, but they’re definitely in the minority. Most psychologists believe that it does, and I happen to agree with them. Of course someone’s personality is not based on birth order alone. Many other factors come into play, but I think birth order does contribute tremendously.

Come back tomorrow and let’s talk about the different traits associated with oldest, middle, youngest, and only children.

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Domestic Violence Awareness AND Breast Cancer Awareness

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month AND Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

These two very important issues deserve all the attention they can get, so please take a minute to click on the links below and learn more.

  • National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
  • National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
  • Sunday, October 21, 2007

    The Winner Is...

    A huge thanks to everyone who participated in my October blog contest/drawing. I really enjoyed reading your comments, and I hope you’ll continue to visit my blog and share your thoughts on other subjects.

    I had my husband draw a name out of the hat, and the winner is...Cynthya P. from Indiana.

    Congrats, Cynthya! You should receive your prize--a copy of Bewitched, Bothered & BeVampyre--sometime next week. Happy Reading!

    Please remember to check my website and blog the beginning of November for information about my next contest.

    Thursday, October 11, 2007

    Halloween Blog Party--Win Prizes!

    Amy S. is hosting a Halloween Blog Party HERE. From October 10th through the end of the month a variety of authors are guest blogging. Many are giving away prizes!

    I’m scheduled to guest blog on October 28th and will be giving away a pdf download of my novella Finding Passion.

    Come and join the party!

    Monday, October 01, 2007

    Contest/Drawing! Tell Me Your Turn-offs

    When you were dating, what thing(s) could a person do that would make you move them from the category of "I might like to date them/continue dating them" to the "Never in this lifetime would I date them/go on another date with them" category?

    Here are a few of mine:
    ** constant bragging
    ** making critical/belittling remarks about others that are uncalled for
    ** being self-centered
    You know the type--it’s all about them. Apparently as children they never learned that the world doesn’t revolve around them.
    ** being judgmental
    I think we’re all judgmental to some degree, but some people take it to the extreme

    Leave a comment on this post and tell me your turn-offs!

    As an incentive, everyone who replies will be entered into a drawing for a copy of Bewitched, Bothered & BeVampyre. Since we celebrate Halloween this month, I though a book containing witches, vampires, shifters, etc, would make a very appropriate prize :) This book is a collection of short stories by twenty authors, including Gena Showalter, PC Cast, Susan Grant, MaryJanice Davidson, Vicki Lewis Thompson, Rachel Carrington, and more.

    You have until October 20th to leave a comment. On October 21st, I will choose one winner at random. Be aware that if you are the winner, your name and state (or country) of residency will be posted on my blog and website.

    I DO need your email address so I can contact you in the event that you win the drawing. If I can backtrack and locate an address for you (for example, an email address listed on blogger), then that’s wonderful. If not, then you need to send your email address, along with a copy of your post, to pamelatyner@hotmail.com The winner will be notified by email and will have one week to reply. If there's no reply after seven days a new winner will be drawn.