My Quiet New York ... by Anna Taylor Sweringen

Being a native New Yorker the roar and rush that is the normal pace of the city ran in me from sunrise to sunset. I took for granted how the city never sleeps, even if I rarely took advantage of the attractions that draw most tourists there like the Chrysler Building and Radio City Music Hall.

New York at Night

Yet amid the famous and infamous pace attributed to NYC, the city gave me a soul-satisfying quiet that kept me anchored in what was important to me. I think that’s why my favorite song from the musical Hamilton is Quiet Uptown. The song is a reminder that New York has places of quiet that soothe and calm.

Four Freedoms Park

This is a view of the UN from Four Freedoms Park. Located on the south end of Roosevelt Island, the park is a tribute to FDR’s famous four freedoms speech. I’d go there and just sit and let the quiet calm of the East River wash over me.

Promenade and Ferry

Another of my quiet places was the Brooklyn Promenade. You’d think a walkway built over a highway would be noisy, but sitting on one of the benches with Brooklyn Heights behind and the lower Manhattan skyline before always filled me with peace. I got the same sense of stillness riding the best free water ride available: the Staten Island Ferry. Just looking at this photo I can smell the ocean and the feel of the breeze on my face as I gazed at Lady Liberty.

The grandeur of the 42^nd street branch of the New York Public Library worked its magic on me too.  I’d go to the main reading room, fondly remembering thumbing through the old card catalogues then requesting a book and sitting on the bench until my number appeared until I could pick it up just like in the scene in Breakfast At Tiffany’s.

New York Public Library Reading Room

Now it’s a research library now but the majesty of the murals painted in tribute to the written word instills a sumptuous stillness of their own.

New York Public Library Murals

It’s no coincidence that my contemporary stories are located in the quiet places I’ve claimed in Harlem, too. St. Nicholas Park. City College. Strivers Row.

Harlem - St. Nicholas Park, City College, Strivers Row

It’s not only quiet uptown but all over the city if you know where to look. I hope you’ll be able to experience my quiet New York someday.

Haunted Harlem

 

Social media links:

Website: www.annamtaylor.webs.com

Anna M. Taylor FB Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/annamtaylorAuthor

Amazon author page:  https://amzn.to/355nKv0

Anna M. Taylor newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/7d60e5679ab4/anna-m-taylor-writes

Twitter: @revannable

Anna Wessels Williams M.D.

by Diana McCollum

 

I had never heard of Anna Wessels Williams. Anna Wessels Williams, 1863-1954, lived life to the fullest. She was fun loving and loved adventure.  During her free time she would ride in stunt planes feeling free in the stomach-dropping danger and the exalted feeling of gliding, something not everyone could enjoy.

 

Anna’s sister lost her baby and almost died during childbirth because the person taking care of her was not knowledgable. This inspired Anna to attend  medical school as she wanted to know as much as possible about the medical practices. She enrolled in the Women’s medical college of New York.

 

After graduating in 1891, she stayed on at the college as an instructor in pathology and hygiene.

 

During that time she also volunteered at the first New York City Department of Health’s diagnostic laboratory. 

 

In 1894, she was able to isolate a strain of the very infectious disease diphtheria while volunteering.

 

Diphtheria was almost at epidemic levels with many, many children dying and adults very sick and dying. It not only did it cause fever or chills, but also attacked the heart and nervous system.

 

In 1890 Emil von Behring discovered an antitoxin for diphtheria and he needed a toxin to activate it. Anna isolated a  bacterium where the toxin was 500 times more potent. This discovery happened in 1894, during her first year at the Dept of Health and she was a volunteer at the time.

The next year she was  hired as an assistant bacteriologist.

 

Anna went on to help produce the vaccine for rabies. She spent her career researching venereal disease, eye infections influenza, pneumonias meningitis and smallpox.

 

In 1934 New York City mayor Fiorello La Guardia forced everyone over 70, including Anna, to retire.

 

I admire her. In a time when women couldn’t vote, were looked down upon for holding jobs she was instrumental  in stopping the Diphtheria epidemic.

 

Who do you admire from the past?

 

 

 

Holiday Reads ... by Delsora Lowe

I live for romantic holiday books. And I do love to write them. So, here’s my list of fun and recent holiday releases, from some of my favorite authors and a few newly discovered authors.

Christmas Baby for the Billionaire, by Donna Alward (October 1, 2019)

I love Alward’s books, and have been reading her stories ever since she handed me a free book after I missed her book signing, years ago. I tried to thrust my money into her hand. Really, I did.

After an unforgettable, summer vacation fling, an unexpected pregnancy brings the mother and unsuspecting, billionaire father together at Christmas time. Can two people from different economic backgrounds and from two countries (a small, coastal town in Canada and the heart of New York City) find common ground, and eventually love? Lovely scenes of the holidays in both rural and big city settings, great descriptions, and real-to-life characters who struggle to find love and personal happiness, but eventually do in each other.

Wrapped Up in You, by Jill Shalvis (September 24, 2019)

I’ve enjoyed this series by Shalvis and was excited to see a Christmas book. Set in San Francisco and part of a series about a community of friends bonded by their small enclave in the middle of the city, I’ve looked forward to each book about characters previously introduced. Hot, feisty, sensual, heartfelt, angsty, this book stands up to the others in the series. Although not a ton of Christmas, it does end on a sweet note on Christmas Eve (do not read further if you don’t want to know the ending overview, even though is it a romance and all romances end this way,) where both the hero and heroine finally are settled and feel fully accepted by family and friends in the series community that Shalvis has so beautifully built.

The Trouble with Christmas, by Amy Andrews (September 24, 2019)

A new author to me, I will definitely buy other books. Fast-moving, humorous, and tongue-in-cheek dialogue and internal thoughts, engaging, quirky, stellar descriptions, brooding and hot hero, and heroine who can’t seem to avoid finding and creating trouble as she finds herself, and as a result helps the hero find himself. What more could you want in an endearing holiday story about finding your true north star and an unexpected love.

Lavender & Mistletoe, by Donna Kaufman (September 24, 2019)

Donna Kaufman is another favorite author. I love this series that takes place in Blue Hollow Falls in the mountains of Virginia. Lots of snow, a baby goat, Christmas cheer, and an endearing discovery of love. This one is an extremely sweet with lots of heat novella, about two characters with the same unique experiences, who have never been able to relate to others. The perfect match, but one that takes a bit of matchmaking by friends (from previous stories) for the characters to realize they are meant for each other. A lot packed into this shorter story.

Romancing the Holidays, an anthology, by Annie Seaton, Susanne Bellamy, Monique McDonell, Ebony McKenna, Kris Pearson, Ashley Logan, Shirley Wine, Anne Kemp, Susan Downham, Sofia Grey, Gudrun Frerichs (SP) (November 1, 2019)

A variety of eleven heartwarming and steamy stories of Christmas from the other side of the equator gives the reader a fun look at the holidays from a different perspective than mine (which is cold and snow and all that goes with holiday planning in northeast USA.) I love discovering new-to-me authors and look forward to reading other books by my new-found friends, who are authors from Australia, New Zealand (one by way of the US and one by way of Germany), and the West Indies.

Cocoa & Carols, by Marianne Rice (November 1, 2019)

Marianne writes contemporary romance, located in Maine. She has several not-to-miss series. This holiday story is her second in the Wilton Hills Christmas series. A stranger to town is welcomed at Thanksgiving by a big, raucous, fun-loving family. Throw in a handsome and kind oldest son, lots of Christmas merriment, a production of The Christmas Carol, and an adorable dog, and you have a sweet tale of fulfilling a dream of fitting in and small-town hospitality with a happily-ever-after at Christmas.

Eight Nights to Win Her Heart, Ronnie Denholz (October 18, 2019)

A sweet, with a good amount of heat, novella. After breaking up with her long-term boyfriend, he begs for a second chance and sets out to redeem himself over the eight days of Hanukkah. A heartfelt rebuilding of an already loving relationship, with healthy sprinkling of Hanukkah events with family and friends.

All I want for Christmas is You, by Miranda Liasson (October 29, 2019)

So much fun to revisit the folks from Angel Falls and watch the relationship between two friends grow from forever friends into the love they’ve both tried to hide from themselves and their families. Both sweet and hot, cathartic and crushing, the ride through this book is a rollercoaster of emotions and full of Christmas cheer and loving families. Oh, and lots and lots of bakery products, including a ton of chocolate.

If Wishes Were Earls, by Luanna Stewart (March 13, 2017)

This is a re-released book, but I had to add it, because I loved this book. Stewart’s underlying sense of humor permeates this story about an adventurous spinster miss who, directed by an intriguing note and an enchanted keepsake, stumbles upon a dark, isolated, and mysterious manor house and the earl who is equally dark, tortured, and mysterious. But he’s got his work cut out for him when the fearless heroine gets snowed in and proceeds to undermine every single thing he ever thought he held true, as she searches out all his secrets. A fun, sexy romp featuring a hermit, earl hero who has met his match with an unconventional heroine. Warning, lots of snow and cold weather, making for cozy, warm, and hot scenes in the Victorian manor.

It Started with Joy by Cindy Kirk (November 1, 2019)

A widowed, temporary foster mom, works to give a child a Christmas to remember. But when she falls in love with the child and a new man in town, all three find a second chance at happiness. A little bit of hot, with a lot of sweet Christmas activities, in the snowy town of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. And a group of secondary characters who all have heartwarming stories of their own, in this revised, re-release of one of the books in a fun former Silhouette series. PS – I read this series back when, but somehow missed this lovely story. Now I can’t wait to reread the rest as they are again released.

Do you have any new holiday reads that you recommend?

Come Dance with Me (Oct 2017) – my own holiday storyImprovisational jazz musician meets buttoned up English teacher—will the Christmas lights sparkle or shatter before the dance ends?

Amazon
http://amzn.to/2Ev2rHc
D2D
https://www.books2read.com/u/bMrQva

The Rancher Needs a Wife (Oct 2019 – new release)

WANTED: Workaholic cowboy needs hardy woman to manage household and motley family. “Girly” widows, with small children, who sell naughty lingerie need not apply.

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Rancher-Needs-Cowboys-Mineral-Springs-ebook/dp/B07YXB5C4W/

D2D 
books2read.com/u/bxv56d

~ cottages to cabins ~ keep the home fires burning ~Delsora Lowe writes small town sweet romances and contemporary westerns from the mountains of Colorado to the shores of Maine.

Author of the Starlight Grille series, Serenity Harbor Maine novellas, and the Cowboys of Mineral Springs series, Lowe has also authored short romances for Woman’s World magazine

Social Media Links:
Author website: www.delsoralowe.com
Author FaceBook page: fb.me/delsoraloweauthor
Amazon Author page: https://www.amazon.com/Delsora-Lowe/e/B01M61OM39/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
Books2Read Author page: https://www.books2read.com/ap/8GWm98/Delsora-Lowe
BookBub Author Page: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/delsora-lowe-93c6987f-129d-483d-9f5a-abe603876518
Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16045986.Delsora_Lowe

Romancing the Writer in Me/ RWA Conference 2015

By Marcia King-Gamble
www.lovemarcia.com

http://amzn.com/B013U5ADOY

I grew up in New York, so naturally when this year's  Romance Writers of America's  conference  was held there, I couldn't miss it.  Now be warned,  I am a lousy conference attendee, and I rarely show up for  anything - keynote speeches being the exception and only if they are scheduled  after nine. Yet there isn't a conference that I've attended where I did not end up accomplishing something big,  and that includes selling a  few books.

Every agent I've ever had, I met at  a conference. Every editor I've had the good fortune to work with, started off as a chance encounter  Mind you, what works for me may not work for you, but  do not underestimate the power of networking. Combined with  your awesome talent, networking can and does open doors.

If you are the gregarious type, then by all means use that asset.  For someone like me, far better suited to yucking it  up in a bathroom or coffee shop, sitting through a workshop can be difficult.Workshops of course do serve their  purpose. Writers need to keep up with what's going on in the industry. I call it Minding Your Business

So I did pop in on one or two workshops and left with several kernels of wisdom. However, what works for me best, is getting out and about, meeting people. Weeks before I leave for a conference, I reach out to people and I set up appointments. This year I was super organized and those appointments found their way to an app. I even had a little buzzer alert me when I was at the ten minute mark.


 Here's my story, over eighteen years ago, I met my first editor at a  conference. I was totally clueless as to her identity and I don't recall if she ever did provide  a title, but a connection was made. It may have to do with me not being awed. Remember I didn't know who she was. We fell into easy conversation, none of which centered around publishing.  At that time, the line I would eventually end up writing for wasn't in existence, but six months later it was, and guess who my editor was, and guess who got a two book contract? I also met my first agent this way.

At these events you'd be amazed who you meet. We all have our idols and writers whose voices we love. Just  fancy rubbing elbows with the incomparable, Nora Roberts and RWA's president, Cindy Kirk, whom I was fortunate enough to work with on a Harlequin Mediterranean Night's series eons ago.

 

Back to the RWA 2015 Conference. My goals this year were to meet with my agent -  since face to face beats e-mails any day. I also wanted to pitch a story that has sat in my computer gathering cobwebs and catch up with industry friends.

I did all that, the added bonus being Restaurant Week in The City, and the perfect opportunity to sample some very nice places at a very nice price. Below is a picture of author friends at one of my all time favorite restaurants, Gotham Bar and Grill.

        LR authors Mary Leo, Carla Neggers, Joan Johnston, Laura Castoro Parker (AKA D.D. Ayres,) Sandra Kitt and me!

Years ago, someone gave me  a sage piece of advice that stuck - talk to everyone. That advice held true in a bathroom. There I was, applying lipstick, and chatting up a very nice woman who turned out to be an editor for a house I once wrote for. She liked my writing voice and invited me to submit to her.

During my pitch to an editor, I found common ground. His stepmother was an "Island Girl,"  and so am I. The story I was pitching happened to be set in the islands. He asked to see it. Kismet?

A meet up for coffee, with shop talk off limits, turned into a conversation about a current project and an opportunity that could be huge. A stop to support a friend at a book signing, led to a potential collaboration of sorts.    


While I didn't get to collaborate with the talented lady below,  I  enjoyed meeting Jude Deveraux - the epitome of graciousness.

What I am saying, is that some of your best connections are made in places you least expect it.  Just like any business, people hire the people they like. So be  your most charming and don't judge the "book" by the cover.

Speaking of covers, here is the cover of my latest novella scheduled to be released this week. Please check Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Apple. Reviews are very much appreciated!

Marcia King-Gamble is  a Caribbean/American national bestselling author with over thirty two books to her credit.

Victorian High Society in New York

by Tamara Hughes

I’ve been reading historical romance for what seems like forever, which makes me feel old, so we’ll just say it’s been a long time, but not THAT long.

So it made sense when I first started writing to try my hand at historical romance. And I found that it’s really hard. There’s a lot of research involved, from what the characters wear and etiquette of the time to if they used coat hangers, oil lamps or candles, and a feather quill or an ink pen. I have to admit that sometimes it seems overwhelming, and yet, in a sense I love researching time periods. The tough part is deciding the when and where to set the story.

Fifth Avenue, center of Victorian Era New York high society.

For my first book, Once Upon a Masquerade, I gave a lot of thought to this question. I’m someone who likes to discover new things, so I decided pretty quickly that I didn’t want to write a Regency romance. I’d read too many. What I hadn’t read was an American set romance. That got me thinking, and researching.

Alva Vanderbilt costumed for
her 1883 masquerade ball.

During Victorian times, high society in New York was very similar to that of London. In fact, those with wealth and prestige attempted to emulate their English counterparts. They had lavish balls, their own season, and their dresses made by French and English designers.

But of course there were differences. New York City had a constant stream of immigrants who came to America for a better life, and soon the rich and poor lived right next to one another. By Victorian times, the poor were starting to rebel against their stature in society. Why were the rich considered so much better than everyone else? And it was here that I started to imagine what it was like for a servant working for an elite family. To see how the other half lived, and know that lifestyle was beyond their reach. Therefore, my first book became a Cinderella type story.

Building the Brooklyn Bridge.

The Victorian history of New York is rich with amazing feats, like the building of the Brooklyn Bridge, the grand unveiling of the Statue of Liberty, and masquerade balls like nothing you’d see today. The Vanderbilt masquerade ball in the opening of Once Upon a Masquerade was based on the real thing. I was awed by the original and extravagant costumes. For instance, Alice Vanderbilt dressed as “electric light” in white satin embroidered with diamonds, inspired by Thomas Edison and his success in lighting lower Manhattan six months earlier.

There is so much to explore in this place and time, I’d like to set more books here if nothing more than to plop my characters into the history books and imagine what it must have been like.

Sports, History Collide in New Boxing Romance

By Koko Brown 

Koko Brown

A couple of weeks ago I released my second sports-themed romance, Jezebel. The story revolves  

around a complacent exhibition boxer and a functioning alcoholic dancer during the Great Depression. Sound like a downer? It’s not I just chose to write characters who weren’t so darn perfect they make your teeth ache.

So how did Jezebel come about from a ten year old manuscript? Last, summer I wanted to publish a story right away. As anyone knows in this business, your next book is the best publicity. Unfortunately, my muse had a different plan. After I pulled Heart of Harlem (the original name of the story) out of an archived file folder, I realized how much fun I had writing my soccer romance, Players’ Ultimatum.   

The setting and the plot remained somewhat the same, but the character development received a major overhaul. And I enjoyed every minute of it.  Not only am I a sports fanatic, I’m also a huge history buff.  For this manuscript, I delved into everything from the Harlem Renaissance, social manners/etiquette, period clothing, Broadway musicals, Naval brigs, race movies, the first independent film companies, and about three dozen personal histories of boxers’ who fought between 1899-1950.  

I loved every single minute of it! I discovered Young Stribling, one of the first boxers to become a millionaire. He never fought in a title match, but made his money traveling across America during the Great Depression fighting exhibition matches. I ran across one of the coolest maps detailing “the fun to be had” in Harlem’s nightlife scene during the 1930s.  From this map alone, I was able find the names of lesser known nightclubs, what dances were popular during the time and how important the daily number was for many of the community’s inhabitants. Practically the whole city, considering the money to be made from the racket caused one of the biggest gangland wars in history. Dutch Shultz ring any bells? 

As a writer of a sports-themed romance, I also wanted to make sure that readers got a taste of the sport.  I hate reading a story about a professional athlete who never gets on the field or inside the ring.  In my opinion, that’s not poor character development. On the other hand, because I write romance I also keep the action to a minimum. I always have to remind myself that the hero isn’t romancing the other team or his opponent, his eyes should remain firmly on the prize, which is the heroine.  

All in all, I feel Jezebel really captures the essence of New York City during the 1930s. Hopefully, my readers will get the same enjoyment out of reading it as I did writing it. 

Want to learn more about me and my books?  Visit my official website: www.kokobrown.net.  For more about Jezebel or to read an excerpt, visit: www.kokobrown.net/taginterracialeroticromance/jezebel