Hidden staircases and secret passageways---what else would a haunted house have?
Remember, get to Goodreads and enter for a chance to win a signed copy of Grave Refrain before, as our ghosts would say, "Time runs out." http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/19103-grave-refrain-a-love-ghost-story
I'm doing a guest post over at Cozy Up with a Good Read. Much fun. I'll keep you posted with the details.
Why can't days have more hours and stronger coffee??
S.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Monday, January 30, 2012
Day 13 of 30 Days of Grave Refrain
As I've said before, this is a book to curl up with at the end of the night when you are sick and tired of real life--- although I'm still having a difficult time envisioning my mother reading certain sections---but hey, it will keep her heart pumping.
A special thanks to Sylvain Reynard for his Goodreads review of Grave Refrain. He didn't have to, he did, and I'm very thankful. He wrote a beautiful story involving a modern day interpretation of Dante and Beatrice entitled Gabriel's Inferno. I will be lost to my family for the rest of the night with it. http://www.amazon.com/Gabriels-Inferno-Sylvain-Reynard/dp/1936305623/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1327978458&sr=8-1
XO,
Sarah
A special thanks to Sylvain Reynard for his Goodreads review of Grave Refrain. He didn't have to, he did, and I'm very thankful. He wrote a beautiful story involving a modern day interpretation of Dante and Beatrice entitled Gabriel's Inferno. I will be lost to my family for the rest of the night with it. http://www.amazon.com/Gabriels-Inferno-Sylvain-Reynard/dp/1936305623/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1327978458&sr=8-1
XO,
Sarah
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Day 12 of 30 Days of Grave Refrain
Always listen to what a stoner spiritualist tells you. Especially when it has to do with your lifeline. Dwayne is a perfect combination of the Dude from the Big Lebowski and a bass player from a Black Sabbath cover band. Intrigued? Go to Goodreads and make sure you sign up! http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/19103-grave-refrain-a-love-ghost-story
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Day 11 of 30 Days of Grave Refrain
Never has ADD been so sexy. Trust me. An intelligent, handsome man who can't keep his hands still. That's all I'm saying...
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Day 10 of 30 Days of Grave Refrain
Ghosts should dress well, drink well, and have a droll sense of humor---well, except for Jacob Marley, but he had issues.
XO,
Sarah
XO,
Sarah
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Day 9 of 30 days of Ghosts, Romance and Rock and Roll
Late being the operative word.
So, let's talk rockers. Greatest male rocker of all time? Yes, I know, how can one decide. Give it a shot. Does he have a defining moment? (Fresh Air had a great segment on The Smiths, btw: http://www.npr.org/2012/01/25/145639280/long-live-the-smiths-complete-works)
So the man and his song. Hit me.
PS. As for me, what can I say, Bruce singing "Thunder Road." What did you expect??? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KngiJUNdsu0 "It's a town full of losers, I'm pulling outta here to win." Sweet Jesus...
So, let's talk rockers. Greatest male rocker of all time? Yes, I know, how can one decide. Give it a shot. Does he have a defining moment? (Fresh Air had a great segment on The Smiths, btw: http://www.npr.org/2012/01/25/145639280/long-live-the-smiths-complete-works)
So the man and his song. Hit me.
PS. As for me, what can I say, Bruce singing "Thunder Road." What did you expect??? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KngiJUNdsu0 "It's a town full of losers, I'm pulling outta here to win." Sweet Jesus...
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Day 8: Sex, Love, and Rock and Roll, quotes from Grave Refrain
While there is sex in this novel, there is also plenty of rock and roll. So, what is the greatest rock and roll song ever written? Inquiring minds want to know. Also, get you behinds over to Goodreads if you haven't entered the contest. Only 20 days left!!! http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/19103-grave-refrain-a-love-ghost-story
S.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Day 7 of Quotes from Grave Refrain: A Love/Ghost Story
Martinis should always factor into any work of fiction---either in the prose or on the desk of the writer.
Feel free to leave your favorite martini recipe in a comment. I will try them all.
If the Niners had to lose to anyone, Manning is one impressive quarterback... Let's get that Goodreads number to 500. http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/19103-grave-refrain-a-love-ghost-story
Also, save the date: April 5th at BookShop West Portal at 7pm. Bookreading and much merriment. Get your 1930s or 1940s attire now.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Day 6 of quotes from Grave Refrain: A Love/Ghost Story
What every story needs: stoner spiritualists. Think the Big Lebowski and Jeff Spicoli meet Alice Cooper and a cast of misfit Wiccan wannabes.
Great to be back in SF. Go Niners -- although I admit to having split alliances. And folks, please help raise those Goodreads numbers and up to 500 and register for a chance to win a signed copy of the book: http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/19103-grave-refrain-a-love-ghost-story
XO,
Sarah
Friday, January 20, 2012
Day 5 of 30 Days of Ghostly, Vintage Romance
Everyone is searching for something.
Last day in NJ. Everything is done that can be done. I am so thankful for my friends in SF that kept the machinery of hearth and home moving along perfectly. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Part of me is so tired that I don't have room for nostalgia. Natty and I tried to find the stalks of the peony bush near my mother's bedroom window, but winter has hidden it and tomorrow snow may hide it further. There is no surface I haven't cleaned, no box I haven't packed. Nightmares of the sound ripping packing tape, the sight of an unswept corner, or overlooked closet will haunt me for years.
I wanted to tell the painters something stupid like please take care of this house, please do her well and make her shine, please make her into something a family will want. A place where children will play in the backyard and run barefoot in the summer evenings. A basement to play hide and seek, an attic to curl up with a book and make plans of who they will become when they grow up. A den and back bedroom that face the setting sun.
The smell of my parents and of time is still rife in the walls, the open ceiling of the basement, the perfume of the linen closet. Memories permeate the walls and the floors, and sometimes I stand there and feel like I can't move, that I can't part from a place where so much love and life transpired.
But the heart of the house has left. My parents will be happy in their new life. I'm left to shut the door and look at the quince tree that left its fruit on the steps every autumn. The door I opened and the house I shouted into, "I'm home."
Home.
Last day in NJ. Everything is done that can be done. I am so thankful for my friends in SF that kept the machinery of hearth and home moving along perfectly. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Part of me is so tired that I don't have room for nostalgia. Natty and I tried to find the stalks of the peony bush near my mother's bedroom window, but winter has hidden it and tomorrow snow may hide it further. There is no surface I haven't cleaned, no box I haven't packed. Nightmares of the sound ripping packing tape, the sight of an unswept corner, or overlooked closet will haunt me for years.
I wanted to tell the painters something stupid like please take care of this house, please do her well and make her shine, please make her into something a family will want. A place where children will play in the backyard and run barefoot in the summer evenings. A basement to play hide and seek, an attic to curl up with a book and make plans of who they will become when they grow up. A den and back bedroom that face the setting sun.
The smell of my parents and of time is still rife in the walls, the open ceiling of the basement, the perfume of the linen closet. Memories permeate the walls and the floors, and sometimes I stand there and feel like I can't move, that I can't part from a place where so much love and life transpired.
But the heart of the house has left. My parents will be happy in their new life. I'm left to shut the door and look at the quince tree that left its fruit on the steps every autumn. The door I opened and the house I shouted into, "I'm home."
Home.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Day 4 of 30 Days of Ghostly, Vintage Romance
A quote from the acerbic women of Grave Refrain. Sign up to win a signed copy at: http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/19103-grave-refrain-a-love-ghost-story
As far as things go in NJ, although I didn't have to step over a drunk in the doorway, my parent's kitchen cabinets were not much better. My dear friend, Natty, came to the rescue with her secret formula for 1950 kitchen restoration. The place looks great and quite vintage on its own. Rewarded ourselves with Italian like only NJ can cook it. Forgot about jughandles and liquor stores (not that they have anything in common). So tired I could drop. So great to have the world's best editor handle those jug handles so I could drink for once!
As far as things go in NJ, although I didn't have to step over a drunk in the doorway, my parent's kitchen cabinets were not much better. My dear friend, Natty, came to the rescue with her secret formula for 1950 kitchen restoration. The place looks great and quite vintage on its own. Rewarded ourselves with Italian like only NJ can cook it. Forgot about jughandles and liquor stores (not that they have anything in common). So tired I could drop. So great to have the world's best editor handle those jug handles so I could drink for once!
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Day 3 of 30 Days of Ghostly, Vintage Romance
What's life without some incredible sex? Sign up to win a signed copy at http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/19103-grave-refrain-a-love-ghost-story
On a personal note, we said goodbye to our childhood home today. Very tough. Tears all around. This is a view of the sunset we used to see out of the kitchen window when we were growing up:
Miss everyone back in SF.
Love,
Sarah
Monday, January 16, 2012
Day 2 of 30 Days of Ghostly Romance
Meet Nora, one stylish, smart and very dead lady in a love. Interested, grab a hold of Grave Refrain: A Love/Ghost story. Enter to win a signed copy at: http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/19103-grave-refrain-a-love-ghost-story
A martini toast in your honor,
Sarah
A martini toast in your honor,
Sarah
Sunday, January 15, 2012
30 Days of Ghostly, Vintage Romance
For the next thirty days I will be posting a daily peek into Grave Refrain: A Love/Ghost Story in anticipation of its release on Valentine's Day, 2/14/12. Please share with friends and spread the word!
Here's the first look at Andrew, my tortured but quite charming leading man.
Much love, Sarah
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Rated R for Romantic: Grave Refrain Book Trailer
Yes, believe it or not, there are trailers for books too. Very exciting!
Check out Goodreads for a chance to win a signed copy of the Grave Refrain:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13349556-grave-refrain
Much love,
Sarah
Labels:
grave refrain,
trailer
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Grave Refrain Cover and Summary is here!!
Grave Refrain, my debut novel, is a darkly humorous tale of ghostly encounters, sexy intrigue, and rock-and-roll romance. Set against the backdrop of a dilapidated San Francisco Victorian, this modern day love story is rich with vintage charm.
Available from Omnific Publishing and for sale on Amazon and select bookstores on Valentine's Day, 2/14/12.
Available from Omnific Publishing and for sale on Amazon and select bookstores on Valentine's Day, 2/14/12.
Summary: Andrew Hayes, a brilliant but troubled musician, has been haunted since childhood by memories of his muse. One night from a San Francisco stage, he spots her, but before he can reach her, she vanishes from sight. Desperate to find the woman, he accepts a curious offer to stay in the city, moving into a dilapidated Victorian under going renovations that stir up far more than dust.
Andrew’s life soon becomes even more chaotic with the arrival of martini-swilling ghosts and a troupe of flesh-and-blood stoner spiritualists bringing bad tidings from the Great Beyond. The dark side of his obsession creates visions both thrilling and menacing, and as he struggles to solve the mysteries threatening him, Andrew discovers his life is repeating a refrain more deadly than he’d ever imagined.
Inspired by the sexy noirs and comedies of the past, Grave Refrain transports the reader to a place where the things that go bump in the night not only thrill you, but might just take your breath away for good.
Stay tuned for more exciting posts as the release date approaches. But right now, I need your support. Tweet, reblog, or Facebook this posting. Go Grave Refrain!!
...because when it comes to true love, one lifetime is never enough.
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