Monday, November 15, 2010

Chocolate Song

If Alexandra wrote a song about Chocolate, would you buy it? I mean, there really aren't enough songs about chocolate out there, is there?

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Books, books and more books!

There are many genres of books out there, it may be hard to choose at times. What types of genres do YOU like?

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

T-Shirts

If we were going to produce t-shirts for our book, which image would make the most impact:

1. A box of chocolate
2. The book cover image on our Facebook page (Semi-Sweet Sarcophagus)
3. The phrase: "Live simply. Eat chocolate for breakfast, lunch & dinner."

Let us know YOUR thoughts!

Monday, October 11, 2010

Sex

We may not write saucy sex scenes in our books, but that doesn't mean we don't think about them.

Friday, October 8, 2010

Random Item

Did you know that Alexandra has a cooking blog?
www.thekamikazecook.blogspot.com

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Literacy

Over 1 BILLION people in the world are illiterate. (FAO Newsroom) 20% of American adults cannot read above the 5th grade level. (Educational-Portal)

These statistics are scary, but we can help. By reading to and with your children, donating time to read stories to children in classrooms, mentoring young adults or assisting with Adult Literacy Programs, we can change lives for the better and create a more stable economy.

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Test your knowledge!

In our second book, we make reference to a dish known as Hakarl. Without cheating, who can tell us what it is and from which country this dish hails?

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Another Sneak Peek!

"I park in the driveway because I'm too lazy to walk from the curb. When she opens the door, I'm concerned that I've reached the wrong house and that vampires have moved into the neighborhood. It turns out that it's just Mishka and I should have brought garlic soup instead of chicken."

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Another contest!

You've likely seen the contest on this blog, to name the title to the third installment of this book series. Now...we've got a Facebook page and you can check out the second contest we're having! (Semi-Sweet Sarcophagus)

Don't wait- check it out and let us know what you think!

Monday, September 13, 2010

Language is a mouthful...

Some languages are similar to others, like French, English, Spanish and even Tagalog. Some languages are very expressive and visual, like Sign Language. Then, there are those really tough languages like Russian, Icelandic and Chinese. Get a cold sweat just thinking about learning those!

Do YOU know multiple languages? If so, which?

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Sneak Peek

"His face was handsome, his eyes twinkled a rusty brown/gold/green hue and his chin had a genuine cleft in it. Right off the romance novel covers!"

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Main Street USA

As we mentioned before, our story is set in a small town in California called Lake Elsinore and we have a street called "Main Street". Does YOUR town have one too?

Sunday, September 5, 2010

See's Candies

See's is one of our favorite chocolate brands. The first store opened in 1921 in Los Angeles, and has been going strong ever since. Thank goodness too as I don't know what I'd do if I couldn't get any Scotchmallows!

Which brand of chocolate is YOUR favorite?

Monday, August 30, 2010

Travel bug?

Has anyone travelled out of the country? In our book, Semi-Sweet Sarcophagus, the main character talks about going to a couple of different countries. Where have YOU gone?

Thursday, August 26, 2010

I'm all a twitter....

Yes, it's true. We've joined the twitter family. Our login is "SemiSweetBooks". Feel free to follow us there AND here. Fun, Fun, Fun!

Friday, August 20, 2010

What is family?

In our book, Semi-Sweet Sarcophagus, we investigate what a family really is. Do you have to be blood related or married into a family? Does a family have to get along and share the same thoughts?

We can loosely define a "family" as any group of people who choose to be together and typically share the same mind-set on most issues. The great news about choosing your family is that you can always "un-choose" them if you want to!

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Bolo!

Bolo Ties are the official "neckwear" of Arizona. New Mexico took it a step further by having the Governor of the state sign into law that the bolo tie is the state's official tie.

What do these facts tell us? They need more to do in these states- perhaps eating more chocolate would kill some time.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Comedy Improvisation

In our book, Semi-Sweet Sarcophagus, the lead character Max volunteers at a Senior Citizens' Center, teaching comedy improv.

"What IS comedy improv?", some of you might ask. It is, in the most basic sense, a performance which is made up on the spot. The actors may or may not get any information from the audience or other comedy actors on stage.

Have you ever tried comedy improvisation? If you haven't, you should. It's great fun!

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Poll- Lickable Wallpaper

In the movie, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971), we learned of an extraordinary universe within the walls of an ordinary city.

"In this room, all of my dreams become realities. And some of my realities become dreams." Willy Wonka.

His vision was clear- make life wondrous and sweet. That included his wallpaper.

Do you think that lickable wallpaper would really work?
And, if so, what flavors should it be? (Remember to include chocolate!)

Friday, August 13, 2010

A Lesson On Israel

There is a theme of "Israel" throughout our book, so we thought we'd share some interesting information with you about this fascinating land.

Glue used on the back of Israeli stamps is Kosher.

Hebrew and Arabic are the two official languages of Israel.

Israel's $100 billion economy is larger than all of its immediate neighbors combined.

Elite brand chocolate bars are the most popular in Israel.




References: igoogledisrael.com, frommers.com, jewishnorthshore.org, buyisraelgoods.org

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Max and Maxo

In our book, Semi-Sweet Sarcophagus, the lead characters' name is Max and her husbands' name is Maxo; they've been married for about 6 years. What makes their marriage strong? Respect, communication and, of course, chocolate.

Sunday, August 8, 2010

What's going on in Elsinore?

There is a rumor going around that the old Bank, nee, Ambassador Hotel in Lake Elsinore, on Main and Prospect, is haunted. Some folks have noticed a "janitor" atop the roof in the middle of the night. Others, a woman staring out the windows as if watching for someone. The scariest rumor is that you can hear screaming coming from within the building.

There's another rumor about a monster in Lake Elsinore named, of course, Elsie. He travels under the Ortega Mountains where there are caves and only comes out to hunt.

Aimee's Castle, The Chimes, The Academy...we sure have our fair share of haunts and monsters!

What do I think? Obviously, they're just hungry for our chocolate and upset that they can't have any.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Lake Elsinore, CA


Our book, Semi-Sweet Sarcophagus, is set in a small town called Lake Elsinore, CA. Here are some tidbits on the city:


Population in July 2009: 51,102:
Males: 25,492 (49.9%)
Females: 25,610 (50.1%)

Median resident age: 28.7 years
Annual Chocolate consumption: Unknown

Friday, July 30, 2010

Poll- Desert Island


If you were stranded on a desert island (that's DESERT not DESSERT), which would you rather have: chocolate or a book?


My answer is easy- chocolate. I can always write something to read!

Thursday, July 29, 2010

I'm pulling "A Janet Evanovich"!

Janet Evanovich is one of my favorite writers (as is Robert B. Parker) and she always has her fans name her next book, so I'm "borrowing" the idea for the third book in my series!

#1 Semi-Sweet Sarcophagus
#2 BonBon Gone Gone
#3 ???? (This is where YOU come in!)

The title should involve a theme of "murder" and "chocolate", but in a humorous way.

The winner of the chosen title will have their name in the book as an accolade and will receive a FREE copy of said book too!

Come on- get those titles rolling in! Good luck!

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Semi-Sweet Sarcophagus....Sneak Peak!

Ms. Markens is a geriatric Tammy Faye with an attitude. Lumpy makeup and frozen hairstyle from the 50's aside, she's got more spunk than your average teenager with a new drivers license.


Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Chocolate Festivals

We actually teared up when we learned we weren't alone in our chocolate addiction.

Austin Chocolate Festival - March, Austin TX
www.austinchocolatefestival.com

Belmont Shore Chocolate Festival - February, Long Beach CA
http://www.belmontshore.org/

Carolina Chocolate Festival - February, Morehead City NC
www.carolinachocolatefestival.com

Chocolate Fest - February, Bloomington, IN
http://www.weekofchocolate.com/cfest.shtml

Chocolate Fest - May, Burlington WI
www.chocolatefest.com

Chocolate Festival - April, Washington KY
www.washingtonky.com/CFSchedule.htm

Chocolate Festival - February, Mt. Washington Valley, Intervale NH
http://www.mwvskitouring.org/chocolatefestival.html

Chocolate Festival - January, Naperville IL
http://www.ncoyouth.org/chocolate.htm

Chocolate Lovers Festival - February, Fairfax VA
www.chocolatefestival.net

Chocolate Lovers Festival - October, Lexington TX
www.chocolateloversfestival.com

City Barkery Hot Chocolate Festival - February, New York NY
www.hot-chocolate-festival.com

Concord Chocolate Festival - March, Concord CA
www.concordchocolatefestival.com

Dover Downs Chocolate Festival - November, Dover DE
http://www.doverdowns.com/dining/chocolate-festival/

Eureka Chocolate Lovers Festival - February, Eureka Springs AR
www.eurekachocfest.com

"For the Love of Chocolate" Festival - February, Medina, OH
http://www.medinaredcross.org

Garfield Park Conservatory Chocolate Festival - February, Chicago, IL
http://www.garfield-conservatory.org/shows_events.htm

Ghirardelli Square Chocolate Festival - September, San Francisco CA
www.ghirardellisq.com

Holiday Chocolate Festival at the Broadmoor - November - Colorado Springs, CO
www.holiday.chocolate-festival.org

Kansas City Chocolate Festival - September, Kansas City MO
www.kansascitychocolatefestival.com

Long Grove Chocolate Fest - May, Long Grove, IL
www.longgroveonline.com/chocolate.html

New York Chocolate Show - November, New York City NY
www.chocolateshow.com

Oakdale Chocolate Festival - May, Oakdale CA
http://oakdalechamber.com/content/view/12/41/

Oregon Chocolate Festival - March, Ashland OR
http://www.ashlandspringshotel.com/chocolate_festival_08.php

Utah Chocolate Show - November, Salt Lake City UT -
www.utahchocolateshow.com

Valentine Pro/Am Chocolate Festival - February, Logan UT
www.thechocolatefestival.org

Vista Village Chocolate Fest - May, Vista CA
www.vistachocolatefest.com

Winter Park Chocolate Festival - June - Winter Park, CO
www.winterpark.chocolate-festival.org

Wyoming Chocolate Festival - February, Rock Springs WY
www.wyomingchocolatefestival.com

Monday, July 26, 2010

Words

Recently, it was determined that certain, alluring, "words" are hypnotic to readers, compelling them to...read on. Daring words, such as dazzling, just, and miracle were included in this provocative selection. I was shocked! To understand such a vital element in writing would mean unparalleled power. Should writers have such power? More importantly, do we deserve such power? A unique question indeed.

Coming soon to Facebook!

Keep checking back to see when our new Facebook Fan Page will be up and running.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Wecome New Followers!

Do you like books with "punny" titles?
Do you find yourself picking up humorous, murder mystery novels at the bookstore?
Do you annoy your friends and family because you're always trying to "figure it out" during the movie or TV show?

Then you need to keep a look out for our new book called Semi-Sweet Sarcophagus!(TM) (Coming soon.)

Check back soon and we'll be sharing tidbits about the book. We love questions and comments, so feel free to share a note!