01/30/12
Valentines Day Giveaway
by Hope Ramsay
closeAuthor: Hope Ramsay
Name: Hope Ramsay
Email: robin@hoperamsay.com
Site: http://www.hoperamsay.com
About: Hope Ramsay was born in New York and grew up on the North Shore of Long Island, but every summer Momma would pack her off under the care of Aunt Annie to go visiting with relatives in the midlands of South Carolina. Her extended family includes its share of colorful aunts and uncles, as well as cousins by the dozens, who provide the fodder for the characters you'll find in Last Chance, South Carolina. Hope earned a BA in Political Science from the University of Buffalo, and has had various jobs working as a Congressional aide, a lobbyist, a public relations consultant, and a meeting planner. She's a two-time finalist in the Golden Heart, and is married to a good ol' Georgia boy who resembles every single one of her heroes. She has two grown children and a couple of demanding lap cats. She lives in Fairfax, Virginia where you can often find her on the back deck, picking on her thirty-five-year-old Martin guitar.See Authors Posts (39)
The authors at Blame it on the Muse will be giving away a Valentines Day gift basket filled with all kinds of goodies from chocolate to lots and lots of free books. To be eligible to win this basket, all you have to do is post a comment on the blog between February 1 and February 14. Join us February 14th for a Valentine’s day party.
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01/11/12
The Kindle Winner Is…
by Hope RamsaycloseAuthor: Hope Ramsay
Name: Hope Ramsay
Email: robin@hoperamsay.com
Site: http://www.hoperamsay.com
About: Hope Ramsay was born in New York and grew up on the North Shore of Long Island, but every summer Momma would pack her off under the care of Aunt Annie to go visiting with relatives in the midlands of South Carolina. Her extended family includes its share of colorful aunts and uncles, as well as cousins by the dozens, who provide the fodder for the characters you'll find in Last Chance, South Carolina. Hope earned a BA in Political Science from the University of Buffalo, and has had various jobs working as a Congressional aide, a lobbyist, a public relations consultant, and a meeting planner. She's a two-time finalist in the Golden Heart, and is married to a good ol' Georgia boy who resembles every single one of her heroes. She has two grown children and a couple of demanding lap cats. She lives in Fairfax, Virginia where you can often find her on the back deck, picking on her thirty-five-year-old Martin guitar.See Authors Posts (39)
Congratulations to Walt M! You are the grand prize winner of the Muser’s 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway. A bright new, shiny Kindle is coming your way. You’ll be contacted by one of the musers for the details.
Thanks to all the people who visited Blame it on the Muse during the holiday season. It was a blast having you here.
Stay tuned for details of our Valentines Day event.
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01/11/12
Help Me Get My Wacky Back
by Hope RamsaycloseAuthor: Hope Ramsay
Name: Hope Ramsay
Email: robin@hoperamsay.com
Site: http://www.hoperamsay.com
About: Hope Ramsay was born in New York and grew up on the North Shore of Long Island, but every summer Momma would pack her off under the care of Aunt Annie to go visiting with relatives in the midlands of South Carolina. Her extended family includes its share of colorful aunts and uncles, as well as cousins by the dozens, who provide the fodder for the characters you'll find in Last Chance, South Carolina. Hope earned a BA in Political Science from the University of Buffalo, and has had various jobs working as a Congressional aide, a lobbyist, a public relations consultant, and a meeting planner. She's a two-time finalist in the Golden Heart, and is married to a good ol' Georgia boy who resembles every single one of her heroes. She has two grown children and a couple of demanding lap cats. She lives in Fairfax, Virginia where you can often find her on the back deck, picking on her thirty-five-year-old Martin guitar.See Authors Posts (39)
It’s wacky Wednesday here on Blame it on the Muse, which means I have to be funny. But my funny bone has taken a vacation to the coast — or maybe the Mediterranean. It’s clear that my muse has absconded with my funny bone to unknown places.
I’ve spent the last few days combing the Internet and Twitter and Facebook looking for something funny or pithy or silly. I’ve come up with . . . Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Free Books, Wacky Wednesday| 37 Comments »
12/24/11
Merry Christmas Eve
by Hope RamsaycloseAuthor: Hope Ramsay
Name: Hope Ramsay
Email: robin@hoperamsay.com
Site: http://www.hoperamsay.com
About: Hope Ramsay was born in New York and grew up on the North Shore of Long Island, but every summer Momma would pack her off under the care of Aunt Annie to go visiting with relatives in the midlands of South Carolina. Her extended family includes its share of colorful aunts and uncles, as well as cousins by the dozens, who provide the fodder for the characters you'll find in Last Chance, South Carolina. Hope earned a BA in Political Science from the University of Buffalo, and has had various jobs working as a Congressional aide, a lobbyist, a public relations consultant, and a meeting planner. She's a two-time finalist in the Golden Heart, and is married to a good ol' Georgia boy who resembles every single one of her heroes. She has two grown children and a couple of demanding lap cats. She lives in Fairfax, Virginia where you can often find her on the back deck, picking on her thirty-five-year-old Martin guitar.See Authors Posts (39)
It’s that time of year again, where I feel the urge to go parody some classic of holiday literature. It would not be Christmas if I didn’t write doggerel and share it. So here is my holiday contribution as the first blog for the twelve days of Christmas giveaway. (Actually my blog is the 13th day, but we won’t quibble over that, because 13 is not a lucky number)
Any one (muser or otherwise) who posts a holiday greeting will be automatically entered in a drawing for a bound copy of Small Town Christmas. This anthology is only available for purchase in e-book form, but I have one last precious printed copy. The anthology features stories by Jill Shalvis, Katie Lane and myself. It’s a great, short read.
Ya’ll have a merry Christmas and I hope Santa is very generous to you all this evening.
How the Muse Got her Groove Back
Every author in Blogville liked Christmas a lot
But the Muse, who lived just north of Blogville, did NOT.
The muse hated Christmas! The whole Christmas season!
Now, please don’t ask why. Does a muse need a reason?
It could be that Christmas was so darn inspiring
Authors found words without even perspiring.
But I think the most likely reason is simple
The muse enjoyed making all authors feel dismal.
But, whatever the reason, she hated the bloggers
As she brooded on Christmas Eve, sipping a lager.
For she knew every author down in Blogville could write
They just didn’t need her, and that just wasn’t right.
“And they’re getting published!” she snarked with a smirk
“Even at Christmastime, and that just doesn’t work.”
Then she flounced to her boudoir and put on her makeup.
“It’s time to get busy for a big Blogville shakeup.”
For tomorrow, she knew, all the bloggers would wake,
And hoist a few glasses and of feasts would partake
They’d do it without her. They’d be merry and bright.
And not a single sentence or word would they write.
They would drink and be happy and all would ignore her.
But I, the great Muse, I could play saboteur.
Why, they haven’t invoked me for centuries, now,
I need them to adore me again, but how?”
Then she got an idea! Of course she’s a muse.
Ideas are her thing, and this one was a doozy.
“I know just what I’ll do!” the Muse sighed without stress.
And she ran to her closet and pulled out her red dress.
Then she checked herself out in the mirror to see
If she still had her mojo. Then she chortled with glee,
“I’ll seduce all the authors and make them realize.
That they need me whenever they improvise.”
Then she sashayed into Blogville, right into the bar
Where the authors had come from both near and from far.
There were bold ones, and pretty ones, and a couple were meek,
And they’d all come together for a Christmas critique.
The Muse entered the bar and sat down on a stool
And arched a thin eyebrow and looked oh-so-cool.
She offered up edits to a few works-in-progress,
Doling out help like a queen with her largesse.
She stayed put for some time, giving help and advice
When at last a young author asked, “Hey what’s the price
For services rendered? Or are they all free?
And if they are, honey, will you come home with me?
At which point this young author found himself in a bind
Because ten other writers had the same thing in mind.
And you know what happened next, it’s a hackneyed old plot.
When the fists started flying at that watering spot,
The Muse slunk away with a nefarious grin
It had all come together. She had scored a big win.
Tomorrow she’d find them all weeping and whining
And when they invoked her, she’d be stretched out, reclining.
“Every writer in Blogville, the rich and the poor
Will soon be boo-hooing, they know they need more.”
So she paused and she waited to hear lamentation
Or maybe, just maybe a real invocation.
And she did hear a sound rising over the snow.
But no invocations! No. They were still making merry.
No, this couldn’t be so! How could they be merry? But they were. Very.
She stared down at Blogville! The Muse popped her eyes!
Then she shook! What she saw was a shocking surprise.
Every author in Blogville had called a big truce.
And they all blamed the Muse as their simple excuse.
Be it Christmas or not, they had all stopped creating.
For their muse, it would seem, they were all simply . . . waiting.
“They love me,” she thought, and the thought made her glad
“I don’t have to play favorites; that just makes them all mad.
“Screw invocations, I’ll just visit when I want to
“I’ll fade in and fade out and still ski in Vermont, too.”
“They will learn to adjust, and they’ll love me even more
When I don’t very often darken their door.”
And with that, she took off for a little vacation.
And from that day to this, she’s ignored all invocations.
Posted in Free Books| 11 Comments »
11/2/11
October Giveaway Winners
by Hope RamsaycloseAuthor: Hope Ramsay
Name: Hope Ramsay
Email: robin@hoperamsay.com
Site: http://www.hoperamsay.com
About: Hope Ramsay was born in New York and grew up on the North Shore of Long Island, but every summer Momma would pack her off under the care of Aunt Annie to go visiting with relatives in the midlands of South Carolina. Her extended family includes its share of colorful aunts and uncles, as well as cousins by the dozens, who provide the fodder for the characters you'll find in Last Chance, South Carolina. Hope earned a BA in Political Science from the University of Buffalo, and has had various jobs working as a Congressional aide, a lobbyist, a public relations consultant, and a meeting planner. She's a two-time finalist in the Golden Heart, and is married to a good ol' Georgia boy who resembles every single one of her heroes. She has two grown children and a couple of demanding lap cats. She lives in Fairfax, Virginia where you can often find her on the back deck, picking on her thirty-five-year-old Martin guitar.See Authors Posts (39)
Congratulations to Diane Sallans, winner of our Halloween basket.
And also to Julee J. Adams who won the e-books.
Stay tuned for more BIOTM Giveaways.
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10/27/11
I Don’t Wanna Grow Up
by Hope RamsaycloseAuthor: Hope Ramsay
Name: Hope Ramsay
Email: robin@hoperamsay.com
Site: http://www.hoperamsay.com
About: Hope Ramsay was born in New York and grew up on the North Shore of Long Island, but every summer Momma would pack her off under the care of Aunt Annie to go visiting with relatives in the midlands of South Carolina. Her extended family includes its share of colorful aunts and uncles, as well as cousins by the dozens, who provide the fodder for the characters you'll find in Last Chance, South Carolina. Hope earned a BA in Political Science from the University of Buffalo, and has had various jobs working as a Congressional aide, a lobbyist, a public relations consultant, and a meeting planner. She's a two-time finalist in the Golden Heart, and is married to a good ol' Georgia boy who resembles every single one of her heroes. She has two grown children and a couple of demanding lap cats. She lives in Fairfax, Virginia where you can often find her on the back deck, picking on her thirty-five-year-old Martin guitar.See Authors Posts (39)
When I was a kid my favorite holiday, besides Christmas, was Halloween. When I was school aged, the big appeal of Halloween could be summarized in two words – Candy Corn. But as I grew up I realized that the best thing about Halloween is the opportunity it provides to play dress up.
I was encouraged to play dress up when I was young. My mother frequently slaved over the sewing machine making beautiful and elaborate costumes. I have been, variously, a nurse, a gypsy, a clown, a bunny rabbit, a princess, and Lucy from the Charlie Brown comic strip.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Thoughtful Thursday| 33 Comments »
10/11/11
Small Town Christmas
by Hope RamsaycloseAuthor: Hope Ramsay
Name: Hope Ramsay
Email: robin@hoperamsay.com
Site: http://www.hoperamsay.com
About: Hope Ramsay was born in New York and grew up on the North Shore of Long Island, but every summer Momma would pack her off under the care of Aunt Annie to go visiting with relatives in the midlands of South Carolina. Her extended family includes its share of colorful aunts and uncles, as well as cousins by the dozens, who provide the fodder for the characters you'll find in Last Chance, South Carolina. Hope earned a BA in Political Science from the University of Buffalo, and has had various jobs working as a Congressional aide, a lobbyist, a public relations consultant, and a meeting planner. She's a two-time finalist in the Golden Heart, and is married to a good ol' Georgia boy who resembles every single one of her heroes. She has two grown children and a couple of demanding lap cats. She lives in Fairfax, Virginia where you can often find her on the back deck, picking on her thirty-five-year-old Martin guitar.See Authors Posts (39)
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10/7/11
Halloween Gift Coffin Giveaway
by Hope RamsaycloseAuthor: Hope Ramsay
Name: Hope Ramsay
Email: robin@hoperamsay.com
Site: http://www.hoperamsay.com
About: Hope Ramsay was born in New York and grew up on the North Shore of Long Island, but every summer Momma would pack her off under the care of Aunt Annie to go visiting with relatives in the midlands of South Carolina. Her extended family includes its share of colorful aunts and uncles, as well as cousins by the dozens, who provide the fodder for the characters you'll find in Last Chance, South Carolina. Hope earned a BA in Political Science from the University of Buffalo, and has had various jobs working as a Congressional aide, a lobbyist, a public relations consultant, and a meeting planner. She's a two-time finalist in the Golden Heart, and is married to a good ol' Georgia boy who resembles every single one of her heroes. She has two grown children and a couple of demanding lap cats. She lives in Fairfax, Virginia where you can often find her on the back deck, picking on her thirty-five-year-old Martin guitar.See Authors Posts (39)
Leave a comment on Blame it on the Muse during October for a chance to win a coffin gift basket filled with Halloween goodies, including lots of scary books. Click giveaways for more details and a photo of the gift basket.
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09/29/11
Fishing
by Hope RamsaycloseAuthor: Hope Ramsay
Name: Hope Ramsay
Email: robin@hoperamsay.com
Site: http://www.hoperamsay.com
About: Hope Ramsay was born in New York and grew up on the North Shore of Long Island, but every summer Momma would pack her off under the care of Aunt Annie to go visiting with relatives in the midlands of South Carolina. Her extended family includes its share of colorful aunts and uncles, as well as cousins by the dozens, who provide the fodder for the characters you'll find in Last Chance, South Carolina. Hope earned a BA in Political Science from the University of Buffalo, and has had various jobs working as a Congressional aide, a lobbyist, a public relations consultant, and a meeting planner. She's a two-time finalist in the Golden Heart, and is married to a good ol' Georgia boy who resembles every single one of her heroes. She has two grown children and a couple of demanding lap cats. She lives in Fairfax, Virginia where you can often find her on the back deck, picking on her thirty-five-year-old Martin guitar.See Authors Posts (39)
There is a saying that the early bird catches the worm, and the early worm catches the fish.
I am not early today. I’m very late.
So for this Thoughtful Thursday, I offer up the zen of fishing.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Thoughtful Thursday| 22 Comments »
09/22/11
Letting Go
by Hope RamsaycloseAuthor: Hope Ramsay
Name: Hope Ramsay
Email: robin@hoperamsay.com
Site: http://www.hoperamsay.com
About: Hope Ramsay was born in New York and grew up on the North Shore of Long Island, but every summer Momma would pack her off under the care of Aunt Annie to go visiting with relatives in the midlands of South Carolina. Her extended family includes its share of colorful aunts and uncles, as well as cousins by the dozens, who provide the fodder for the characters you'll find in Last Chance, South Carolina. Hope earned a BA in Political Science from the University of Buffalo, and has had various jobs working as a Congressional aide, a lobbyist, a public relations consultant, and a meeting planner. She's a two-time finalist in the Golden Heart, and is married to a good ol' Georgia boy who resembles every single one of her heroes. She has two grown children and a couple of demanding lap cats. She lives in Fairfax, Virginia where you can often find her on the back deck, picking on her thirty-five-year-old Martin guitar.See Authors Posts (39)
When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be
– Lao Tzu
I’ve been thinking a lot about the subject of letting go. My current work-in-process is about a widower who has to let go of the past in order to find his future happiness. As I’ve been plotting out the book and making a beginning, I’ve come to realize that just about every other aspect of this novel is about letting go.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Thoughtful Thursday| 25 Comments »
