My Skin Rejuvenation Journey

Ever since the pandemic started, we have been locked up in our houses with so much time in our hands so it was declared that 2020 is the year of self-care. I’ve learned so much about my skin and what it needs. My skin had improved but I still haven’t got what I really want.

This year, the chance of getting a vaccine is very near, we only have to wait for a few more months so I still have a chance to do something for my skin, to change it back permanently.

Back in high school, we have a subject called, CAT or Citizen Army Training now called Citizenship Advancement Training. I enjoyed it so much, our school had even joined competitions and won them. But my skin suffered from it. Ever since then, the color of my face stayed darker and red that even after trying so many face products with different brands for years to gain my skin color back, until last week.

I heard about the Prestige Rejuvenating Set. It has a soap, toner, sunblock, and rejuvenating night cream. What does it do? It promises to give you a clear, bright glass skin through peeling.

I’ve come from a family with a history of very sensitive skin. My Grandfather had sensitive skin. My mom and Aunt has very sensitive skin, my cousins have very skin, and I do too. So before I tried the set, I did some research by watching reviews from YouTube and googling blog reviews.

On Friday, February 12, my set had arrived. This marks the first day I used the set. Nothing has changed until my third day. My skin started to peel and sting. My face is so red like a tomato, literally. It lasted for a week, until on the 8th day, I decided to stop it. My thoughts about it is 50/50. It does its work but it seemed too harsh for me.

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6th Day – February 18, 2021

Why? Because at night, I tried to get a closer look of my face and it looked like I sustained first degree burns. I thought it was just some micro peeling. At that time, I realized what the set is for. It is going to burn the first layer of your skin through chemicals. As a Registered Nurse, that logic didn’t sit well with me. Our skin is the largest organ of our body, it is our protective barrier, and it is very strong. Once the first layer is gone, the second layer will replace it obviously but it won’t be as strong as the first one. Your skin will be more sensitive and more fragile than the first layer.

The set has a several active ingredients.

1) Kojic Acid soap – The Kojic Acid Dipalmitate lightens skin and makes it shiny. Continuous of Kojic Acid Soap makes your skin susceptible to sunburn. People with sensitive skin, may get contact dermatitis. Symptoms of Contact Dermatitis are redness, irritation, rashes, swollen skin, and discomfort.

Correct use of Kojic Acid Soap is soaking 20-30 seconds every 2-3 days. The instructions on the rejuvinating set is wash twice a day, and soak for 2-3 minutes. The whole set is should be used for a month.

2) Toner is anti pimples, reduces large pores, firming, whitening, anti melasma and freckles. (For me, the toner dried my skin so much)

3) Sunscreen 30SPF – Blocks the sun, protects your skin, and has a matte finish.

4) Rejuvenating Night Cream is anti aging, anti acne, and has a whitening properties.

Our skin does peel very slowly to regenerate, ranging from one to three months but it is not harsh and painful.

So in the 8th day, my skin was very dry, stiff, red, swollen and very painful. I couldn’t move. Even the lining of my lips and my neck was affected I couldn’t eat properly. It was uncomfortable and painful. When I move it hurts so much so I know that I have to hydrate it again. Thankfully, I do have a Soothing Gel. It helped me hydrate my skin. At first application, it stung really bad. But my problem is not over, once the gel is dry or had been absorbed my face starts to get stiff and I can’t move again. I knew my skin needs more moisture. So at that time, I was so glad to find my AHC Eye Cream for face just sitting on my study table as decoration, thinking it was empty. What I forgot is I was actually saving it. It’s a little hard to buy it online cause deliveries from AHC takes almost a month or two until it arrives. When I wash my face I use warm alkaline water. I don’t use any cleanser yet because it still stings.

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Anyway I applied it and my face immediately started to feel different. I knew that my face effectively absorbed it cause my skin started to feel normal like when I’ve never tried the set before. During application, it didn’t have any stinging sensation. I was confident it’s going to help my face because I’ve read the purpose so many times. The AHC Eye Cream is a moisturizer, it locks moisture on the skin, and improves elasticity of the skin. The best part about the cream is that it has Hyaluronic Acid.

Hyaluronic Acid also known as Hyaluronan or in some face products, it’s Sodium Hyaluronate the salt form, is naturally produced in our body. It’s function is to retain water to keep tissues lubricated and moist. It also attracts moisture and reduces inflammation and last, but not the least, as an ingredient in face products it reduces dryness and wrinkles. The Sodium Hyaluronate is smaller in molecular size that’s why it penetrates the skin very deeply.

Just so you know, this is not a paid review for AHC Eye Cream. I am glorifying it because it literally is my skin savior. Side note, when I first used this, my eyebags or the darkness under my eyes for years had lightened. It’s the only product that did it for me.

So my skin is been recovering for a week now and I can feel that my skin is not healthy and strong as before. It still stings. Maybe it’s a phantom pain. That’s why I am more careful. My Soothing Gel had run out because I’ve been using it since last year. But I do have a replacement which had also done wonders on my skin. The Tomato Glass Skin Soothing Gel Lotion and Aloe Vera and Snail Soothing Gel. I use them because both soothing gel have healing properties and they helped hydrate, calm, and sooth my skin. I can also use a cleanser now, I tried my Nature Republic Fresh Herb Snail Cleansing Foam. In my situation, this is not ideal for my skin, because it is taking off the lipids on my skin. After washing, it felt dry and stiff, it’s a good thing, the tube is almost empty. So I will look for something more gentle. My AHC Eye Cream is about to run out too and I ordered another one yesterday. Hope it gets here soon rather than a month or two later.

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Anyway, my skin is feeling better and normal but looking at it, I think it needs more hydration and moisture. I’ve been researching and I think I need the AHC Hydra set because it focuses on hydration and it also sooths the skin.

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To those who wants to rejuvenate your skin, try it at your own risks. I know there are several success stories out there. I guess it’s just not for me.

There are other healthier ways and milder products to rejuvenate my skin. I do use other face products to maintain my skin but I am the kind of person who’s more into herbal and gentle approach. If you’re wondering how’s my skin, this is how I look now.

12th Day – Feb. 24, 2021

To everyone, always maintain a good hygiene, wear your mask when you go out, disinfect everything after going out, and love yourself by gently taking care of yourself.

Crash Landing On You “사랑의 불시착”

When it comes to writing a series review, I usually don’t write one unless it’s already finished. So I am making this as an exception.



Crash Landing On You “사랑의 불시착” is a romantic comedy series starring Son Ye Jin 손예진  as a Heiress, Yoon Seri 윤세리 and Hyun Bin 휸빈 as North Korean Officer, Ri Jeong Hyeok 리정역. Written by Park Ji-Eun and Directed by Lee Jeong Hyo.

The korean drama series is about Yoon Seri who had a paragliding accident and landed on North Korea. She met Captain Ri and he helped hide her. Eventually, they fall in love with each other. The series is very different from korean dramas we’ve seen most of the time.

What do I love about the show?

1) A love story between star-crossed lovers. This is a very old writing technique but still works.

In the series, Yoon Seri is from South Korea, while Capt. Ri Jeong Hyeok is from North Korea. It’s a set up that truly makes people curious and it is a perfect set up for a drama series.


2) The location: Some of the scenes were taken from Switzerland which plays a big part on the lives of the characters and the story.






3) One of my deciding factor in liking a series or a movie and the most important for me is the chemistry. I saw the interview and the trailer and noticed how good the chemistry of the main actors are. I am very picky when it comes to chemistry of the main leads.


The main actors worked together before. They made the movie, The Negotiation 협상.



I don’t like to watch typical chemistry of couples you see all the time on tv or actors who had dated each other in the past.

Because so many casting directors are thinking that since they dated each other, they already have the familiarity and chemistry. Those kind of chemistry bores me because it doesn’t surprise me anymore.

I already know what to expect from them as oppose to actors who’s got an effective chemistry despite starting as a perfect strangers. That is special, rare, and beautiful.

There are so many typical couples like that on tv and movies. Be it Asian, Western or Filipino.

What they didn’t know is that there are people who’s got a really good chemistry and a rare connection. It’s not something you can establish just like that by dating each other or spending time together. Some people just have it and some just don’t.

So those people who gets to find that one of a kind chemistry and rare connection are so lucky. My advice is to keep your eyes and mind open. Make sure to take care and keep that person in your life. And you will reach your potential, become the best version of yourself, and feel complete. Anyway, I’m not sure if the main actors are like that. I am just making a point so bear with me. I don’t mean you need to date that person. Some of them are strangers and some of them are close family members or relatives.

Now, after seeing 8 episodes, I love the chemistry of all the casts, not just the main leads, but the second leads as well, and also the other characters. All of them blend so perfectly for the story. Whoever casted them, they’ve really done a great job. I enjoy watching all of them, and their antics.

4) The series truly has an interesting plotline and it looks very promising. I’ve never watched other korean dramas with the same plotline. I think other fans have seen other dramas with similar plot though based on their comments.

It is very funny, and I didn’t expect it too. 정말 재미있어요! ㅋㅋㅋ I’ve never laughed so hard for a korean drama before. Alright, I guess it rivals Hwayugi because it’s very funny too. Then again, like I said, it’s a very different from other dramas.

Just like any korean drama, it starts out light then it slowly builds up, then it becomes heavy. We are now after all in the middle of the series. It’s suppose to have 16 episodes. 어머! That’s too short. Even Hwayugi has 20 episodes and fans are still eagerly waiting for a season 2.

5) This is a show that started with good ratings and for every episode, it keeps getting better. Fans are obsessed with it.

Fans believe that the drama, Crash Landing On You save 2019 after other korean dramas Hotel Del Luna “호텔 델 루나” , Vagabond “배가본드”, When the Camellia Blooms “동백꿏 필  무렵” and more. Because a lot of people, doesn’t like the way those have ended. 

I am truly estatic I ended the year by watching this. And I am looking forward to a happy ending. So I can stay, I am starting this year right.

5) Soundtrack – As of now, there are only 4 soundtracks released and they are all very good and catchy songs. They reflect the story, the characters, and the moments very well. The scenes really gets to me when the music starts to play.

6) Safety, Security, and Promotion. I mentioned this cause they had to stop shooting for a while because of the bad weather.

I also noticed how they take good care of their actors especially when rumors of the main leads are dating or have broken up. It didn’t take them months to shut down the rumors. So I can see that the actors are very secure with their agencies or their corresponding agencies or companies they work for.

I love how they’ve got trailers, interviews, photoshoots, and behind the scenes photos and videos of the series, and the actors. It’s so unlike what happened from the 화유기 days.

This is a series, where they almost got everything right. But then again, we are only just in the middle of the episodes. So I’ll be in the look out for the success and failures on the next 8 episodes.


What I don’t like about the show?

1) This is hard. So for now, the only thing I don’t like about the series is it has only 16 episodes. But you know what they say. Perfection are always brief.

Tune in again on my next review of 사랑의 불시착, once it is finished.

In the mean time, come support me again on my review of Korean Drama series, Love With Flaws “하자있는 인간들” starring Oh Yeon Seo and Ahn Jae Hyun. This drama is a perfect drama to write about, to show how people get it wrong when it comes to life, and relationships.

I wasn’t planning on writing one, but I had an epiphany the other day that I can analyze and explain the human condition effectively through this series since they’ve shown so much about how traumas affect us and our prejudices as a person. It is going to be a very effective learning journey for all of us.

The Negotiation “협상”

After 화유기, I’ve completed one korean drama, and started two new korean dramas that are still ongoing. One of them is Crash Landing On You “사랑의 불시착” starring Hyun Bin 현빈 and Son Yejin 손여진. Their new drama is really good as well as the plotline of the story which I will talk about in the next few days.

With that in mind, I was curious to see where they started, so I decided to watch the movie where they first worked together, The Negotiation.

S P O I L E R A L E R T

It was very interesting cause their characters acted most of the time on different locations. They only communicated through an online video call.

Why?

In the movie, Hyun Bin portrayed the a character, Tae Min Go, who is an industrious gang member, arms dealer, hostage taker, and more. While Son Yejin, played Ha Chae Yoon, compassionate and smart, an Inspector and expert Negotiator in the Seoul Police Department who had studied from the US.

First reaction, it was like a culture shock for me considering I just came in from watching their drama series, a romantic comedy, where their characters will fall for each other. Their characters are so warm and funny and have a glaring difference.

The movie started with a couple who taken hostage. It made me laugh a bit that the hostage takers were played by Filipino actors or extras, imagine my surprise.

Anyway, Inspector Ha was called in from vacation and went in inside the hostage situation without any means of protecting herself. Since, she’s an expert, you think it will be fine, but in my opinion, her superior made the wrong call from the start. He should have given her a chance to negotiate properly. The hostages were killed eventually.

Inspector Ha gave her resignation and was rejected, but she was called in again to another hostage taking situation and was supposed to engage only through online video call. Here she meets, hostage taker charismatic Min Tae Gu.

I apologize but I won’t tell the whole story. You can watch it on different korean websites and I highly recommend it.

It is very intense, thrilling, and full of suspense. The chemistry between Son Yejin and Hyun Bin is superb even though they were only talking through the monitors.

The movie didn’t start out light like most korean drama series, a few minutes into the movie and you are already lured into suspense and adrenaline rush.

Sure, the movie has its own calming scenes to let you breath but once the scenes gets serious, it always shock you. It is very unpredictable. So this is for the movie goers who wants to be surprise by the outcome.

What I absolutely love about the movie is how they connected the mini plots to each other. I didn’t see that coming and I like that a lot. ㅋㅋㅋ

I also love the writing and plotting technique. I remember that technique from my theater workshop but it was applied to the movie in reverse. In the technique, you will let the audience know a secret, but the important character doesn’t know it which creates great tension.

In the movie, it was only one character who knows something. As the movie moves forward, the characters and the audience slowly catches on to what really happened.

In situations like this, the rapport that forms between people like them always astounds me especially because they are in different sides of right and wrong. I truly commend working people like them. 대박! So kudos to the actors who played their parts so well.

At the same time, it is raw and emotional. I love how in the end that I find myself emphathizing with the hostage taker, Min Tae Gu. He is not exactly the villain of the movie but he is in a way.

Ha Chae Yoon’s character is fierce, and confident. She is such a spitfire!

The movie is completely fictional but reflects the society in Korea. In real life, complicated situations don’t always end up like this but in the movie, somehow, there’s a little bit of justice.

I am very entertained with this movie but be warned that it is not a very light hearted drama.

For my next blog, tune in about what I think to korean drama series, 사랑의 불시착 “Crash Landing On You” starring the same actors.

Hwayugi: A Korean Odyssey “화유기”

Hello 안녕, I know it’s been a long time since I wrote a blog post.

I’m very happy and excited to be back today cause we’re going to tackle about relationship differently through a review.

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Hwayugi 화유기 (A Korean Odyssey is a South Korean fantasy television series starring Lee Seung-gi, Cha Seung-won, Oh Yeon-seo, Lee Hong-gi and Jang Gwang. Written by the Hong sisters, the drama is a modern spin-off of the Chinese classic novel Journey to the West. It aired on tvN starting December 23, 2017, every Saturday and Sunday at 21:00 (KST)

I saw this series and fell for it immediately because of its fantasy theme and ghost fighting scenes. However, I kept watching it for different reasons.

What I love about the show:

1) A love story between characters who is not a match made in heaven.

In the series, Seon Mi thought she found a love bell. When it rings, it means you found your match made from heaven.

However on episode 15, she found out it was a death bell. It rung cause she and Son Oh Gong have ill-fate: one of them must kill each other.

Growing up, we are all used to the idea of having a happy ending with the right one. However, in this series, they show us a couple who learned to love each other unconditionally, who is not a match made in heaven or someone less compatible.

So instead I emphasized that to have a long lasting relationship, it needs a foundation of friendship, commitment, and transparency or open communication.

I love the plotline of their love story because it teaches people that they can make their relationship work and they can change their fate even if. And in the series, Jin Seon Mi and Son Oh Gong did change their fate somehow.

2) Jin Seon Mi’s character, who can seee spirits, ghosts, and more. Her story is personal and familiar to me. I just love her tenacity to live and fight for what’s right. I appreciate her character growth in the series and she still did her job regardless.

3) Son Oh Gong’s character is always one of the reason why I’m drawn to certain stories, series, and movies. He is a well-crafted, complicated character. An arrogant monkey king who learned to care, to love, and to be human. It’s always those complicated people that someone tends to love once you get to know them.

4) Well-created and loved characters. I’m not just talking about the main characters but I practically love everyone on the series. They all captured my heart and have grown attach to them.

I personally care for all those characters and have cried with them through their loss, pain, and grief and have celebrated with them through their happiness and victories.

5) Chemistry between the actors are superb. In this show, majority of the actors have worked together before in other series. So the chemistry definitely worked wonders.

The actors Lee Seung Gi and Oh Yeon Seo has a really great natural chemistry. I’ve been watching Korean Dramas for 15 years and I’ve never seen a chemistry like theirs with other Korean actors.

If season #HwayugiSeason2 happens, it would be a big mistake to pair them up with other people due to reincarnation. It’s just unacceptable. Better forget that season 2.

Of course, thanks to the actors’ compatible personalities (I guess that’s cheating when they’re playing someone who weren’t a match made in heaven), work ethics, professionalism, and hard work.

They just truly know how to make it work on screen. Their chemistry, connection, and compatibility is so palpable. It is very rare. if I am a casting director, he should take advantage of that and not let it go. Not making them work together again is very premature and mediocre. 😘

I’ve got to say chemistry is just a catalyst of a relationship but it’s not a reason to get together. It is so easy to create with someone. You can even have chemistry with a killer, or a psychopath. Then again, chemistry is so easy to create or even fake.

So if they are going to create a show and you want a successful partnership like theirs, you should put two people together like them always. A typical chemistry, is lame, boring, and overrated but not these actors. Their skills, talent, values,

6) I love the whole Hwayugi soundtrack. I’ve never watched a korean drama where I love all the songs except for this.

7) Storyline/ Plot/ Twists. At first it started light, funny, and mysterious and then as we get deeper into the story, it gradually became darker and serious. There are so many moments in the story that surprised me. The way they’ve set up the world in Hwayugi is so effective and so when the plot twists appeared it worked well in the story. They we’re smoothly done.

What I don’t like is not all about the series.

1) Unsafe Set for actors and staff and irresponsibility of those who are accountable.

I truly don’t want to get into this but I have to.

One of the staff who was hanging the chandelier, fell and was paralyzed. It is truly such a horrible and unfortunate event.

Because they’ve truly change the life of this person for the worse.

What truly upsets is the way they’ve handled this incident. It is somehow similar to what happen here in my country recently.

I don’t blame the actors, I blame the production and the management. I don’t hate them but one family will live with the consequences of their mistake for the rest of their life.

2) Cliffhanger Ending. I’ve seen most of the work of the Hong sisters. And this one has a cliffhanger ending. I’m so disappointed with the ending because of all the korean dramas I’ve watched, this is my favorite.

Other korean dramas compared to Hwayugi are The Lonely and Great God – Goblin and Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo.

Goblin and Scarlet Heart are great series and are very popular as well. It is much loved by the fans just like Hwayugi. But Goblin wasn’t able to hold my attention and I was too busy in the hospital to catch all the Scarlet Heart episodes.

But since all ended in an open ending. I guess one cliffhanger is more than enough for me.

It’s been 2 years since Hwayugi ended and a lot of us, the fans, are not over it. We really want a season 2. Even the Hwayugi petition is still alive. I just signed it 2 months ago and when I got back to it, over a thousand was added.

Season 2 should truly happen and they should level up the writing and the criteria especially if they’re also airing the series interntionally.

If they borrowed this from Journey to the West, they could certainly borrow from Greek Mythology or create their own and add the story as well of the samjang-like person who is protected and loved as well by her guardian.

Another thing is when I am studying writing, we were taught that a cliffhanger is fine but doing it all the time, is disrespectful and an insult to the viewers or readers.

Majority of Korean Dramas have cliffhanger or open endings. It is probably part of their culture.

3) Similarities with other korean dramas.

There are certain shots, and little details I’ve noticed that is similar to other korean dramas. I truly wish they’ve changed it or they should have done the scene differently.

So that’s my review for this one of a kind korean drama. I highly recommend it. It’s so worth it. You won’t regret watching it.

An Interview with Elizabeth A. Lance

Elizabeth A. Lance is a young adult paranormal, regency, contemporary romance, and steam punk author. Her works are The Regency Collection (series of short novellas), The Agents for the Crown Series (A Regency Romantic Suspense series), The Soul Mates Series (A YA Paranormal Romance Series), and The Goddess of Love Series (Mostly contemporary with a hint of Greek Mythology).  If you click her name, it will lead you to her amazon page. To know more about her work and where to contact her, you will find her networking sites below. She would love to hear from her fans.

I gathered Miss Elizabeth as quite accommodating, kind, fun, and cool person and I really love her attitude in writing which inspires me with my writing too.  Read her answers to get to know her more.

QUESTIONS

CL: If there’s something you want your readers to know about you, what would it be?

Hi! I’m Elizabeth. I met my soul mate the summer before my high school senior year in 1988. We were married three and a half years later and have been together ever since. Relationships,  even those with your soul mate, take work. Over the years we’ve discovered that communication is the key. And to never go to bed angry. My relationship with my husband is one of the reasons I write soul mate romances. I truly believe that there is someone out there for everyone.

CL: How did you come up with the idea for your Soul Mates Series?

My Soul Mates Series came about while I was working in an elementary school. Twilight Breaking Dawn had just come out and all of the Fifth and Sixth graders were reading it. (Okay, so was I 😁) Anyway, one of the young men in the sixth grade class and I were discussing the story and he made the comment, “I wish someone would write a story like this with a guy as the main character.”

Now, I had been writing for years, mostly historical romance, and had attempted to go the traditional publishing route, but hadn’t gotten my foot in the door, quite yet. It was also right around the time Amazon started there breakthrough novel contest. I had entered one of my Regency romances and made it to the top hundred. It gave me more confidence in my writing, so when he said that, it hit me…hey, I can do that, and from there Max Fergus came to life.

CL: How did you choose the title of your books? 

Book one of Soul Mates is called Scent. I didn’t actually have a title when I started writing,  but scent was very important in the story, when Max finally meets Anna, her natural, wild scent envelops Max and it is what woke his inner shifter, like calling him home.

Book two, Bewitched was so named because Tony finds himself completely under Jillian’s spell, and she is a Sorceress, so it was fitting.

Book three, Magic breaks from the Male perspective and is Abbey Fergus’ story and takes place many years after book two. Unlike her brother Max, Abbey learned early on that she had magic, but it was important to show how that effected her, which is why the story is told from her point of view.

Book four, Hunger takes us back to the Male perspective with James, who is a Lycan. I named it Hunger, because James has an appetite for a lot of things, so seemed appropriate.

There is a short story to go along with Soul Mates Hunger, called Soul Mates Origins: Lycan Legends. In Hunger, James tells a shortened version of the story of how the Lycans came into being. Origins gives the real story.

Book five, which I am currently writing and hope to have published by the end of the year, is called Fire. It is Thomas` story. Thomas is a fire-breathing Dragon shifter. In Fire you will get a better feel for the Never Never, and the Goblin Realm, and you will see a return of the Queen of Air and Darkness, as well as the introduction of other Fae rulers.

Books six and seven are of course not written yet, but I do have names for them. Book six is called Rose, and will be from Max and Anna’s daughter Roses (like her father, Rose is both shifter and Fae) perspective, and book seven will be called Ice, and is Talriktugs (Rik, the bear shifter from Alaska, for those keeping track) point of view.

CL: Are any of your characters based on someone you know? How did you come up with them? 

Max and Anna are loosely based on my husband and myself. Brandon,  my darling husband, is blond-haired and blue eyed, and athletic, while he didn’t play football in high school, I do have pictures of him as a kid, from when he played and my imagination filled in the rest. I, of course, am not Canadian, and only have a little bit of French ancestry in me, but I took three and a half years of French in high school and I’ve always loved the language, so Anna, got me with a twist 😁. The relationship between Anna and Max is very much like my husband’s and mine. We had an instant connection and talked about marriage the first night we went out. From that night on we were practically inseparable. We rarely argue, but of course every relationship has hard times, we just try to resolve those conflicts quickly and do our best not to focus on those, but on the positive. You don’t really see a lot of conflict between Anna and Max, maybe a little bit in the beginning because of jealousy,  but they deal with it quickly and it melts away, because they continue to communicate. They are partners and their minds and souls are attuned to each other.

Rose, who you briefly meet in book three, and again in book four, is loosely based on our daughter. Very similar personalities between them, both are sassy and smart.

James, book 4 hero, is very loosely based on our son, funny, sarcastic, fiercely loyal, loves to eat… yeah that’s our boy 😃

Gareth, the Goblin King ( book three, Magic and book five, Fire) is of course highly influenced by the late, great David Bowie 😍 and Beast Boy from Teen Titans 🤩

The rest are probably composites of many people I’ve met, know or want to know.

CL: Who is your favorite character in your book and why? 

Oh gosh, don’t ask me that! That is like asking me to choose a favorite child or Book! But if you twist my arm, it’s gotta be Max… hello, based on my favorite person in the world, so yeah, but James and Rose are right up there too, for obvious reasons 😉 And, ok… Gareth, the Goblin King… because, well… he’s  the Goblin King!

CL: Describe your writing process.

I don’t write from an outline, I just have a basic idea of what the story is about. I am what some authors refer to as a by the seat of her pants writer. I  never know exactly what is going to happen, I just start typing and it happens. Of course, this means I don’t just sit down and write things out in one quick go. More like erratic spurts of creativity. So it takes me a bit to get books out. Bewitched was actually the fastest book I’ve ever written and that is because I was doing Nanowritmo that year, and was completely insane for a month! My family walked on eggshells and kept me supplied with chocolate, but it’s not an adventure I’d like to repeat, so I take my time writing now. The family is much happier that way. 😃

CL: Who are some of the authors who have influenced you? 

When I first started writing,  I was inspired by Laura Matthews,  Anita Mills, Georgette Heyer and Victoria Holt who also wrote as Philippa Gregory (I think I spelled that correctly, forgive me if I didn’t,  it’s been 30 plus years since I read her work) I fell in love with the Regency and Victorian Eras because of them. They write/wrote strong heroines and heroes, and scenes that are/were very visual. I wanted to do that too, so I strive for that in each book I write.

By the time Harry Potter and Twilight came out, I had kids and I was working with tweens and teens. So I’d have to credit J.K. Rowling and Stephanie Meyers for influencing me to write paranormal stories.

Other influences would include Gail Carringer (Regency, Victorian Steampunk), Janet Evonovich, and Laurell K. Hamilton.

I would also love to include some of the Indie authors who inspire me, and amaze me, Sarah Hall and Nicole Thorn coauthor some of the best stories I’ve ever read; Skye Knizley’s stories always include strong heroines and lots of action, which I love! Faith Marlow, who writes a twist on Dracula’s love life, is another inspiration. And Shyla Colt who writes hot MC romance is one of my favorite indulgences. Oh, and Bryan Tann and Kindra Sowder, fantastic apocalyptic futuristic writers, I love their work too. Oh, and L.A. Johnson’s Syfy is funny and quirky and just leaves me grinning like a crazy person. And funny, and quirky takes me to Marianna Thorn and her Skyler Wolfe mystery series oh she makes me laugh so much!

There are so many writers out there that I love and adore, I could spend all day on this! Through my career as a writer and editor I have been lucky enough to work with and read some awesome talent. If you want more reading suggestions, I can probably direct you to some fantastic talent in just about every genre. 😀

CL: What made you want to become an Author?

I have been an avid reader since I discovered Ramona Quimby in first grade. I was the girl in school who always had her head in the clouds and her nose in a book. I discovered my love for writing and telling my own stories in ninth grade English class with a creative writing project that let my imagination soar. Once I had a taste of it, I never wanted to stop.

CL: What advice would you give to other aspiring writers?

Read. Read Everything. And study sentence structure, trust me, it’s important. Notice the details in everything, not just books, but life. Study conversations and how people phrase things, and habits, and dialects. Research, learn new things, be inspired, stay positive and don’t pay attention to the critics, because they will try to suppress your creativity. Be You. Write what you know, and if it’s something you don’t know, then learn it. Most of all, have fun with it. Take joy in it. If you do, it will show in your work, and leave your readers with a smile.

What would you like to say to your readers?

Thank you. Thank you for reading, for enjoying the worlds I create, for gushing over my favorite characters, and for wanting more. I write because it makes me happy, having you love what I write, is beyond words incredibly humbling. I am forever grateful to you all.

CL: That concludes our interview. 

EL: Where you can find me and my books:

http://smarturl.it/ElizabethALance

http://elizabethannelance.wixsite.com/elizabethannelance

http://www.facebook.com/ElizabethAnneLance

Twitter @ElizabethALance

 

Soulmates: Bewitched by Elizabeth A. Lance

Soul Mates: Bewitched is written by the author Elizabeth A. Lance. It is the third book of the Soul Mate Series. If you want to find out more about her and her other books, click here.

The third book in the soul mate series is about Max’s best friend, Tony Gunari. Finding out the real identity of his best friend, it also made him decide to go out in the open and go back to his past and find out more about his family and his purpose. One of the things he didn’t see coming is a certain fireball throwing, sassy green-eyed redhead, Jillian, who may also play a role in his life.

After reading the second book, I was excited to read the next one and it certainly didn’t disappoint me, it blew me away. It has all the things I’m interested more fighting scenes, tarot reading, wicked wink, and the pacing worked really in the story. Soul Mate: Bewitched is unpredictable, clever twist and turns, and very entertaining for me. I love Max and Anna from the second book but Tony and Jillian. I’d say everything about came naturally. This is the specific kind of meeting and interaction I look for in stories. Their scenes and conversations are very smooth.

Strengths
Vivid Images – Miss Lance is really good in showing us what’s happening and the best part for me are the fighting and also the different world, in this case, the world of the Dark Fae.

Characterization – As always, the author had done her homework very well with the characters. I especially how the characters are all unique and have their own eccentricities and degree or fraction of humaneness. I appreciate the emotions it triggered in me while reading the book.

Conclusion
I don’t have complains on this book. I’m excited to read the one. I definitely recommend this book to you, it’s full of adventure, it’s action-packed, and don’t forget it’s fantasy and romance as well. You really read this book. I love it so much.

An Author Interview with Connie Stephany

Connie Stephany is a Chick Lit Author. Her works are Second Chances, she was also included in An April Fools Day Anthology, Fools Rush In, and her second book, Third Strike will come out on December 2015. So watch out. 😉

I want to first send my Congratulations to her because her book, Second Chances is a Finalist for the 2015 National Indie Excellence and with 4.5 out of 5 star rates and 54 reviews, and her book, Fools Rush In is an Amazon Bestseller with 4 out of 5 star rates and 74 reviews.

From her emails, I gathered she’s nice, cool, and such a funny lady.
Here’s what she has to say for herself.

CL: How did you come up with the idea for Second Chances?
It’s funny, it morphed from an old crush who came back in real life (similar to what happened with my hubby and me) and the added spice of a second guy because who wouldn’t want a choice between two hot men?

One thing led to another and the story morphed into the two men from her past going after one woman and a choice needed to be made.

CL: How did you choose the title? 
I wanted something to best portray the story and just thought it fit. I do partially regret my choice because there are thousands of books with that title, but I guess I wouldn’t change it because it is exactly the title that fits.

CL: Who is your favorite character in your book and why? My favorite person is Colleen, Abby’s best friend.

She reminds me of my real best friend whom I’ve had for over 25 years. We got into lots of troubles together and we still love to hang out as often as possible.

Colleen was always there for Abby when her heart was broken and many other times.  Abby was there for her too with the wedding and bachelorette party.  By the way those stories with Colleen were real-life stories such as the bachelorette party and the “hairing” of Charlie’s yard.

Friends are something that is so very important!

Colleen has her own short story called “Fooled Around and Fell in Love” in a short story anthology called “Fools Rush In”. You should check it out as it’s free on Kindle, Nook and Itunes!

Buy links can be found here: www.conniestephanybooks.com

CL: Describe your writing process.
1. Plan out the chapters and characters, the main story, write chapter summaries and then just dig in.  I change things as I go.
2. I then reread it
3. Edit story, trash parts, add more background, add fluff, remove pieces
4. Repeat step 3 approximately 150 times
5. My sisters beta read it along with a couple other beta readers.
6. My sisters read it out loud with me and I edit on the fly.
7.  Incorporate all beta reader feedback.
8.  Send to the editor.
9.  After getting edits back, I incorporate those.
10.  Then have my beta readers and editor re-read.

After that, it needs formatting for print, kindle, nook and Itunes (because they are all different formats).

It’s a LOT of work.

CL: Who are some authors who have influenced you? 
I love Sophie Kinsella. My favorite book of hers is “Can You Keep a Secret”.  I have read it about 20 times and laugh every time.

My other inspiration is Colleen Hoover. She’s an amazing story-teller and started as an indie writer too. Now she has 9 novels, is having a movie made of one of her novels.

She is living my dream.

CL: What made you want to become an Author?
I have been reading since a young girl. I ate novels for breakfast, lunch and dinner. About 10 or so years ago I decided I had several stories to tell!

In fact, my next book to be published after Third Strike will be about a minor character in my second novel who is Jennifer’s best friend. I wrote the book 10 years ago and needs some modifications, but I laughed when reading it after finding it hidden on a bookshelf. It has red marks all over so it’s even already ready for editing.

CL: What advice would you give to other aspiring writers?
1. Don’t give up!
2. Hire an editor. I did not do that for Second Chances and regret it. However, I have learned a TON so it has shown in my next novel, Third Strike, about the guy Abby doesn’t choose in Second Chances.
3. Tell everyone about it!
4. Do book signings. These have been quite popular for me.
5. Join Author FaceBook
Groups – they can be most helpful!

And that concludes our interview.
Again, if you want to know more about her life and her work, save her links below:
Website: www.conniestephanybooks.com
Twitter: @cesstephany
Amazon: Connie Stephany