Thursday, September 9, 2010

Celia Yeary Makes Life Oh, So Sweet!!

Hip-Hip-Hooray!! We made it through another week!

I've got just the tempting dish to get your taste buds amped up for some romance reading over the weekend . . . Please help me welcome to TLN Hot Seat the always delicious CELIA YEARY!!

Celia's latest release TEXAS BLUE is a sure-fire bit of yummy goodness guaranteed to please. Ever the Bit-O-Honey, she's gonna tickle our senses with an article on how she rates books by using candy bars! (Surely that kind of info is worth a 100 Grand! lol)

Circle 'round, partners! We're in for a hum-dinger of a tasty time!



1)If you were a book, what would your blurb be?

In a state of mind-numbing boredom, retired teacher and injured golfer Celia Yeary turns to a computer and becomes The Accidental Author. During her journey to publication, she alternately goes from elation to dejection. Soon, she learns the path will not be smooth, but it promises great satisfaction, joy, and personal growth. But can she overcome the pain of occasional rejection and ultimately find true happiness writing romance novels?

2)Three words describing my voice:

Pure, unadorned, emotional.

Hope you're ready for a sweet treat!! If not, after Celia's article, you will be!

How I Rate Books using Candy Bars
By Celia Yeary

Sometimes I review a book written by a friend, acquaintance, or fellow author on my blog, but I never feel comfortable assigning numbers, stars, or whatever. Although anyone can review books, I’ll leave the rating system to the professionals, and possibly to those who review books independently on a regular basis. I have no quarrel with that.

I do have a system or two, though, but I only voice the ratings to myself. One system is by descriptive words, and since they may be a little over-the-top for this lovely blog, I’ll describe my Candy Bar System instead.

Before I offend anyone by using her favorite candy bar as a One, just let me remind you that we don’t all like the same books. Remember—one man’s trash is another man’s treasure; or one reader’s two-thumbs down is another reader’s two thumbs up. Okay?
Celia’s Book Rating System: (the number denotes the review if one were using numbers, a 5 being the top rating)

(5) ALMOND JOY—My favorite! Deep, dark, rich, a sweet intriguing middle, and two nuts to anticipate. You don’t get the same thing in every bite. Perfect, one to return to again and again.

(4) PAYDAY—Perfect blend of sweet and salty, a chewy center that lasts, and crunchy peanuts. Something to sink your teeth into and savor.

(3) HERSHEY’S ALMOND JOY—A little too much of a good thing, lacks imagination, but still yummy.

(2) KRACKLE—Pale, filled with air, unsatisfying, finish as fast as you can—or give away.

(1) MILKY WAY—too sweet, same throughout, lacks surprises, a little too boring.
My third release from The Wild Rose Press is titled TEXAS BLUE. I was fortunate enough to receive excellent ratings for this story—Two Almond Joys and Two PayDays! It doesn’t get much better than that. Oh, readers told me they really liked it. Yeah!


Here is the blurb for TEXAS BLUE:

When Buck Cameron finally found Marilee Weston and her young daughter, he believed the pretty, young woman did not fit the character description he was given. The County Judge back home said she was not fit to raise the child, who he claimed was his. Now Buck faced a dilemma. Should he disobey orders and rescue both of them from isolation? He would, because there wasn’t enough money in the world to exchange for a child. All he had to do was convince Marilee of his good intentions—she and her daughter would safe be with him in Nacogdoches.

Rejected and abandoned by her father, Marilee Weston let the pain of betrayal make her strong. Now, she needed a way out of the forest, where she had lived for five years. But the towering pines and fear of the unknown imprisoned her, and loneliness and heartbreak suffocated her. How could she find a new life for herself and young daughter? She couldn’t. Not without help. But would this alluring stranger free her, or prove to be even more dangerous?



Yum, yum! Ain't nothing better than a hunky-dunkie lawman to make you beg for more! I'd like to thank Celia for sharing her scrumptious reviewing methods with us. LOL I know I'm ready for a candy bar right now! If you'd like to know more about Celia Yeary, please check out the links listed below.

Celia Yeary-Romance...and a little bit 'o Texas http://www.celiayeary.blogspot.com/ http://www.celiayeary.com/
Texas Blue-
http://www.thewildrosepress.com/
New Releases
Texas Promise-eBook-Desert Breeze Publishing
Making the Turn-print & eBook-Wings ePress

THANK YOU, TLN'ers!! With all the talk about candy, this preggo lady is ready for a snack!! Here's a treat just for you! BUILD ME UP BUTTERCUP by THE FOUNDATIONS circa 1969. Hope your weekend is as satisfying as a Snickers!! I know I'll be glued to a PC working on my word count. What about you?

47 comments:

Unknown said...

SARAH--This is just about the most fun for an interview I've ever had. I love your blog and your very entertaining posts! Thank you for inviting me, and we can't wait for that third baby!!! Maybe you could name him Almond Joy--a Five! Celia

Karen Michelle Nutt said...

Hi Celia!

I loved your rating system! My mouth was watering. lol It's a good thing I keep a stash of Dove Chocolate chips in my freezer. Guess where I'm heading?

I wish you the best with your books! How can you go wrong with a cowboy? :)

Wait-- Sarah, are you expecting a baby? How did I miss this? When? Oh, and congratulations on Almond or is it Joy? lol

Vonnie Davis said...

What a great blog! I loved your candy bar rating system. I wish I could post a copy of it to my blog for my readers. They'd love it, as did I. Much success in the sale of your books. Write on!
www.vintagevonnie.blogspot.com

Sheri Humphreys said...

Love your candy bar rating system. Totally works for me. Thanks for sharing it. Sheri

Unknown said...

KAREN--Dove Chocolate Chips? Uh-oh, another one. That one goes on my grocery list. I do keep a bag of dark chocolate chips in my refrigerator and I'll eat about a tablespoon full or less--just a few to satisfy my yearning. thanks for the tip! Celia

Unknown said...

VONNIE--Be my guest--you may post my rating system--just give my name or something! A Davis? My maiden name is Davis! Celia

Unknown said...

SHERI--you're welcome, and thanks for coming by. Celia

Anonymous said...

Oh, how "indescribably delicious" this rating is! Um mmmmmmm!

But, wait? There's no Reese's peanut butter cups???? (my peanut butter jar is feeling very discriminated against, you know)

Ha ha, fabulous way to rate books, Celia, and wonderfully original. Love it! :)

Cheryl Pierson said...

Hey Celia and Sarah!

Ok, I'm so glad you put that little disclaimer at the beginning, Celia, because Milky Way IS my favorite candy bar of all times.LOL (although I never turn down any of those others you mentioned except...Almond Joy--don't like coconut in my candy.) LOL All joking aside, I think this is a great way of looking at rating books. Everyone can come up with their own "system" according to their likes and dislikes. I always learn something from your articles, Celia! Congratulations on all your wonderful successes--you are on a ROLL!

Sarah, I missed the news of you being and expectant mom again too! Congratulations!

Celia I loved your "blurb" too. Sarah asks the best questions.

Cheryl

Unknown said...

MISS MAE--yes, good old Reese's--love those! but there are just so many high rating, and the Almond Joy and PayDay had to take top honors. If I used Reese's--ewww!--it would be way down the line, and we couldn't have that, now, could we? Thank you for coming by--Celia

Unknown said...

CHERYL--well, I knew I'd step on somebody's toes, but not my best friend's!!!! Sorry! And I understand coconut--it's one of those things you love or hate--and some people do not like coconut.
Yeah, I really enjoyed writing the blurb. Did you know I wrote it without going back and changing anything? Usually, I write, erase, write--that just rolled out. Thank you dearest, for visiting this morning. Celia

M.Flagg said...

Hi Celia. I absolutely love your rating system - being a chocoholic, of course :)

Great excerpt and cool interview!

Mickey

Cheryl Pierson said...

Celia,

My mom used to love those Almond Joy candy bars. She would buy those because she knew I didn't like them--so she could have them all to herself. LOL When Daddy used to get us each our box of Valentine candy, I would take the ones I suspected to be coconut and try to trade them for caramels with my sisters and mom, then I'd share them with my dad, because he didn't like coconut either. (He and I were the only ones in the family that didn't.) Again this was a great post and so timely for the upcoming Halloween season--I probably will never think of book ratings in quite the same way--I'll always see a candy bar hovering nearby.LOL
Cheryl

Unknown said...

THANK YOU, MICHELLE--I'm on my last purple pen you gave me of the Champion Chronicles! Remember?
Glad you like my system--I have another one I probably shouldn't post in public because it's not so sweet! Celia

Unknown said...

CHERYL--there's something elusive about coconut that either appeals to a person or repels. I should ask Bekki--she know a lot out scents, so maybe it's the smell--or texture? Curious. We did not eat candy bars often. Usually only when we traveled to see some cousins whose family owned a service station and little store. When we left, our cousins would run to the car and give us Hershey Almond and a pack of gum. Fun memories..Celia

Maggie Toussaint said...

Yummy rating system, Celia. From your selection you can tell that you adore chocolate and cruncy nuts, two of my favorite things in the whole world as well. When I was on my diet I found some delicious chocolate items that I actually prefer now as treats, if you can believe that. I've fallen off the diet wagon but I'm still going for the "diet" chocolates.

Enjoyed the interview. And let me suggest a different blurb for you: Intrepid and fearless, Celia Yeary mastered education, family, and career, but her longing for adventure swept her into a timeless Texas landscape peopled with heartwarmed characters. Celia's quick pen sketches Texas vibrantly right before our eyes, and she does it in such a "aw shucks it weren't nothing" manner as if it weren't a major feat. In true Texas fashion, when trouble heads her way she stares right into both barrels and wins the day.

Unknown said...

Ohhh, Maggie--this gives me goosebump. I don't think I've ever had such a wonderful compliment. May I copy your "blurb"? I have to keep this!
We have to have a little something sweet every night, but we always follow it with a bite of peanuts--"to get the sweet out." No one but us understadn that, I don't think.
When I go gambling with my three buddies, on the way home, halfway, we stop at the Dairy Queen and get the biggest sweetest Blizzard we can. But after--I drag out the bag of Fritoes to have something salty. All three of them go ewww! See? Weird. Thanks for taking the time to write that blurb! Celia

Susan R. Mills said...

Love the rating system! Thanks for the interview.

Unknown said...

Thank you, Susan!

Caroline Clemmons said...

What a fun interview! I love the post. Well, except for one thing: Milky Way is my favorite candy bar. I live all those your mentioned and now---thank you, very much, Celia--I am craving a candy bar. LOL Have a great weekend.

DanielleThorne said...

I love your rating system! What a great idea!

Wishing you many Almond Joys w/ your release!

Unknown said...

CAROLINE--I'm sorry! I had to choose something! Yeah, I think a lot of us are heading for the candy counter. Thanks for stopping by--Celia

Unknown said...

DANIELLE--thanks--love those Almond Joys--and fives. Celia

Diane Craver said...

What a clever idea, Celia, but you made me hungry for candy. I do love Almond Joy, Payday - well, actually like every bar you mentioned on your rating list. LOL

Sarah and Celia - Thanks for a great interview - there are so many similar author interviews but this one was unique and fun!

Laurean Brooks said...

Sarah, thank you for hosting Celia. I'm halfway thru TEXAS BLUE and I give it two Almond Joys, plus a Hershey Bar and Twix, all rolled into one.

The characters are so real you will find yourself rooting for the hero and heroine, and at the same time, clenching your fists to punch out the mean guys and gals.

Where's that judge? Let me at him! And good ole Cynthia, I'd love to wring her jaws!(Oops! Did I say that?)

I LOVE this story. Only wish I could sit down and read it in one sitting. Wow! Wouldn't it be nice if life was just one good book after another? Finish one, start another, with no interference. Next!

Sherry Gloag said...

Having just developed an intolerance to chocolate, I have to say I love your rating system. I got to enjoy all those bars (except milky way - I'm with you on that) without a crumb landing on my tongue.
I bet your dentist would love you too if he read this blog :-)

Unknown said...

DIANE--I appreciate the time you took to come visit (got Marrying Mallory for $1.99!).Sarah and I appreciate compliments, don't we Sarah? Talk later--Celia

Unknown said...

LAUREAN--BLESS YOUR HEART. So many candy bars! I'm happy to see that you understand my characters. Would you believe I redeem Cynthia in all My Hopes and Dreams? She grows up and has to cope with lots of new things--uncluding a MIL that hates her! Thank you dearest, for reading this book. Celia

Unknown said...

SHERRY--oh, gosh I hope my dentis doesn't see it! Actually I brush my teeth three times a day--yep, three times, and sometimes one more time depending.
Sorry about your intolerence for chocolate, but that might not be a bad thing. Thank you for visiting. Celia

Sarah Simas said...

Wowza! Celia, you such know how to party!

What a fantastic crowd. Thanks everyone for joining the fun!!

Yep, I'm due 12/30 with baby #3. We found out last week it's a girl! My daughter (4.5) is thrilled and my son (3) is quite perturbed! LOL Keeping up with them and trying not to fall asleep every time I sit down keeps me hopping these days. ;)

Wasn't Celia's post fabulous?! I'm totally craving a candy bar now!

Unknown said...

SARAH--I see that you also have a lot of followers--that is fantastic, and your blog is so upbeat, not a staid or boring word in it. It truly draws people, which is why I'm especially happy to be here today. I loved writing that review system, and it came to me in flash--very easy.Thank you for having me and for doing such a fantastic job. If I lived near, I would baby sit so you could take a nap! Your son will have a hard row to hoe all his life, being sandwiched between sisters. Being a middle child is bad enough!!! Thank you so much--Celia

Mona Risk said...

What a fun rating. My favorite chocolate being Kit-Kat, from now on I should award Kit-Kat when I love a book. I agree with Maggie's Blurb that describes you so well, Celia.

Diane Craver said...

Celia,
You made my day - thank you so much for buying Mallory! I hope you enjoy reading it.

Maeve Greyson said...

I adored your author blurb, Celia. Great interview too! :-)

Stephanie Burkhart said...

Celia, what a lighthearted and fun interview! I think I'll pull up a Twix along with your book. hehe.

Smiles
Steph

Unknown said...

MONA--bless you. I like Kit-Kats, too. Honestly, I'd eat almost any candy bar.I just don't very often. For me, they're a special treat. We do eat those little two bite candy bars at night--I keep a big bag of assorted one, and that's all we need. And thanks about the blurb--I saved that in my files--loved it! Celia

Unknown said...

MONA--bless you. I like Kit-Kats, too. Honestly, I'd eat almost any candy bar.I just don't very often. For me, they're a special treat. We do eat those little two bite candy bars at night--I keep a big bag of assorted one, and that's all we need. And thanks about the blurb--I saved that in my files--loved it! Celia

Unknown said...

DIANE--I'll read it soon, I hope. I'm in the middle of one that's not long, and as soon as I finish it, I'll do yours. It's the kind of story that appeals to me. Celia

Unknown said...

THANK YOU, MAEVE--I always enjoy your visit. Glad you liked the blurb. Celia

Unknown said...

STEPH--go for it! Eat chocolate! Thanks for coming by.Love you, Celia

Maggie Toussaint said...

Celia, Use the blurb as you like. I meant every word!!!

Savanna Kougar said...

Yep, if you're gonna do it, why not with candy bars? ~smiles~

Laurean Brooks said...

Celia,
Oh poor Cynthia! (Did you catch the sarcasm in that? LOL)

I can't wait to see Cynthia get her just rewards. I do NOT like the way she humiliates our little heroine.

Reedeem her if you must, but what's a story without a witch?

I love to create them, myself. Remember Oscar's mother, Nora in JTF?

Unknown said...

SAVANNA--yes, why not? You can never go wrong with candy! Celia

Unknown said...

LAUREAN--yes! I remember Nora. Nasty lady.
So, about Cynthia--she has her own book, All My Hopes and Dreams. And guess what? she has an evil MIL! The MIL drives the story and she is a real villian. Celia

Rebecca J Vickery said...

I'm late as always, but loved your rating system. I heartily agree with it too. Congrats on Texas Blue. It's on my list and I am chomping at the bit to have time to read it!

Unknown said...

REBECCA--thank you, thank you. I can alwasy think up something silly! Like candy bar ratings. My brain doesn't do any kind of deep thinking, I guess. Thanks for reading TX. Blue--I do appreciate it more than I can say. Celia