Chewing the Fat with Bettye

February 16, 2014

Movie Trivia #3 of 4

The answers to Week #2: Network, Misery, The Iron Lady, Driving Miss Daisy, The Blind Side and the common link: Best Actress Oscar performances (Faye Dunaway, Kathy Bates, Meryl Streep, Jessica Tandy, Sandra Bullock).

The winner is Patsy Nelson, who will receive a complimentary copy of the Bunderful Books eBook of her choice. Congratulations, Patsy!

You'll have until 11:59PM Central Time on Saturday, 02/22/14, to get in your answers for Week #2 (there will be a total of 4 contests). ANSWERS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY EMAIL, NOT HERE (address below). But first, a little bit about the rules, which are different from previous years (because I no longer have time to keep a running tally of scores):

1) Four weekly contests to be held, with questions posted on the Bunderful Books Facebook wall, as well as my blog (or possibly only on my blog if photos or music clips; a link will be provided in that case) on 02/02, 02/09, 02/16, and 02/23. Winners cannot play again. The previous week's winner will be announced at the same time new questions are posted, with the last winner announced on Oscar night, 03/02/14.

2) One name will be drawn from all correct responses (of *all* questions). If only one set of correct answers, that person will win by default. If there are no sets of complete answers, winner will be chosen from the next total number of correct answers (i.e., people who only missed one question, people who only missed two questions, etc.). So don't let not knowing an answer or two prevent you from playing!

Winners can choose any Bunderful Books eBook except for my three-book bundle. Winners have the option of choosing a complimentary download of my next release (most likely to be Love Will Grow). Formats available are MOBI, EPUB, and PDF. Winners will be announced here and will also be notified by email, at which time they will be asked to name the eBook they want for their prize.

Prince #2: "Let’s strike a flint and see."

2) “Hey, Stelllllaaaaa!"

3) “How come all you college boys wear them faggoty-looking white shoes?”

4) Nun #1: "They're all uniformly terrified of you." Nun #2: “Yes, that’s how it works.”

5) “The only reason people are nice to me is because I have more money than God.”

6) “'Ethel Thayer.'" It sounds like I'm lisping, doesn't it?”

7) “You're joking! Ask that common little woman to the house with that noisy, vulgar man? He smells Oklahoma!”

8) What's the common link of all of the above?

February 14, 2014

Valentine's Day eBook Sale

Happy Valentine's Day!

In honor of this romantic holiday, I'm offering my eBook A Kiss of a Different Color on sale for $1.99. That's right, a full novel of over 100K for just $1.99. This price is only good at my eStore (not at Amazon or other retailers), and it's only good for Valentine's Day, February 14th. Be sure to choose the Buy Direct button to get the sale price.

After nine months of unemployment, physical therapy assistant Miranda Rhett leaves her home in Racine, Wisconsin, to take a job in employment-rich Bismarck, North Dakota, despite the city's startling absence of African-Americans. Once there, far removed from anyone who would tease her about her dream of ballroom dancing, she signs up for lessons, providing the school can find her a partner. The school comes through in the form of handsome, sexy Jon Lindbergh, a recent transplant from Minnesota.

Jon is as charming as he is agile on the dance floor, and Miranda soon finds that her romantic daydreams about falling in love in the arms of a handsome partner on the dance floor spilling over into real life. But Jon's family history of four generations of failed marriages has made a non-believer out of him. His primary interest seems to be hooking up with someone with whom to spend the bitterly cold North Dakota winter. Miranda doesn't believe in pursuing failure, and an even bigger obstacle is their learning they have the same employer--who instituted a strict no-dating rule in the wake of a sexual harassment scandal. Jon feels that no one will be the wiser, since he works at corporate and she at the rehabilitation center. Miranda is not so sure. But with the magical sparks that pass between them every time they look at each other, and with an average high winter temperature in the single digits and frequent dips below zero, what's a girl to do?

If she's Miranda, she does what comes naturally...and tries like hell to be the one to make a believer out of him...
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If it's cold where you are, this well-received eBook is guaranteed to warm you up! Here's a few snippets of what readers said about it:

"I enjoyed the believable aspects of the characters and how they relate to what's going in the world today. Bettye did a great job in showing how down to the wire, no job, new city, new challenges, can become a blessing if you just take a chance."

"Loved everything about the story, could easily visualize the characters around me. The author gave this the best of the best."

"I loved this book. It was well written, the pacing was good and the troubles real. I rooted for this couple from the first meeting."

"One of the best interracial stories EVER!"

"The best romance I've read this year."
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Happy reading!

February 13, 2014

Ode to John, Paul, George, and Ringo

I've always loved the Beatles.

Somehow I've blocked out any memory of the JFK assassination (although I have memories from before that) just a little over two months previously, but I do recall sitting with my older siblings in our living room watching the Ed Sullivan Show that Sunday night 50 years ago. Their lyrics seem downright silly by today's standards (♪"She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah"♫, ♪"I want to hold your hand"♫), but they were harmless, and it was a new and revolutionary sound for the time. Incidentally, before the Beatles hit the charts, the #1 song was Dominique by the woman known as The Singing Nun...also a catchy tune, if you happen to remember it, but with a completely different sound.

The group released records pretty frequently, almost keeping up with James Brown (who came out with a new record seemingly every three weeks), and as was the case with really good artists like JB, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, The Temptations, and The Supremes (who hit later that year with Where Did Our Love Go?), the B side was often as good as the A side. Like Smokey, the Fab Four wrote their own material (aside from some early recordings, including the Isley Brothers Twist and Shout that gave John an obvious case of laryngitis). Between my four siblings' pocket money, the Beatles 45's with the swirly yellow and orange labels of Capitol Records frequently played on our hi-fi, one hit after another, giving way eventually to the albums. I particularly remember Rubber Soul (my sister played the track "Michelle" over and over), Revolver, and later, the infamous White Album.

Watching the televised concert by various artists paying homage to the four lads from Liverpool brought all that back to me, and I played my CD that has over 20 of their hits on it and fell in love with the music all over again. I even named the chapters in my book A Love For All Seasons after their songs, and I gave away a $25 gift certificate to a lucky winner who guessed that the common thread of the chapter titles was music recorded by the group.

I've never been a huge guitar fan, but The Beatles, three of whom played guitar, often laced their music with distinct guitar riffs (Day Tripper, And I Love Her, Norwegian Wood) that appealed to me. To this day I remember going to bed just after a breaking news story came in about a man critically injured by gunshot wounds who looked a lot like John Lennon being brought to a New York hospital, and turning on the TV the next morning and hearing those six haunting opening guitar notes to In My Life. Those notes told me it had been John who'd been shot and that he was dead, even before the reporter announced it.

Their music began to mature as they did, and in their middle to later years as a group their sound became a little psychedelic with songs like Yellow Submarine and Hello Goodbye (the same thing was going on over at Motown, with songs like Ball of Confusion, Reflections, Cloud Nine, Psychedelic Shack), or songs that made no sense and clearly sounded like they were high when they wrote them, like Uncle Albert and Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds (the acronym of which famously spelled 'LSD').

I admit that none of their releases from that period were favorites of mine (although Yellow Submarine is catchy, sounding a bit like a children's song). It's their love songs that are dearest to my heart....Here, There, and Everywhere is a much-covered tune that is one of my favorite songs of all time (I particularly like the covers done by George Benson and Hugh Masekela). The Friends of Distinction did a real nice version of And I Love Her (Him) on their debut album, which was the first album I ever owned. Other compositions have never been done better than by the group themselves. I loved the way they harmonized on songs like Girl, P.S. I Love You, This Boy, and If I Fell, and the simple charm of You've Got to Hide Your Love Away and I Will.

Then there were the turbulent times before their breakup, during which they recorded some of their finest music: Blackbird, the immortal Let it Be; Hey Jude, and their final hit and my personal favorite, The Long and Winding Road (another tune beautifully recorded by George Benson).

The televised concert could only include a few of their many hits, and I believe it was done well. All four Beatles were showcased with pictures of them in their early years with their families. Even though John and George are gone from us, they were very much a part of the evening. With so much emphasis put on the Lennon/McCartney output, but individually and collaboratively, with regard to their success, I was particularly pleased to see that George and Ringo were given equal attention, George as a songwriter (three songs he penned were performed: While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Something, and Here Comes the Sun. Ringo, a late bloomer in terms of looks and looking surprisingly fit and youthful for a man of 73, sang Boys (from one of the group's early albums) and the two hits he sang lead on, Yellow Submarine and A Little Help From My Friends. He also played the drums. All in all, it was a very pleasant two-and-a-half hour trip down memory lane.

One perennial favorite Beatles tune that doesn't really do anything for me? Yesterday. I don't know why; to me it's just "all right" but no great shakes.

What are some of your favorite songs?

February 9, 2014

Movie Trivia #2 of 4

Week #1 of my annual movie trivia contest is over. The answers: The Wolf of Wall Street, Django Unchained, The Aviator, Gangs of New York, and the common link: Actor Leonardo DiCaprio.

The winner is Divas of the Serengeti Book Club, one member of whom will receive a complimentary copy of the Bunderful Books eBook of their choice. Congratulations, Divas!

You'll have until 11:59PM Central Time on Saturday, 02/15/14, to get in your answers for Week #2 (there will be a total of 4 contests). ANSWERS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY EMAIL, NOT HERE (address below). But first, a little bit about the rules, which are different from previous years (because I no longer have time to keep a running tally of scores):

1) Four weekly contests to be held, with questions posted on this wall, as well as my blog (or possibly only on my blog if photos or music clips; a link will be provided in that case) on 02/02, 02/09, 02/16, and 02/23. Winners cannot play again. The previous week's winner will be announced at the same time new questions are posted, with the last winner announced on Oscar night, 03/02/14.

4) Do not post answers here...email them to contests @ bettyegriffin.com (no spaces in email addy).

Here's are this week's questions, like last week, all movie quotes. Remember, DO NOT POST ANSWERS HERE!! Email them to contests @ bettyegriffin.com (no spaces in email addy). Good luck!
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1) “I want you to get up right now, sit up, go to your windows, open them and stick your head out and yell - 'I'm as mad as hell and I'm not going to take this anymore!'”

2) “You see, it's just that kind of sarcasm that's given our marriage real spice.”

3) “It’s time to put the ‘great’ back in “Great Britain.”

4) “I taught some of the stupidest children God ever put on the face of this earth, and all of them could read well enough to find a name on a tombstone.”

5) “I want you to have a good time, but if you get a girl pregnant out of wedlock, I will crawl into the car, drive up to Oxford and cut off your penis.”

6) What's the common link of all of the above?

February 7, 2014

Guest Blogger: Shelia M. Goss

The Joneses are coming!

That's right! Shelia Goss's new book, The Joneses, releases on February 18th. To mark the occasion, Shelia is here today to talk about dating (specifically, what not to do on a first date), tell you about the book, and to do a giveaway!

Here is Shelia's sage advice to those in search of their soul mates:

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Do you get nervous before a first date? Dating should be fun and when you meet a person you're really interested in, you really want things to go perfect. Here are a few things not to do on a first date:

Don't talk about your ex. Unless the other person asks you about your ex, do not spend the entire date talking about problems you and your ex encountered.

Don't do all of the talking. How many times have you been out with someone and they go on and on about themselves and never let you get a word in edgewise? Give the other person time to talk. Listening is just as important as talking.

Don't give it up too soon. Good sex can cloud your judgment. You might think he's the best thing since sliced bread, but he's really not. You're only thinking he is because he knows how to hit your G-spot.

Don't start something you're not willing to put up with later. That means no faking. No pretending like you like something just to get the person and then do a 360 once you're in a relationship. To thine self be true always.

Don't settle. If you do, you'll find yourself caught up in a relationship you really don't want.

What are some other things you shouldn't do on a first date?

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shelia M. Goss is a national bestselling author and a screenwriter. The Joneses is her seventeenth book in print. She writes in multiple genres. USA Today says, “Goss has an easy, flowing style with her prose…” She's received many accolades in her career, including being a finalist in the mystery category for the 2013 AA Literary Award Show and a 2012 Emma Award Finalist. Her books have been on several bestseller lists, such as: Essence Magazine, Dallas Morning News, and Black Expressions Book Club. Shelia loves to hear from readers, so feel free to contact her via her website, or follow her on Facebook or Twitter.

Now, a little about The Joneses:

THE JONESES

Keeping up with the Joneses isn’t all it’s made out to be. In this intriguing novel full of drama and plot twists, one family tries to hold on to their “perfect” life before their secrets, lies, and scandals are exposed.

On the outside, the Joneses seem like the ideal family: Royce Jones, a funeral home mogul, and his wife, Lexi, are parents to Charity, Hope, and Lovie—and everybody wants to be them. But it’s true that money can’t buy happiness, and the Joneses are harboring secrets that can’t stay hidden forever…It’s only a matter of time before the Joneses’ perfect life goes spinning out of control.

Click here to read an excerpt.

Preorder your copy of The Joneses today!

This exciting new novel will be available in both print and eBook formats. The print version will be in stores everywhere on February 18, 2014!

Finally, the details of The Joneses Giveaway:

THE JONESES GIVEAWAY
Lexi Jones, one of the main characters, from The Joneses, loves her handbags, so it’s befitting that the grand prize be a handbag. Contest ends on February 25, 2014.

GRAND PRIZE:

One (1) random entrant will receive a small Coach handbag (Retail value: $188.00, 10 3/4″(L) x 7″(H) x 3 1/4″(W), and Bath and Body Works miniatures (Retail value: $19.75).

RUNNER UP:

One (1) random entrant will receive an autographed copy of Shelia's novel Montana’s Way.

10 ENTRANTS:

Ten (10) random entrants will receive the electronic version of Shelia's novel Hollywood Deception.

Open to U.S. and Canada residents only. Void where prohibited by law.

To enter, please use the Rafflecopter form below (or link to it, if it shows up that way in your browser). Good luck to all, and don't forget to share your thoughts about what not to do on a first date in the Comments!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

February 2, 2014

Movie Trivia #1 of 4

It's time for my annual Movie Trivia game!

Don't let that picture of an Oscar fool you. This contest is about movies in general, not about the Oscars. I like to do it this time of year so it concludes on Oscar night. I had hoped to post this earlier, but don't worry! You'll have until 11:59PM Central Time on Saturday, 02/08/14, to get in your answers. But first, a little bit about the rules, which are different from previous years (because I no longer have time to keep a running tally of scores):

1) Four weekly contests will be held, with questions posted on this wall (or possibly on my blog if photos or music clips) on 02/02, 02/09, 02/16, and 02/23. Winners cannot play again. The previous week's winner will be announced at the same time new questions are posted, with the final winner announced on Oscar night, 03/02/14.

2) One name will be drawn from all correct responses (of *all* questions). If only one set of correct answers is submitted, that person will win by default.

3) Winners can choose any Bunderful Books eBook except for my three-book bundle. Winners have the option of choosing a complimentary download of my next release (most likely to be Love Will Grow). Formats available are MOBI, EPUB, and PDF. Winners will be announced here and will also be notified by email, at which time they will be asked to name the eBook they want for their prize.

4) Do not post answers here...email them to contests@bettyegriffin.com .

Here's are this week's questions, all movie quotes. Remember, DO NOT POST ANSWERS HERE!! Email them to contests@bettyegriffin.com . Good luck!
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1) Question: “What kind of hooker takes credit cards?”
Answer: “A rich one.”

2) “The ‘D’ is silent, hillbilly.”

3) “I sweat, and you're deaf. Aren't we a fine pair of misfits?”

4) “And no matter what they did to build this city up again...for the rest of time...it would be like no one ever knew we was even here.”

5) "He saved me...in every way that a person can be saved. I don't even have a picture of him. He exists now... only in my memory."

6) The common thread of these films is: __________________.

Good luck!

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