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Alyssa Richards

Mystery, Thriller, and Suspense

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Tuscan Princesses are Descendants of Mona Lisa

April 28, 2015 by Alyssa Leave a Comment

Meet two descendanimages-2ts of Lisa Gherardini, the model for the Mona Lisa. In 2007, an Italian genealogy expert revealed that the Strozzi family directly descends from Gherardini.  In this photo are Tuscan princesses Natalia, left, and Irina Strozzi, I think I see a resemblance. Do you?

Last year I traveled to Paris and spent a full day in the Louvre. If you’ve been recently, you know that the Mona Lisa has a relatively new room that was constructed for her. Her smallish painting sits in the middle of the room on a free standing wall. The walls on the side of the room are filled with other paintings but I don’t think anyone ever pays attention to those!

If you’re someone who wants to see the Mona Lisa, I highly recommend going on to The Louvre’s website. You’ll get a better look at the Mona Lisa there than you ever could in person. The Louvre has a wonderful “focus” option where you can look at the famous painting as if you were within a few inches of the canvas! http://focus.louvre.fr/en

It’s better than actually being there. No crowds to fight. No tourists pushing and shoving and vying for a selfie with Mona Lisa. Yes, a selfie with Mona. I actually saw that. #headslap

The crowds that gather to see the Mona Lisa are usually intense, and, when I was there, the Louvre guards weren’t very motivated to move people along. So, it can be a challenge to get a good look at her. Plus the painting is small. Only 77 x 53 cm. So, check her out on the website. Lots of fun!

Leonardo was 55 when he finished painting her. It took him 4 years. When he did finish the painting, he carried it around with him for the last 12 years of his life. Obsessively. Some say he added little touches here and there to the painting during that time. You know, Lisa Gheradini was pregnant when she sat for the portrait, maybe that’s the reason for her mysterious smile.

She sits behind 3 inches of bulletproof glass and receives a minimum of 8 million visitors a year! Can’t wait to see her again.

Perhaps Addie and Blake will make a visit to see her as well…

 

Filed Under: Miscellaneous, News

If I Say: “Cliffhanger” – Do You Find That Infuriating?

April 13, 2015 by Alyssa Leave a Comment

images-1 “Summer’s approach signals the end of the traditional broadcast season — bringing with it season finales and scores of cliffhangers.” That’s a quote from the Hollywood Reporter as they preview the final episodes of this season’s hottest TV shows.  http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/tv-finale-dates-2015-complete-785817

And they’re predicting…cliffhangers.

Which, honestly, I find exciting.

But my publicist tells me that cliffhangers upset readers.

Really? I don’t get that.

But, then again, I didn’t grow up in an age of instant gratification. When I was a kid (and I realize I’m dating myself here…) we didn’t have smart phones, digital cameras, cable TV or computers.

If we were expecting a call, we had to wait until we got back home to receive the call. And if we missed the call, we had to wait until they called again because (gasp) we didn’t have voicemail. Or caller ID or call waiting for that matter.

When we wanted to see the photos from Christmas morning at Grandmother’s house, we had to wait until Mom took the film to the camera store — where it would be developed and the pictures were printed — before we could see how the they turned out. That process would take weeks. It could be Spring before we knew how the Christmas pictures turned out.

Can you imagine?

Didn’t bother me a bit, actually.

If we encountered a (teeth chatter) cliffhanger on a TV series, we waited until the following season to see how it came out. Which was — A YEAR — by the way.

When we had to do research for a school project, we went to the library and scoured books. It would take several trips to the library before our work could be completed. And if the book we wanted was already checked out? We had to wait for it to be returned. Or find another resource to use. Horrors.

Oh, and we didn’t have microwaves either. So dinner wasn’t ready in five minutes unless you had a bowl of cereal.

Which was fine.

Here’s a list of best cliffhanger books: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/4564.Best_Cliffhanger_Ending

Check it out, you’ll see such familiar titles as Harry Potter, Divergent, The Lord of the Rings and about 97 other books that you’ve probably read and dearly love.

If there’s one word I’ve used over and over in this post, it’s — wait.

Which is apparently hard for some people to do. At the end of The Fine Art of Deception, Undoing Time, Book 1, ALL loose ends are not wrapped up. Because it’s Book 1. See that? It’s a series. So, there’s more adventure to come.

I love starting a series and knowing that there’s more fun to come in books 2, 3, and 4. It gives me something positive to look forward to. I’m so excited to see what happens!!!! Will they get off the cliff?? Who knows?? I can imagine all sorts of my own made-up endings and next scenes until the next installment comes out.

Honestly, I’m usually sad and suffer a major book hangover when the series does end. So, I *love* a good cliffhanger. The author is telling me that the fun continues…yay 🙂

But, I’ve learned, that not everyone can handle that. They need immediate gratification or risk losing their … patience.

I’m not sure if Book 2 ends in a cliffhanger or not because I haven’t finished writing it, yet. I’m close to the end of it, but I often don’t know what’s going to happen next until I write it. Sounds strange, doesn’t it?

I am pretty darn sure that everything isn’t wrapped up at the end of Book 2. The story runs deep. So, there will be more to come. And hopefully you’ll consider that a good thing. 🙂

Filed Under: Miscellaneous, News

The Fine Art of Deception, Undoing Time

January 22, 2015 by Alyssa 1 Comment

Adobe Photoshop PDFAn art appraiser who has a gift for seeing the history of an object with just a touch, tries to put her gifts and her troubled past behind her. She takes a quiet job with a small gallery, only to find herself in the middle of the nation’s largest unsolved art crime.

That’s The Fine Art of Deception and it’s finally available – on Amazon !!!

Here’s what readers are saying:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional book, great writing. Love Addie’s journey. January 18, 2015
By Penny C. Sansevieri
Format:Kindle Edition
I’m just so in love with this story and this author’s writing. I love Addie’s journey as well as Blake (who is such a major hottie). The characters have great depth and the story moves along quickly. The romance part is great but what I also enjoyed was the ghost element of this which I found to be super unique and (insider scoop) written by someone who actually does know about ghostly encounters. Though it is pivotal, it does not overtake the story in such a way that you forget the heart of this novel but it’s there, pulling you along. I highly recommend this read! I received a copy of this book for an honest review.
5.0 out of 5 stars Best Paranormal Romance! LOVE THIS BOOK! January 21, 2015
By Lucinda St. Claire
Format:Kindle Edition
I LOVE this book! This may just be the Best Paranormal Romance I’ve read (and I’ve read a lot!). I love the overall tone, the wit and humor and how the book draws you in right from the start. The characters have depth, are likeable, have a good mix of strength and vulnerability and seem like real people. The plot is intriguing and believeable. Being drawn into Addie’s world of psychic gifts and the posh Art World in NYC was a pleasure. The whole art heist thing was a great premise and lent realism to the story.
Alyssa Richards artfully takes us on a journey with: Art, mystery, danger,intrigue, attraction, gorgeous charicters,steamy sex, seeing through the eyes of a psychic, ghosts, past lives and Epic Love! (move over Rhett and Scarlet!)
I was riveted!
Read this book!

Synopsis:

Art appraiser Addison Montgomery just wants a normal life. One where she can ignore the vicious ghosts who follow her. One where she’s free from her “gift” of touching an object and seeing the owner’s deepest secrets. And one where she can fall in love without having all of the above get in the way.

But when tall, dark, and dangerous gallery owner Blake Greenwood enters her life, normal is the last thing she’s feeling. The man has more secrets than the priceless art he sells, giving Addison’s quest for normal no chance. That, and he may just hold the key to uncovering the truth behind her father’s unexplained disappearance.

Despite her paranormal gifts warning her to stay away, she feels an inexplicable, captivating fascination for him, something that goes deeper than attraction. There’s something between them that’s older than time, and if she can learn to give him her trust, it may just save her life.

  ~ If you would like a chance to read and honestly review The Fine Art of Deception at no cost, contact me at alyssa@paranormalromancebooks.com ~

***

And now …  A few weeks ago I was blogging away,  unaware that my webmaster had completed a new feature which automatically sends an email out to everyone as soon as I publish a post. And, so, everyone got inadvertently pinged three times in two days. I’m so sorry!!!

Please accept this spotify playlist as a token of my regret:  Sorry …  

And please know that was not my intent, and that it won’t (I hope) happen again!

Happy Reading,

Alyssa ox

Filed Under: News

Thinking about writing baseball romance books

October 6, 2014 by Alyssa Leave a Comment

photo copy 2

Here I sit, watching baseball and thinking of writing baseball romance books… So many good ideas – definitely a series.

Maybe erotica this time! Just to spice it up…

Filed Under: Miscellaneous, News

Calling All Readers! Join the Alyssa Richards’ Street Team!

October 2, 2014 by Alyssa Leave a Comment

images-2

Calling All Readers!! Join the Alyssa Richards’ Street Team!

If you love to read paranormal romance, and enjoy getting the word out about a good book, I would love for you to join my Street Team!

I’m looking for 20 Street Team Members to help me launch and promote my book, The Fine Art of Deception.

The Fine Art of Deception Alyssa Richards

What is a Street Team?

The Alyssa Richards’ Street Team is simple and fun and there are team perks, like pre-release reads of my books and cool book swag!

Since we’re all very busy, you may not be able to support all of the goals as outlined below – which is completely fine! Any and all support is greatly appreciated. Please just do what you feel you can.

Essentially, I’m looking for two kinds of support:

1.    Beta Readers – Occasionally I will ask for Team Members to read and provide feedback on pre-release books and sections of books.

*Currently I am looking for readers to read a pre-release copy of The Fine Art of Deception and provide me with your reviews before November 30th.

2.   Promotion and Reviews – Team Members will receive exclusive information on book releases, reviews, contests and promotions for you to share with people via Twitter, FaceBook other social media outlets and blogs.

Reviews on Amazon, Goodreads, book and review blogs, and bookseller sites are fantastic and appreciated! Team Members receive a free, pre-release copy of all Alyssa Richards’ books!

Likes, Friends and Follows on my social media sites are also wonderful ways to help.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/1AlyssaRichards

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/alyssa.richards.942

Google+  :  https://plus.google.com/110133656249841700759/posts

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/alyssa0312/

 

Fun book swag is available to have and enjoy and to share with others!

 

How Do I Join?

Please send me an email at alyssa@paranormalromancebooks.com with Street Team in the subject line. Let me know how you’d like to help!

With love & gratitude,

Alyssa oxox

Filed Under: News

Naked Pictures of Celebrities – Okay, Why Exactly?

September 1, 2014 by admin Leave a Comment

Someone hacked into iCloud yesterday and broadcast quite a few naked pictures of celebrities onto the internet. Aside from the validation of my decision not to use iCloud, this gave me pause over the whole celebs taking naked pictures fascination.

I may be one of only 3 people on the planet who have never had the urge to take a picture of herself naked. Ever. Really. If I want to know what I look like naked, I use a mirror.
Then I either do the happy dance, or I go drink. Depending upon how many times I went to see my trainer over the previous month.
But I’ve never wanted a keepsake from that moment.

I mean, if we’re going to learn from history, think for a moment – for how many celebs/politicians has this naked picture/sex video thing worked out badly? Okay, then.
But if you are someone who needs a memento from that special moment in front of the mirror, perhaps while you’re with Mr Right Now, here’s a hint: Try Polaroid. Then put it in a safe. Or at least the bottom of your lingerie drawer. Don’t trust that stuff to technology.

Crimeny.

Have a brain cell. Please.

People often ask me if ghosts see us in our more vulnerable moments. The answer is yes. Oddly.

True ghosts – those spirits who have not yet crossed over – have personalities and interests that are roughly the same as their living interests were. So, if they tended toward unsavory interests while they were alive, the same is often true while they wander around in death.

I know. It’s awful. But it’s true.

Filed Under: News

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