Judge Not Lest Ye Be Judged

intelligence

Pronunciation: /inˈteləjəns/

The ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills

If there is one thing I hate above all others, it is when people make the assumption that I am stupid or uneducated based on what they assume I read, watch, and/or listen to. Let me explain a little bit about me:

I am an author of paranormal romance. I have been working on a BDSM series. I also have written contemporary romance.
I love to read romance. It is one of my favorite genres. It doesn't mean that is ALL I read. I enjoy lots of different genres: horror, sci fi, non-fiction, chick lit, urban fantasy and LITERATURE. I have read every James Herriott book ever written. I own hardcover copies of The Tale of Two Cities, Great Expectations, The Portrait of Dorian Grey, Portrait of a Woman, Don Quixote, Tom Sawyer, Peter Pan...you get the idea. And I've read them all.

I am, basically, a music junkie. I listen to everything from classical to rock. Beethoven, Mozart, nature sounds, Celtic Thunder, Pink, Josh Groban, Merle Haggard, George Strait, Luke Bryan, Rhianna, Enrique Iglesias, Tanya Tucker, and the list goes on. I grew up listening to country music and it is the music I listen to most often. It is comfort food for my soul. Doesn't mean I'm some dumb hick. Just means I'm comfortable there.

As for the movies/tv shows I watch, I seldom have time to sit and watch anything. When I do, I turn to the shows and movies that feed me in an emotional or mental capacity. I've been on a Netflix kick for the last month. I've watched shows that make me laugh. The world is such a dark place these days so I go to my list and find things to watch that make me smile. I had a The Ranch marathon (Sam Elliott, Ashton Kutcher, Danny Masterson) and laughed out loud. I fell in love with Grace and Frankie (Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin) and I'm working on The Gilmore Girls because I LOVE this show. The mother/daughter dynamic hits every emotional chord a person has...especially if that person is a daughter. I have watched every single episode, but I can watch it over and over again.

You see, I'm not a person who believes in wasting my time. I know what I like, how I like it, and when I like it. I don't do something because everyone else does it nor do I listen to the critics. If I did, I would never discover new bands, new authors, or new shows. But I don't believe the world or social media should dictate the things I allow myself to enjoy.

Here's the reason for this rant:
I have someone who believes it is okay to put me down simply because of the things listed above. I've been told I limit myself because I won't "explore" what this person thinks I should. I don't have unlimited hours in my day to lay around and watch television or read books that don't interest me. Like I said, I don 't believe in wasting my time. My time is a very precious commodity these days. I spend it doing things I love with the people I love. This doesn't mean that I'm unintelligent because of my likes or dislikes. I think I'm incredibly intelligent, but I don't feel the need to reiterate it on a daily basis. I have wisdom and knowledge. I study up on the things that have a direct impact on my world or those who reside in my world. I don't believe I need to use million dollar words to impress upon people the level of my intelligence. I have made some very poor decisions in the last couple of years because I listened to people who didn't have my best interest at heart. But I'm also a big believer that this doesn't mean I have failed. It simply means I've learned from that experience. I've started listening to my heart and following it where I need to go. Here is where the old adage of "People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones" comes into play. If you have never made a mistake, that is awesome. However:

There are so many varying degrees of intelligence and no one has the right to make you feel inferior. We all know things that others don't. Some of the most intelligent people I know never graduated high school or went to college. And some of the most unintelligent people stand in front of a classroom of students who are hungry to learn, but cannot instill knowledge.

So, do you wanna share? Tell me about the lessons Life has taught you because you truly only fail if you never try. Show me I'm not alone here!

Why Do You Write Romance?

I've been seeing this question pop in my FB feed on a daily basis. So many authors have these sweet stories or quotes to use. This question did get me thinking though...especially on the holiest of days for the romance addicts of the world. So, I asked myself, "Gemma, why do you write romance?" The answer is not nearly as sweet and thoughtful as others I've read, but here we go: 

© Clarita | Dreamstime Stock Photos

I write romance because I need to believe it still exists. Romance is not a prevalent part of my life. It hasn't really ever been. See, I was the little girl who believed in Prince Charming and happily ever after. Somewhere along the way, I stopped believing in all of that and settled for what I could get. I guess I write romance to give that little girl, who lives inside of me, hope of finding her Prince and getting her happily ever after.

I am not a woman who believes in grand romantic gestures. Honestly, flowers die, chocolates go nasty, and I eat dinner every day. 

See? Love can simply be two friends caring about each other. It doesn't have to be all mushy and icky. I am a huge fan of practical!

My best friend showed up one day with a package of my very favorite pens in the world. I hate using any other pen except this type. That gesture made me cry. Why? Because in the middle of whatever he was doing at the moment he saw those, he thought of me. This same friend is also my current roommate. We had a mouse problem in this house we're living in. What did he do? He built me a bucket trap which he tucked in a corner so I don't have to look at it. He empties it when it needs to be emptied. This gesture warmed my heart. Why? Because he knows how much I despise the furry little Satan's spawns. 

I know you're reading this saying, "Awww...but Gemma, what do you do for him?" Let me tell you: I make sure there is ham and cheese in the fridge because I know how much he loves 'ham and cheesers'. I will spend twenty minutes shredding potatoes because I know he likes hashbrowns for breakfast. I clean the house because I know he likes it clean, but hates to clean it. And I make sure there is a bottle of wine in the house because I know there are days when he needs that more than anything else.

See? Practicality wins every time!!

I know, right? A romance author who has a hard time with the mushy love stuff? Who would've thought? Somewhere along the line my romantic side was busted. Maybe it was in high school when every girl got a flower except me. Maybe it was later on when the guys I dated just didn't care about romancing me. I don't know. I am sure of one thing: Love is about lifting each other up and holding on when the other feels like letting go (not in that weird stalkerish way). It 's loving each other through the rough spots in life and holding on to that hand when they feel like all hope is gone.

A Giveaway with Wickd Potions

I have some of the most amazingly creative friends in the world. If you have been following my blog, then you may remember my November 2012 blog where I interviewed my "fiend" Jfay, maker of Wickd Potions. (Here's the link to refresh your memory: http://gemmakmurray.blogspot.com/2012/11/getting-wicked-with-wickd-jfay-from.html)

My scents are exclusively from her brilliant mind. I have had several lovely (and sexy) comments about my scents and I often blush because I'm lucky enough to call this lady my friend.

She approached me about doing a giveaway a few weeks ago and I told her "YES!" without a second thought.

Click on the photo above to be taken to Studio 3B's website. You can see the awesome gifts Wickd Jfay is giving away. Here is the list of goodies from JFay and fiends ;) Be sure to stop by and enter to win!

Wick'd Giveaway Prize #1 -- From Paranormal Romance Author Gemma K. Murray, An E-Book Copy of the second book in her Cedar River Series, NATURAL BORN ENEMIES + A Bottle of Bitten By Chocolate from Studio 3B.  Bitten by Chocolate is a Super Sexy Unisex Fragrance with Rich Dark Chocolate, Alluring Amber, and Sultry Vanilla.  And is actually featured in Gemma's story!  So a Fun Set for You to Enjoy! 

Please be sure to visit Gemma K. Murray on Facebook. 

You Can Find NATURAL BORN ENEMIES on Amazon.com. And Visit Her Website!

Wick'd Giveaway Prize #2 -- From Artist Nicole Beziat, a LOVE YOUR WORLD Mousepad, which features her Original Artwork + A Potion Necklace filled with Silent Beauty Perfume from Studio 3B.  Silent Beauty Perfume is a very lovely Fragrance of Black Raspberries, Violet, Vanilla, Apple and Black Currant.  The Necklace is hand adorned with Blue and Clear Jewelry Beads and Features a Silver Star Charm.  The Necklace Length is 20".

Please be sure to Visit Nicole's Zazzle Store to See All of Her Beautiful Fantasy Artwork Items.

Wick'd Giveaway Prize #3 -- From Sexy Vampire Author Cinsearae S., an E-Book Copy of DIARY OF A VAMPIRE STRIPPER + A Bottle of her Signature Fragrance Designed for the Book, Strawberry Strip Tease, from Studio 3B.  Strawberry Strip Tease is a Fun and Flirty Aroma of Sensual Strawberry blended with the Playful Innocence of Bubblegum.....  

Please be sure to Visit Cinsearae's Website and You Can Find her on Facebook as well!