Tales of Christmas Villains, A new spin on the Christmas Anthology featuring USA Today Bestseller, DC Gomez

 

Tales of Christmas Villains

A new spin on the Christmas Anthology featuring USA Today Bestseller, DC Gomez 

Released by T.A.L.E.S.

The book is available worldwide in ebook and print format

Ruined holiday plans and stolen gifts are only the beginning in this collection of villains gone wild for the holidays!!

Tales of Christmas Villains brings together the most mischievous batch of scrooges, thieves, and humbugs out to wreak havoc on the Christmas cheer.

Featuring a chilling ice fairy who feeds on her victims' souls, chaotic criminals disguised as grinches, and the infamous Jack Frost meeting his match in a plucky mermaid, these wicked adventures will have you howling with dark delight.

If you think you've got enough spirit to take on these troublemakers, think again. The naughty list just got longer and more sinister! So watch out this season and prepare for some seriously spirited scroogery - Tales of Christmas Villains is coming to town! 

Tales of Christmas Villains (The Tales Short Story Collection): DC Gomez, Jaime Dalton, Stephanie B Whitfield, Stephanie K. Clemens, Teshelle Combs,  9798223577324: Amazon.com: Books

 

Not only is DC Gomez one of the contributing authors for the collection, she is a co-publisher for the series. Tales of Christmas Villains is DC and Jaime Dalton’s second published book in the Tales Collections. This collection provides authors an opportunity to be published in a curated collection based on specific holidays. Christmas Villains brings together five authors for a new twist on the holiday season.

 

What readers and critics are saying about DC Gomez:

“I enjoy the Cat Lady books. This one took me a minute to get back into the story line (I should have re-read the 1st book). But I easily remembered the fun and quirky characters. As always, quite the unexpected adventure and great to watch them figure out the mystery and claim it.” _ Saxy D

 

“D.C. Gomez delivers another fun and crazy mystery with Angela and the Silver Haired Gang. Can't wait for book 3!” _ LM Texan

 

“I am so happy I read this story! It's not at all what you think it's going to be! I loved the snark, I loved the humor, I loooooooove The Silver Hair Gang, and you have to love Bonnie & Clyde (the cats)? I mean, when a woman puts her mind to getting back to living after a dirty rotten scoundrel leaves you high and dry? How can this not be the best story ever?” _ BookLvrKat

 

Other Books in The Series:

 

A Red Moon Rises this Halloween, so heed the howls and enter a world of wonder, danger and desire. Tales of Howloween presents a thrilling collection of nine supernatural tales that will keep you guessing until the final stroke of midnight.

In "Forest Fated", wolf shifter Cassius captures renegade mage Ariella, sparking an electric connection hinting at a prophecy older than the forest itself. As an evil wizard spreads, Cassius and Ariella must team up against all instincts.

Nature spirits Cait and Milo struggle to find their place in "A Red Moon Rises" grim future world. And when reality itself is questioned in "The Midnight Pack", logic-seeker Avalon finds her ancestry holds secrets unlocking a world she never believed.

You will fall in love with these spellbinding romances, "Moonlit Desires" where a fated meeting awakens new possibilities. As well as "White Falls Haunt" where a magical marriage isn't what it seems. In "Celestial Rescue" where an alien rescue leads to cosmic desires, satisfy all cravings for chills, thrills and intimate encounters.

A twisted tale of football players turned werewolves in "The Wolves" while keep you guessing, as the team seeks for easy ways to win.

The magic continues in the fun shape-shifting mystery of "For Shuck's Sake." Sometimes an accident will change your life.

Join the Reapers Crew in the Urban fantasy adventures "Bloodstone" as they tried to stop a cult from waking the God Set.

So stalk these pages and feel the moon's call. Delve into a menagerie of mischief and magic under star-pricked skies. But be warned - mysteries abound in these Woods and ghosts linger beyond the last page. The howling has only just begun... 

Tales of Howloween (The Tales Short Story... by Gomez, D C (amazon.com) 

About DC Gomez

D. C. Gomez is an award-winning USA Today Bestselling Author, podcaster, motivational speaker, and coach. Born in the Dominican Republic, she grew up in Salem, Massachusetts. D. C. studied film and television at New York University. After college she joined the US Army, and proudly served for four years.

D. C. has a Master’s Degree in Science Administration from the Central Michigan University, as well as a Master in Adult Education from Texas A&M- Texarkana University.  She is a certified John Maxwell Team speaker and coach, and a certified meditation instructor from the Chopra Center.

One of D. C. passions is helping those around her overcome their self-limiting beliefs.  She writes both non-fiction and fiction books, ranging from Urban Fantasy to Children’s Books. To learn more about her books and her passion, you can find her at www.dcgomez-author.com. 

To request additional review copies or an interview with DC Gomez, please contact Mickey Mikkelson at Creative Edge Publicity: mickey.creativeedge@gmail.com / 403.464.6925.    We look forward to the coverage!

Round Robin Blog Fest Featuring "The Bakery Lady"

Merry Christmas, everyone!

This month's Round Robin Blog Fest features an excerpt from one of our stories. Since we're knee-deep in holiday spirit, I chose a section from "The Bakery Lady" to share. Enjoy!

The Bakery Lady

(Wild Blue Mysteries, Book 3)

From the moment Leo Blue meets the local tattoo artist's sister Christina, he's drawn into a web of bread dough and lies. Christina Davidson has returned to Packham with a duffle bag full of secrets. Leo soon discovers her biggest secret is Christina's alter ego and her husband, who stands accused of murdering an up-and-coming artist. He promises to help set things straight and plans to bring husband and wife together for Christmas—even if it costs him his sanity and the love of his life.

"I could visualize that bookstore, smell the coffee and pastries, and see the colorful characters. This book has lots of twists and turns, and I never knew who to trust, all the way to the end. I'll look for future books by this author." ~ Paul Carr

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NEO2I2M

Mimsy’s soirees were the highlight of the Christmas party season. The Lexington mansion would be decorated from eaves to basement with white lights. Trees glowed and tinkle with metal icicles made by a local artist. Christina and her family were invited every year, but they’d only ever been to one. Her mom brought her and Clancy one year since Mel couldn’t stand all the frivolity. They’d missed out on a lot of events. The bakery was the one place he’d left them all alone. He hated the mess and the people coming in to visit. Was that why her mother had worked so much?

Christina closed her eyes and sighed. Reality stunk. She should go back to Newville while she had the chance before she got stuck in her mom’s shoes for good. Then she reconsidered. There wasn’t much left there anymore either.

When she returned to the store front, Clancy and Mimsy were deep in conversation. Mimsy had removed her furry hat to reveal a glittering tiara on the top of her head. What kind of person walked around town wearing a sparkling tiara and used a walker decorated with blinking, battery-powered Christmas lights? While Mimsy Lexington was old and batty back when Christina knew her, she appeared to have become crazier in the past few years.

“Is there anything else for you today, Mrs. Lexington?” Christina rang in the purchase.

“Darling, please call me Mimsy.” She allowed Clancy to help her to her feet. “Everyone else in town does.”

“Mimsy.” Her mouth twitched into a small smile. “Sorry.”

“The people at my writing meeting this evening will love these.” Mimsy’s smile faded. “Oh, darling, you made me two boxes? I only wanted one dozen.”

“Sugar cookies.” Christina bowed her head. “For old time’s sake.”

“Oh, you are a gem!” Mimsy clapped her hands together. “I’ll be sure to tell everyone where they came from and you’ll be busy from now until Christmas.”

Once Mimsy was gone, Clancy leaned on the display case and gawked. “Well, that was uncharacteristically nice of you. What gives?”

She shrugged. “Like you said, it’s Christmas. Good will towards man and all that crap.”

“I should tattoo that on your forehead, including the crap part.”

Christina placed her fists on her hips. “Don’t you have any customers?”

“Yes, I do. One of your favorite guys.” He grinned. “Leo Blue.”

Christina’s heart leaped and her step faltered. She hoped Clancy hadn’t noticed. “Since when is Leo my favorite guy?”

“Since he got your name tattooed on his bicep.” He winked.

She narrowed her eyes. “He did not. He hardly even knows me. Besides, Leo doesn’t seem like the kind of guy to tattoo anyone’s name on his bicep. A snake or a hula girl maybe, but not anyone’s name.”

“You can ask him yourself. We’ll come by later so he can show it off.”

He had to be joking. Leo didn’t come across as the kind of guy who’d hand his heart to anyone except maybe science. And even that would be a fight.

Her cell phone rang as she locked the front door. She didn’t remember turning it on and hesitated, not wanting to answer. Maybe it was really Gage who’d decided to take her back and would explain why some woman had called using his phone. Curiosity consumed her and she pulled her phone from her pocket. “Gage?”

“Wait, don’t hang up,” the same woman who’d called earlier said. “I’m Detective Beverly Wallis with the Newville Police. I found your name in his phone listed as Rosie and I need to ask you some questions. Were you a friend of D.J. Gage?”

“I modeled for him.” Her entire body lurched. Something was definitely wrong. “What do you mean ‘were’? What’s happened to him? Was he in an accident or something?”

Detective Wallis’s voice softened. “Perhaps you can come to the station and we can talk.”

“I can’t.” Her shoulder’s sagged. Come in to talk to a police detective about Gage? What was going on? “I’m not in Newville. I’m in Packham.”

“May I ask what you’re doing there?” Detective Wallis asked.

Christina didn’t want to answer, but what could it hurt? She blinked back tears. “I’m looking after my family’s bakery. My mom had cancer. She died in September.”

Detective Wallis extended her condolences. “How long have you been out of town?”

“Since a couple days before the funeral.” Her stomach clenched. The stress would send her running for the toilet soon. “Why are you calling me? What’s happened to Gage?”

“Have you talked to Mr. Gage since you left Newville?” Detective Wallis ignored Christina’s questions.

“No. Like I said, I’ve been busy with family matters.” She leaned against the cooler door. “What’s this all about? Is Gage okay?”

“Were you close to him?”

“At one time.” Her voice crackled.

“Do you happen to know a woman named Rose Ryan?”

Christina wiped the flour off her shaking hands. Her heart hammered and knocked the air from her lungs. She’d hoped not to hear the name Rose Ryan ever again. “Why are you asking me about Gage and Rose? What’s going on?”

Detective Wallis let out a sigh. “D.J. Gage was shot and killed two days ago. Apparently, a jealous husband caught up to him. The shooter’s wife is still missing. I’d hoped that since you were obviously close, personal friends with Mr. Gage, maybe you’d know Mrs. Ryan as well.”

The room seemed to spin and she sagged to the floor as her worst nightmare came to life. All the horrible things she’d done and was confident her family would never find out would now be exposed. All the things she’d tried to block from her memory would become real. The truth would tear apart what little family she had left.

“Are you still there?” Detective Wallis spoke softly, like Christina was a young child she’d startle if she raised her voice. “Gage is dead and you’re the one of the few people I haven’t been able to speak to.”

“How did he die?”

“He was shot. We have a suspect in custody, but have to wait for autopsy and lab results.” Detective Wallis didn’t give her much information, which didn’t help make Gage’s death any more real. She paused. “I know who you really are. I think you and I need to talk.”

Christina took a deep breath and leaned against the cooler door. Her stomach sank and tears welled in her eyes. “Yeah, we do. I’m Rose Ryan.”

Merry Christmas to all!
Please stop by and spread some cheer to my fellow authors!

Connie Vines  

Skye Taylor 

Victoria Chatham 
Marci Baun 
Dr. Bob Rich 
Anne Stenhouse 
A.J. Maguire 
Fiona McGier 
Beverley Bateman 
Rhobin L Courtright 

Diane Bator talks about "The Bakery Lady"

Merry Christmas!

I really didn't anticipate such a great response to this blog idea when I started. I love that we have a full roster for the next couple months and am always open to hearing from other writers!

Today, however, it's my turn.

 Right now I'm writing murder mysteries, but have also written some YA stories that I will have published one day. While I do enjoy a good mystery, I do enjoy a variety of novels and short stories. I've even started to read some romance novels written by friends. The one genre I can't see myself attempting is Erotica, it's just not something I'm interested in writing or reading.

I love a good hero! They seem to come to me far easier than heroines or even villains, of course that can vary from story to story. They are far from perfect, but are always there to try to save the day.

My heroes tend to blindside me. Just when I think I have a good story, a hero will appear out of the page and try to control the way I think the story should go. In my Wild Blue Mysteries, Leo Blue was a background character in The Bookstore Lady and by The Bakery Lady, he'd taken over as a leading man!

My heroines are all around me. All my characters are composites of people I know, people I hear about in the news, and people I hear about from other people. I never base one character on any one person. I am blessed to have many strong women in my life who have had to overcome adversity. I love writing about both their strengths and weaknesses.

In writing mysteries, there can appear to be more than one antagonist. They are all people with their own agendas, but the one who ends up being the villain is usually the person who won't let anyone stand in their way without making them an obvious villain. Just as a protagonist isn't perfect, a good antagonist needs a blend of good and bad and can even win over a reader until their true colors shine through.

My latest release will be released by Books We Love Ltd in the New Year! It is called Dead Without Shame. Gilda Wright, Mick Williams, and Kane Garrick are back and this time someone is out to get Happy, owner of Happy Harvey’s Hangover Hut! You'll have to read the mystery to find out what’s going in Sandstone Cove this time.

Right now I am also doing edits on the book I wrote for NaNoWriMo this year (also known as National Novel Writing Month.) A character I’d written in a novella a few years ago makes her big debut in “Drop Dead Cowboy.” Keep your ears open for the release date! 

The Bakery Lady

Wild Blue Mysteries, Book 3

From the moment Leo Blue meets the local tattoo artist's sister Christina, he's drawn into a web of bread dough and lies. Christina Davidson has returned to Packham with a duffle bag full of secrets. Leo soon discovers her biggest secret is Christina's alter ego and her husband, who stands accused of murdering an up-and-coming artist. He promises to help set things straight and plans to bring husband and wife together for Christmas—even if it costs him his sanity and the love of his life.

"I could visualize that bookstore, smell the coffee and pastries, and see the colorful characters. This book has lots of twists and turns, and I never knew who to trust, all the way to the end. I'll look for future books by this author." ~ Paul Carr

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NEO2I2M

The Painted Lady

Wild Blue Mysteries, Book 4

Leo Blue can't escape Packham nor the life of a private detective no matter how hard he tries. Six months after the murder of artist DJ Gage, the prices of Gage's paintings soar. When a forgery is discovered in the local art gallery and a woman winds up dead, Leo not only has to find a murderer and a forger, but deal with a man who came to town seeking the wife he thinks abandoned him.

The pieces of Christina Davidson's life have built up into place over the past few months, despite the one last secret she's trying hard to hide. When Leo Blue returns to town then Brady Ryan shows up, her carefully constructed walls begin to crumble and the only people who can help her now are the men of the Wild Blue Detective Agency.

https://www.amazon.com/Painted-Lady-Wild-Blue-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B07M6QCP1X

Join me next weekend for a taste of Christmas from The Bakery Lady...

Round Robin Blog Fest November 18, 2017

It's been a very busy Fall for me so I apologize for not keeping up with the blog! Between work and finishing my latest novel, there hasn't been much time for sanity, but I'm back for another Round Robin Blog Fest.

         This month's topic is:

What stories have your written or read where a holiday takes place. To what purpose was the inclusion of the holiday? How do you celebrate holidays or events? Does this ever make it into one of your stories?

Definitely! Christmas is one of my favorite holidays and my novel The Bakery Lady takes place during the Christmas season. I included the holiday for a few reason:

• to use a version of the Twelve Days of Christmas where someone showers my leading lady Christina Davidson with gifts
• to magnify the family issues Christina faces
• to include her frustration with building a gingerbread house
• to show a small town type of Christmas that I've come to love including a gigantic Christmas tree at town hall, hot chocolate from local vendors, and wandering the streets to gaze at the lights.

In our home, one of the things I used to do with my own kids is create homemade gingerbread houses. Eventually, we pared them down to gingerbread cookies which friends and family look forward to every year along with sugar cookies, my infamous pink peppermint cookies and some very addictive caramel popcorn.

This year, I need to modify things. My kids are mostly grown and won't be home for Christmas this year. For the first time in over twenty years, I'll be on my own for Christmas. Time for some new traditions! I'll still do some baking, but will have to ship it out to them all. I'm looking forward to the light display in a local park, as well as along our main street which never fails to make me smile.

I do hope you'll check out my novel. Simply click on the link to purchase!

An Excerpt from The Bakery Lady:

 The backdoor flew open. Clancy stomped the snow off his shoes then looked up. “Oh, you have a visitor, I see.”

Christina rolled her eyes. “Actually, I kidnapped her so I wouldn’t be lonely until you showed up.”

Lucy’s face reddened. “It’s okay, I was just leaving.”

“No, you’re not. I haven’t finished icing your cake yet.” She set aside the carrot cake and grabbed two of the chocolate layers. “The kids like chocolate with caramel and custard, right?”

“You’re getting a cake? What’s the occasion?” Clancy peered over Christina’s shoulder.

Lucy’s eyes widened. “Um, I...”

“It’ll be about ten minutes. Clancy, why don’t you take Lucy up to Java Jo’s and grab me a cup of tea.” She all but pushed them out the front door.

“Um, okay.” Clancy glanced from Christina to Lucy. “Is everything okay?”

“Yup.” Christina nudged him with her elbow since her hands were full of buttercream. “Take Lucy with you. She wanted to grab a cup of coffee while she waited anyway.”

“Yeah, I did.” Lucy narrowed her eyes, then whispered, “You’re sneaky.”

“Getting rid of both of us? How convenient.” Clancy scowled. “Where are my calzones?”

Christina smiled. “You bring me tea, then I’ll feed you.”

“Shall we?” Her brother stood in front of Lucy and held out his arm. “You didn’t really order a cake, did you? My sister’s up to something, isn’t she? Is Leo hiding back here somewhere?”

“You are so dense some days.” Lucy shook her head. When he opened the front door, she left the bakery ahead of him.

Warmth spread through Christina’s stomach. She liked Lucy Stephen already.

By the time Leo returned in the early afternoon, she had three walls of the gingerbread house erected with a bowl in the center to hold them up. He smiled his approval then sat on the stool to watch. She ignored him and attached the fourth wall. After she put on the roof pieces, she stepped back to admire her handiwork.

“Bravo.” He applauded. “You’ve successfully incarcerated a defenseless bowl.”

“What are you talking about?” Her eyes widened.

He grinned. “You left your bowl inside.”

“I did?” Christina’s shoulders sagged as one side of the roof slid off and revealed the yellow bowl inside. The other side of the roof slid and dragged off a wall. Her eyes widened as the remaining three walls toppled. When she swore, Leo covered his mouth and convulsed with laughter.

Christina couldn’t stop the tears, nor did she bother, she was too frustrated. “I can’t do this. I’ll just go buy a stupid gingerbread house. There’s no way I can make one by tomorrow.”

Leo grasped her arms and pulled her close, pressing her against his chest.

She poured out every ounce of frustration in her tears then looked at the ruins. “Why can’t I do this? It’s not that difficult, is it?”

His arms remained firm around her. “What would your mom tell you?”

She laid her head on his chest, the thumps of his heart calming her as she gazed as the mess of icing and cookie. “She’d say I was too impatient and need to let the walls set before I put on the roof. That and the icing’s too thin.”

“Problem solved.” Leo nodded. “Oh, and you should stop giving away your bowls.”

“How else am I supposed to get three walls to stay up while I put on the fourth?”

He gazed into her eyes. “Ask a friend for help.”

Christina looked up. She’d never thought of that. “I don’t have any friends. Well, except Clancy, but he doesn’t count.”

“I could be your friend.” Leo touched her chin.

She hesitated and licked her lips. “Can you hold up the walls of a gingerbread house?”

“I can manage that.” He closed the gap between them. “Can we call a truce?”

“For now.” Her heart hammered against his leather jacket. The heat that emanated off his body made her want to kiss him. To rip his coat off and...

Not one of her better ideas. Instead, she pulled away from him and scrubbed her hands at the sink. She thickened the icing while Leo scraped icing off the pieces of the house. Together, they stood the walls to make a solid base for the roof.

When his hands brushed hers, her knees nearly buckled. “Why are you helping me?”

“Because you asked.” Leo shrugged. “Clancy’s worried about you and, between you and me, I think you’re kind of interesting.”

Her face warmed. “Gee, thanks.”

With help, the gingerbread house took no time at all to finish. This time when Christina stood back to admire her work, the roof and walls stayed in place.

I hope you'll hop around to visit some of my fellow authors.
Have a wonderful time and I hope to see you next month!

Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea

Dr. Bob Rich https://bobrich18.wordpress.com/2017/11/18/holidays
Helena Fairfax http://www.helenafairfax.com/blog
A.J. Maguire  http://ajmaguire.wordpress.com/
Anne de Gruchy https://annedegruchy.co.uk/category/blog/
Diane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/
Rachael Kosinski http://rachaelkosinski.weebly.com/
Rhobin L Courtright http://www.rhobinleecourtright.com

Virtual Cookie Blog Hop!

You know those cookie exchanges that are so popular during the holiday season? The ones where you bake  dozens of the same kind of cookies to take to a party where you give them away by the dozen to other participants in exchange for a dozen of theirs?

Well, it turns out you can't really do one of those on the internet, but you can host a Virtual Cookie Exchange, and that's exactly what I'm a part of this month. A Cooke Blog Hop courtesy of my lovely friend and author at Gemma Halliday Publishing, Ellie Ashe! This is my Peppermint Cookie recipe...my Gingerbread Recipe will appear on my blog Dec 20 so be sure to come back for that one as well!

Peppermint Christmas Cookies

Sift together in bowl and reserve:

         2 3/4 cups flour

         1 tsp baking powder

         1/2 tsp salt

Put:  3/4 cup soft margarine in large bowl

Add:  1 cup sugar

         2 eggs

         1 tsp peppermint (or any other flavor extract)

Beat with mixer or wooden spoon  until mixture is light and fluffy.

Beat in flour mixture, blending until smooth.

Chill 1 hour or until firm.

Roll out onto floured surface to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut with cookie cutters.

Put on cookie sheets and bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes.

Decorate as desired.

Merry Christmas to All....

November 2014 Round Robin Blog Fest

Welcome back to another episode of the Round Robin Blog Fest!! This month's topic is:

What is your favorite food or meal?

Hmmm....this wasn't an easy one. I love all kinds of food, except cabbage rolls, I don't like cabbage rolls. (Sorry, Mom.)

When I think about foods that mean a lot to me, the two tops are my favorite Christmas treats: Gingerbread and Baked Caramel Corn. YUM! There is a good reason why I only make them to enjoy at Christmas and give most of it away. I've discovered it's the one treat a lot of my friends won't make since it is a finicky recipe, but they all love receiving along with both gingerbread and peppermint cookies. Yes, my house smells amazing around this time of year!

My late mother-in-law came across this recipe long before my kids were born and it quickly became a family favorite. Sweet and crunchy--especially when you add nuts!--as the cookbook says "WARNING - it's addictive!" Many a waistband has exploded after consuming copious quantities of the stuff!

I do hope you'll try my recipe. Make sure to follow the directions carefully, the caramel has to be just right or it won't work.

Baked Caramel Corn

1 cup butter

2 cups brown sugar

1/2 cup corn syrup

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp vanilla

6 quarts popped corn

Preheat oven to 250F (120C)

Melt butter in a medium saucepan. Stir in brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt.

Bring to a boil for 5 minutes (this is the finicky part!!) DO NOT STIR!

Remove from heat and add baking soda and vanilla.

Put popped corn in a well-greased roaster. 

Gradually pour syrup over, stir well and bake 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.

Happy Munching!!

Still hungry? Why don't we go over and see what Beverley Bateman enjoys to eat?

And if you have a large appetite, drop on by the other authors in the Round Robin Blog Fest to see what they like to munch...

Marci Baun:  http://www.marcibaun.com/

A.J. Maguire:  http://ajmaguire.wordpress.com/

Fiona McGier:  http://www.fionamcgier.com/

Judith Copek:  http://lynx-sis.blogspot.com/

Diane Bator:  http://dbator.blogspot.ca/

Beverley Bateman:  http://beverleybateman.blogspot.ca/

Skye Taylor:  http://skye-writer.com/

Ginger Simpson:  http://mizging.blogspot.com/

Victoria Chatham:  http://victoriachatham.webs.com/

Margaret Fieland:  http://www.margaretfieland.com/blog1/

Rachel Kosnski:  http://the-doodling-booktease.tumblr.com

Anne Stenhouse:  http://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com

Heidi M. Thomas:  http://heidiwriter.wordpress.com/

Helena Fairfax:  http://helenafairfax.com/

Kay Sisk:  http://kaysisk.blogspot.com

Rhobin Courtright:  http://www.rhobinleecourtright.com/

Happy Reading!

Thank you for being a friend....

Over the end of the week and the weekend, I'd planned to continue decluttering and making our space work better for our family. I was derailed from my cleaning mission by several visits with friends. Lunch on Thursday, breakfast Friday, lunch Friday, Christmas shopping with the kids Saturday morning, a comedy show Saturday night and Sunday my middle son "had" to take me out shopping. Busy for sure, but happy busy.

While the kids and I didn't buy a lot, we walked and talked.
Catching up with friends I haven't had the opportunity to spend time with in months was well worth putting aside projects.
The comedy show Saturday night was hilarious. The comedians on stage were pretty good and the ones at the table made me laugh just as hard. It's great when you can sit with friends who love to laugh, love to dance and love to just have fun and be silly. There were about 500 people at the event and my friends and I only knew a handful of them. It was like being at the wedding of a distant third cousin. We seemed to be the "old people" table, but didn't care. Even one of the pics my  hubby took of me showed me relaxed and smiling. Happy.

The weekend gone, everyone back to work and school, I'm hiding in my cave to do some writing today. I haven't taken time to write since early October. And I'll make time to exercise. Two more things that make me happy.
Have a wonderful day!





 

Christmas Wish List Promotes Decluttering

Just when I'm getting discouraged with a lot of things, I found this in my inbox!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0coq4YPAR3k   If you watch the whole thing, you'll see cover for The Bookstore Lady!

What a fun idea. I have worked on a trailer for The Bookstore Lady, but haven't put it to music yet so it's stuck in my "To Do" pile. Why haven't I finished it? Time. Fear. Anxiety. Whatever. Truth is, I have a whole pile of things left undone that haunt my computer and my closet.

In keeping with my Happiness Project, my theme this month is clearing out clutter and building energy. I've been going for daily walks and suddenly have more opportunities to meet with friends. Great energy builders. I've also been making healthier meals. (mostly for myself because the boys just won't eat chicken in spinach sauce for no amount of money!)

I have cleaned out my novels-in-waiting and have a stack of paper to shred. Not projects I'm giving up on, just things that are old copies no longer needed. I have also found a use for the huge file of writing prompts that I've held onto since 2007. I've typed them into my computer for a friend who wants to bring them to writing meetings. Next I'll cut them into strips and put them in a box to draw from when my imagination is stuck for an idea.

Old magazines? Every year I make an inspirational collage of things I want in my life. Maybe this year, I'll make it a party. Have a few friends over to create Vision Boards.

Old clothes and books? Just so happens the charity pickup drive comes past here in 2 weeks. Yippee! They'll love the bags of stuff I set out once I ransack the garage this weekend.

Funny how cleaning out my inbox can change my mood for the day!

A Romantic Life

I always find Christmas to be a dreamy, romantic time of year. Put aside the hustle and bustle and what you have left are moony eyed children making dreams and counting on magic to make the season bright. Friends and loved ones draw closer through force of nature and good will. We all try to be a little nicer to each other this time of year. Well, some of us do.

Romance is not for the faint of heart. Granted, I speak not of the heart-pounding, pulse-racing lust of a new relationship. I think of Romance as fulfilling your dreams and following your life's quest with Passion. Many of us have a less "practical" side that allows us to be dreamers and moony eyed children all year long. The Romantics are those of us who pursue their dreams with fervor.

I consider myself to be a Romantic. I am an artist, a lyricist, and a writer and I do each of these with passion. Passion ebbs and flows like the tides. It's easy to either ride the waves or get caught in the undertow. Lately, I've been in the undertow. Actually, that's were I was for many years. Denying my creative side and shoving the moony eyed child in the closet for safe keeping so she didn't get hurt by criticism and disappointment.

My moony eyed child is stronger than that. She fought back and developed a tougher shell. She smacked me across the head when I whine about not having time, energy, or focus.

Just write. Just paint. Just create. The Passion will follow.

Let it snow, let it snow . . .

We woke up to a blanket of snow and more barking from up the hall. Another day, another sick kid. Seems our family is notorious for the barking coughs around here. I can think of much better things to be famous for!

I had a sudden abundance of broccoli today. No, it didn't appear out of the snowbank, it was from the snack program at school. Can you believe they were going to throw it in the compost? Yikes! I used my creative skills to create two masterpieces: Broccoli Soup and Potato-Carrot Soup. Oh, and some biscotti for my party. I was going to bake buns tonight but my energy is waning. Cooking certainly is a creative endeavor - especially looking at the mess I make of it. At least it turns out edible 99% of the time!

Still doing some edits on Take The Money and Run, my first novel, so that I can start to submit it all over the place again. My lovely editor Laura has both my other books to edit, critique, tear to shreds, etc. Hope she goes easy on me, it is nearly Christmas after all.

Had a lovely evening last night at a book launch for a fellow Headwaters Writers' Guild writer named Clare McCarthy. He published his novel The Hurleyville Taxi: Two thousand pounds of Bacon and Bone. Book Lore hosted a book signing and the place was packed! Congratulations, Clare! You can find out more at www.northwordbound.ca.

We also discovered another of our writers Harry Posner's book Word Bird. Harry graciously showed us his book and posed for pictures. It's on my list for Christmas!

My LIttle Creative Blocks...

No word of a lie. I have been creatively blocked for two weeks now. First one block came down with pneumonia and had to see a doctor. (Can you say clingy?) Just as he is getting over it, the second one came down with a cough that sounds like a cross between a trained seal and a vacuum cleaner. Makes it hard to concentrate on much of anything. But I am making a comeback!

Glad to report though I am hosting a Christmas Tea and Art Show for my nearest and dearest friends on Dec 11. They will be subjected to all of the paintings I can hang on my walls as well as my decadent Christmas treats. I'm looking forward to it. I hope they are as well!