Really Not How You Want To Kick Off The New Year

 

Yes, I'm heading over to the funeral home with my husband today to go over a few details for his Mom's funeral. Hopefully, this will be the only funeral we will have occasion to attend this year. My mother-in-law was adamant that there be no wake. We will just have the funeral at the church and then a luncheon.

I didn't think too much of the no-wake situation at the time she decided it, but now that we are in the midst of the preparations, I'm grateful! She has made her send-off so much easier on everyone mourning her. While it is sad, I know that her family will have plenty of smiles and laughs when we celebrate her in a little over a week. We should all be lucky to live into our nineties without needing help until the very end. 

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This month I'm participating in a JaNoWriMo. (January Novel Writing Month) My goal is to write thirty thousand words. What they are going to be about is up in the air. I have some vague ideas about my next book, but I don't have an outline put together. I usually start my writing process by brainstorming ideas with someone, so this time I will start by brainstorming in a document. Wish me luck! 

I hope your year is off to a funeral-free start! 

Merry Christmas! A Two Month Wrap-up!

 It's Christmas Eve, and I'm sitting in a cabin in the Appalachian mountains. 

This is the view facing west. All I want this Christmas Eve, is to watch the sunset this afternoon. I know it will be glorious. We got lucky on this trip because it's going to be sunny each day and temps are in the 50s (low 10s Celcius). As always, this picture doesn't do justice to the view it'seven better than it looks here. 

I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday. I just received my fourth book "It App-ened One Night" back from my proofreader and will revise it again next week. Then it will be time to send out some ARCs. I hope people enjoy it. It's about a single dad of a teenager and a recently unemployed woman taking care of her mom who broke her hip. It's all about making room for joy and love when you are caretaking! 

Over the last couple of months, when I wasn't working on my book, I did some fun things! My eldest kiddo and I went to see The Nutcracker Ballet, it's our new end of November tradition to kick off the holiday season. Working at the school was very busy, and I picked up a stomach bug--not fun! 

The sweet...

As you know, I love cozy mysteries and this year I was one of the guest bloggers for The Cozy Mystery Club's 12 Days of Cozies. Here is a link to my post: Sweet Holiday Treats. 

The spicy...

I was the guest co-host on the 5th day of Boobsmas episode of the romance podcast Boobies and Noobies. You can listen to me and Kelly Reynolds talk about the very spicy novella, Frosted, A Frosty the Snowman Parody Novella. We had a good time talking about this wild book! You can listen to this podcast on all the platforms 

After the sun sets, I'm looking forward to sharing a charcuterie board with my family and watching a Christmas Movie. I'd like to watch Christmas Vacation!

Enjoy your holiday!  

One Minute It's September, The Next Minute it's Mid October!

  

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. you can write about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.

This month I have been trying better time management.  I'm getting up at 5:30 or 6:00 a.m. planning to get some motif writing done, however it's not happening. The time between when I get up and when I have to leave for work passes in the blink of an eye! I'm trying to tell myself to get up, make coffee, and write for 30 minutes. What happens is I get up, go downstairs to make coffee, unload the dishwasher, feed the dog, check work emails, etc etc. I bet you can relate. 

I went to a program at my local library this past week called Mourning and Spirituality in the Victorian Era. I took notes because it was very interesting and maybe someday I'll have a ghost character from the 1870s who spent most of her adulthood in full mourning. My take away about mourning in the Victorian Era is that is really sucked to be a woman. You had to be in mourning for so many people I don't know how anyone coped. 

I've started drafting my four small town romance book wish me luck! My biggest problem is I procrastinate my writing and get easily distracted. How was your week? Did you read anything good? I just got a refurbished MacBook and I am learning how to use it. 

When you were in full mourning you covered yourself head to toe in black and didn't wear any jewelry You had to wear a veil over your face when you were out in public and depending how you were related to the person who died you could be in mourning for 3 months to two years. Did you know people reenact this era and dress in mourning clothes? I did not. One last fact the fabric for full mourning was crepe and part of the process to dull crepe could involve dousing it with formaldehyde so these women were walking around breathing in some nasty chemicals on top of everything else! 

Can We Start Fall Now Please? The Sunday Post!

   

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. you can write about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.

What I'm reading this weekend: 

I don't know about you, but I am excited to have Monday off! A three-day weekend after a couple of weeks of school!  I'd be more chill about everything, but it's been so hot we haven't even had outside recess. I am ready for sweater weather! I am also ready to break out my fall-themed shirts. Going through my closet I realized I've added four new fall t-shirts over the summer!  I'm going to kick off fall by wearing my Halloween Town shirt.  Do you enjoy the autumn season?

Yesterday I brainstormed with an editor for my upcoming book It App-ened One Night. The brainstorming session was very helpful; now I know I can make this book a satisfying story. I would love for you to join my newsletter. I'll share a prequel to the Marley Creek Series, doing cover and blurb reveals, and ARC sign-ups. Plus I'm commissioning some fun stickers to give to my subscribers! 

Thanks so much! 

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Are You A Mood Reader? Is It Time for Fall Books?

 I, of course, have started reading fall books. The latest book I've gotten my paws on is Haunted to Death by Frank Polito. When it comes to fall books what are your must haves?  Here are some things I love to see in a fall book:

A fall festival!

Fall food or beverage talk, especially if it involves pumpkins and apples!

References to leaves falling or chilly nights!

Kids or pets or really anyone in costume!

Hints of magic! 

Would you agree with this list or is there something different that gives you all the cozy fall reading vibes?

Covers that have hints of fall are also always appreciated by me if it is a physical book! My love of the fall season is why my first book takes place in October. 

And lucky for me, this week I'm starting to write my next book which will take place a year after the first book. This time around my main character is Donnie. He owns a bakery that is also a bookstore. Can you imagine?  How amazing would that be? He doesn't realize it but he's about to find love! 

If you are in the USA, I hope you have a wonderful Labor Day weekend! I'll be writing and reading, and I'm planning to take some time to go to a craft market at a local brewery! 

What's A Reader Magnet?

 This month I'm working on writing and editing my reader magnet. What's a reader magnet? I'm glad you asked. It's a short story I can give away virtually to people as a thank you for signing up for my newsletter! So Victoria, how's this reader magnet thing going?  Well, I wrote about three-quarters of the story back in January and then I put it away for six months. Now I'm reviewing what I've written and making sure I don't have any continuity errors.

My reader magnet is a little prequel to my first book and the main characters in it are Zaina's mom and stepdad. This story allowed me to write an age gap where she's the older of the pair! When it is done, I'll make a post linking to the story so you can visit Marley Creek for a fun weekend. 

I got a secondhand copy of this book as a gift. If you are looking to get me a gift, you can't go wrong with a secondhand book, especially if it's a cozy!  Murder of the Cat's Meow is the fifteenth book in Denise Swason's Scumble River Series. I haven't read any other books in this series and I didn't have any trouble following the storyline.  I love when a cozy mystery series is written well enough that I don't have to read in order!  This was an enjoyable cozy, there were several possible suspects and I wasn't sure who did it. 

In this book, you get to know the murder victim before the murder which I know many people prefer. I enjoyed that our amateur sleuth doesn't put herself in unnecessarily dangerous situations and that she is a consultant to the police department. There is also a fun ghost situation as a small side plot. Lastly, this book is practically spicy for a cozy! I wonder, since this was written twelve years ago, if cozy mysteries have gotten more puritanical in the last five or so years.  Something for someone to blog about.

Have you read anything good lately?  How is your week going? 

I'm embracing the upcoming change of season. Looking forward to those lovely September days!

Happy Release Day for Too Kölsch For Comfort! The Second Book in the Steamy Marley Creek Romance Series!

 My second book is out today! If you like fake dating, couples that get snowed in, or when she can't stand him but he thinks she's the one who got away, check it out! 

As you can see I'm still slowly learning how to use Canva! Trying to make posts about my book is harder than writing, revising, and proofreading! 

I am thinking of hosting a little book release at my local craft brewery next month. What do you think? Have you gone to many book release or book signing events? 

Here is the scoop on Jasper and Zaina's story!

When Jasper makes Zaina a deal she can’t refuse, will she find herself with something more than money?

Zaina Evans told herself this was going to be her year. She’s done looking for a soulmate to share her life. She lives in a great small-town, has a successful business, she’s surrounded by wonderful friends and her mom is just a train ride away. Zaina has everything she needs and wants in life except for a baby. Now all she needs is funding to help pay for artificial insemination.
Jasper Kane is the handsome owner and head brewer of Hop’s Heaven Brewery. He’s only had time to promote his business and date a of string of beautiful women for the last five years. His goal to take his craft brewery nationwide consumes him. Maybe if his brewery had locations across America, his mother would finally take him seriously.
Then a video of Jasper and Zaina goes viral for its feel-good content, and a local TV show wants to do a live remote, but only if Zaina’s there too. This gives Jasper a fantastically devious idea. He can get loads of free publicity and tons of followers if Zaina agrees to fake date him to make social media content. But when they get stuck at the brewery during an ice storm, things stop being fake fast. Will they be able to get past their preconceived notions of the perfect life to find the love right in front of them?

Exciting Happenings This Week! The Sunday Post

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme 

Tonight I'm a guest host on the podcast Christmas Countdown! Exciting! I've been listening to the podcast since it started and now I get to be on an episode sharing my top five favorite (recent) Christmas movies!  Do you listen to podcasts?  If you like Christmas, you must check out the five-star goodness of Christmas Countdown! 

https://christmascountdownshow.com/

And then later this week I'll be attending the Chicago North Romance Writer's Spring Fling. I'm volunteering and I've been assigned to be a moderator for two different panels! I'm more nervous about that than the podcast. I don't want to mess up a panel! Fingers crossed that it goes smoothly! And then on Saturday, as I mentioned previously I'll be doing my first author signing. Amazing, it feels surreal! If you had told me a year ago I'd be writing a series of romance books, I wouldn't have believed you.

Speaking of books, I'm happy to share the cover for my second book in the Marley Creek Romance Series! 

Coming out 4//30/2024!  You can pre-order it now here: https://a.co/d/39I9z4x

Stay tuned for Tomorrow's blog where I will talk about my brother's North Carolina restaurant and the book Last Night by Luanne Rice. 

In The Depths of Winter, What You Need is a Cozy Fantasy Read!

 

Life got you down? Are you in a reading slump? Do you need cozy comfort in your life?  Buy or borrow this cozy sapphic fantasy book by Marissa Serrao. This book's vibe reminded me of Legends and Lattes. It may not be officially a category, but this book is a cozy fantasy. There is a unique and lovely world populated with a diverse group of Fae. The story is the hero's journey taken by a half-demon/half-satyr who finds her better half along the way. 

In my experience, most often a fantasy book means a cliffhanger and a second book. Between Mischief & Magic is a stand-alone. The baddies are vanquished and our couple gets their happily-ever-after. 

5 stars for all the cozy goodness!

*****

This week I officially became a published author. I really don't feel like one yet. My brain says, write book two then I'll consider you a real author. Aren't brains weird?  I hope you are having a nice week!  I just finished a domestic thriller and I started reading Cat Sloan is Swirling. I'm also listening to Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone.  

Goals For 2024! And a delicious and easy Red Lentil Soup Recipe.

Here is the recipe: Red Lentil Soup by The Kitchn

It was so easy to make and surprisingly tasty. I will certainly make this soup again!

If you've read this blog before you know that I do like to set goals for the New Year. Over the years I've posted goals on this blog many a time, and this year won't be an exception. Let's see how I do with these goals! 

Author Goals:

* Write Books Two, Three and Four in my Marley Creek series.

*Figure out how to use Canva to make fun posts about my books

*Attend a Romance Author Conference. 

*Be on a podcast! (dream big right?) 

Bookish /Blogger Goals

* 75 Books Read Goal

* Participate in COYER

*Attend 4 in-person book signings.

*Write my 1,000th blog post! (I'm at 903 with this post) 

And for Personal Goals:

TBD I need to think about this one some more. 

Happy New Year!  I hope you are having a wonderful first day of the new year!