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Sunday Snippet: The Pink Primroses, Daisies, and a Real Snippet Edition
When Husband and I got home from a week at the lake yesterday, we both sucked in a breath of awe–our primroses and daisies are blooming! The front gardens look glorious and lush with flowers and ferns and hostas–we are a festival of color and greenery! Take a look! I am not, as I have told you on more than one occasion, a gardener. I don’t like yardwork, I find weeding tedious and annoying, and watering and trimming a wicked necessity. But wow, doing the work is so worth the effort! My gardens are nothing compared to my lovely neighbors who work in theirs every day and their work…
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Author Spotlight: Welcome Melinda Curtis!
I’m always delighted to bring you one of my own favorite authors and today is special because bestselling author, Melinda Curtis! Melinda Curtis is the USA Today bestselling author of light‐hearted contemporary romance, romantic comedies, and women’s fiction. Her book Dandelion Wishes was made into a TV movie – Love in Harmony Valley, starring Amber Marshall. She lives in Oregon’s wine country with her husband – her basketball-playing college sweetheart. While raising three kids, the couple did the soccer thing, the karate thing, the dance thing, the Little League thing and, of course, the basketball thing. Now when Melinda isn’t writing and Mr. Curtis isn’t watching college basketball, they do the DIY thing. Website…
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Sunday Snippet: The Who Is My Best Self Edition
This morning during my daily meditation, the guide asked us to consider that question: “Who am I when I’m at my best?” Who am I when I’m at my best? Wow, what a question. I think we, okay I, don’t stop my life to consider who I am, who I want to be, who I should be. I just push through…working, writing, doing laundry, making meals, being horrified by the state of our government, yet loving my family and friends and just trying to get through each day. Always behind everything I do or think or say is the knowledge that my heart isn’t working as well as other hearts…
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Author Spotlight: Welcome Author Lynne Marshall!
I’m so pleased to introduce y’all to author USA Today bestselling author, Lynne Marshall. She is a writer after my own heart, being an inveterate day dreamer and storyteller. She tried to retire during Covid, but discovered there is no retiring from one’s own imagination! Lynne used to worry she had a serious problem with day dreaming, until she discovered she was supposed to write those stories. Now traditionally published for many years with over thirty-four books as a category romance author, she has also gone hybrid. She is a Southern California native, has been married to a New Englander for a long time, and has two adult children of…
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Sunday Snippet: The Writer as Procrastinator Edition
I think I’ve mentioned it before but in case you don’t know, I’ve become a world-class procrastinator—I can do something else better than anyone anywhere. I’ve passed amateur status and have just recently gotten my professional standing. Don’t even try to take me on this one, I’ll beat the socks off you every time. For instance, yesterday, after we drove home from the lake, I procrastinated beautifully about cutting back the last of the pampas grass. I found something more important to do (read “sat on the sofa reading for pleasure” here) until it was time to start supper. The to-do list I made while we drove home was really…
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Author Spotlight: Mystery Writer Christopher Seto Is Here!
We have a winner! Latesha B, you were randomly selected to received a signed copy of The Vanishing Stone. Chris will be in touch with you! Thanks to Latesha and everyone who stopped by! Christopher Seto had me at chocolate. The Chocolatier’s Curse, the first book in his Tule Mystery series, Notes on a Murder, drew me in, and I knew I wanted a chance to chat with him. We had a ball, particularly when we discovered that we were both Purdue Boilermakers. I’m so glad to introduce him to you today! He’s here with book 2 in the Notes on a Murder series, The Vanishing Stone, which releases…
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Wednesday Drop-In: Results of the Cover Survey
Bonjour, Mes Amis, Just dropping in real quick to let you know the results of the cover survey that I sent out to folks a few weeks ago. My friend who put the survey together sent the results of the data she collected. Here’s what the data tells us about the ideal book cover to appeal to the broadest possible audience: The winning formula: A photographic or richly illustrated cover, dominated by bright and vibrant colors, featuring compelling imagery that’s clearly related to the story — with mostly visuals and minimal text. Breaking it down by category: Style: The top three (photographic, illustrated, bold & graphic) are nearly tied, all hovering around…
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Sunday Snippet: The March Lists Edition
When I’ve got nothing, which is the situation as I sit here in front of my computer this morning, pal Liz always recommends doing a list or two. I figure why not? I was thinking maybe favorites books lists would be fun. What do you think? I’ll start. Five Favorite Childhood Books (Too easy, but also fun to think about): The Bobbsey Twins books by Laura Lee Hope–I often pretended I was Nan, the oldest girl twin. The Nancy Drew books by Carolyn Keene–I loved her sporty little convertible and dreamed about a boyfriend like Ned (FYI, he’s fiction). The Jennifer Wish by Eunice Young Smith–amazing stories about a family who…
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Sunday Snippet: The Red Boots and Style Edition
I’ve been working on becoming more confident and seeing myself in a new way. Clothes are part of this very slow transformation–wearing them, buying them, choosing them… knowing what best suits me. In the daybook Simple Abundance, Sarah Ban Breathnach talks about finding clothes that fit your lifestyle. That assumes I have a lifestyle, which I’m not entirely sure I really do. I’m a writer and editor. I pretty much live in comfort clothes–yoga pants, T-shirts with a sweater tugged over the top of them or a sweatshirt if it’s really cold outside. Slippers or socks and I’m good to go for the day. There are even days, I confess,…
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Author Spotlight: Welcome, Shanna Hatfield!
I’m always delighted to share new discoveries with you, and Shanna Hatfield and her books are a fab find for me! We met when I joined the Petticoats & Pistols blog and I’ve enjoyed getting to know her and the other “fillies” who are on the blog. It’s a joy to have her with me today. USA Today bestselling author Shanna Hatfield grew up on a farm where hay fever and life lessons were always in season. Today, she blends her rural roots with a love for storytelling, crafting sweet, wholesome romances filled with hope, humor, quirky characters, and realistic heroes paired with strong, inspiring heroines. When she’s not writing or baking new…