Friday, January 26, 2018

The Weekend Starts Now

I'm going to be offline for a couple of weeks. Be well and leave the light on for me.

Tuesday, January 23, 2018

This and That

THIS:
My daughter gave me a potted Amaryllis bulb for Christmas. It's been fascinating to watch as nearly every day the stalk shot up higher than the day before.  It took about two weeks to bloom but the end result was well worth the wait. Have you ever 'raised' an Amaryllis bulb?

THAT:
The border we put up in the laundry room:)
AND....
Among the lovely gifts I got from the fam were these bowls.  I thought the cat people out there would appreciate them.
Yup, cats, flowers and books (reading or writing them) pretty much sums up my world:)

AND....
Last year the HH ordered a chocolate on chocolate bday cake for me, got it home and found out it was white with chocolate icing.
This year he ordered a chocolate on chocolate bday cake, and they made a chocolate with white icing.
He told me that they always take great pains to write down the order correctly. Now if they'd just take as much time to actually read it.... Heh.

Monday, January 22, 2018

Baby, It's Snow Outside

We got about six inches last week, which is considerable for this area.  Luckily, the weather has warmed and its melted.


Franky enjoyed playing for a little while then decided snow was overrated. What about your area, did you get hit too?

AND....
Carmen asked that I tell everyone thank you for the birthday wishes. She really appreciated them. Carmen is seriously ill. A perk up for me is book sales. For an author it's validation. If you haven't read Dracula's Mistress and you think it would appeal, I would ask you to consider purchasing it. The price is .99¢. 
And if it doesn't appeal, I'm sure all well wishes are cherished.

Friday, January 19, 2018

It's The Weekend AND Happy Birthday


AND.....

AND....
C. Lee McKenzie is the winner of a PDF copy of TERROR ON SUNSHINE BOULEVARD.
Congrats, Lee!
AND.....
A belated Happy Birthday to Hilary.
Hilary

Monday, January 15, 2018

Winter Warm Up Tour with J.Q. Rose

Thank you, Sandra, for kicking off the Winter Warm-Up 2018 Blog Tour for Terror on Sunshine Boulevard on your blog. I look forward to visiting with you and your readers and to answering any questions asked of me in the comments.

Readers--Please leave a comment below because a lucky commenter will win a PDF copy of Terror on Sunshine Boulevard.
Today I’m sharing tips on arranging fresh, cut flowers in this blog post because Sandra loves flowers and is quite the flower gardener. She has written an excellent, information-packed book on flowers, Flower Gardens and More. Plus my main character, Jim Hart, is an avid gardener, and his wife Gloria loves flowers in their yard. Nothing sparks up a mid-winter day like a vase of fragrant and colorful blooms.
Before I became a published writer, my husband and I owned and operated a floral shop, garden center, and greenhouses in West Michigan. So these tips are ones I have shared with customers. Hope there’s a gem or two in here for you.

Basic Fresh Floral Design Tips by J.Q. Rose
  1. Cut the flower stems on a slant in order to allow more surface area for water to enter the stem. Place the bunch of flowers in a bucket or large vase to allow the flowers to soak up the warm, not hot, not cold, water with dissolved preservative before beginning your design.
  2. Always give a fresh cut to the flower stem before placing it in the arrangement.
  3. Use a very sharp knife or scissors to cut the stems. Dull tools will crush the stem and not allow the flower to drink up the water.
  4. If you use wet foam for your arrangement, be sure to place the foam in a bucket of warm water with preservative dissolved in it. Then place the foam, cut to fit your container, into the water, but don’t hold it down in the bucket. Every inch of the foam needs to be wet. If you hold it down for a couple of minutes, water does not reach all parts of it and may leave air holes in the material. Your flower could dry out because the stem end is in air and not water. So leave it in to soak up all the water. You can tell when you pick it up if the block is full or not by the weight.
  5. If making a “plunk-it” arrangement in a vase, simply set the vase on the edge of the counter, hold the flower bunch next to the vase, and determine how tall or short you want the arrangement to be.  Cut at the point where the flower stems are even with the top of the counter.  Then “plunk” the flowers in the vase immediately. Easy-peasy.
  6. When making a centerpiece, determine the width and length by placing a flower or greens at north, south, east, and west. Determine the height by placing a flower in the center. Just remember to start your arrangement with five flowers, then fill in.
  7. Don’t forget to use various kinds of green foliage to make a lovely background for the flowers to showcase their colors.
  8. Include three shapes of flowers in mixed bouquets—a spike flower e.g. gladiola or snapdragon, round flower e.g. carnation or mum, and a form flower e.g. iris or rose.
  9. The rule is to place lighter colors at the top of an arrangement and darker colors at the base. But rules are made to be broken, so design your piece to please your eye.
  10. Leave space around each flower so you can see each one. Don’t cram them together so tightly that the viewer can’t appreciate each beautiful face.
  11. The most important rule is to make a bouquet that you will enjoy. 
  12. Really, how can you go wrong when working with brilliant colors, unique shapes, and pleasant fragrances? You can’t!

Back of the Book:  Rescuing a naked woman lying in a geranium bed or investigating mysterious murders are not the usual calls for first responder Jim Hart. He expects slip and fall accidents or low blood pressure emergencies in his retirement community of Citrus Ridge Senior Community and Golf Resort. The ghastly crime scenes turn the winter time fun into a terrifying season of death and mystery when the authorities cannot track down the predator responsible.
Jim and his wife Gloria could escape the horror and grief by returning to their northern home, but concern for their friends and residents keep them in Florida. With the entire community in a dither over the deaths, the Harts participate in the normal winter activities of golfing, dancing, and pool parties with their friends to distract them from the sadness and loss.
Can Jim and Gloria work with the authorities to discover who or what is killing the seniors on Sunshine Boulevard and stop the increasing body count?
Tagline: Rescuing a naked woman lying in a geranium bed? Investigating mysterious murders? These are not the usual calls in a Florida retirement community for volunteer first responder Jim Hart.
Terror on Sunshine Boulevard is available for purchase at these digital booksellers.
Universal Link for major online retailers: https://books2read.com/u/4XoN8e

About J.Q.
After writing feature articles in magazines, newspapers, and online magazines for over fifteen years, J.Q. Rose entered the world of fiction. Her published mysteries are Deadly Undertaking, Dangerous Sanctuary, and Terror on Sunshine Boulevard released by Books We Love Publishing. Blogging, photography, Pegs and Jokers board games, and travel are the things that keep her out of trouble. She spends winters in Florida and summers up north camping and hunting toads, frogs, and salamanders with her four grandsons and granddaughter.
Connect with J.Q. Rose online at
J.Q. Rose blog http://www.jqrose.com/
Books We Love Author Page http://bookswelove.net/authors/rose-j-q/



Congrats on the release, J.Q.

Tuesday, January 9, 2018

Flaming Crimes

AUTHOR NOTE: Many scenes in Flaming Crimes (Disaster Crimes #4) came from real life. For this short blog tour, I am sharing my memories as a ten-part continuous story, so hop along for the entire experience.


Series: Disaster Crimes #4
Page Count: 304 
Digital Price: 4.99 
Print Price: 16.99
Rating: Spicy (PG13) 
BUY LINKS:
FLAMING GUEST POST PART TWO:
I begged my best friend’s dad to “Go, go, go.”When they dropped me off at my driveway, they sped off to make their house several blocked away was okay. And there I stood, yards from a burning beast. It was loud. Cracking. Groaning. It was hot. Burning. Scorching. It was bright. Flaring. Searing.

I dropped my backpack on the ground and ran inside my house. I remember grabbing my pillow and blanket. I might’ve put clothes into a garbage bag, but I just don’t remember. That moment of sheer terror is a blur now.

 But I do remember what happened after. I shoved my blanket into the trunk of the car and was bawling my eyes out on the driveway. The fire was so close that I was rooted to the spot, afraid to go back inside because I thought that if I did, the house would start to burn. I was in such a state that my mom ordered my brother to drive me and the dog down to the end of the road.

I tried to stay in the car, but I couldn’t. I was too terrified to not watch the fire, so I climbed out of the car. That’s when I saw a crowd of gawkers, neighbors from just a street or two over, standing together at the end of the road, watching my family fight to get our cats out and safe our home.

Overcome, I shouted at them, “Don’t just stand there!” I wanted their help.

And then the firetrucks came.

 TO BE CONTINUED….

 FLAMING CRIMES EXCERPT:

While driving her car to the end of the street, with the flames flashing at her in the rearview mirror, she imagined the fire sweeping across the city, following them down the highway. Nowhere they’d go would be safe. It’d be right behind them, frying everything to a crisp wherever they went, until the world was an inferno.

 She got out of her car to hear sirens shaking the air. The urgent horn of fire trucks wailed as they tried to get to them. She turned toward the end of the road and saw a crowd of onlookers staring at the fire knocking at her door, staring at her. Anger flared inside her. How could they gawk and not help? How dare they watch as she loses the home she wanted to build a family in? How dare they?

 “What is the matter with you?” she yelled at them, with her throat tight and raw. She wanted to tell them to help or go home, but right at that moment, the fire trucks came.



 The story will continue on these blogs:
1/8Circle of Friends Books - Part 1
1/9Sandra CoxPart 2
1/10Elements of EmaginettePart 3
1/11Julie FlandersPart 4
1/12I Think; Therefore, I YamPart 5
1/15Alex J. CavanaughPart 6
1/16Just JemiPart 7
1/17Sandra DaileyPart 8
1/18FundinmentalPart 9
1/19Elizabeth SeckmanPart 10



About the Author: Chrys Fey is the author of the Disaster Crimes Series, a unique concept blending romance, crimes, and disasters. She’s partnered with the Insecure Writer’s Support Group and runs their Goodreads book club. She’s also an editor for Dancing Lemur Press.

Author Links:
Thank you for reading this post! Don’t forget to hop along to the other posts on their designated days for the full fiery story.

 SHARE: Your fire story with me.


Monday, January 8, 2018

Darkest Hour

     

This is a wonderful movie that has you gripping the edge of your armrests as it progresses. History buffs will especially appreciate it.  Gary Oldman does an incredible job of playing Winston Churchill. And what's amazing, he didn't gain a pound. If he doesn't win mega awards I will really be surprised. If you aren't familiar with him here's the  Wikipedia link.Kristin Scott Thomas also does a brilliant job as Clementine Winston, as does Lily James as Elizabeth Layton. Overall I found the film fascinating.

Wednesday, January 3, 2018

IWSG Wednesday



The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Members post about their doubts and fears, discuss struggles and triumphs, and offer words of encouragement to others who are struggling.

January 3 IWSG Question: What steps have you taken or plan to take to put a schedule in place for your writing and publishing?
As far as my schedule, and I use that term loosely: In the mornings I feed the critters (God forbid that gets skipped!), grab a cup of coffee, turn on CNN and visit my blogger buds. This is a gray area, but I consider blogging part of my writing regime. 
After lunch: I write.
In the evenings I edit and if time allows work on my marketing strategy, which involves a lot of trial and error. 
I don't have a publishing schedule. I have some loose goals that if stretched out I almost meet:) 
What about you? If you write or craft do you have a schedule?
My latest finished project:



A Young/New Adult Paranormal/Light Horror Novel





On  the  eve  of  her  eighteenth  birthday,  Aurora  Valente  goes  through  disturbing changes. She purrs and craves raw meat. Most alarming of all, she’s taken to chasing wildlife.
Her aunt gives her a beautiful, antique choker and tells her a story about a shapeshifting Minder princess and the beast that hunts the Minder’s descendants. To Aurora it’s only a story...till later that night when her world takes a turn into terror.


Tuesday, January 2, 2018

The Last Jedi

I loved The Force Awakens and enjoyed The Last Jedi just as much. It was two hours and thirty minutes of sci-fi/fantasy punch-packed action. If you're a Star Wars fan, I trust you'll appreciate it as much as I did.  Even without Harrison Ford, on a one to ten, I give it a ten without popcorn.  With popcorn, a solid eleven.

     

Monday, January 1, 2018

Happy New Year and The Artists in the Family and...

Happy New Year.  I hope your Christmas was wondrous and that 2018 will be a great one.

And.....

I'd like to share some of the baby girl's and our son-in-law's work. Meghan Cox paints in oils.




Jacob Lunderby's work combines painting, photography and digital manipulation.


And....

A friend/fellow author is part of a rescue group rehoming twenty endangered ferals in New Jersey as they get the funds.  They currently have set up a go fund me page: https://www.gofundme.com/savesummitcats.
Any help with donations or spreading the word will be much appreciated.
And...