Sandra Cox's Blog, page 68
December 22, 2021
Did You Know
Did you know, Dante's The Divine Comedy was Rodin's inspiration for "The Thinker"?
Writerly Wednesday
What's your go-to word for friendship? Mine's: vital.
December 20, 2021
It's Tuesday
So...We put our tree up.
And then I saw this at the local department store. Normally, I don't buy ornaments, but I had to get this one;) Note the tree topper in the pic above:)
AND
I received these beautiful cards from Elizabeth and Bleubeard and CJ. They even arrived the same day. Thank you so much. I love them. The tree on top of the card was drawn on the envelope.
Franktrying to figure out how to get the balloons off the ceiling we put up for the kids.
ANDLast but not least. My brother took this picture, thinking the moon made a wonderful Christmas tree topper.
What about you blogger bud? Got a new ornament? Tree? Curious cat? Special cards?
December 16, 2021
This Friday's Read: MOUNTAIN LAUREL CHRISTMAS by Jan Sikes
Thank you, Sandra, for inviting me to your blog site to talk about my newest release, Mountain Laurel Christmas. I appreciate your generosity.
Entirely my pleasure, Jan. I’m happy to have you and feature this special story for the holiday season.
1. My main character was born Norbert Angus Anderson. His father was a coal miner who perished in a mine collapse when Norbert was only twelve. Living in a shack on the side of the Cumberland Mountains with his mother, sister, and little brother, poverty was a constant way of life.Music was this little family’s salvation.Norbert’s father had the gift of music and passed it down to his sons.
2. 2. After the death of both parents, Norbert was utterly alone. He went to Ohio to stay with his sister for a while, but he had a powerful dream that pushed him to Nashville. He was determined to break into the music business. It was then he changed his name for the first time. He introduced himself as Andy Roberts, ditching the Norbert Angus for good.
3. When superstar, Corinna South, hired Andy as an opening act for her shows, she again changed his name. Norbert Angus Anderson, aka Andy Roberts, became Cole Knight. With Corinna’s influence, he made it big in the music world. He was living the dream.Yet, he was dying inside. Haunted by grief, guilt, and loneliness, he turned to alcohol to numb the pain.
When the story begins, Cole is deep into a bottle of whiskey when a reporter’s insistent questions raise old memories and spur Cole into action. He cannot continue to live under this dark cloud.
EXCERPT:
A single strand of blinking Christmas lights reflects off newly fallen snow through the lone front window of my favorite downtown pub. A metallic cutout hangs over the bar, proclaiming it’s a Merry Christmas.
I snort. Merry, my ass. I haven’t felt the meaning of that word for a long time. But this year, even less than the ones before.
“Tell me, Mr. Knight. What’s it like bein’ a big singin’ star?”
I turn my attention from the shot glass nestled comfortably in my hand to the watery blue eyes of an overweight fellow in a cheap leisure suit and overcoat. “I reckon it’s okay. But if you don’t mind, I’d like to drink in peace.”
The heavyset man eases his rear up on the barstool next to me and motions to the bartender. “I understand, and I hate to intrude, but I’m tryin’ real hard to get established as a reporter. I need a story bad. What was it like for you growing up?”
Shifting away from the intrusive interviewer, I stare past him at a memory as vivid as if it were yesterday.
BOOK BLURB:
Orphaned, his family torn apart by tragedy, Cole Knight has come a long way from a ramshackle miner’s cabin on the side of the Cumberland Mountain.
Daring to follow an impossible dream, he’s made it big in the music business. Now, he’s a country music sensation with a huge house, fancy cars, plenty of willing women, money, and adoring fans. He should be on top of the world. Instead, he’s drowning in a swirling pool of self-contempt and relentless guilt.
It’s easier to lose himself in a bottle than face the hard truth...he hasn’t delivered on a promise he made to his father.
It’s almost Christmas, and the sting of failure drives him back to that tiny cabin in the mountains. But has he waited too late to put the shattered pieces back together—to find himself and restore a lost family?
https://www.amazon.com/Mountain-Laurel-Christmas-Jan-Sikes-ebook/dp/B09KJYMVT9/
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:
December 15, 2021
Did You Know
Did you know, the term hard-nosed originated with hunting dogs that had a poor sense of smell?
December 14, 2021
Writerly Wednesday
What's your go-to word for hard-nosed? Mine's Keeper;) Followed by tough.
December 13, 2021
It's Tuesday
As threatened promised here's some sky pics of our journey home from Philly. The first picture particularly fascinated me. The sky is usually visible with a handful of clouds. At one point on our way home the sky was barely visible because of cloud saturation.
This was the traffic for a good portion of the way home.
Sunset
The critters
enticed by a bird on the porch.
Callie hiding under the covers, but Franky, great sleuth that he is, found her.
Frank under the tree
And last but not least, my daughter--no doubt tired of hearing me moan about not having a holly tree--bought me one.
What's going on in your corner of the world, blogger buds?
December 9, 2021
Friday's Good Read: CHRISTMAS WITH THE WRIGHTS
Blurb
Even hard-nosed detective Justinia Wright can get into the Christmas spirit.
Three cases. Three chances to spread some Christmas cheer.
There’s Cordell Oscar Hellman, the conservative political pundit, who’s recreational morphine use has come to the attention of a vicious blackmailer.
Mrs. Solberg’s dope of a husband is being hoodwinked by the office minx and Mrs. S doesn’t like it.
Then there’s Emil Papenfuss, who’s homeless and a millionaire. Only he doesn’t know he’s a millionaire.
Three cases. Three chances to do a good deed. And with the inducement of three big fat fees and Harry’s help, Tina delivers the goods. But not without difficulty.
Christmas with the Wrights. Not like any Christmas you’ve ever experienced. Get in on the action and fun today!
Buy Links Only $.99. *Check price before purchasing.
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09M5XHQTP
Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B09M5XHQTP
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09M5XHQTP
Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B09M5XHQTP
Justinia Wright smokes cigars. She prefers grand panetela and lonsdale shapes
Justinia Wright used to forge art for a living.
Justinia Wright is a concert-quality pianist.
CW Hawes Bio and Contact Info
CW Hawes is a multi-genre author because he is a multi-genre reader. He’s penned The Justinia Wright Private Investigator Mysteries, The Rocheport Saga: A Post-Apocalyptic Steam Powered Future, the Pierce Mostyn Paranormal Investigations series, and assorted alternative history and horror offerings.
Born and raised in the Cleveland, Ohio area, CW spent 49 years in the Land of 10,000 Lakes (aka Minnesota), and now proudly hails from the Lone Star State (aka Texas).
He hasn’t met a pizza he doesn’t like (okay, he detests pineapple), is something of a tea snob, and rocks out to Handel and Vaughan Williams.
Website: www.cwhawes.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cw_hawes
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CWHawes1Did You Know
Did you know a baby rhino can weigh between fifty-five and a hundred pounds at birth? Ouch. Ouch. Ouch.
December 7, 2021
Writerly Wednesday
What word would you use to describe Christmas? Mine: Goodwill.
