Andrea Boyd's Blog, page 3

Author Cliff Notes- Finding the Writing Program that works for you

If you’re going to be a writer, you’re going to have to get those words out of your head and onto paper. You could write it all out in longhand but if you plan to publish your work, you’re going to have to eventual get it into a writing program that can be shared. No doubt, there are many other programs out there but here is a list to get you headed in the right direction.

Programs for everyone

Microsoft Word- Listed first because it’s the most popular with writers and publishers alike.

Pages- Apple/Mac alternative to Microsoft Word

Apache OpenOffice- Like Word and Pages, but FREE

Programs specifically designed for writers.

Scrivener- Helps with outlining your story, allows you to write scenes separately and shift them around to where they belong, organize characters, and more. Downside- big learning curve.

Living Writer- Like Scrivener. Cloud-driven so you can work from different devices.

Dabble Writer- Like Scrivener -Cloud-driven

yWriter- Like Scrivener but FREE

Ulysses- Apple/ Mac

Papyrus Author- Mac -FREE

Final Draft- Screen Writing Program

Barebones writing apps.

Google Docs- online only -FREE

Fast Pencil- Cloud-driven FREE

Evernote- Cloud-driven -best for writing notes or scenes on the go -FREE

Time For A Mental Health Sabbatical

I think we could all use a little mental health sabbatical right about now. I’m no therapist but I’ve made up a list based on common sense, experience, and research that I hope you’ll find helpful.

Pamper yourself- This is probably the most obvious suggestion for relieving anxiety but maybe you need the reminder. Take a long, hot bath or shower. Use some scented oil or a sugar scrub. Even trimming/painting your nails can be pampering.

Coloring- no longer just for kids! There are a plethora of adult coloring books out there and mediums to use with them. I won’t even judge you if crayons are still your favorite. The one I use has Biblical sayings. Or if you want to feel more like a grownup, you can always start with a blank canvas and some paint. I have those too, but so far it’s still just blank canvas and bottled paint. I’ll let you know if I ever do anything with it.

Crafting- It can be something you already enjoy or take up something new. Here’s an idea that cost absolutely nothing. Try making a wreath from things found in your yard. A wreath, maybe?

Try something new- I’ve already suggested trying a new craft, but it could be anything really. I recently visited a local museum that I’d never been to before. It had me looking around at what else I had been missing out on right here in my own neighborhood. Which in turn has gotten me out of the house and away from dwelling on the world’s problems.

Nature walk- Worried about going into public buildings and getting too close to other people? Take it outdoors! I bet there’s a state park nearby with miles of sparsely used trails waiting for you to visit.

Listening to music/singing- If you’re like me, maybe your singing voice is best for a smaller audience—like just yourself. So what? Next time you’re alone, crank up the music and sing to the top of your lungs. It might even inspire a little dancing, which also helps get the feel-good juices flowing.

Family Meal- Just planning and cooking the meal is a joy for me but if that seems like a chore to you, order takeout. The important thing is to spend time with the ones you love.

Games- While you’ve got the family together, pull out a game to play. My family’s favorite is Wild Rummy played with two decks. Even a game played by yourself on your phone can be a great distraction.

Journaling- Getting those feelings out of your head and onto paper can help put things into perspective.

Reread your favorites- Sometimes when you’re stressed, it’s hard to get into a new book, which for an avid reader this only adds to the stress. Try revisiting your old favorites.

Psalms- Psalms (most of them) can be the most comforting part of the Bible.

Do something nice for someone else- Believe it or not, doing something for someone else is a great way to boost your own spirits. Volunteer, get involved in community outreach, make a meal for a sick friend—it doesn’t have to be time consuming or complicated. My church fills backpacks for children in need at this time of year. I have gotten more joy from finding items for those kids than I have anything in a long time.

Got any suggestions to add? I’d love to hear them!

Blessing,

Andrea

First Chapter of When Forever Fades

One

“It isn’t what you think.”

Belva Turner cut her eyes toward where her husband sat on the edge of the bed next to her, stopping short of actually looking at him. She couldn’t bear that right now. It hurt too much.

“I’m not stupid, Gray. I saw the way you were looking at her, leaning in like you were about to…” She squeezed her eyes shut and pressed her hand tight against her mouth. Trying to hold back the anger and the hurt and failing miserably.

How could he do this to me? To us?

“I never… we never… it was never physical.” Grayson huffed out a breath. “Come on, Bel, you know I could never…”

It didn’t escape Belva’s notice that he couldn’t even complete the sentence. Because it was a lie. Maybe they hadn’t gone all the way, but something had happened. And if he hadn’t gotten caught… She couldn’t even finish her thought, either. Didn’t want to. Never wanted to have this conversation to begin with. And truth be told, before today she would’ve considered it near impossible that Grayson Turner would ever do anything like this.

“You’ve kissed her.” No question there. It had been about to happen when Belva and the kids had walked up on them today. Something told her it hadn’t been their first.

She’d decided to surprise Gray by taking him out for lunch. She’d been told he’d already left, so she went on without him.

At least, that had been the plan.

But when she started toward the restaurant, there he was, in the parking lot, his hands on the waist of another woman as she leaned into him. The only thing that stopped their lips from meeting was the sound of his daughter’s voice calling out to him.

His quiet yes finally broke the long pause that followed her statement.

“Touched her?”

Silence.

“I’ll take that as a yes.”

He still didn’t say anything.

“So let me get this straight. You’ve had what I can only guess were some pretty intense make-out sessions with the woman, and you never expected it to lead to something more?” Her voice had been surprisingly steady until it rose toward the end, matching her rising fury.

“I messed up, okay? I’m sorry. It won’t ever happen again.”

“Who is she? Where did you meet?” Belva pushed the heel of her hand against her stomach. Thank God, she hadn’t eaten anything since this morning. After seeing her husband with that woman, they’d never made it to the restaurant. She’d picked up a couple of kids’ meals from a drive-thru and let the twins eat in the van on the way home.

Asking about the other woman was nauseating. She didn’t want to know, but she had to know. The questions had been eating away at her all afternoon. She’d barely had enough presence of mind to take care of the kids.

Too much time passed, and he still hadn’t answered. That could only mean one thing. Belva’s teeth ground together until her jaw ached. She turned and this time she looked at him, but he wasn’t looking at her. “Gray?”

“She’s a legal secretary at the firm.”

She sprang from the bed and her feet automatically carried her to the door.

“Belva, wait. I’ll take the couch.”

Because that’s what he always did whenever they fought, which seemed to happen a lot lately. But this wasn’t some lovers’ spat. Things wouldn’t cool overnight. It wasn’t something that could be gotten over quickly. Maybe not at all.

“No, you stay. I’ll go.”

He stood and took a couple of steps toward her. “No, I won’t let you take the couch. It isn’t right.”

Belva turned to look at him, her hand against the door casing for support. “Do you really think I’m going to sleep tonight? Do you think I will be able to close my eyes for a minute and not see you with her?” Her voice broke and a traitorous tear popped out followed by more.

Gray had once said seeing her cry broke his heart all the more because she hardly ever did. He always said he could take anything better than her tears. He had that look in his eyes right now. The one he always got right before he took her into his arms and loved the hurt away. He’d even taken another step toward her, his arms already rising.

She threw her hand up to halt his progress. “Don’t.” She choked out another sob. “I don’t want you touching me.” Ever again.

♥

It had taken Belva exactly two hours last night to decide it was time to leave. Two hours of pacing the living room floor and going over every argument she and Gray had ever had. Most of them had been about the kids. The rest usually centered on the house they lived in—or more specifically, its location.

She’d grown up on a farm with wide open spaces and room to think. A place where kids could play outside without worry. Where everyone knew everyone and stranger danger wasn’t a constant concern.

The cramped neighborhood they lived in was stifling, but it was stylish, a symbol that Gray had moved up in the world. Up from his trailer park roots. Well, he could have it. She was home now, and home was where she’d stay.

Her oldest brother, Wade, had inherited the bulk of the family farm when their dad died, but twenty acres right along the edge of it had been divided among her and the other three siblings. Five acres of nothing but grass and fresh air and her little farmhouse.

She’d had to fight to get Gray to build the small house out here on the property. He’d wanted them to save their money to be able to one day buy an even bigger house than the one they already had in an even fancier neighborhood. Her mom had been fighting cancer at the time and Belva had used that as leverage to get what she wanted.

It wasn’t unusual for them to spend weekends and summer vacations in their country home. They were always happier here, but Gray never would acknowledge that fact. That happiness evaded her at the moment, but it would return.

Wouldn’t it?

Belva lifted her head from the pillow and listened. Were the twins up? She’d allowed them to veg out on the sofa watching cartoons all morning. They’d both fallen asleep and she’d taken advantage of the rare naptime to seek the comfort of her bed.

Footsteps sounded in the next room, too heavy to be the kids. Her heart pounded beneath her ribcage. Had Gray come to try and work things out? She kicked her feet, trying to free herself from the covers and had just sat up on the edge of the bed when her sister, Jolene, made an appearance.

Belva’s eyes stung and a heaviness anchored her to the bed.

Jo, not Gray. Of course. He’s at work. With her.

Jolene pulled the door almost closed, kicked her shoes off, and went around to the other side of the bed. “You look like crap, Sis. What’s going on?”

“How’d you know I was here?”

Jo had already pulled the covers back and climbed into bed. “Family grapevine, how else? Wade saw you pull in this morning and mentioned it to Ma. She tried to call you and couldn’t get through. She called Rachel, who said you hadn’t come by there yet. And then she called me. I knew it was only a matter of time before Ma made her way over, so I ran interference by offering to come check on you.”

Belva slid back into bed and laid on her side facing Jo. “I come here all the time. What sounded the alarm this time?”

“You don’t usually come in the middle of the week. When you do come, one of the first things you do is head next door to see Rachel and the boys. Plus, you haven’t answered your phone.”

“I didn’t want to talk to Gray.”

“So y’all had a fight? It must’ve been a doozy.”

“I caught him with another woman.”

Jolene froze. The only thing that moved were her light brown eyes as she studied Belva’s face. Then she blinked and looked away. “I never thought… How did you catch them?”

“I took the kids to Charlotte. We were going to surprise him for lunch. The surprise was on me when I saw him about to kiss another woman. He says he hasn’t slept with her. I don’t know if that’s true or if it even matters. He still cheated.”

“What are you going to do?”

She pressed her trembling lips firmly into submission before answering. “I’ve left him. What else is there to do?”

Jo turned to her back and looked up at the ceiling. “Are you going to give him another chance?”

“Would you?”

“I…” She blew out a breath and then inhaled deeply. “I don’t know. I’m not married and have no children. I don’t know what I’d be willing to do to keep my family together. I just don’t know.”

This was not the response she expected from her sister. Jo had always been the fierce one. The one to step into battle and fight against injustice—especially when it came to her family.

“It seems like all Gray and I have done lately is fight. Maybe it’s time to let go. I’m not sure I can get over this. Every time I close my eyes, I see him with her.”

“Maybe you just need time.”

Time wasn’t going to change the fact that he’d been unfaithful. If she took him back and they stayed together for another fifty years, his infidelity would always be a part of their story. Maybe this should be its ending.

My Favorite Books for 2020

These are not listed in order of rank and you can see I may have binged on quite a few Sally Britton books this year. But I want you to know one on this list ranks above and beyond all the others in my mind. A Long Time Comin’ by Robin W Pearson is the most ‘real’ book I’ve read in a long time. Loved it!

Contemporary

A Long Time Comin’- Robin W Pearson

In Spite of Ourselves- Jennifer Rodewald

An Unlikely Proposal- Toni Shiloh

Historical

On Wings of Devotion- Roseanna M White

The Maid of Fairbourne Hall- Julia Klassen

Miss Devon’s Choice- Sally Britton

An Uncommon Woman- Laura Frantz

The House at the End of the Moor- Michelle Griep

Reforming Lord Neil- Sally Britton

His Unexpected Heiress- Sally Britton

Saving Miss Everly- Sally Britton

Miss Devon’s Choice- Sally Britton

More Than a Pretty Face- Karen Witemeyer

Christmas

The Hope of Christmas Past- Stephenia H McGee

The Wedding Dress Christmas- Rachel Hauck

All the Moore- Toni Shiloh

This and Every Christmas- Jaycee Weaver

Did any of these make you list?

In Spite of Ourselves

Jennifer Rodewald never disappoints. I love all of her books. Anyway... This is the second story featuring the Murphy brothers and so far it is my favorite! If you love realistic romance, then you should give this one a try. If you love swoon-worthy heroes, then you should give this one a try. If you love a good redemption story, then you should give this one a try. Get the point yet?

Buy it on Amazon

Blurb

Who could build a life on such a monumental mistake?

Jackson Murphy: family prankster, class clown… and now, smack in the middle of a Vegas-sized mess. All he’d wanted was to qualify for the Boston Marathon. After failing that goal, he slipped into a deep, sulking valley, only to emerge from it with a much bigger problem. He’s married. To a complete stranger! Forget making a world-class marathon so that his family will believe that (1) he’s capable of being grown up and serious on occasion and (2) he doesn’t need the ongoing pity about his brother and a certain ex-girlfriend.

Now? Now he has no idea what to do.

Mackenzie Murphy: independent woman and excellent student—but not a med student. Because those pesky MCATs were H-A-R-D. She doesn’t particularly mind that much, seeing as she’s never really wanted to be a doctor, but her mother will be…uh, displeased. Exceptionally. That’s nothing, however, compared to how Mother will respond if she finds out what else happened in Vegas.

Mackenzie wants out. Jackson wants a chance. Neither of them is prepared for what’s coming. Caught in the middle of a disaster that keeps getting bigger, they hardly dare ask: Can God take their monumental mistake and turn it into a beautiful life?

In Spite of Ourselves, Book 13 in The Potter's House Books Series Two, is an uplifting and inspiring story of hope, redemption and second chances. It is also book Two in Jennifer Rodewald's Murphy Brother Stories (book One is Always You). Grab your copy and be encouraged today.

Recently released books from The Potter's House Books Series Two authors:

The Hope We Share by Juliette Duncan

Beyond the Deep by Kristen M. Fraser

Honor's Reward by Mary Manners

Hands of Grace by Brenda S. Anderson

Always You by Jennifer Rodewald

Her Cowboy Forever by Dora Hiers

Changed Somehow by Chloe Flanagan

Sweet Scent of Forgiveness by Delia Letham

When Love Abounds by Juliette Duncan

More Than This by Kristen M. Fraser

Faith's Favor by Mary Manners

Song of Mercy by Brenda S. Anderson

In Spite of Ourselves by Jennifer Rodewald

and more to come...

Murphy Brothers Stories:

Always You

In Spite of Ourselves

Everything Behind Us (coming in January, 2021)

,,Visit Jennifer's website

On Wings of Devotion

I've said it before and I'll keep on saying it- Roseanna M White is a genius! On Wings of Devotion is the second in The Codebreakers series. It could be read alone, but I suggest starting with A Name Unknown, which is actually the first in the series before this one. You won't regret it!

Blurb

,,On Wings of Devotion

The Codebreakers, 2Against Every Warning, She’s Drawn Ever Closer to the Man Known as “Black Heart”All of England thinks Major Phillip Camden a monster–a man who deliberately caused the deaths of his squadron. But he would have preferred to die that day with his men rather than be recruited to the Admiralty’s codebreaking division. The threats he receives daily are no great surprise and, in his opinion, well deserved.As nurse Arabelle Denler observes the so-dubbed “Black Heart,” she sees something far different: a hurting man desperate for mercy. And when their families and paths twist together unexpectedly, she realizes she has a role to play in his healing–and some of her own to do as well.With Camden‘s court-martial looming, an old acquaintance shows up, intent on using him in a plot that sends the codebreakers of Room 40 into a frenzy. With their fragile hopes for the future in the cross hairs, Arabelle and Camden must hold on to hope–and to each other–if they want to survive.

You can purchase a signed copy directly from her website. www.roseannamwhite.com

Happy Tell a Fairy Tale Day!

To celebrate, I'm sharing an excerpt from Upon A Dream- my modern-day retelling of Sleeping Beauty.

Imagine a grand theater with a warehouse full of costumes and props that you've only heard about and you've dreamed of seeing it, like forever, but no one is allowed inside without authorization. But someone left the door ajar, so what do you do? Sneak in, of course!

This is where we find Philip in this scene. See if you can guess which part of the Disney adaptation this scene relates to.

*For those who don't know, Talia is the name given the sleeping beauty in the original version.

Soft humming echoed through the room for a few notes, then went quiet again. Philip stopped and peeked over the top of the racks around him but couldn’t see anyone. He moved down to the end of the aisle and listened.

The humming started up again interspersed with a few words now and again. The voice belonged to a female if he wasn’t mistaken, and it came from somewhere to his left. He quietly made his way in that direction. Whomever it was, he didn’t want to startle them.

As he got closer, he realized the tune was from Sleeping Beauty—the one where Briar Rose meets the prince for the first time. The person singing it was definitely a female and he doubted very seriously that the sweet soprano came from Carol. Her niece maybe?

He finally caught a glimpse of movement. Philip stretched up on his toes to get a better look over the top of a rack of clothing. A blond with delicate features and a messy bun at the back of her head grabbed a dress, scanned a tag inside the collar, and hung it on the rolling rack next to her. She stopped singing and the sound of her fingers tapping on the keys of a laptop took over before the song started up once again.

As she turned for the next garment and repeated the process, he could picture her dancing across the stage as the lead in Sleeping Beauty. If she switched out her oversized glasses for contacts and let her hair down, she’d be the spitting image of the iconic princess. And she definitely had the pipes for the job.

When she started singing again, almost to the part where the prince would join in, Philip swallowed to clear his throat and waited for his cue before he sang out the beginning of his lines like they were already performing together. “The way y—"

She belted out a scream that made his ears ring.

Philip rushed around the end of the rack he’d been hiding behind. She stumbled backward, bumping the rolling table she used as a desk and sent it careening down the aisle. One of her hands covered her throat while the other swung behind her as if searching for a weapon as she backed away. Frightened blue eyes stared at him through plastic frames that looked like they belonged back in the ’80’s.

He held his hands up. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”

Philip, you idiot, what did you think would happen? He hadn’t been thinking at all. He’d been too caught up in the moment. Something his father never ceased to complain about. Maybe this one time, his dad had a point.

With his hand over his chest, he gave her his most charming smile. “I’m really, really sorry.”

He expected her to say something, smile at him, something to indicate that she was no longer frightened and accepted his apology. She backed further away, the look of terror still on her face.

“I’m such an idiot. Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Philip Noble and I’m involved in the play to be performed next, Sleeping Beauty.”

He took a step closer and tugged on the skirt of one of the fairy dresses hanging from the rack she’d been working on. “I’m sure you know about it since I see you’re already making preparations.”

She stepped to the side of her computer table and then rolled it around to sit between them. “You’re not supposed to be back here.”

The barely audible voice didn’t sound like the one he’d heard singing. Had that scream she let out damaged her voice somehow? He sure hoped not. “You must be Miss Carol’s niece. She said you’d show me around.”

He hadn’t thought her baby blues could stretch any wider, but they did. It wasn’t really a lie. Carol had said if they needed anything, they’d have to go through her or her niece. She had probably meant for him to wait for permission first, but it was too late for that. “Aren’t you going to tell me your name?”

She mumbled something, and he chanced a step closer. “Sorry, I didn’t catch that?”

“It’s Talia.” The poor girl could barely look at him as she nervously tugged on the hem of her t-shirt.

Apparently, she wasn’t yet over the fright he’d given her. He did feel bad about it. He needed to find some way to get past her first impression of him. He’d have to if they were going to work as a believable couple on the stage. Because if he had his way about it, this girl would be playing the role of Aurora come opening night.

Favorite Reads- 2019

You may have noticed I didn’t title this my ‘top ten’ reads. If you like to read, you don’t have to ask why. I mean, come on! That’s just too hard!It may surprise some of you that I have more historical books on my list than contemporary. In case you’re not one of those who reads in multiple genres, like myself, I separated them for you.ContemporaryLake Season by Denise HunterWhatever Comes Our Way by Jaycee WeaverHistoricalThe Pursuit of Home by Kristi Ann HunterThe Rebel Bride by Shannon McNearThe Number of Love by Roseanna M. WhiteA Light on the Hill by Connilyn CossetteShelter of the Most High by Connilyn CossetteMore Than Words Can Say by Karen WitemeyerWith This Pledge by Tamera AlexanderThe Noble Guardian by Michelle GriepLove’s Awakening by Laura FrantzThe Earl and His Lady by Sally BrittonHis Bluestocking Bride by Sally BrittonThe Social Tutor by Sally BrittonFantasyEmerald Illusion by J. RodesTop Christmas Reads- If you haven't read these yet, there's always Christmas in July!One Enchanted Eve by Melissa Tagg- ContemporaryThe Wedding Dress Christmas by Rachel Hauck- TimeslipHistoricalThe Hope of Christmas Past by Stephania McGeeCircle of Blessings by Deborah RaneySilver Bells by Deborah RaneyLet me know if any of these made it onto your favorites list!I hope 2020 blesses us with many good books to read. Blessings, Andrea

Christmas Scavenger Hunt Round-Robin: Mistletoe Kiss

Merry Christmas and welcome! I hope you are having fun with our Christmas Round-Robin! In case you are starting in the middle, this is how it works. At each author’s blog post, you will find a question that can be answered by checking out the free Amazon preview of their book. Provide the answer at this ->Google FormNote: You must answer the questions for every author in the round-robin to be considered to win this fabulous (prize). At the end of my post is a link to the next blog, who will provide a link to the next blog, etc., to the very end.Mistletoe Kiss came about as a result of a contest I heard about on the radio. A Guinness World record had been broken- the most people to kiss under the mistletoe at once. Over eight-hundred couples visited Six Flags in various locations to help break the record.I began to imagine all the couple types. Long-time married couples, dating couples, strangers who met for the first time at the park that day and decided to go for it—but the one that flowed rapid-fire through my brain was of two people who decided to go as friends but ended up wanting more after that one kiss- Chase and Rachel.Chase Spencer had been firmly planted in the friend-zone ever since he first met Rachel Anthony back when they were in grade school and it looks like that’s where he’s destined to remain. And her latest scheme is bound to be torture. She wants them to help break the Guinness World Record for the most couples kissing under the mistletoe at one time. How should he handle this? Should the kiss be a chaste, friendly kiss like she envisions? Or should he do it in a way that leaves Rachel without a doubt that he wants to be more than friends?It had always been Rachel’s dream to break a world record, and who better to do it with than her best friend Chase? And it wasn’t as if they hadn’t kissed before—sixth grade, spin-the-bottle at Iona Puckett’s party—a peck of the lips and it’d be over. Except she missed the part where they had to hold the kiss for ten seconds. And no one warned her of how she would feel afterwards—confused and longing for more. How can she convince Chase to change her status from friend to girlfriend?Mistletoe Kiss wasn’t supposed to be the start of a series but… I absolutely fell in love with the Spencer family and decided their stories needed to be told! Waiting For You releases January 7. It's about Chase's eldest brother, Wade.Bonus: There's no need to view the preview, Mistletoe Kiss is FREE for the entire month of December!Now on to the scavenger hunt! Go to the book on Amazon using this ->linkformThank you so much for visiting! The next author on the tour is Julie Arduini, who is telling us about her Christmas book titled Restoring Christmas. You can find it at this link http://juliearduini.com/2019/12/09/ch.... Remember that the round-robin will end on December 16th at 11:59 PM EST!

Aunt Gloria's Lemon Cookies

In Upon A Dream, my soon to be released novella in the Once Upon A Christmas collection, Talia’s Aunt Gloria was… a little on the ditzy side. She was famous for adding unusual ingredients in her cooking. But her lemon cookies, they were melt-in-your-mouth good.Here’s a little tidbit from the book.Aunt Gloria held out a plate of cookies as soon as she stepped into the room. Talia scrutinized the yellow hearts, then looked past Aunt Gloria to Eva who gave a thumbs up. So the cookies were safe to eat, but how did they taste?She thanked Gloria and took a nibble from one. Lemony sweetness melted across her tongue. The heart-shaped cookies didn’t scream Thanksgiving, but they were good. She took a couple more, putting a huge grin on her aunt’s face.To tell the truth, I used to make these for Christmas and yes, I used a heart shaped cutter. My family didn’t think they were ‘Christmassy’ enough. I guess there’s a little of Aunt Gloria in me.Aunt Gloria's Lemon Cookies2 c all-purpose flour2 T cornstarch½ tsp salt2 sticks unsalted butter (softened)2/3 c powdered sugar2 tsp lemon zest1 tsp lemon extractFew drops of almond extractLemon Glaze1 c powdered sugar1 T lemon juice1 tsp lemon zestYou’ll need- a baking sheet, various sized bowls, cooling rack, wax paper, and a rolling pin.Clear out a long, flat area in your refrigerator for a place to chill the rolled-out dough. (see alternative)Whisk together flour, cornstarch, and salt in a bowl, set aside.In a separate bowl, mix butter and sugar until creamy. Add zest and extracts. Reduce mixer speed to low and gradually add in flour mixture until blended.With a rolling pin, flatten the cookie dough between two sheets of wax paper until it is about 3/8 inch thick. (See alternative)Place in refrigerator to chill for 20-30 minutes while the oven preheats to 325°FUse a floured cookie cutter to cut out the cookies and a floured spatula to carefully transfer them to an ungreased cookie sheet 1 inch apart.Bake 15-16 minutes. Transfer cookies to wire rack and cool 10 minutes.Meanwhile, mix glaze ingredients in a small bowl with a fork until blended. (You may have to add a tiny bit more liquid.)Carefully dip the top side of each cookie into the glaze. Place them back on the wire rack with a sheet of wax paper beneath to catch drips. Allow glaze to set for 20 minutes.Alternative: For cut and bake cookies, form dough into a ‘log’ on the wax paper. Roll it into a tube and twist the ends closed. Chill for at least an hour. Unwrap and slice into discs.