Veronica Cline Barton's Blog: Mistletoe and Mayhem: Yuletide at Castlewood Manor listed as, "One of the best suspense books of all time." - BookAuthority, page 22
July 3, 2019
Veronica’s #WritersDiary, From Sea to Shining Sea; #Celebrating the Red, White, & Blue
Well hello, July—we started off with a bang with #CanadaDay for our friends up north on Monday, and now it’s happy #4thofJulyEve for those of us in the U.S.A.! Halfway through the year (hard to believe) and time to have a little fireworks and BBQ fun to celebrate the 4th of July holiday. This is one of my favorite holidays of summer–time to reflect on the year to date, set (or reset) some halfway through the year resolutions (never too late!), and be grateful for all the blessings around you. Our plans include partying with friends and family and attending the huge fireworks display at the town lake.
I have my menu planned (see below). This year’s theme is ‘Under the Californian Sun’ (okay I’m not in Tuscany but can enjoy the flavors and ambiance of a Tuscan filled feast to fill our summer tummies–must keep that spirit of #Hygge going 
June 26, 2019
Veronica’s #WritersDiary, #Fun in the #Sun Time!
So nice to see some sunshine the past few days! June gloom has been in full force here in southern California–I’m not complaining about the nice temps by any means, but it is good to get some bright skies for a change. #SummerSolstice came in with a bang last Friday–we’re officially in swimsuit and BBQ mode!
Today’s featured pic was taken at the Irvine Spectrum, a great outdoors mall with lots of shops and eateries, located at the crossroads of the 5 and 405 freeways. It’s a favorite place of ours to meet up with our son for lunch at the Cheesecake Factory—so love their lemon raspberry cheesecake, #Yummo…It’s fun walking along the open air corridors, eyeing the latest fashions (and making sure you get your daily #steps in after a cheesecake indulge). The décor of the pathways–a gorgeous mix of colorful tiles and lush plantings sets the scene for a #summertime tropical paradise. The lion fountain is absolutely regal, and gives off some nice, cool splashes when it’s hot. Definitely a nice place to visit if you’re around! It’s Wednesday, time for #DearDiary:
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#AmEditing #AmRevising #AmQuerying
#AmEditing #AmRevising: Whew! Nothing like getting the first round of professional edits and revisions done, fun! Getting a different perspective and invaluable suggestions is #WriterManna for me. And it feels soooo good to send your revised manuscript away for the next round. I have to admit this is a very laborious phase of the #writing process that is not my favorite, but I know how much it pays off in the end. I’m closing in…stay tuned.
June 19, 2019
Veronica’s #WritersDiary, #InspirationResearch (IR) #Roadtrip Style!
I am lovin’ the summertime #roadtrips! This week we traveled to Monterey in northern California to do some #FathersDay and #birthday celebrating with family. The drive was spectacular going up the 101 freeway—with all the rain, the hillsides are gorgeous in green–and the central California vineyards have the vines ready for summer. This is perfect weather for driving and sightseeing and certainly has me inspired for the next trip (just avoid those LA rush hours, #JustSayin).
Monterey is a charming beach town famous for its Aquarium and John Steinbeck’s Cannery Row (which is now filled with loads of eateries and souvenir shops). I love driving along the beach streets with their whimsical houses–architectures of many styles and some great colors to make them pop! It’s a great place to visit if you have the opportunity, ideal to do some #InspirationResearch if you’re so inclined (temps are cooler too if you’re looking to beat the heat). Another great benefit? The return drive along PCH through Big Sur (see below). It’s Wednesday, time for #DearDiary:
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#AmRevising/#AmEditing #AmQuerying
#AmRevising: I have my first set of edits from the fabulous Author, Editor, Blogger, #WritingCommunity supporter Theresa Snyder (@TheresaSnyder19). I’m busy making changes and beefing up the characters and storyline in certain areas. I still can’t believe how many punctuation errors slipped through, but c’est la vie…In all seriousness–Theresa’s comments and insights are invaluable. It takes an outside view to pull you out of the weeds and get the fixes in sometimes, I can’t stress this enough. I know the storyline will be richer and complete with the changes, this is an investment well worth it! Check out Theresa’s website and services here:
#AmQuerying: I’m still working on the synopsis and scoping out the agencies, publishers and literary agents I’ll be focusing my querying efforts on. The Duotrope weekly updates are really helping my quest–it’s subscription fee is well worth it if you’re looking to query, IMO. Take a look at their website here:
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AmReading #AmReviewing
Romance and fun, beach #style from the #writers of Twitter this week!
Author Teri Wilson, Love at the Shore, 5 STARS:
Writer Jenna Turner and her two children are off to the shore for a five week adventure and a looming deadline for her manuscript. Their rental house is a charming duplex steps away from the ocean, perfect for relaxing and writing—until Jenna meets her new neighbors, Lucas and his rambunctious pup, Tank. A surfer who shies away from neatness is not exactly her idea of the perfect next door acquaintance. Lucas has his doubts too about being next to a seemingly uptight mom with two kids. Will their differences draw them together, or be barriers that neither can navigate?
Author Teri Wilson takes us on a romantic jaunt at the beach as Jenna slowly starts to unwind and gets to know her neighbor, who turns out not to be the slacker she first thought. Lucas unexpectedly finds himself bonding with the kids next door, coaching Jenna’s son Nick in swimming at the kids camp, and fostering a relationship with Jenna’s daughter Ally and his dog, Tank. He surprises Jenna again and again as she learns more about his successful past, and his friendship with her children touches her heart. As their friendship grows, will it fizzle at the end of summer when it’s time to go back to reality, or blossom into something more?
Put on your sunglasses and tip your toes into the warm sand. This is a perfect #summertime read that warms the heart and definitely makes you smile!
Next up in the #reading queue:
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On the #Hygge decorating front…
Loving these pops of red for the #summertime! Pillowcases are a quick way to change up the look of a room for the season (leaving more $$ for sparkly shoes, #JustSayin). I also changed out our #rug to brighten things up–with cats I stick to indoor/outdoor floor coverings (hairballs and wool carpets do not mix, at least not at our house…). Daisy seems to approve (and yes, the rug has been, ahem, ‘christened’)
June 12, 2019
Veronica’s #WritersDiary, #Summertime is in the Air!
Summertime has arrived and it’s time to have some fun in the sun! The pool is heated, the grill is primed–it’s time to kick back and relax under the stars. I’ve been perusing the cookbooks for some summertime meal inspiration. It goes without saying that with all this great food, #cocktail creativity is a must! Gin is still in (at least for me), and I’m starting to love the cold Sangria options (cherries and rose’ #Yummo)—can’t forget those IPA brews too, nothing better than a cold brewsky when the heat is on!
We’re also making some great #travel plans for the next few months (and next year–stay tuned). Monterey this month, Catalina Island is in our July future, Las Vegas in September, Atlanta/Savannah/Knoxville in October, Dallas in November, and just in time for some pre-Christmas cold, Jackson Hole, WY in December! I love getting to see other parts of the country–lining up some time to visit with friends and family. Now if we can only get the weather to cooperate…It’s Wednesday, time for #DearDiary:
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#AmEditing #AmPitMad *ing #AmQuerying #AmOvertheMoon
#AmEditing: Book 4 is in for its close-up–if all goes as scheduled I will have all the edits/proofing completed by mid-July. I’m still in there doing last minute weeding and clean-up myself–I have no idea how these little $x%&*# blips get through!
#AmPitMad *ing: Did my first ever Pitch Madness tweet on Twitter this past Thursday. If you have a completed manuscript and are ready to potentially be seen by publishers and agents, this may be for you. I did get some great exposure and ended up with a whole bunch of new Tweeps to follow!
#AmQuerying: I’m lining up the literary agencies and specific agents to target for my querying campaign next month. It’s been interesting researching the agencies and understanding their submission guidelines. I’m working up a few versions of a #synopsis for book 4, some want ‘short’, some want ‘long’. I just hope I can get it ‘right’!
June 5, 2019
Veronica’s #WritersDiary, It’s All About the #Balance
Well hell-o, June, #HappySummer! (and I just can’t get enough of the pictures from Hampton Court Palace and its lovely gardens) I’m still on the vacation high, sorting photos, smiling at the memories, and yes, still adjusting to the time zone difference (8-9 hour difference for 20 days has an impact). I made lots of promises to myself during our trip as we relaxed and enjoyed the pampering. It’s a new month, new season, a great time to make some changes…and to find a happy balance in your life.
One thing I absolutely enjoyed from the trip was being able to decouple from the ‘real world’ for a bit–limited social media and emails, the pressure to get things done quickly morphed into a peaceful routine of spa days, reading, and just taking in the beautiful scenery. It’s amazing how many details you take in when you’re out of the rush zone–the deep blue hues of the ocean, candles flickering on a table, gardens filled with flowers…
Our final stop in Norway put me in a #Hygge frame of mind, filling my surroundings with beautiful things that make me happy; simplifying my routines to allow the time for creativity to flow. This is my summer project/promise to myself to maintain that vacation kind of bliss–see my #Hygge Summer List below. It’s Wednesday, time for DearDiary:
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#AmEditing #AmMarketing #AmQuerying
#AmEditing: Deep breath, the manuscript is now in the hands of the professionals! I’ve done as much as I can, time for some fresh eyes to give me their feedback. Exciting times–now I get to wait and see….dun…dun…dun…
#AmMarketing: Just in time for the #summer #reading season, I have re-priced my books to $2.99 for the eBook versions–get your copies now! I’ll be putting in some ad campaigns on Amazon, Goodreads and Bookbub as well as social media…stay tuned!
The Synopsis: This is my next major project for the #AmQuerying process. All the agents are going to want this (in addition to the ultra clean/edited manuscript). Should be simple, right? Boiling down a 307 page manuscript to 1-2-3 pages?
Thank goodness for Author Rayne Hall’s book, Writing Book Blurbs and Synopses! Great tips and strategies, #JustSayin #WritingCommunity…
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#AmReading #AmReviewing
The #writers of twitter did not disappoint—dystopian sci fi fantasy and poetry for the mind this week…
Author Christina Goebel, Birth Right, Galak’s Rising, 5 STARS
What happens to the world when human developed genetically engineered technology, robots and an evil cyborg take over the world as we know it? Author Christina Goebel takes on us a dystopian fantasy tale that begins hours before the Great Technological War that will alter human kind forever, and projects us a century plus into the future to see the new world order. Its cyborg Galak versus the genetically perfect Valki and the tribes of humans and their rulers who are fighting to see who will be supreme.
Galak is on a mission to dominate the future by mating with the Valki females. In the Galak world, choices and freedom have been obliterated. Valki twins 99 and 100 have a dilemma–whoever wins the mandated physical challenge will be the next mate of Galak. A crisis of conscious and a will to be free changes the twin’s destinies forever–will either be able to survive?
New relationships, trust, and collaboration will be key to the human and Valki survival if they are to successfully challenge the oppressive rule of Galak. As new alliances are forged and nurtured, can the past teachings and beliefs be left behind? This first book in Author Goebel’s series is a fantasy tale of courage and determination with a vision for a new world order of what might be, with a hint of what’s to come!
Author Lori Katherine, Fairy Gazing, 5 STARS
Author Lori Katherine takes us to the magick-al world of poetry where feelings and dreams come alive, sprinkled with just a hint of fairy dust. This collection of poems is enchanting to this reader, with its soft spoken thoughts of the night, loves, desires, and memories that transcend time. Romantic prose entices you to dream and appreciate the magic around you. A perfect book to read again and again as we transition to warm summer nights beneath the stars, and reflect on the world around us.
Next up in the reading queue:
[image error] My Summer #Hygge List
#Hygge: (hoo-gah) from Danish and Norwegian, adopting a cozy lifestyle/environment that brings about contentment and well being. Sounds simple, but putting it into practice takes some concentrated efforts. For me, decluttering and showcasing just the things that make me smile is a big step. I’m also learning to say ‘no’, to save a little more quality time for me. I’m writing down some of the things I’d like to do this summer, here’s what I have so far:
Have some night-time fun–late night swims, sit by the firepit, look at the stars
Day trips, you don’t need to take 10 1/2 hour flights to get that vacay inspiration. Drive to that beach restaurant, go antiquing in the mountain towns, dress up and go that new play…
Eat fresh: One of the things I enjoyed so much was the seafood and fresh veggies on our trip, #yummo! I’m on the hunt for some new recipes that we can prepare on the grill, including the in-season veggies. Fresh is best!
Candles, crowns, new stemware–filling my house with lots of sparkly, pretty items
Entertain with family and friends–host a mid-week brunch (just did this with my cousin Janie), get the neighbors over for a game night
May 29, 2019
Veronica’s #WritersDiary, #Celebrating My 100th #Blog Post!
Our cruise of a lifetime came to a stellar end (feature pic is from our last stop in #Bergen #Norway), and what a way to celebrate my 100th #blog post! So much has happened since I started my almost royal blog–and most of all I’m so blessed to have met so many new friends. Blogging each week gives me a chance to share little snapshots of what’s going on in my #writing journey, #shoutout some of the great #books and their #writers I’ve been so blessed to #read and get to know, and dish on some of the #travel and #humor happenings in my #week.
For this 100th post, I thought I’d do a trip down memory lane with some of the people, events, travels, and books that have brought me much joy the past 14 months since I started my blog. I’ll be back to my regular format next week (assuming I can get over my jet lag–I have no idea what time zone I’m operating in–I apologize in advance for any major gaffs! :0 ) Sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride! It’s Wednesday, time for #DearDiary:
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#AmWriting #CozyMystery #Books #Amediting #AmMarketing #AmQuerying
The longer I’m in this #writing journey, the more I realize your work, learning, ups & downs are never ending (kind of like playing #golf, which is why I’m going back to #tennis). I’m very blessed to have my first three books out, and very excited to get Book 4 (Working title: Mistletoe & Mayhem) out for editing (yes, it’s finally time to let my latest endeavor go to the #professionals and see what they think
May 21, 2019
Veronica’s #WritersDiary, Scotland Ho! #MyVikingStory
Week two of the cruise and what a trip! I have seen more beautiful sunsets the past few days–the weather has been just perfect for touring. Wales, Ireland, back to England (Liverpool where I had the chance to meet Sheila Patel, aka @vodkawardrobe), Northern Ireland and now Scotland. We’re covering a lot of ground in this once in a lifetime trip, building some wonderful memories.
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This week we’re traveling around the Scottish coast with stops In Ullapool, Kirkwall, Edinburgh, Invergordon, Lerwick and finally the cruise over to Bergen, Norway. We’ve sampled local delicacies and of course imbibed in a few cocktails, meeting some lovely folks along the way. Take a look at some of the sites we’ve visited below. It’s Wednesday, time for #DearDiary:
It’s here, the #WolfPackAuthors Anthology, Once Upon a Wolfpack!
So excited for the publication of this collaborative work! It’s an honor to be included with these great #writers and proceeds go to a wonderful cause. Take a look at what it’s all about:
The idea was simple: form a group of authors based on the mantra, “Do good things for the right reasons.” We are a pack – #WolfPackAuthors. Together, we expand exposure for our books, help one another with all aspects of the process, pick each other up when the lonely life of writing gets us down.
As with wolves, words can be dangerous or healing. The reintroduction of the wolf, hunted to the brink of extinction, carries such far-reaching results as to make vegetation grow on what was once barren, and to change the paths of rivers. Considering these powerful facts, we chose to donate the proceeds of this anthology to Lockwood Animal Rescue Center /LARC, a facility with a unique mission. They are one of the few organizations focused heavily on wolves, integrating military veteran rehabilitation into the caretaking process.
In this collection of work, you will find a showcase of many of our members’ talents: A young girl betrothed to a werewolf, yet her father, a human, is the true monster. Two snipers who lay in wait, an otherworldly supreme being watching them, in the form of a majestic wolf. A she-wolf sets her sights on a young woman, married to the man she loved. The paradoxical story of the big bad wolf, who through no fault of his own sets out on a calamity filled adventure. A batch of witty private investigators at work solving crime. A sarcastic banshee, a shapeshifting detective, and a vampire, all friends, investigate a string of murders. There are many others, varied in style or genre.
Come on an adventure with the WolfPackAuthors. We’ve got the stories you want; together, we hope to make the world a better place for wolves, humans, and those who dare to dream.
Cozy Mystery – Yuletime at Cherrywood Hall: Veronica Cline Barton
Fairy Tale/ Parody – Unfairy Prosecuted: J.W. Crawford
Fairy Tale – Poppy: Tia Fanning
Fantasy/ Supernatural – For the Love of the Pack: Sharon Lopez
Horror/ Meta horror – The Untold One: B.L. Clark
Horror – Frost Harbor: Alexander Pain
Literary – Omega Road: Lee M. Tipton
Magical Realism – An Early Snow: Andi Marchal
P.I./ Detective – The Wolf: Joe Congel
P.I./ Detective, Cozy Mystery – Mrs Solberg’s Problem: CW Hawes
Poetry – Wolf Pack United: Angie-Marie Delsante
Poetry – Welcome to the Den: Lori Katherine
Romance/ Supernatural – The Soap Maker’s Mother: Christina van Deventer
Science Fiction/ Military – Sacha: Jeff DeMarco
Science Fiction/ Paranormal – Wolf Cry: Z Gottlieb
Science Fiction/ Paranormal – Circus of the Night: Stefan Angelina McElvain
Urban Fantasy – True Nature : Luna Selas
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#Author #Blogger Spotlight–Jessie Cahalin!
This week I’d like to do a shoutout to a Twitter UK #writer friend I’ve been honored to get to know this past year, #author, #blogger Jessie Cahalin (@BooksInHandbag). Jessie has a fantastic 5 STAR book, You Can’t Go It Alone, that I’ve reviewed a few months ago. She’s currently working on the prequel and I can’t wait to read it! In addition to her fabulous “Golden Handbag” gallery where she highlights #author’s works in glorious bags, her blog gives a great repository of reading including posts on her #writing journey, #author spotlights, and #bookreviews. Jessie is a fantastic supporter of the #WritingCommunity with her blog and would be a great person to get to know. She also teams with U.S. #author #blogger Jena Henry (@jenabooks) in some ‘global’ review collaboration.
May 15, 2019
Veronica’s #WritersDiary, British Isles Cruisin’, #MyVikingStory
Hello from the decks of the Viking Sun! What a travel week it has been—a ten hour flight from LAX to Gatwick and here we are! We were so lucky to begin our trip staying at the Marriot County Hall, located on the River Thames overlooking the beautiful Westminster Bridge and the London Eye (feature pic is from our room–we had a birds-eye view of the famous wheel). The weather has been magnificent–sunny and cool, perfect for walking and exploring.
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My post this week and next will show you some of the beautiful places we have been lucky to see so far on our trip. This week we’ve explored a bit of London, saw my beloved Hampton Court Palace, and began our cruise out of Greenwich to Dover to Dublin. I’ve also had some great reads so far that I’ve enjoyed very much in between ports. It’s Wednesday, time for #DearDiary:
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#AmSchlepping
May 8, 2019
Veronica’s #WritersDiary, Time for Some #InspirationResearch (IR), British Style!
Tally-ho! The wait is over and I am so excited to be going on the Viking Ocean Cruise around the British Isles, which includes visiting six countries BTW: London/Greenwich, England; Dover; the English Channel; Dublin, Ireland; Holyhead, Wales; Liverpool; Belfast, Northern Ireland; The Highlands/Ullapool, Scotland; Orkney Islands, Scotland; Edinburgh; The Highlands/Invergordon, Scotland; Shetland Islands, Scotland, and ending in Bergen, Norway. Cameras are ready to capture the beauty, oddities, fun and #inspiration! Stay tuned for some great pics!
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2019 British Isles Explorer Itinerary Map
Thanks to all who have DM’d/messaged me for what to expect weather-wise. Looks like Mother Nature is caught in a spring/summer/fall/winter weather warp, LOL. Definitely a layered wardrobe for this #MyVikingStory trip. The shoes are packed, books loaded on my Kindle, itineraries planned. It’s Wednesday, time for #DearDiary:
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#AmCogitating (all right, all right, who am I kidding–#amediting too)
I’ve made great progress on my #WIP with the edits and revisions (although I am quite sure Theresa Snyder and Mark Schultz will have a few, ahem, comments for me when they start their #editing #proofing reviews, LOL). It’s a special time for me to sit back and reflect on this story for a bit, making sure the storylines make sense and flow, the characters are fresh and vivant (although some may not end up that way, dun-dun-dun), and finally, is this a story I would want to read? I’m sure as I sit on my ocean deck new brain breezes will hit, triggering changes—but that’s what an #InspirationResearch trip is all about!
I’m turning the manuscript over to the fabulous Theresa Snyder (@TheresaSnyder19) when I return for content editing/proofing. I’ve mentioned before, she is fantastic to work with and I admire and respect her opinions very much. Editing can make or break your story and is well worth the time and investment. Check out her editing services here–you won’t be disappointed:
http://affordableproofedit.blogspot.com/
A final #proofing will be done by Mark Schultz (@wordrefiner) once the edits are completed in June, making for a clean, professional, ready-to-go manuscript for my #amquerying efforts. Check out Mark’s #proofing services here:
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***New*** Author/Blogger #Spotlight
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So pleased this week to feature Author/Blogger Soulla Christodoulou (@schristodoulou2). Soulla is such an #inspiration to follow on Twitter–she always brings encouraging words and fun tweets to give you that extra boost through the day. She’s a great supporter of the #WritingCommunity, showcasing authors on her ‘Cup of Conversation’ spotlight, providing services for beta reads, and also offers a guide for marketing and publishing your works. It’s been a pleasure getting to know her. Check out Soulla’s lovely website here:
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#AmReading #AmReviewing
This week is was time for a little cowboy romance from the #writers of Twitter…..
Author Shanna Swenson, Return to Abundance, 5 STARS
A man struggling to come to terms with his past and the woman who vows to save him from himself makes for a heartwarming, bittersweet read by Author Shanna Swenson in the second story set in the town of Abundance, Texas. Nathan Butler has an attitude that drives most people away–bitter, sarcastic, filled with an anger he tries to contain. He’s built up a wall of emotions around him dealing with a guilt that is all consuming, can anyone break through to him?
Enter Jordan Tate, best friend of Nathan’s sister, a woman with a heart of gold who desperately wants to help him. She sets her sites on Nathan, wanting to get him through his dark times. A business arrangement brings them together, igniting sparks of passion that take them both by surprise.
Steamy encounters, family drama, and an unexpected health crisis take us through a myriad of emotions with Nathan and Jordan as they work through their challenges and come to terms with the hand that fate has dealt to them. The question is will they join forces, or live separate lives? Catch up with family members Nat, Jack, Dallie and a brand new addition to the town of Abundance as they reach out to their troubled brother and friend. Author Swenson’s story warms the heart and keeps this reader wanting to return to Abundance!
So looking forward to having time to #read on my trip. Next in the reading queue:
Congratulations to Author Lori Katherine for her new book release! Check it out here:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1096534452/
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Kentucky Derby Day Fun
Just wanted to give my University of Lousiville alumni a shoutout for a great event this past weekend celebrating a very big day in the bluegrass state. Friends, fellowship, and yes a cocktail or two made for a fun gathering. I donated two baskets this year filled with some of my favorite things—books, gin, tea, and sweets—doesn’t get much better than that! All proceeds go to our scholarship fund to recruit that next UL Cardinal. Fun times and the sun did shine bright (at least here in southern California)!
Welcome to my #writing world. Enjoy the rest of your week and weekend friends!
Crowns and Kisses,
Veronica
P.S. Feature pic today is of the Thames River by Hampton Court Palace. Can’t wait to visit one of my favorite palaces! Gemma would approve
May 1, 2019
Veronica’s #WritersDiary, Trust Your #Intuition
May Day, May Day! Decisions, decisions, what will I choose? I love spring fever and the inspiration it brings to start fresh with your endeavors. We’re clearing out the old, making plans for the new, and enjoying the many gifts we’ve been given. I’m consciously decoupling (thank you Gwyneth!) from the things that are no longer serving a purpose in my life or are weighing me down, trusting my #intuition to let go and move on. There’s always risk in change, but usually I’ve found there’s so much more to gain when you follow and #trust your gut!
T-Minus one week until our trip—I’m trying to use the same ruthless decoupling in my packing efforts. Will I really wear this? Can it be worn more than once? These shoes are cute, but can you walk in them (so sad but true…)? What’s the weather going to be in London, Edinburgh, Dublin, Bergen??? Moral of this story, trust your #intuition (and the weather channel). Pssst, #intuition, please tell me what horse to bet on Saturday for the #KentuckyDerby
