Stephanie Burkhart's Blog, page 2

The Adventure - Self Publishing #1

Background - My Why 

Just recently the small press publisher that held my titles, Journey of the Heart, Night of Magic, and Mr. Christmas Elf downsized and I received my “Revision of Rights.”  I was bummed to have this happen, as they were great stories which were well received. Journey of the Heart had been my best seller over the years and had over 59 reviews. 

 

That said, I’d thought I’d do a mini blog series on Self-publishing. Honestly, it’s not something I saw myself doing. I’m confident in my writing skills and I wanted to get my stories out.  Back in the day I still had some growing to do. In the aughts I queried a lot of traditional publishers and didn’t hear anything back. So, I went back to the table to grow and really fine tune my writing. I joined Writing.com, got a subscription to Writer’s Digest, bought a couple of books on self-editing and the writing process in general, and fine-tuned my stories. Mind you, I could probably talk about this process, growing as a writer, which maybe I will in the future, but today, I just want to give you some background as to what led me to self-publish. 

 

In 2010, my first novel came out “The Hungarian” with a small press. I thought I’d go the way of small press after honing my craft because they responded to my queries. Kindle on Amazon was just getting big about that time. Small press in the teens was a big rage. Also around this time, a lot of independent writers were exploring the self-publishing market.

 

I’d say the self-publishing market has a had a “bad rap,” but with advances and more care, you can find a lot of good stories and great products these days.  Mind you, you can still get a self-publishing book or story that looks very amateurish, so it’s important to follow the process, take your time, and make sure every step is polished. 

 

Well, my small presses went out of business in 2018. Another small press picked up 3 of my Amazon kindle titles, but then told me they weren’t going to pick up any more and recommended I self-publish.

 

So, there I was. In 2019 I found myself looking at self-publishing. I knew my stories were solid.  I had pretty good reviews for my stories, and several had been recognized by Reader’s Favorites and other small press magazines that had recognized small press writers. 2 of my short mainstream fiction stories had placed 8thin the Writer’s Digest Annual competion. 

 

The big question was – where to start? 

 

I think the first thing was knowing my limitations and understanding I needed patience. My limitations included being committed to the boys, their schooling, and scouts. Time would be limited. I decided to respect that. 

 

I also decided I would focus on the short stories that I had published with Victory Tales Press first.  They were mostly between 10,000-20,000 words and would need a light edit. I had coordinated to buy most of the covers when they went out of business, so that was one worry that I didn’t have.  Mind you, I had a bunch of titles. They were:

 

Christmas in Bayeux

A Polish Heart

Journey Through the Heart

Feast of Candles

Night of Magic

Gifts

Young Witchcraft

Mr. Christmas Elf 

Arrow Through the Heart

 

I’d work on my Desert Breeze titles after that. At least that was the plan.  Journey of the Heart, Night of Magic, and Mr. Christmas Elf were published with my “new” small press Prairie Rose Publishing. 

 

First up, I decided to tackle Christmas in Bayeux. It was a short story, about 12,000 words, but when I re-read it, I wanted to expand it and make it longer.  That would take time and patience. 

 

Next: The Process

Check out my Amazon Kindle story: Arrow Through the Heart:  Can Logan save Ella from a stalker?  Buy Arrow Through the Heart

Brats Documentary Musings

In 1984 I was 16 years old. At the time, my life had its ups and downs. Typical teenage drama? Maybe a little more than that, but I some of the things I thought about was typical of what a teen goes through/thinks about – “Am I good enough?”  “Am I smart enough?”  “Am I pretty enough?” “Do I have enough courage to do the right thing?” “What is the right thing?” I think these are all questions we go through as we “Come of Age.”  -- Mind you this hindsight.

 

2 of the most memorable movies that really framed those questions and perspectives at the time for me were “Pretty in Pink” and “The Breakfast Club.”  Both were written by John Hughes, who I think captured the zeitgeist* of the times.  

 

The young actors at the time, Andrew McCarthy, Judd Nelson, Rob Lowe, Emilio Estevez, Demi Moore, Ally Sheedy, Molly Ringwald, were very much demand and featured in movies that catered to young adults.

 

Then in June 1985, David Blum, writing for New York Magazine interview Emilio Estevez and called his article: “Hollywood’s Brat Pack.” 

 

That title, “The Brat Pack,” really soured those actors at the time and left a bad taste in their mouth. They were actors, young actors, whose careers were just taking off. And now, people in the industry looked at them in a different light. Or so they perceived at the time. Hard to work with? Not good enough as actors? Brats? 

 

Why now, 40 years later?  I’m just giving some background before I go over some of my musings after watching the documentary.  Andrew McCarthy recently wrote a book, “Brats” which I haven’t tackled yet, but will soon, and put together a documentary, to look at the effect the words “Brat Pack” had on them, where those actors are today, and how they’ve handled that “negative” connotation. 

 

In the 1980’s, I connected, deeply, with those actors and the message of the “coming of the age” films that were filmed.  I think one commentor said, and I’m paraphrasing.  “We all wanted to be Duckie, but not many of us had the courage to be Ducky.”  I think that’s true.  I remember as I got deeper into my 20’s, that I grew more comfortable with my convictions, but Ducky was there already.

 

It was great to see the actors again in the documentary, older, perhaps a tad wiser, some were still hurt by the label, but they had all moved on, made their careers, and were now living comfortably. 

 

It was like catching up with old friends in a way. 

 

Demi Moore said something profound that struck me. I wrote it on my Facebook page at the moment so I would remember it:  “The event is the event.  What gives it (the event) meaning is the value.” – Each of the actors in the “Brat Pack” gave the coining of that phrase their own meaning/value and then lived accordingly.  We can apply that same philosophy to any situation in our lives. 

 

Honestly, I was struck with how articulate and thoughtful Demi was. 

 

It was pointed out in the documentary that John Hughes did not deal with race, but with class. While I do think that’s honest, I think dealing with “class” issues is something everyone can identify with.  Certainty it was a struggle I had growing up in my teen years, but as I got older and deeper into my 20’s those concerns fell to the wayside. 

 

Toward the end, Andrew talks to David Blum, the author of that famous quote, “The Brat Pack.”  I think it’s a meaningful conversation, especially to Andrew, who hadn’t ever talked to Blum before then and I don’t think it’s a conversation Andrew could have before now.  Time has buffered the resentment I think, and Andrew is able to look at that quote more objectively now. 

 

Did a label ruin a generation of actors? Ruin might be a hard word, but certainly, I think their careers might have taken different directions without it. Emilio talked about how he gave up a movie because of it. 

 

Ah, but the timeline we’re on, the label was given, the event happened, and the value it was given by the individuals involved, was unique to them, and as the 80’s moved on, so did we. We came of age our way. We answered our questions, our way. 

 

Having lived through the 80’s, 90’s 00’s, 10’s and now the 20’s – the 80’s will always be memorable for me. The music. The movies. The actors. But perhaps, for me, it was how I tackled the challenges and the adversities I personally faced, and how it made me more inwardly courageous and firmer in my convictions. It taught me lessons that aren’t taught today. 

 

While Molly and Judd are seen in documentary in retrospective, they didn’t give interviews for this documentary.  I would have liked to have caught up with them, but I respect their privacy.  After all, how we give the event meaning, is the value. 

 

***

 

 

 

Footnote:

Zeitgeist: for those who don’t know, zeitgeist means the general intellectual, cultural, and moral climate of an era. In this example, the 1980’s. 

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Check out the 1st book in the Moldavian Moon series, "The Wolf's Torment" Now avail as an ebook and in print on Amazon:  Can Mihai save his wife from a werewolf who threatens to haunt his family?  Buy: The Wolf's Torment

Visiting Little House - the 50th Anniversary Festival

Actually, the “Little House on the Prairie 50th Anniversary Festival” event took place in March 2024, in Simi Valley, California.   The series ran on TV from 1974 to 1983. I was just a kid at the time, and I remember watching a couple of episodes, but it didn’t really resonate with me back then. 

(Side note: This visit to the festival is what inspired me to read Melissa Gilbert's memoir, "Prairie Tale" which I put up a little earlier this month in my blog)

 

What I didn’t know in the 1970’s was that Laura Ingalls Wilder had written a series of “Little House” books (eight of them) from 1932 to 1943 based on her experiences growing up on the prairie as a little girl. A 9thbook was published posthumously in 1971.  These books were written for children and had a big audience. I just recently read “Little House in the Big Woods.”  For me, it talks about another time and place where concepts like family, respect, and hard work are valued. Laura and her sister help cook, clean, and tend the animals. If you think about it, it’s a big adventure. And, honestly, maybe it’s the sense of adventure and the warmhearted respectfulness of family that has resonated throughout the years. 

 

I guess my musings above are about the books, but the books inspired the TV series staring Michael Landon.  The TV series also resonated with viewers, and for many the same reasons. The TV series brought the books alive.  And the TV series did a lot of things right – it cast good, convincing actors in the roles. It was well produced and well written. The influence of the books was there and if you read the books first, the TV series was a treat.

 

In less than a week leading up to the 29-31 March 2024 festival, a good friend from New Hampshire reached out to me about the event. Can you believe that I lived in Castaic, not far from Simi Valley, and I hadn’t heard about it?  She told me about it and suggested I go if I had the time. 

 

My friend in New Hampshire had been my friend ever since High School and she was a big “Little House” fan.  I had the time off so saying “no” wasn’t really an option. I went online and signed up. Only thing was, I was signing up so late, the only package I could buy was the “General Admission.” Otherwise I might have gotten the VIP package or the tour to the Big Sky Ranch where the exteriors were shot. 

 

I went on Saturday, 30 March.  It was overcast, cold, and a tad windy so there was a bit of a windchill. Nothing majorly cold. I had a sweatshirt on, and I had to stop by the Goodwill on the way over there from where I parked because my windbreaker zipper broke and I had to get a new windbreaker.

 

The festival was at a local park. I breezed right in and got a nice pass attached to a lanyard.  The area was packed!  They had a big top tent where I went first. In this tent, they were having panels with the actors and producers of the show and festival. I sat and listened as to how the festival came together.  Several fans who were gifted artists recreated the indoor sets inside the rec center and I didn’t get a chance to see that because the line was so long.

 

  I stopped by a food truck for lunch and got a tri-tip sandwich.

 

Next, I went to the souvenir tent and bought a bunch of souvenirs for me and my friend. It was long line, trust me. After that, I went exploring. I came across a pioneering area where they showed you how to make rope. There was a mercantile, a soap making demonstration, a school, a blacksmith and other items. I enjoyed this area very much. I stopped and learned how to make rope. I loved watching the blacksmith demonstration.  

 

They also had a tent that showed old episodes of the show.

 

As I continued exploring, I found a stage where the cast members were having panels.  First up:  Alison Arngrim who played Nellie. She shared several stories about the creative process and talked about what she’d been doing after the show. She speaks fluent French and is involved in French comedy shows. Alison was very warm and engaging. 

 

Next up with Melissa Gilbert. Last I knew she was married to Bruce Boxleitner.  I soon learned she was now married to Tim Busfield and they lived on a farm in the Catskills of New York having gone “Back to the Prairie.”  She, like Alison, was very warm and engaging. What really struck me was her upfront honesty.  I really enjoyed both panels. 

 

The line for autographs was too long, but I believe Karen Grassley was there as was Dean Butler and several other stars.  I wish I could have waited for the lines, but each was over an hour and I was by myself. I got there at 11 am and didn’t leave until 5 pm. 

 

At one of the panels, they said over 1200 people had come just that day, but I would say it was closer to 3000.  I think the organizers were stunned at just how many people came.  Not only did they come, they came dressed like they were on the prairie in their old fashioned dresses and sunbonnets. 

 

Overall, the positive, upbeat vibes really resonated with me.  I saw how the show had made such an impression with so many people and I wanted to learn more.  Mind you, it’s been slow. I think I’ve caught only 4 episodes of the show on Amazon Prime, but I did read Melissa’s “Prairie Tale” memoir.  Up next: Alison’s memoir, and Melissa’s “Back to the Prairie.”  Dean Butler has a book coming out soon so that may be on the list.  I also got a sample of Melissa Sue Anderson’s book. Lol! The curiosity in me has been piqued! 

 

Did you watch Little House on the Prairie back in the 1970’s? Did you read the books? Were you a Michael Landon or Melissa Gilbert fan? I’d love to hear your stories! 

*****

Check out this great summer read for only 99 cents on Amazon : Arrow Through the Heart

Looking for Sarah Palin #2

The Rugged Outdoors

 

 

 

Skagway is a town near Glacier Bay. It’s in the southeast arm tucked in the Inside Passage.  It has a Gold Rush history. Prior to 1887, Native Americans (Tlingit tribe) lived in the area and established the Chilkoot trail. This was a steep trail which began at sea level and climbed several thousand feet into British Columbia. They used it as a trading route to Yukon. 

 

The Chilkoot trail was very steep and not recommended for animals. It was a 33 miles trail from Skagway, AK to Bennett, British Columbia. When Gold was discovered in the Yukon Territories, many a gold rusher would take this steep trail.  You can still hike this trail today. 

 

A less steep, trail, White’s Pass, was developed as thousands to gold rushers flooded the area seeking their fortune.  Soon, in the early 1900’s the White Pass and Yukon Railroad was built, making passage that much easier but the route is a narrow gage rail and there are many tight curves.  There’s no more gold rushers, but the railroad still takes tourists up the twisty and curvy route. 

 

Who knew? 

 

Well, I got up at 7 am and walked to my balcony and discovered the cruise ship was snuggled up against a granite cliff. We had the whole day in Skagway. 

 

We got off the ship early and walked on over to Skagway proper. There was a lot to do in the middle of the town/tourist area and it was swamped from 3 or 4 cruise ships.  There was no gang plank, so we had to take a shore boat to the docks.

 

The Klondike Gold Rush National Park was down there, but none of us realized it. We just followed the flow of the crowd. Soon we discovered the Red Onion Saloon. In 1897, it was brothel, but now it was just a place to eat and drink with a lot of ambience. We didn’t go in because the line was loooong. We continued to walk around town, and I found the Alaska Christmas store.  I just had to go in. Who doesn’t love Christmas?

 

Sorry, no pictures inside but they had some awesome ornaments, and I must have bought at least 4! 

 

After that, Andy and I found the Fry Dough place.  Again, another line out to the door, but it went fast, and we really wanted to try to the Fry Dough! It was delicious. Brent had some coffee from the local place next door. 

 

I got some sticker souvenirs, and we made our way back to the Train station. We must have waited for about 30 mins before it was time to get on the train.  We were going to ride the White Pass train to the Canadian border and then come back. It was a 2.5 hour ride. We learned how the railroad was built alongside White’s pass. The train went from sea level to 3,000 feet and there were lots of twists and turns. It was a nice ride.  The views were amazing and I’ll share a few here. 

 

We finished around 5 pm and got back on the ship. We had dinner at the Italian specialty dining place which just blew me away with its selection. I had veal cutlets. Afterwards I went to the cabin and relaxed. The sunset around 10 pm which was wild to me. 

 

I would definitely go back to Skagway again and spend a leisurely amount of time checking out the shops and the area . Believe it or not, when Sarah Palin was just a few months old, her family moved to Skagway and she spent a good amount of her childhood in Skagway before her family moved to Anchorage. After seeing the woods, the water, and the hills of Skagway, I can definitely see where Sarah Palin gets her “outdoorsyness” from.  I didn’t find her in Skagway, but there was time…

 

Next:  Glaciers. 

**************

My summer romance, Arrow Through the Heart is avail on Amazon Kindle. 

It's the 4th of July and Ella is in town for a tennis tournament. She meets a young man, Logan, and the sparks fly, but she is stalked, can Logan keep her safe? 

 Buy Arrow Through the Heart

 

Book Review: Prairie Tale by Melissa Gilbert

Book Review for: Prairie Tale

 

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Author: Melissa Gilbert

Published by: Gallery Books

Overall rating: 4 Stars 

 

 

 

PLOT:  (4 Stars)

 

This is an autobiography written by Melissa Gilbert.  It was written in 2009. Melissa starts with her early life and talks a little about being on “Little House on the Prairie,” before moving on. She shares tidbits about dating Rob Lowe, her first marriage to Bo Brinkman, and then about her life with Bruce Boxleitner.  She talks about what it was like to win the SAG presidency and about her struggles with alcohol.   

 

CATAYLIST: (5 Stars)

 

Back in March 2024, I went to the 50th reunion festival of the “Little House on the Prairie” in Simi Valley. I watched the show when I was little, but it didn’t really stick with me. One of my dearest friends was a big “Little House” fan, so I said I would go and take pictures for her. I went by myself, but there was so much to see and do and honestly, I felt myself falling in love with the ambience. There were interior sets there, a bus ride out to the exterior sets, and there were panels with the surviving cast members. I sat in on 2 panels -  Alison Arngrim and Melissa Gilbert.  They shared their memories, and it inspired me to find out more about these actresses. When I went home, I discovered Melissa Gilbert had written more than one book, so I thought I’d start with the first one – Prairie Tale. 

 

THOUGHTS: (4 Stars)

 

First, I enjoyed the conversational tone of the book. Melissa brought the reader right into her world and made them feel like an old friend. She talked candidly about being adopted and how those feeling haunted her without her really realizing it. She shared her ups and down and it’s a story that’s really relatable to the reader. 

 

I learned a lot of things about Melissa that I hadn’t realized or thought about. She’s had to face adversity, which isn’t easy, but she does tackle the challenges in her life. 

 

WHAT WORKS: (4 Stars)

 

Melissa Gilbert was very candid about her life, and it really leaves the reader with a good vibe. 

 

WHAT DIDN’T WORK FOR ME (WHAT WAS ‘OFF’): 

 

Honestly, nothing was off for me. This was a thoroughly enjoyable read. 

 

WHY 4 STARS:

 

The book was an easy, enjoyable read. There’s a nice blend of Melissa’s adventures as well as her musings about life. Readers will enjoy her reminiscences about “Little House,” as well as her TV movies.  This is a Prairie Tale filled with smiles and struggles which readers will not want to put down. 

 

 *****

Check out my story, A Polish Heart, Now avail on Amazon Kindle:

Darrin is a hard-working architect who finds comfort in his routines. It’s work, sleep, and family obligations for him. With Easter just around the corner, his company puts out a call for a two-week assignment in Poland. After careful contemplation and with a nudge from his intuition to go outside his comfort zone, Darrin puts in an application for the job. A tad nervous, a tad excited, Darrin steps off the plane ready to challenge himself. The one thing he didn’t expect, though, was to find himself attracted to his beautiful Polish interpreter.

Sofia loves her career. She works for Warszawianka Construction as an interpreter. She’s also focused on her family, especially during Easter when old-fashioned traditions mean a lot to her. Sofia has no intention of disrupting her life and its rhythms, despite Darrin’s sudden appearance.

Both Darrin and Sofia can’t deny their attraction. It’s that uncomfortable feeling that keeps them up late at night contemplating what’s next. A date? A kiss? Are they both willing to go outside their comfort zones and trust in a higher power that they can make it work despite an ocean between them?

Buy A Polish Heart - Amazon Kindle

 

 

Great Summer Read: Journey of the Heart 99 cent on Amazon Kindle

 

BLURB: 
James DiMera returns to his home in California after World War II, only to find out he's lost his farm. His way of life gone, James becomes a journeyman, selling Bibles, looking for a sense of purpose. But after the loss of his dream, what can there be for him?

Rachel Santori's family winery is in trouble. She's looking for someone to trust. When Rachel meets James, she can't deny how he touches her lonely heart and soul with his kindness and the way comes to her aid. How long has it been since she had someone to depend on? Can James find a place of belonging in Rachel’s life? Can love mend both their weary hearts?
EXCERPT: 

She approached the older man behind the counter, her stride resonating with purpose, her expression full of determination. 

"Good day, Mr. Smith."

"Miss Rachel. How are you today?" He folded his hands in front of him, offering her a smile. 

"I have a business proposal for you."

"Go ahead."

The elderly man remained at her side. 

James walked toward the counter, his sandwich and soda in hand. Something in his gut told him she needed help – really needed it. The sound of her voice? The way she avoided the man's question? The hint of desperation in her expressive eyes? He wasn't sure. 

"I'd like to sell you three cases of my best wine."

He raised a bushy eyebrow. "The 1928 Chardonnay?"

"Yes."

"Why, I shared a bottle with your father before he died. He was very proud of that vintage – wanted to save it for special occasions."

"The harvest is coming and I need to be able to pay my workers."

James slowly inched closer, listening intently.

"I can offer you five hundred dollars."

"Now, now, Mr. Smith." The elderly gentleman tapped his gnarled finger on the counter. "You know the wine is worth much more than that. Five hundred is not a fair price."

"Vito, I'm running a business."

"There's no need for you to take advantage of Miss Rachel because her parents aren't here." He paused for breath. "The wine will sell – at a good price, and you know it."

"All right – eight hundred dollars."

"Wait a minute, Sir." James interrupted and peered at Rachel's spellbinding eyes for a second before looking at Mr. Smith. "You've tasted this vintage before?"

"I have."

"So you know how much it's worth?"

"I do."

"You seem like a fair man, Mr. Smith. At least you were with me. I believe if you offer Miss Rachel one thousand dollars, you'll recoup your investment and more."

"Now, young man, what do you know about wine?"

"Not much, but I do know human nature. You respected her father and he you, enough to share an expensive bottle of wine. Honor that respect now. I suspect if Miss Rachel didn't have to make this offer to you, she wouldn't have. She knew you and her father had a good relationship. Honor that, like you honored my service." 

"You're good, Son, I'll give you that. I'll offer you nine hundred dollars for the wine." He paused. "I know I've been hard on you, Miss Rachel. You should consider hiring a younger man who can help you manage the estate."

REVIEW: 

5 Stars, Amazon, Joy Cagil

The story is short enough to be enjoyed in one sitting whether you are at the beach or on your easy chair enjoying a glass of wine, making believe it is the Santori Chardonnay. In short, this is another happy, heart-warming tale of love from the experienced pen of Stephanie Burkhart.

Buy Journey of the Heart - 99 cent Amazon Kindle

Heath Topic: Finding Progesterone and Estrogen after Menopause

Now this topic isn't for everyone. I thought I'd tackle a health topic today:  taking progesterone and estrogen after you've gone through menopause. 

 

Mind you, my journey through menopause was pretty easy. I stayed on the pill until I was 52. I didn’t really notice any of your typical menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings or night sweats. My OB/GYM took me off the pill at 52. My last period ever was 3 months later in April that year.  It’s really nice not having a period anymore. That said…

 

Things I’ve been struggling with: minor aches and pains, inflammation, and weight gain. Which I understand is fairly typical after you’ve gone through menopause.  The biology of it: my hormones are low.  

 

In my research so far, exercise is important. Even the little stuff. A walk helps your cardio vascular system.  Doing light weights will help your muscles keep tone and keep your blood moving.   

 

One struggle is with weight and inflammation.  For inflammation, I use bromelain and quercetin, organic, natural based anti-inflammatories. Bromelain is usually found in pineapples and quercetin in plants like onions, green tea, apples, and berries.  I do think they help. I can get pretty stiff if I’m inflamed and I can feel pretty bloated as well. 

 

What I’ve found that works really well is natural based progesterone and estrogen.  If you haven’t heard about it, it’s out there and it’s working wonders for me. 

 

Progesterone plays a vital role in regulating female hormones. Its main job is to regulate a woman’s menstruation and prepare the uterus for pregnancy. It’s produced by the corpus luteum (which is formed when an egg starts to ovulate)  It can help elevate post menopausal symptoms from aches and pains, to hot flashes.  When you’re post menopausal, you don’t produce a corpus luteum and so the hormone level becomes low. 

 

Here's a little more about progesterone: 

 

Estrogen’s main function is the support of the female reproductive system, but it has other functions such as keeping cardiovascular tissue healthy, fights inflammation, prevents brain fog, boosts your mood, protects muscle mass and brain density.  Estrogen is great. 

 

To help keep the body less achy and inflamed, I started taking natural occurring progesterone and estrogen and it’s made a big difference. You can buy these over the counter and you don’t need a prescription. 

 

Here’s my go-to progesterone:

NOW Progesterone 

and here’s my go-to estrogen:

JNS Estrogen

Mind you, I’m just sharing what works for me. I’m not a doctor. Do your own research and if you think these might work for you, give them a try. 

 

*******

Check out my 99 historical sweet summer romance story: Journey of the Heart. Can James help Rachel save her winery? 

Amazon Kindle; Journey of the Heart

5 Stars, Amazon Review, Joy Cagil:

The story is short enough to be enjoyed in one sitting whether you are at the beach or on your easy chair enjoying a glass of wine, making believe it is the Santori Chardonnay. In short, this is another happy, heart-warming tale of love from the experienced pen of Stephanie Burkhart.

Looking for Sarah Palin #1

My Cruise to Alaska

Expectations 

 

 

 

Honestly, I didn’t really know what to expect when I went to Alaska. Hubby and I talked about going on a cruise when the boys were older, and Alaska was a mutual destination. 

 

We booked the cruise and waited. This was our first cruise in 19 years. The first one we took Andy was 3, and it’s hard being on a cruise with a 3-year-old, trust me.

 

We submitted our paperwork, and everything was good to go. 

 

When the day came to go to Burbank and catch our flight to Seattle, wires got crossed and our ride went to Burbank instead of our house.  We adjusted, hopped in the car and we were off. Burbank was only a 30-minute drive. Thankfully we found parking in short term parking. (It was gonna’ cost us $30 a day but what can you do?) With comfortable time to spare we checked in our bags and thanks to TSA pre check we got through in no time.  Our plane was set to board in 20 minutes. 

Made it to Burkbank! 

 

We had a layover in San Jose, about an hour, and then we were off to Seattle. Everything went smooth. We flew Southwest. When we got to Seattle, our driver was there and took us to the hotel.  After staying a night, we were off to the cruise terminal on Pier 91. 

 

Embarkation went smooth. There were a lot of people, but they kept the line moving.  We had to show our Passport ID Cards and our medallions. (This Princess cruise used medallions).

 

The size of the ship blew us away. We’d never seen a vessel so big before. We got snacks on Deck 16 then went to our cabins. Our travel agent  left us some gifts – a cheese and wine tray for Brent and I, and a cake for the boys.  The boys had a separate cabin, an interior one, across from us.  At 3 pm, the ship pushed off and we were underway. 

 

We dropped the pilot off at 730 pm and then we hit the open sea enroute to Alaska.  The boat rocked a little, but no big deal. It was formal night,  so we took our pictures. Everything we did was an adventure. We took in a comedy show, a show with a singer, sat at the bar and drank good booze, and ate gelato.  I took in the presentation with the naturalist and learned a little about Alaska and what to expect. We went to the specialty dining room for dinner.  Every experience was 5 sensation course! We loved the experience of being on a cruise! 

 

Sunday we were at sea and at night we put the clock 1 hour behind as we transitioned into Alaska Daylight Time.   Monday morning we were cruising in the Inside Passage.  All the cities we visited were in the southeast “arm” of Alaska. Anchorage is more center in the state on the coast and Fairbanks is dead center in Alaska.

Inside Passage

 

As we traveled, land and mountains were all around us. The air was crisp. Clouds touched the tips of the mountains around us and danced.  We saw the tail of a whale and his blow hole as we made our way into Juneau.  

 

At noon, the ship docked in Juneau. Brent and Andy went on their kayaking adventure. Joey and I got off the ship and explored Juneau before going to our Salmon Bake.  One of the things that I saw when I got off was a memorial to a ship – the USS Juneau. I paused and let the moment sink in. I was in Alaska.

 

The air was fresh. And everything was green. Visually, it was stunning. 

 

There is a “tourist alley” with all kinds of shops that cater to tourists. There’s even a sky lift up to one of the local mountains. Joey and I avoided that and took a circular route around the city. We found the City Hall, the Arts and Cultural center,  the Russian orthodox church, the Federal building and finally the State building. Sarah Palin probably worked here when she was governor. 

 

And that’s when it hit me.  I had a name for my blog  that I was going to write when I got back – Looking for Sarah Palin.

 

Why Sarah Palin? I tried to make my posts on Instagram succinct. Who else do you know in Alaska? 

 

I’ve always admired Sarah Palin. It takes some guts to put yourself out there. At the time she was selected as John McCain’s vice-presidential candidate, she had a young family, and she had been governor for two years. 

 

I remember seeing a clip during that election cycle. A woman in Alaska said they loved Sarah and wanted Sarah to remain their governor.  

 

This is I know without a doubt:  Sarah Palin loves Alaska.

 

And as I walked around Juneau, off the beaten path, I fell in love with Alaska, too. 

 

Joey and I finished our walk around Juneau by going down the tourist district. It was mobbed. I was glad we walked around Juneau and saw more than just the tourist area.  We made our way back to the Salmon Bake bus and hopped on. 

 

The bus took about 15 minutes to get to the Salmon Bake area.  We got off and got in line.  Honestly, it was a backyard BBQ with Salmon.  There was salad, cornbread, ribs, beans, and salmon.  The line was long, and I waited in it as Joey explored. When it came time to get my piece of Salmon Joey walked up to me and said he wanted to try it. He’s 17 and never ate Salmon before. So I told her to give me a piece without sauce so he could try it.  As we sat down, Joey took his fork and started eating. He loved it! Honestly, it was a pretty tasty piece of fish.  After, we walked around the back and discovered a clear stream of water. Further on up was a waterfalls and a blocked off mining shaft. Again, the forest was incredibly vibrant, the water was clear, the air was fresh – everything was amazing. 

 

I knew then I wanted to come back to Alaska, and I had only been to Juneau. 

 

Joey and I got back to the bus which took us back to the boat.  I learned that Juneau can’t be accessed by land. You can only get to Juneau via boat or by air – and by air, I mean an airplane that can land on water or a helicopter. There’s no airport in Juneau. 

 

Back on the ship Joey and I met up with Brent and Andy who absolutely lover their kayaking adventure, though they were very sore. 

 

BTW – Sarah Palin still lives in Wasilla, AK.  It’s a town near Anchorage. 

 

Time to rest up.  Tomorrow was Skagway. 

*******

Check out my summer romance:  Arrow Through the Heart. 

Blurb: Ella visits Wolfboro, NH for a tennis tournament. Will her romance with Logan last the summer? 

Amazon Kindle: Arrow Through the Heart

 

Great summer read: Arrow Through the Heart - 99 Cents on Amazon!

Arrow Through the Heart

Summer vacation and the Fourth of July brings Ella to New Hampshire while participating in a tennis competition. Logan is an innkeeper's son who bumps into Ella and invites her for an ice cream. Attraction flares and they enjoy spending time together, but each has their own plans for their life. Then disaster strikes Ella. Can a summer attraction truly become a lasting relationship?

Excerpt:  Ella and Logan meet

Ella strolled along the boardwalk next to the lake, exploring the shops. A store that sold beach gear caught her attention. Outside the door were several flyers and brochures in a display. After studying the flyers, she picked one up, and began reading it. Ella gnawed on her lower lip. Could she steady herself enough to allow the parachute to lift her? She stared at the parasailing brochure. The man on the front made it look easy, but if it was one thing she learned about life, it was that nothing came easy.

"Hey, you want to try it?" The deep, masculine voice startled Ella. She placed her hand over her chest to steady her heart.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you." He walked around to her side so she could see him. "I'm Logan Donovan."

Ella's breath jammed in her throat. Logan's wide smile and kind sky-blue eyes sparkled in the sun. Tall, broad-chested, and well-muscled, his stance radiated confidence. Men rarely snuck up on her, but Logan had, and he'd taken her breath away.

"Are you all right?" Concern hinted in his eyes.

Ella cleared her throat. "Sorry. I'm Ella Perchekov."

"Arrow Through the Heart is a contemporary sweet summer romance found on Amazon.com. 

Link:

Buy Arrow Through the Heart 

Book Review: The Woman Beyond the Attic: The VC Andrew's story

Author: Andrew Neiderman

Published by: Gallery Books

Overall rating: 3.5 Stars 

 

 

 

PLOT:  (3.5 Stars)

 

This is a biography of VC Andrews, a popular author in the 1980’s.  After finding success in her 50’s-60’s, it was short lived as she passed away from cancer in 1986. She was born in 1923 to a middle-class family and lived a normal life until she had an accident in her teenage years on a staircase that would eventually making walking difficult. She was considered disabled, she used a wheelchair, and was dependent on family. 

 

The book talks about her early years, her influences, her struggles, and her desires to be a painter and an author. The author takes you through her life, to her success with Flowers in the Attic, and how she responded to that success.

 

The end has a rough draft of a story she was working on when she died which is a real treat. 

 

 

CATAYLIST: (5 Stars)

 

Growing up in the 1980’s, I was big fan of VC Andrews and her books. I loved Flowers in the Attic.  Why? Because it dealt with topics that people just didn’t talk about. Her books were suspenseful, psychological, gothic, and blended all those elements equally. I heard she had died in the 1980’s and her stories were being ghost written, but didn’t know much else.  When I heard this book was coming out, I wanted to read it to discover more about one of my favorite authors. 

 

THOUGHTS: (3.5 Stars)

 

I loved learning about her background, what her influences were and about the accident that crippled her. There was a lot of referenced material which was shared, but the writing comes off a bit stilted, and not conversational. The writing style, while understandable, is lacking that familiar intimacy which Andrews’ books all shared. Yes, I learned about her life, but it felt mechanical. 

 

I did enjoy the rough draft that was shared after the biographical story. It was reflective of all her work, how she could draw you into that novel’s world, ease you into her rooting for the main character, and unfold a story that is suspenseful and unnerving at the same time. 

 

 

WHAT WORKS: (4 Stars)

 

I learned information about Andrews that I didn’t know before, and for me, that was a treat.

 

WHAT DIDN’T WORK FOR ME (WHAT WAS ‘OFF’): (2 Stars)

 

What was off for me was the writing style of the material. The biographical story lacked a certain intimacy that her books had. 

 

WHY 3.5 STARS:

 

The book is put together and presented well. Just because the biographical chapters are dry, they do reveal a lot about VC Andrews. There are pictures which are shared, and I liked learning that Virginia did get a chance to enjoy her fame, even if it was for a little bit. She was determined to accomplish certain things, paint and write, and be successful, and that was certainly inspirational, especially knowing her limitations. 

 

 

EXTRA: COVER SIDE NOTE:

 

The cover is VC Andrews in a pose with a cover that is reflective of her Dollanganger series. It’s the perfect cover for this style of biography. 

****

If you get a chance, check out my author page on Smashwords at:

https://www.smashwords.com/profile/vi...