Sandra Nachlinger's Blog, page 21

July at #MountRainier National Park - Saturday Snapshots

When my daughter-in-law asked if I'd like to drive to Mount Rainier National Park with her, her daughter, and her niece, I immediately said "yes!" Here are a few photos of our day trip. (Click on pictures to enlarge.)

Here's our first glimpse of The Mountain. It played hike and seek behind clouds all day. We wondered if it would ever completely reveal itself.

We were surprised to see snow along the Nisqually Vista Trail. 

The views of the Nisqually Glacier and valley below from trail overlooks were breathtaking (and a little scary!)

This quote is engraved into the steps leading to hiking trails at the Paradise visitor area. (That's my granddaughter.)
Lots of other people decided to visit the park on Wednesday. The visitor center parking lot was full, and the overflow lot was more than halfway full. 

This beautiful waterfall rushed beneath a bridge on the Myrtle Falls trail. Mount Rainier is still hiding behind clouds in the background.

The trail was steep and little girls can get tired.

But we were finally rewarded with Mount Rainier putting in an appearance. I overheard someone say they'd been in the park for three days and that was the first time they'd seen The Mountain.

Link to  Mount Rainier National Park





Saturday Snapshots is hosted by West Metro Mommy Reads.To enjoy a variety of beautiful pictures from around the world, click HERE or on the box below.  
To participate in Saturday Snapshots: post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) have taken then leave a direct link to your post in the Mister Linky on the host blogsite. Photos can be old or new, and be of any subject as long as they are clean and appropriate for all eyes to see. How much detail you give in the caption is entirely up to you. 

Bouncy & #Bungee - Saturday Snapshots

Recently, my grandniece  (age 10) and granddaughter (age 5) spent a rainy day at Super Jump Party Zone. They had a ball! 



First they headed to the yellow bouncy house and bouncy slides in the photo above. The facility also has an even bigger bouncy house maze and a rock climbing wall, that I somehow didn't get a picture of, as well as a separate bouncy area for smaller children.

The highlight for both girls, however, was the bungee trampoline. They squealed with delight as they went zooming up toward the ceiling and then plummeted down again. 

Here's my 10-year-old grandniece.


And here's my 5-year-old granddaughter on her way up...


...and zooming back down.


I'll confess that my stomach did as many somersaults as my granddaughter's did, and I probably have a few new gray hairs, but the girls loved it.




Saturday Snapshots is hosted by West Metro Mommy Reads.To enjoy a variety of beautiful pictures from around the world, click HERE or on the box below.  
To participate in Saturday Snapshots: post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) have taken then leave a direct link to your post in the Mister Linky on the host blogsite. Photos can be old or new, and be of any subject as long as they are clean and appropriate for all eyes to see. How much detail you give in the caption is entirely up to you. 

The Little French Guesthouse - #BookBeginnings on Friday and The #Friday56

    I just finished reading The Little French Guesthouse, and now I'm tempted to buy a ticket to France. How I'd love to spend a month in the French countryside and stay in a cozy guesthouse like the one described in Helen Pollard's well-written romance. My passport is ready! 
    Not only is this a romance, it's also a story about taking chances. The plot takes an unusual turn as Emmy becomes more than a pampered guest and ends up helping run the resort. Will the challenges thrust upon her cause her to reexamine her life?
    I enjoyed getting to know Pollard's characters and being immersed in the day-to-day operations of running a country retreat. I'm looking forward to reading more stories by this talented author, including this book's sequel, Return to the Little French Guesthouse.  

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Book Length: 344 Pages
Amazon Link: The Little French Guesthouse
Author Website: Helen Pollard Writes

Book Beginning:
     I wish I could tell you it happened like it does in the movies. You know the kind of thing. The heroine standing proud, oozing restrained fury. The audience's satisfaction as she delivers a reverberating slap across her lover's face. Her dramatic but dignified exit from the screen.
     Believe me, there was nothing dignified about it. All I did was stand there shaking, rage and adrenaline coursing through my body like rabid greyhounds, my mouth flapping open and shut as I tried to find the words. Any words.

Friday 56 (from 56% on my Kindle):
They weren't just fond of each other, or used to each other, or putting up with each other, or taking each other for granted. After thirty-five years, they were still in love.

Synopsis from Goodreads:
     Sun, croissants and fine wine. Nothing can spoil the perfect holiday. Or can it? 
     When Emmy Jamieson arrives at La Cour des Roses, a beautiful guesthouse in the French countryside, she can’t wait to spend two weeks relaxing with boyfriend Nathan. Their relationship needs a little TLC and Emmy is certain this holiday will do the trick. But they’ve barely unpacked before he scarpers with Gloria, the guesthouse owner’s cougar wife. 
     Rupert, the ailing guesthouse owner, is shell-shocked. Feeling somewhat responsible, and rather generous after a bottle (or so) of wine, heartbroken Emmy offers to help. Changing sheets in the gîtes will help keep her mind off her misery. 
     Thrust into the heart of the local community, Emmy suddenly finds herself surrounded by new friends. And with sizzling hot gardener Ryan and the infuriating (if gorgeous) accountant Alain providing welcome distractions, Nathan is fast becoming a distant memory. 
     Fresh coffee and croissants for breakfast, feeding the hens in the warm evening light; Emmy starts to feel quite at home. But it would be madness to walk away from her friends, family, and everything she’s ever worked for, to take a chance on a place she fell for on holiday – wouldn’t it? 
     Fans of Jenny Colgan, Lucy Diamond and Nick Alexander will want to join Emmy for a glass of wine as the sun sets on the terrace at La Cour des Roses.

                

Anyone can participate in Book Beginnings on Friday and The Friday 56.
Click HERE to connect to other Book Beginnings posts (sponsored by Rose City Reads) 
Click HERE to join other Friday 56 bloggers (sponsored by Freda's Voice)


Twitter: @SandyNachlingerFacebook: sandy.nachlinger

How To Be #Texan

I'm over at Smart Girls Read Romance today, blogging about HOW TO BE TEXAN. You'll find excerpts from this funny book here:
SMART GIRLS READ ROMANCE

La Vie en Rose (Life in Pink) - #TeaserTuesday and First Chapter / First Paragraph / Tuesday Intros

    La Vie en Rose is a book about friendship, love, sex, and courage. 
    The author does a great job of taking us deep inside her characters. The story opens in the middle of Riley's erotic dream and shows just how guys think. It's hilarious! Riley shares a home with his lesbian sister Rarity and her good friend Emma ("...the sweet quiet type that never got in the way....") who is ditched by her fiancé as she's planning their wedding. With this cast of characters, there are lots of opportunities for conflict and humor.
    As Riley is drawn into Emma's drama, their deepening relationship is portrayed beautifully. The sex scenes are explicit and delicious. When serious health problems arise, the strength of the friendship between Emma, Riley, and Rarity is demonstrated by their support for each other, and makes the story even more meaningful.
    La Vie en Rose is an enjoyable book with likable characters and a great plot. I recommend it.

Genre: Women's Fiction / Romance / New Adult
Book Length: 380 Pages
Amazon Link: La Vie en Rose
Author Website: Lydia Michaels

First Paragraph:
     Riley's lips twitched as soft ebony curls ghosted over his bare stomach, lower and lower, tickling his hips and teasing that tight strip of flesh just below his bellybutton. A deep, satisfied growl rumbled in his chest like distant thunder as anticipation teetered on impatience - but it was a good, burning sort of anticipation. Holy fuck, was it good. Stretching, he gave Curls the access she needed and -

Teaser (from 13% on my Kindle):
[Emma has asked Riley to fix her up with one of his friends. He's explaining why he doesn't want to.]
"They're my guy friends. Their credentials include an ability to provide beer, remark judiciously about superior tits and ass, have access to sports channels, and being available to do nothing at a moments notice."

Synopsis (from Goodreads):
    Emma Sanders has always dreamt of being a bride, wearing fancy gowns, pretty pearls, and—of course—falling madly in love. Then life happened. Finding herself one fiancé short of her happily ever after, she leaves the fairytales behind. Some days are simply too perilous for pink gowns and pearls.
    Riley Lockhart is the sort of man who can make a woman lower her gaze with only a smile. That he doesn’t realize his charm makes him all the more enchanting. Determined to save Emma the pain of her breakup, he steps in as a friend, but soon finds himself wanting more.
    She was just a girl, but she somehow winds up being the strongest woman he’s ever known. Losing her is not an option and when life can’t be tied neatly in a pretty little bow, he holds tight to all that he loves—his Emma. His hero.
    Sometimes the greatest scars are worn on the inside. 


Teaser Tuesday is hosted by Jenn of Books and A Beat. Post two sentences from somewhere in a book you're reading. No spoilers, please!Link at  Books and A Beat
First Chapter/First Paragraph/Tuesday Intros is hosted by Bibliophile By The Sea. To participate, share the first paragraph (or a few) from a book you're reading or thinking about reading soon.Link at  BibliophileByTheSea


Twitter: @SandyNachlinger
Facebook: sandy.nachlinger

Redneck P.I. - #TeaserTuesday and First Chapter / First Paragraph / Tuesday Intros

   I'm only partway into Redneck P.I. but I'm already loving the main character. Twila Taunton is an amber-haired, curvaceous redneck from Quisby, Alabama, currently trying to earn a living in Boston. So far, someone has shot at her at a company picnic, she's been fired from her job (gee, all she did was show a co-worker her boobs!) and she has talked her way into a new job as assistant to a good-lookin' private investigator. I can't imagine what the rest of the book will bring, but I know it will be fun! 

    Redneck P.I. is the first book in the Redneck P.I. mystery series:
Book 2 Link: Kiss Assitude
Book 3 Link: Backwoods Boogie

Genre: Mystery / Humor
Book Length: 314 Pages
Amazon Link: Redneck P.I.
Author Website: Trish Jackson

Opening:
   The words of a co-worker bitch started the whole thing.
   She hadn't done a very good job of tracking my whereabouts that morning, and obviously didn't know I was in one of the restroom stalls, with my pants on the ground.

Teaser (from 31% on my Kindle):
   Having any sort of gun pointed at you makes you feel pretty helpless, but somehow if you're butt naked when it happens, you feel even more helpless, as if clothes would protect you from a bullet in some way.
   "Holy crap, Velda," I had shouted, "What the fu... What are you doing?"

Synopsis from Amazon:
   Twila Taunton hates living in Yankee territory and has vowed never to allow a man into her life again. Everything is turned upside down when she invites hunky P.I. Harland O'Connor to the company picnic and she looks into his bedroomy eyes. Even worse, his equally as hunky twin brother makes her overlook her cop allergy. 
   Twila finds herself ducking bullets, and when Harland is wounded, she steps in to pinch-hit for him. Her lack of city-sophistication and disregard for political correctness help her solve some tough cases. And then someone tries to blow her up. She and Harland are soon caught in a dizzy, dangerous tangle that could cost them more than their lives.


Teaser Tuesday is hosted by Jenn of Books and A Beat. Post two sentences from somewhere in a book you're reading. No spoilers, please!Link at  Books and A Beat
First Chapter/First Paragraph/Tuesday Intros is hosted by Bibliophile By The Sea. To participate, share the first paragraph (or a few) from a book you're reading or thinking about reading soon.Link at  BibliophileByTheSea


Twitter: @SandyNachlingerFacebook: sandy.nachlinger 

Vandalism - Saturday Snapshots

I try to have a positive attitude, and most of the time I succeed, but vandalism fills me with dismay. Here are some photos I took at a local park a couple of days ago. We've been taking our granddaughter to the "Discovery Playground" for several years. It has lots of fun things for her to do, and the surface beneath the swings and other equipment is cushioned. The barrier-free playground (built to be accessible to disabled children) opened in 2010.
(Click on photos to enlarge.)

Left: 2016 - The one remaining mallet is taped to a cord. Also, the seesaw (silver arch) is missing and only its supports remain.
Right: 2014 - Two mallets once made lots of music.






Left: My granddaughter playing on the fitness equipment. There were three like this. Now only one is still intact.Right: Damaged equipment with most of it missing. 
Duct tape? Are you kidding me?
           
Left: The last time we came to this park, there were two swings - one plastic, made for infants and toddlers; the other for bigger kids. Now there's only one.Right: Obviously, the "river" is choked with sand. I'll admit this was an ill-conceived idea from the get-go. Not all kids who come to the park are supervised, and kids are surely going to get sand in the water if it's only steps away! 
      Chunks of the playground's surface were also missing here and there.
I plan to contact our town's parks department to see if there are plans to address this problem. I just can't understand why some people feel the need to destroy things.
Saturday Snapshots is hosted by West Metro Mommy Reads.To enjoy a variety of beautiful pictures from around the world, click HERE or on the box below.  
To participate in Saturday Snapshots: post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) have taken then leave a direct link to your post in the Mister Linky on the host blogsite. 

Photos can be old or new, and be of any subject as long as they are clean and appropriate for all eyes to see. How much detail you give in the caption is entirely up to you. 

Hangtown Creek - A Tale of the #California Gold Rush - First Paragraph / First Chapter / Tuesday Intros and #TeaserTuesday

    In this epic saga, John Rose Putnam paints a real and gritty picture of life in the Gold Rush era through the stories of each of his characters. A red-haired woman, her husband and son dead from cholera; two army veterans; a widowed man and three sons; three ruthless killers - all of them heading for California. Their quests make for a gripping tale.
    My reading tastes are eclectic, and a good book will keep me up late at night, reading when I should be asleep. That was definitely the case with Hangtown Creek. Putnam drew me into the world of gold panning, saloons, traveling by horseback, and much more with his excellent storytelling, filled with memorable characters, vivid description, and historical detail. I'll be reading more books by this talented author.   

Genre: Historical Fiction / Western
Length: 288 Pages
Amazon Link: Hangtown Creek
Author Website: John Rose Putnam

First Paragraph:
Fall 1846
    The earth, rutted deep from hundreds of wheels, churned raw by thousands of hooves, bore witness to the recent passing of a large immigrant party - all save one battered wagon that sat alone and untended, a loose pot clanking in the cold north wind. Here the trail followed the Truckee River, strangled by a long, dry summer into a trickle of shallow pools, and looking as pitiable as the forlorn wagon.
[Read the rest of Chapter One on John Putnam's website: HERE]

Teaser from 13% on my Kindle:
    All week she had watched them as they mined along the creek. The older one, gray showing in his hair and beard, reminded her of her father, but it was the other one, the tall one with the broad shoulders, who had brought her hope, the same slim hope she carried week after week.

Synopsis:
The majestic landscapes of Brett Harte's California unite with Larry McMurtry's epic old west realism in an explosion of love, lust, murder and betrayal that comes to a powerful climax along a beautiful stream, home to the largest strike in the mines, where a burning barn ignites the passion of a gold rush boomtown and, in one dark night of revenge, earns that stream the name it bears to this day—HANGTOWN CREEK.


Teaser Tuesday is hosted by Jenn of Books and A Beat. Post two sentences from somewhere in a book you're reading. No spoilers, please!Link at  Books and A Beat
First Chapter/First Paragraph/Tuesday Intros is hosted by Bibliophile By The Sea. To participate, share the first paragraph (or a few) from a book you're reading or thinking about reading soon.Link at  BibliophileByTheSea


Twitter: @SandyNachlingerFacebook: sandy.nachlinger

Little Library - Saturday Snapshots

While hiking in the Seattle area, I came across a nice surprise. A Little Free Library! Looks like this one has a good selection.


I posted a photo of another Little Library located in Woodinville on an earlier Saturday Snapshots (HERE).  Have you seen these around your neighborhood?

The Lie That Tells A Truth - The Friday 56 and Book Beginnings on Friday

   When my husband and I lived in Miami, I attended the Miami International Book Fair every year, and more than once I heard John Dufresne speak. What a great teacher he is! I wish I could have taken his classes at Florida International University. But at least I have a copy (autographed) of his book on writing. 
   Not only do I enjoy Dufresne's laid-back writing style, I appreciate the exercises he includes. At the end of the book is a chapter dealing with grammar, usage, punctuation, and mechanics - the craft of writing. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to write.
Genre: Nonfiction / WritingBook Length: 298 PagesAmazon Link: The Lie That Tells A TruthAuthor Website: John Dufresne, Author
Book Beginning:

[There's an introduction, but I'm beginning with the first chapter]
Getting in Shape
     You wouldn't be here if you didn't want to write, so let's write. We'll chat later. Get out your pen and paper or fire up the computer. Pour yourself a coffee. Unplug the phone. Once you start, you can't stop. Give yourself a half hour. Relax. Don't think too much. You're starting a journey, and you don't know where you're going. But you do know you're going someplace you haven't been before. Take ten minutes for each exercise. Here we go.

The Friday 56 (from Page 56 in my hardback book):
Remember that our figures of speech, our metaphors, our way of looking at the world all come to some degree from our jobs. What a farmer thinks of the landscape may be different from what a miner thinks, a developer, a factory worker.

Synopsis (from Amazon):
     Finally, a truly creative―and hilarious―guide to creative writing, full of encouragement and sound advice. Provocative and reassuring, nurturing and wise, The Lie That Tells a Truth is essential to writers in general, fiction writers in particular, beginning writers, serious writers, and anyone facing a blank page.
     John Dufresne, teacher and the acclaimed author of Love Warps the Mind a Little and Deep in the Shade of Paradise, demystifies the writing process. Drawing upon the wisdom of literature's great craftsmen, Dufresne's lucid essays and diverse exercises initiate the reader into the tools, processes, and techniques of writing: inventing compelling characters, developing a voice, creating a sense of place, editing your own words. Where do great ideas come from? How do we recognize them? How can language capture them? In his signature comic voice, Dufresne answers these questions and more in chapters such as "Writing Around the Block," "Plottery," and "The Art of Abbreviation." Dufresne demystifies the writing process, showing that while the idea of writing may be overwhelming, the act of writing is simplicity itself.


Want more? Here's a TED talk by John Dufresne.

                


Anyone can participate in Book Beginnings on Friday and The Friday 56.
Click HERE to connect to other Book Beginnings posts (sponsored by Rose City Reads) 
Click HERE to join other Friday 56 bloggers (sponsored by Freda's Voice)


Twitter: @SandyNachlingerFacebook: sandy.nachlinger