Vicki Batman's Blog, page 13

Blog: Author Fran McNabb-Why did they say it would never work? #newbook #amreading #beachread

  

All the old ladies in the neighborhood said it would never work. My friends rolled their eyes and said, “Really?” My parents didn’t know what to say.

It’s amazing how a girl can ignore everyone around her when the love bug bites. That’s what I did when I decided to marry my husband after being with him for only thirteen days.

We met in a rather boring way. A blind date. Everyone had them. Some worked out. Most didn’t. I was starting my senior year of college and my blind date had just gotten out of Air Force technical training and was on his way to Bitburg, Germany, for three years. This was during the Vietnam era, and he was glad that’s where he was being sent. I guess the blind date “took” because after being with each other for about two weeks, he left for Germany, and for the next nine months we wrote and exchanged reel-to-reel tapes (cellphones and internet were not around). That’s when I started my memory box to hold his letters.

I was lonely so I started looking in magazines for words and images that reminded me of him. I used the images to collage a cardboard box. I was a broke college student. A free box was the best I could do. If you can make out the fifty-year-old words on the box, they depict what I was feeling: A Sweet New Love Story, Love Rings, Our Marriage, The Bride of the 70’s, It’s the Real thing.

We recently celebrated our fiftieth wedding anniversary so I guess we weren’t crazy like everyone said. Right after the anniversary, we took his letters out and read some of them. Now, we will ceremoniously burn or shred the letters, but I think I’ll keep my memory box. Too many memories to get rid of.

Math teacher Melissa Tanner is managing her dad's beachfront, ice cream stand for the summer. The tourist area is near a military base, and she knows the risk of dating servicemen. But when she meets Captain Ty Waltman, she re-evaluates her prejudice against men on temporary duty. 

Bachelor pilot Ty loves his globe-trotting career but meeting down-to-earth Melissa makes him reconsider his future. 

Yet, can he give up a life of travel and tie himself to one base and the Hurricane Hunters in order to be closer to Melissa?

More about Fran McNabb: Fran McNabb grew up along the beaches, bayous and islands of the Gulf Coast and uses this setting in many of her novels. In “Smoothing a Rocky Road” the heroine and hero meet on the same beach where Fran spent many days of her childhood. She received both her BS and an ME from the University of Southern Mississippi. After spending two years in Germany, she and her husband returned to the Coast where she taught English and journalism. She now lives on a bayou harbor with her husband and spends her time writing, reading and painting. As an award-winning author, Fran has writing credits which include four romance novels with Avalon/Montlake , two novels and a short story with The Wild Rose Press, and three Indie contemporary romances, a cookbook, and numerous articles in magazines, newsletters, and several anthologies.

Red, White or Blue? Blue

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter? Summer

Chocolate pudding, cake, pie? Do I have to choose? Love them all, but I’ll choose cake.

Coffee, Tea, Champagne? Coffee (if I can’t have wine)

Country music or Michael Buble? Country music

Pencil or Pen? pencil

Find “Smoothing a Rocky Road” at:  Book Retailer

Find Fran McNabb at: Website

Blog: Handbag & Book - What's your life-long obsession? #reading #puzzles #parents #childrensactivities

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My mom loved word search puzzles. I would buy her the big thick books which contained a variety of searches, including numbers and missing vowels. She preferred to do the regular ol' word search and didn't work the others. 

I kept a book in my car and when my #2son was in grade school, we would do one while waiting for #1son who was at some kind of sports practice.
One time, Mom mentioned something about needing a new puzzle book. I picked up the one she’d finished, commenting on the ones not done. She said she didn’t care for them. I said maybe #2son and I would give them a try.
Little did I know that she gave me a lifelong obsession.
I began puzzling from the beginning of the book. The first one was....missing vowels. So, missing vowels puzzle is a word search, however, the vowels are omitted from the word you search for. This makes for an interesting challenge. I plowed onward and developed “tricks” to find words. When I completed all of those in her book, I was hooked and wondered if the publisher just made the missing vowels book. A quick search on their website told me yes! I ordered ten books.
When Handsome was diagnosed with cancer years ago, the creative writer in me stalled. I worried about maintaining my skills and looked for outlets to keep them up. For example, took writing classes, read craft books, read all kinds of books, critiqued books, and avidly worked missing vowels puzzles for I believe it worked my vocabulary.
Our family got through the cancer crisis. I had set a date to begin writing again. I gave myself a small goal-one paragraph. I did that and the next day did another, and another. Quickly, I was up to speed with where I had been.
Many people are Sudoko fans or crossword fans. Some play games on their phones or computers. I like the satisfaction of searching, filling in the vowels (in pencil because I have to admit, I’m not perfect. LOL), and crossing the word off the list. I love the accomplishment of finishing a book, tossing it away, and opening a new one, a new challenge.
And yes, I tried the number searches. They were a booger bear.
Are you a fan of word or number puzzles?

My other life long obsession-reading?  Yes, reading. I love reading. My kindle is loaded. I have five loaded bookshelves. How about loading yours with...
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Indulge in these romantic comedy tales at: Amazon & KU

Blog: Author Andrea Downing-Love to travel? #amreading #westernromance #luggage #accessories

I love handbags. But I’m not going to write about that today because as much as I love handbags, I love to travel more—and the most important bag these days, if you travel, is (blare of trumpets) your carry-on.

Airlines had already made traveling a horrific experience when the pandemic struck and made it beyond horrific.  I haven’t flown so far this year, but still, my carry-on (or overnighter or weekender or whatever you wish to call it) is ready to go, just waiting in my closet.  I’ve long been a fan of Samsonite; I used to have their luggage which could piggyback with one another; that is, one case deftly strapped to the other so you could roll both along easily.  Now, I only have this.

    Look at the pockets! A place for everything! The main items one should always have in the cabin are medications, jewelry if you’re traveling with any, and your chargers.  Then for us authors, there’s the laptop, which slides in easily into the main portion of the bag.  If you fear getting stuck at a layover or, worse still, lost luggage, a change of underwear, PJs, and a wash kit won’t go amiss—and I say this speaking from experience when I didn’t have any of that and had to wrap myself in towels, wash my face with hotel soap (perish the thought! No moisturizer), and use a hotel-supplied toothbrush with a single line of bristles and paste the size of a pinky nail…to split between night and morning.

So look at the bag.  See how the top is slightly rounded. I fly a great deal on puddle-jumpers with overhead bins you’d be lucky to get a bag into.  They want to grab your carry-on at the gate and then delay your departure at the other end causing you to miss your connection. But this bag will slip under the seat in front and my handbag can rest in the overhead bin. How lucky is that?

The Happy Face is my own addition. I’m just so happy I found this bag.

 

Gunslinger Shiloh Coltrane has returned home to work the family's Wyoming ranch, only to find there's still violence ahead. His sister and nephew have been murdered, and the killers are at large.Dr. Sydney Cantrell has come west to start her medical practice, aiming to treat the people of a small town. As she tries to help and heal, she finds disapproval and cruelty the payment in kind. When the two meet, it's an attraction of opposites. As Shiloh seeks revenge, Sydney seeks to do what's right. Each wants a new life, but will trouble or love find them first?

More about Andrea: A native New Yorker, Andrea Downing divides her time between the canyons of city streets and the wide-open spaces of Wyoming. Her background in publishing and English Language teaching has transferred into fiction writing, and her love of horses, ranches, rodeo, and just about anything else western, is reflected in her award-winning western romances.

Red, White or Blue?  Definitely Blue.

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter?  Fall-I love the colors of changing leaves and the cooler temperatures.  

Chocolate pudding, cake, pie?   Kladdkaka (don’t laugh) which is a combination of all three.

Coffee, Tea, Champagne?  Are you kidding? Champagne, of course.

Country music or Michael Buble?   Country.  I do, after all, write western romance.

Pencil or Pen? What are they?

Find Shot Through the Heart at:  Amazon

 

Find Andrea at:   Site 

 

My thanks to Vicki for having me here today!

 

 

 

Blog: Pop the Bubbly! And T-W-O fun parties #amreading #anniversary #bookathon #fallintoabook

Pop the bubbly as Handsome and I are celebrating our anniversary. (I won't say the number!) We'll probably sit on our front porch in our comfy wicker rockers and watch the world pass by. 

This year has been monumental for us. Certainly, the most remarkable thing is COVID. All of our big vacations were cancelled.  My adorable granddaughter turned one. 

Sometimes, I wonder about how fast time flies. It does. 

Right now, I'm staring out my office window and enjoying the beauty of the garden after a long rain. When I opened the door, I felt like I was in OZ. For that, I am grateful. But I'm doubly grateful because Handsome and I built this together. 

Through thick and thin, we've toughed it out and laughed along. We've had great joy come our way and incredible sadness, too. We're very lucky.

Two cool things happening: 09/1-30 Fall into These Great Reads Bookathon.See my post at: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/bookpromos/categories/fall-into-these-great-reads

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/dis...
And on 09/18 on the Isn't It Romantic Facebook page, a party! Join our fun at:

Organized in your head? Organized on paper? #organizationaltips #amreading #coverreveal #partyplanning

I'm probably breaking a COVID protocol here, but I'm hostessing a luncheon. 

I miss seeing my family. A relative is marrying, and way back when, I thought a family luncheon would be nice. Just a small affair. Usually, I hold this at a fun restaurant (with great cakes!!!); however, as things progressed with COVID, I opted for my house, particularly because of my aunt. She's up there and is super distancing. Sadly, she thought best not to come.

Health precautions will be done. The party will be small. Masks will be worn. Hopefully, some distancing. 

Butttt... I have to do stuff, like superclean, which I am really good at, thanks to COVID.  And I have to prepare. In my head, I knew what I wanted to do. But I know me and I know I shouldn't rely solely on my brain.

Years and years and years ago, I began using this form: 

This legal-sized form gives me one place to go, and it covers all the basics really well. I love to check off what I've done and seeing what I have left to do. I like using a pencil because I might change my mind about something (yup, that happens!). The pad must have had a large number of sheets in it because I still have a bunch left. I attach it to my large paper calendar, too. Handy thing, that stapler. lol

I don't like to say, "Oh, I forgot," and shrug. I want to know I did everything I could to make an event like this one nice. 

The nicest part? It will be with family.

Are you into organizing?

P. S. Want a sneak peek? The cover reveal for Sommerville holidays too:


This baby releases November 1; so stay tuned! 

The Wee, Small Things #flowers #friendship #nature #books

Yesterday, I heard the song "In  the Wee Small Hours of Morning," and my head went to "wee" because right now, the little things mean so much.

Like:

A friend bringing me flowers    

A game or two or three of mahjong

A little green anole on the pool fence

A tiny toad hopping around when I watered new plants

A hydrangea blooming for the first time

Rain (but the storm was anything but wee)

Handsome to laughing

Adora-poo kisses        

And the best one of all:

My granddaughter coming over for a swim

Right now, our world is challenged. Many of you are trying to manage families, school, health. But I hope for all of you that when a wee, small thing comes your way, it brings you a smile. Maybe it's a cookie or chocolate. Maybe it is clean laundry. Whatever it might be, I wish you happiness. 

Maybe the wee, small stories full of fun and possibilities brings you a smile:

Raving Beauty: What if the love of your life was in front of you all along?

Store Wars: The competition is heating up when Janie's old flame returns to town and is running his family's store. Could following dreams break her heart?

San Diego or Bust: When a young woman plans a romantic getaway with her boyfriend, disaster strikes. Is her Mr. Right the right Mr. Right?

Find your own Sommerville days at: Amazon & KU

Looking for your little bit of book heaven? #mystery #suspense #bookheaven #bookevent #amreadingmystery

 

Can anyone ever have too many books? 

I know I have a whole bookcase stuffed with books I haven't read, and not to forget, I have a Paperwhite stuffed too. I have no excuse not to read. I love to read. I crave reading. Reading has always always been my best friend. Do you feel that way?

I am so anxious to share my third mystery with you. In honor of that soon-to-be-launched day, I am giving away an ebook of the first of the Hattie Cooks romantic comedy mysteries, Temporary Employed, at the Bookish Event.  *clapping hands*

The Mystery and Suspense Bookish Event event runs August 11-17. Enter to win an e-book bundle of all 42 books by other fabulous mystery and suspense authors at: rafflecopter for Bookish Event!

And don't forget the Binge-Worthy Event which runs the whole month of August at: Bingeworthy Event!

Much Summer Love Reading! VB

Handbag & Book: Do You Indulge in Bingeworthy Books? Then this is for YOU! #bingeworthy #readingismypassion #giveaway

Calling all Readers! 

I’m thrilled to be a part of this event. My book, Just Desserts...and other stories, will be featured on August 5. I even talk about my first binge-worthy book I read. You won’t want to miss it. 

Here's how:
Feed your book addiction for the whole month of August with N. N. Light’s Book Heaven Binge-Worthy Book Festival. 68 books featured plus a chance to win one of the following: 

 

Enter to win a $50 Amazon (US) or Barnes and Noble Gift Card 

Enter to win a $50 Amazon (US) or Barnes and Noble Gift Card 

Enter to win a $25 Amazon (US) or Barnes and Noble Gift Card 

Enter to win a $15 Amazon (US) or Barnes and Noble Gift Card 

Enter to win a $10 Amazon (US) or Barnes and Noble Gift Card 

Open internationally

Runs August 1 – 31

Drawing will be held on September 1. 

 

Bookmark this get-together and tell your friends:  Bingeworthy!

And hey, if you want to share which books are bingeworthy, I would love to know. Just leave a comment

Hugs, VB

 

Handbag & Book - What's too much fun? Do you like ebooks? #giveaway #ebooklover

What's too much fun? A giveaway!!!

Thirty authors, lots of ebooks and gift cards. Yup, my book is there as well. 

To join the fun, go here: Rafflecopter

Handbag & Book - Aren't the Simple Things Worth It? #firstbirthday #cutemeetstories #simplethings

Last Sunday, Handsome and I went to our granddaughter Julia's first birthday party. The gathering was simple and sweet-family. And probably exactly what the doctor ordered for a first birthday. We spread our picnic blankets apart and watched our darling one eat her first lemon cupcake and discover her new toys. 

Handsome and I put together her first Flintstone-powered Jeep (who knew there would be so many construction challenges?), complete with a drop-down tailgate and two cupholders. LOL. I see lots of pushing by the parents for a while.

She also received a bubble lawnmower. The bubbles enthralled her.

As we sat, ate cake!, and visited, a dragonfly landed on my handbag. He measured about three inches and was a colorful blue. I've been carrying a vintage Margaret Smith one. The bag is constructed of a colorful flowery fabric and probably is what attracted the dragonfly. I would brush him away and he would return. I was able to wiggle my finger under his body. He sat on my finger for a while, then flew away. I marveled at holding a dragonfly. Truly, a simple pleasure.


And on Tuesday, we had rain. Sometimes, a nice hard one and sometimes, a gentle shower. The gray sky, the sound of the rain plopping--sigh. Hard to not grab a good book, a favorite beverage, and snack for reading on the couch. 

Handsome is traveling this week. For lunch, I want popcorn. Simple and delicious.


Do you relish the simple things in life? 

Simple, fun, cute-meet stories sure to tickle your fancy. Find Sommerville days at: KU and Amazon