Vicki Batman's Blog, page 15

Blog: #author TINA DONAHUE and her new #eroticromance TOXIC TRUTH #MFRWAuthors #readromance

Only he stands between her and a hired killer.




When Kenzie discovered a toxic truth that harms military personnel, the international corporation where she worked put a hit on her. Desperate to survive, she escapes to the Crazy Mountains to hide out at a deserted cabin she recalls from childhood.
Lucas owns the property now. As a former Ranger and sniper, he’s never met a more terrified young woman. Yet despite her fear, she’s determined to bring her former employer to justice. Not without his help.
Fearless, honorable, and sexy as sin, he’s the hero she’s always needed.
There’s no turning back as they surrender to their mounting passion for each other and meet danger head on to bring a criminal enterprise to justice, saving those service members most at risk. 
Excerpt:
She couldn’t chance him knowing who she was if his buddies were looking for her. It didn’t seem likely, given his easy-going personality and what he’d already revealed about himself. However, risking anything at this point wasn’t wise. “Why is my name important?”
“Are you a movie star or some kind of internet sensation?” He worked his mouth to stop his smile. “Afraid I’ll recognize you from your name rather than how you look at this point?”
A drowned dog probably had her beat in the beauty department. Hardly caring, she rubbed the blanket over her lenses to dry them but left thick smears instead.
“This might work better.” He pulled a rag from his back pocket. “It’s clean.”
After taking it, she worked on her glasses, uncertain whether to feel bad for treating him like a criminal or to maintain her caution as to what he might do next. Vigilance won out. “Anything else you can tell me about yourself?” She pushed the rag in her jacket pocket. “Like why you’re up here alone— You are alone, right?”
He scratched his stubbled cheek. “If you’re asking if I have a wife and kids, it’s a firm no on both counts. There’s no long-term girlfriend in my cabin either. How about you? You running from an ex-husband, ex-lover, or a current one in those two categories?”
“Why are you in the middle of nowhere?”
New muttering beneath his breath. “Because I like it?”
Find Toxic Truth at: https://amzn.to/3bczb4l


About Tina:  Tina is an Amazon and international bestselling novelist who writes romance for every taste – ‘heat with heart’ – for traditional publishers and indie. Booklist, Publisher’s Weekly, Romantic Times and numerous online sites have praised her work. Three of her erotic novels were Readers' Choice Award winners. Another three were named finalists in the EPIC competition. One of her erotic contemporary romances was chosen Book of the Year at the French review site Blue Moon reviews. The Golden Nib Award at Miz Love Loves Books was created specifically for one of her erotic romances. Two of her titles received an Award of Merit in the RWA Holt Medallion competition. Another two won second place in the NEC RWA contest (different years). Tina is featured in the Novel & Short Story Writer’s Market. Before penning romances, she worked at a major Hollywood production company in Story Direction.
FB Fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/DonahueTina1/ Email: tinadonahuebooks@gmail.com Website/Blog: http://tinadonahuebooks.blogspot.com/ Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/tina-donahue Goodreads:  http://bit.ly/1wFmIu6 Twitter: https://twitter.com/tinadonahue Facebook: http://on.fb.me/1Dl8DHy Amazon author page: http://amzn.to/1ChWFkO  Sweet ‘n Sexy Divas:  http://bit.ly/1ChWN3K

Handbag and Book: EEK!!! A Snake #nature #longwalks #MFRWauthor #RB4U #WRPbooks

On Tuesday, I opened the front door

to check for mail and saw what Handsome is now calling--gifts from Amazon. I picked the up and stuck in the corner was a snake. Snake! Yikes!!! Except he really wasn't twenty feet long with sharp flesh-eating fangs. He was this: 

https://dfwurbanwildlife.com/.../rough-earth-snake-yard.../
Thanks to friend Jane for the clarification. From the dfwurbanwildlife site and via Wikipedia, here's a bit about this snake: 

The rough earth snake is found from southern Virginia to northern Florida, west along the Gulf Coast to southern Texas, and north into south-central Missouri and southeastern Kansas. is a small, harmless, secretive, fairly slender snake, 7-10 inches. Hides beneath logs, rocks, or ornamental stones, in leaf litter, or in compost piles and gardens. The species is found in a variety of forested habitats with plenty of ground cover, as well as in many urban areas. It can reach very high densities in urban gardens, parks, and vacant lots. 
I am soooo not a snake fan. And I know I'm not alone. Remember, Indiana Jones hates snakes, and if this big tough-ass thinks no-no-no, I'm with him. 

In a suburb north of where I live, copperheads are sending residents to the hospitals. My friend who lives a mile-ish away has seen a bobcat in her backyard. Mountain lions are frequenting a neighborhood in Colorado where I visit. 

Our staying in place has affected wildlife. Interesting, isn't it? 

Are you seeing a change in nature this spring?


Good news! No snakes in Sommerville days. Just the fun, Hollywood-style cute-meet tales sure to warm your heart. Here's an excerpt from "Raving Beauty:"




Raving Beauty: "I can't believe I let your loony brother, who's tormented me all my life, talk me into this."

With my eye on the teenage competition standing off to one side, I tugged the swimsuit’s leg opening into place to better cover my hip. "Just because I did some modeling in college doesn't make me a pageant diva. Back then, I was incredibly skinny, and clothes fit easily."
               "Daniel is a rat. He took advantage of your third, or was it your fourth, margarita, Kelly?" Maggie Ackerman, my best friend and roommate, adjusted the scarlet satin sash draped across my body. Glittery stick-on letters spelled out Miss Yahoo! Ranch Steakhouse. "Don’t worry. You’re beautiful and will be fine. Now, hold still."

               I watched her pick my brown hair at the crown of my head with an old-fashioned teasing comb. When the eerie suspicion I resembled a scary dame with Big Texas hair from the television show, “Dallas,” I turned my head to avoid the mirror.

               "Close your eyes." She blasted my hair with several short bursts of super freeze-it hairspray. "Now, that ain't goin' nowhere."

Find your happy ever after at: Amazon and KU

Blog at #SNSD Thoughts on Racing #MFRWauthor #cars #stayingathome #readinginbed

Please join me at Sweet n Sexy Divas for todays post on Racing: https://sweetnsexydivas.blogspot.com/...

bLOG: CONFESSIONS OF A SUPER CLEANER #Hollywood #cute-meet #MFRWauthor #RB4U

Thanks, COVID 19—I’m now a Super cleaner

Yep, we’re all stuck at home. We exercise. We cook. We read. We watch the latest on Netflix.



Also, I write. I am embroidering Christmas gifts (don’t judge. Needlework is my passion. Lol. It’s true. I always have projects going.). And I’ve taken up a new hobby--super cleaning.

What is super cleaning? Cleaning a room from top to bottom. From ceiling to floor. I dust all baseboards, all furniture including the legs and rails, all shutters, all mullions on the windows, every freakin’ figurine (I’ve decided no more of those), every picture. I dust mop the floor. I vacuum the rugs and curtains. I even wash some curtains. I scrubbed the bathrooms. EVERYTHING!

So I did the entire house (except for Handsome’s office and side of the sink because he won’t pick up, and I’m not doing it. If I can do everything else, he can do his part, but no. What is he doing? He’s labeling the tool bins in his garage. Even borrowed my label maker too. Granted the garage floor is pristine. But this speaks to something he WANTS to do).

And then I mopped. Not only mopped, but I also hand mopped with vinegar and those lovely blue towels (yes, you can gift me these for my birthday) from the big box stores. While mopping, I hit every corner and washed those newly dusted baseboards. And pondered my book edits, the new book I’m dabbling in, and decided if ONE blue towel can clean a whole room, it would probably make a great face mask. 
I did a poll on Facebook about the best mop and ended up buying a Swiffer Wet-Jet. Oh my dahling, where have you been?

The whole house is done. It sparkles (except for Handsome’s office—one hot mess. And sink). I can sit back and admire. No dust. Great smell. However, for only a bit.

If I want the house this pristine all the time? Yah, I have to do it all over again.

UGH.

I hope you are spending time with your loved ones and enjoying something you do, like reading. 
Funny, sweet, and quirky, Vicki Batman's latest stories are full of her hallmark humor and romance and will delight all readers.  Find your happily every after at: KU and Amazon 

Handbag and Book: with #author Laura Haley-McNeil and her #newbook Call It Love #MFRWauthor #wedding

I love it when summer arrives and I can pull this purse out of my closet. This purse reminds me that winter has passed and it’s time to enjoy warm weather, long walks on the canal near my home and planting flowers in the gardens that have looked so sad all winter because they’re littered with the remains of last year’s flowers. 

Fortunately, this purse is supersized, and maybe not so fortunately, looks like the purse is wearing me, but it’s a favorite because it easily holds all the paraphernalia I drag around with me, when is especially helpful when I travel.

I hope you’re enjoying lovely weather in your part of the world and that if your next season is summer, I hope it’s fabulous! 



More about Laura Haley-McNeil: Laura Haley-McNeil is an award-winning author of romantic suspense and women’s fiction in novel length and in short stories. Her work has been featured in several women’s magazines. She has studied piano and ballet and has been a board member for two community orchestras. She and her husband reside in Colorado. When she isn’t writing, she jogs, bicycles and crochets.


Answer these questions:
Red, White or Blue? White. I’d decorate my house in white if my husband would let me.
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter? I can only pick one? Then I’ll go with summer. I love the fresh smells, the blooming flowers and trees and the gardening because it gives me a chance to be outside.
Chocolate pudding, cake, pie? Can I choose frosting? If not, then I’ll choose cake because I’m a frosting fiend. When the office celebrates my birthday, I don’t get a cake. I get a can of frosting.
Coffee, Tea, Champagne? If it’s Starbucks coffee, then I’m all in. I can’t resist anything that had chocolate in it.
Country music or Michael Buble? I like them both, but Michael Buble is pretty cute and what a fabulous voice!
Pencil or Pen? I have to go with pen, particularly blue and particularly a .7mm blue gel pen. It’s the only pen that makes my chicken scratch penmanship look halfway decent.


Find Call It Love at: books2read  


Find Laura Haley-McNeil at: website

Blog: Handbag & Book - It's All About Color #MFRWauthor #designeraccessories #stories #romance

So, I may have mentioned before Handsome and I cruised the Adriatic Sea last summer. One of the stops was Florence. I had a blast shopping in Florence on another trip and I couldn't wait to shop again. What for? Handbags! Gloves! 

I found the same store and cruised through it, but nothing caught my eye. I walked across the square and found another, bigger store. I strolled through, noting handbags that caught my eye. When I finished, I retraced my route and began picking up handbags. At this point, a young man came to assist me. I filled his arms. 

I already have a lot of the basic colors and shapes; so, I looked for something different. And this one caught my eye:

Why orange? I don't have anything in this color. I do have a tweedy pumpkin-colored vintage bag. But it isn't for every day. 
This one is boxy. The width is almost the same as the length, but overall, the impression is it isn't big. Does have a crossbody strap which I love to snap on when shopping. Does have to pockets the length of the bag. Perfect!
The color description? Orange isn't quite right. Recently, I changed my Facebook profile pic to this handbag and asked readers and friends what color would they give it. 
OrangePumpkinFlamePoppyTangerineRed-orangePersimmonVermilion
Three people said--drum roll--Tangerine! 
I must say it does look Tangerine to me. 

What isn't Tangerine, but fun as well? Sommerville days. An easy two hour read of Hollywood-style cute-meet stories. 
5 stars. Vicki Batman has all the feels with these short tales. They make the heart smile!
5 stars. I have read everything Ms. Batman has written. She is an excellent writer with a quick wit that makes me laugh out loud. Her characters are very likable, and the stories will leave you wanting more.
5 stars. Vicki Batman has a clever endearing way of making each of her characters seem like someone you might know and can relate to in each situation. The stories are witty and warm and keep you rooting for the happily ever after ending. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Sommerville Days.
5 stars. Loved every one of the stories. The writing is engaging and fun. The characters are likable and relatable. Well done!
5 stars. Delightful quick read. Perfect addition to a lazy summer afternoon of reading.
4 stars. I really enjoyed this book. It was easy to get wrapped up in the stories and I wasn't ready for them to end when they did. If you like short stories, l highly recommend this book. l would definitely read more books by this author.


Find for you lots of fun at:  Amazon & KU 

Handbag and Book: From Mermaid to Middle-Age blog with author Joanne Guidoccio #newbook #mermaid #MFRWauthor #paranormalromance

Welcome to Joanne Guidoccio. Joanne is a member of Crime Writers of Canada and Sisters in Crime, She  writes paranormal romance, cozy mysteries, and inspirational literature from her home base of Guelph, Ontario. 
What inspired you to become a writer? From an early age, I loved curling up with a book and losing myself in the stories. In high school, I looked forward to English class and dreamed of writing the great Canadian novel. Instead, I followed the conventional advice of the times and pursued a career in teaching. But, in my heart of hearts, I knew that someday I would resurrect that writing dream. When I took advantage of early retirement in 2008, I decided to devote my second act to writing.
What do you find most challenging about writing? A linear pantser, I write brief character sketches, plot the first three chapters and the last, and then let the words flow. At some point, usually around Page 80, I encounter the murky middle, that nebulous place where I find it difficult to continue or sustain the tension of the novel. In short, I’m lost with no clear trail or direction in sight. In the early days of my writing career, I struggled to regain my motivation, wondering if I should abandon the novel. Thankfully, I discovered strategies that have lifted me out of the abyss. After giving up her tail for an international banker, Isabella of the Mediterranean kingdom is aged, weathered, and abandoned on the fog-drenched shores of southwest England. She faces her human journey as a plain and practically destitute fifty-three-year-old woman. With the help of a magic tablet and online mermaid support, she reinvents herself as a career counselor, motivational speaker, and writer of self-help books. Along the way, she encounters a cast of unforgettable characters, among them former mermaids, supportive and not-so-supportive women, deserving and undeserving men, and several New Agers. As Isabella evolves into Barbara Davies, she embraces her middle-aged body, heals her bruised heart, and learns to love again. This contemporary version of The Little Mermaid offers hope and inspiration to anyone who has been dumped, deceived, or demoted. 
What inspired you to write Between Land and Sea? On a whim, I attended a series of workshops facilitated by science fiction writer Sarah Totton. Impressed by her work ethic and persistence—she entered the “Writers of the Future Contest” seventeen times before winning—I listened attentively to her writing advice. 
Driving home one evening, I toyed with the idea of writing fantasy and thought back to The Little Mermaid. What if… A beautiful mermaid is transformed into an overweight middle-aged woman? Would the man keep her or abandon her on the fog-drenched shores of southwest England? Inspired by this premise, I started writing. What is the most surprising thing that you discovered while writing this book? Halfway through writing Between Land and Sea, I started dreaming about Isabella and the other characters. Interestingly enough, the characters behaved very differently in my dreams. This inspired me to introduce a subplot involving Kendra Adams. Originally, I had intended to limit her involvement to a few chapters, but the psychic ex-mermaid had other ideas and started disrupting my dreams.
On sale for 99 cents – March 29 to April 4 Amazon (US) – Amazon uk On the day of her engagement party, an ex-mermaid’s life is disrupted by the unexpected arrival of another mermaid—a sister she has never known. Under normal circumstances, Barbara Davies would be overjoyed, but her special day is already wrought with tension. While Barbara is not the first mermaid from the Mediterranean kingdom to settle in small town Ontario, she has yet to reveal her origins to her fiancé. So, when Arabella, the gorgeous sister whose disturbing black eyes banished her to the island of Crete, saunters into her life, clutching the arm of Barbara’s discarded lover, a powder keg of emotion is released. Relationships falter and careers stall as envy stirs in the hearts of the sisters. On the verge of meltdown after her fiancé leaves Canada for a teaching job in Vermont, Barbara flees to Arizona hoping for a reprieve. There, she finds solace at a retreat for ex-mermaids and a second chance at love with a charismatic preacher. As she contemplates a new life in the desert paradise of Sedona, shocking secrets emerge and tragedy strikes. A stronger and wiser Barbara rises up to face these new challenges and embrace the best parts of her mermaid heritage. 
On sale for 99 cents – March 29 to April 4 Amazon (US) - Amazon UK
Find Joanne at: Website  

Handbag & Book: featured #author Tina Donahue and her #newbook Deadly Diagnosis #MFRWauthor #RB4U

A lifesaving gift…a plan for domination and death.
Within her unique DNA, Kimana holds the means to cure any illness permanently, a talent she’s used on those in her Shoshone community. When the billionaire owner of a pharmaceutical concern accidentally discovers what she can do, he fears the end to disease and his profits, and wants her dead.
As a member of the Phoenix Agency, Lucas arrives to protect Kimana from those set on her destruction. Ex-military intelligence, he’s seen a lot but no one like her, a woman seemingly born for him, her presence needed in his life, her gift as unique as his paranormal talent. To Kimana, he’s the man she’s been waiting for.
Together, they battle an adversary driven by insatiable greed who’ll stop at nothing to take what he wants. When her and Lucas’s lives are at risk, her gift can only save one before draining her life force and threatening her existence.
A sacrifice she’s willing to make for Lucas.

Find Deadly Diagnosis at : Amazon
  About Tina: Tina is an Amazon and international bestselling novelist who writes romance for every taste – ‘heat with heart’ – for traditional publishers and indie. Booklist, Publisher’s Weekly, Romantic Times and numerous online sites have praised her work. 
Three of her erotic novels were Readers' Choice Award winners. Another three were named finalists in the EPIC competition. One of her erotic contemporary romances was chosen Book of the Year at the French review site Blue Moon reviews. The Golden Nib Award at Miz Love Loves Books was created specifically for one of her erotic romances. Two of her titles received an Award of Merit in the RWA Holt Medallion competition. Another two won second place in the NEC RWA contest (different years). 
Tina is featured in the Novel & Short Story Writer’s Market. Before penning romances, she worked at a major Hollywood production company in Story Direction.
Find Tina at: 
FB Fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/DonahueTina1/Email: tinadonahuebooks@gmail.comWebsite/Blog: http://tinadonahuebooks.blogspot.com/Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/tina-donahue Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tinadonahuebooks/   Goodreads:  http://bit.ly/1wFmIu6 Twitter: https://twitter.com/tinadonahue Facebook: http://on.fb.me/1Dl8DHyTriberr: http://bit.ly/1CE2ec7Pinterest: http://bit.ly/1yFLeMxAmazon author page: http://amzn.to/1ChWFkOMy page at TRR: http://bit.ly/1vb7eEcKensington Author Page: http://www.kensingtonbooks.com/author.aspx/24772 Sweet ‘n Sexy Divas:  http://bit.ly/1ChWN3K Romance Books 4 US:  http://bit.ly/1JPtfeS

How Did You Do That? #readromance #MFRWauthors #accessories #whattodowhenquarantined

I find handbags online, and, sometimes, they need a little help. I carried this particular one for a while, but when I used it recently, I noticed the handle was ripping apart. I suppose I could have taken it to a shoe shop and had it fixed. Undoubtedly, would have cost more than my plan. 

I visited my neighborhood Joann's where I had found a clear plastic beaded handle before and used with success on other handbags. Nada. Nor did I find anything I really wanted to use. *frownie face* In my head, I wanted to use this particular handle and nothing else would work. So before I did anything else, I decided to look online. 

Success!! 

Here's what the project looked like when I started:













The bad handle:














The new attachment rings:












And voila! finished: 


Stuck at home? Nothing to do? Read! Discover a new book by an author new to you and indulge in the best comfort ever--reading. 


Love blossoms in the small town of Sommerville in these heartwarming tales, filled with fun and forever possibilities.



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?
                                                                                                                                                                                             Excerpt:
Store Wars: "This stuff is crap." I ran a finger along the edge of a faux-finished table parked inside the store's entryway, flicking more than a hint of dust from my fingertip.

My best girlfriend, Tracy, and I were scoping out the competition along the Sommerville Historic Depot District, one of which was Tejas Souvenirs, owned by an old flame's mom. So far, no business we'd visited had measured up. The other stores all looked...tacky touristy.                 
I walked through to the next section, thoroughly disgusted with what lay before me. This store needed major first aid. No quality merchandise anywhere. The overpowering scents of vanilla and cinnamon from the cheap candles loaded on another tabletop caused me to have a major sneezing fit. 
Tracy passed a tissue she dug from her front pocket. Her bright blonde curls bounced. "Janie, need this?"          
"T'anks." I blew and stuffed the used wad in my pants’ front pocket, praying the urge to let loose again would bypass.
"Why in the world is a huge candle display by the front door, assaulting a customer when he-slash-she walks in? I can't be the only one who's allergic. And look" --I pointed to the section at the top of four steps-- "room diffusers up there. Another brand of candles over there. And yes, people, let's combine those with scented bath products. A whole lotta stinky people and stinky homes are out there in the big wide world."
Find your respite at: Amazon & KU

What Kind of Music to you Listen to? #classicalguitar #concert #discoveringsomethingnew #MFRWauthors

Often when I do interviews, one question asked is "what kind of music do you listen to when writing?"

I need to digress for a minute.

Many years ago,  our local mall had a store called Nature Wonders. While wandering with my girlfriend, guitar music came on. I heard it and my toes tapped and I wiggled some. So did my girlfriend. I ended up buying the CD by Nova Menco.

Here's a youtube video:  https://binged.it/2IBEZbG/

I bought the CD.

I often listen to classical music when driving because it is less agitating. I noticed more classical and Spanish guitar music. I wrote down names and listened to the snippets on Amazon and Apple music. I bought CDs and downloaded tunes. Eventually, I amassed a large playlist.

One day, I heard a famous father and sons group was coming to my area and I insisted ongoing. The host mentioned the local classical guitar series and cha-ching! I was sold. I became a subscriber.

So what kind of music do I listen to when writing? Classical and Spanish guitar.

I like it because no words are interfering with my words. LOL. I say this and have to admit I do listen to some other musicians like Simply Frank and classical music, too. I save the seventies (best music era ever) for most drives.

On Tuesday evening, Handsome and I heard David Russell. Boom! My head exploded with the incredible overload. I even closed my eyes periodically and listened. Interesting to do as it filtered down to what was important-the music.

I had to wear my Be Kind hat, though. A young man texted on his phone for the entire show. I honestly don't know how he had an experience. This concert was world-class. His loss.

Are you wondering if I listened to guitar while writing  Sommerville days? Some! Check out all the fun at: 



5 stars. Vicki Batman has all the feels with these short tales. They make the heart smile!

5 stars. I have read everything Ms. Batman has written. She is an excellent writer with a quick wit that makes me laugh out loud. Her characters are very likable, and the stories will leave you wanting more.

5 stars. Vicki Batman has a clever endearing way of making each of her characters seem like someone you might know and can relate to in each situation. The stories are witty and warm and keep you rooting for the happily ever after ending. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Sommerville Days.