Vicki Batman's Blog, page 18

Blog: Handbag and Book with guest author Emma Ames #newmystery #smalltown #MFRWauthor

Since I’m a Texas gal, it seemed fitting to feature one of my bags made from a pair of cowboy boots. It measures about 12 inches long and 8 inches tall.

 All you have to do to make your own is take a pair of cowboy boots to a leather/shoe shop and have the tops cut off and sewn together. If you don’t have any boots, you can find plenty at thrift stores. OR—say your dad or grandfather has an old pair of boots. Having them turned into a purse is a great keepsake.

The boots already have tabs where you can attach a strap, so that’s pretty handy. Mine doesn’t have inside pockets, and it isn’t large enough for me to carry every day, but it’s definitely a Texas fashion statement.



The first book I published was a humorous, steamy, romantic, mystery. The first in a series set in my hometown of Brownsboro, Texas. For years, I had members of my critique group suggest I ‘clean’ the books up and release them as ‘nicer’ versions. I decided 2019 was the year to make that happen. I just released book one, (haven’t even announced it yet) and book two will be published by October 1, with the third one following shortly after. I’ve decided to wait until all three are published to do a market push. Although edgier than a standard ‘cozy,’ some may consider them a good fit for that genre. They are published under pen name, Emma Ames, with new titles and covers, and a disclaimer in the front matter stating they are cleaner, nicer versions of Ann Everett’s steamy romance mysteries.
This is a new venture for me. We’ll see how it goes.

More about Ann Everett/Emma Ames. Emma Ames is an alter ego of Ann Everett who is an alter ego of a real person. All three live in Texas.

Here are a few things to know. Married to high her school sweetheart. Loves shopping at thrift stores. Doesn’t remember her first kiss. Hates talking on the phone. Secretly wants a tattoo. A sharp pencil makes her happy. Glad wrinkles aren’t painful.

Answer these questions:
Red, White or Blue? Guess I’ll have to go with white. Based on my wardrobe, it must be one of my favorite colors!
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter? Winter, although, Texas doesn’t have much cold weather in my part of the state. 
Chocolate pudding, cake, pie? I’m not a big chocolate person, but since  I have to choose, I’ll go with cake. 
Coffee, Tea, Champagne? We southern girls love our tea!
Country music or Michael Buble? Country music, although—I don’t dislike Michael.
Pencil or Pen?  Pencil…really sharp.


Find Secrets, Lies, and Homemade Pies at: Amazon

Find Emma Ames via Ann Everett at: Website 

Blog: Handbag and Book - author J L Peridot #myfavoriteaccessory #newbook #MFRWauthor

Thank you so much for having me, Vicki! Now, I gotta ask you… Am I a nerd for using this?

When a friend showed me his PacSafe backpack, I knew I had to have one. Just this single purchase from a hiking shop put to rest all the little things I get paranoid about when I’m out and about.

It was the colour that caught my eye: a sort-of army green and grey with hints of mustard. Doesn’t match much in my wardrobe, but I don’t care. It just felt right. Wearing it feels right. It fits a laptop, notebooks, jacket, the usual other bits, there’s like three pockets in the front pocket. Maybe I like it because it’s not pretty. When something’s a little rugged looking, I worry about it less. The crude (but not too crude) functionality is freedom. This is my work bag, my gym bag, my hiking bag, my day bag, my bag of holding.
Wherever I go, I like to know something’s got my back. Figuratively and, I guess, literally.


Celeste is a talented engineer who doesn’t realize her job’s going nowhere fast. She’s a little naïve. She’ll cut code and solder cables forever as long as Owen’s around. Owen, on the other hand, knows exactly how badly things suck—he just doesn’t care. Sure, his skills aren’t what they used to be, but they’re still better than what Halcyon Aries deserves.
Then it happens. The company’s toxic management team finally cross the line. As both techies race to upgrade the station and to free the team from their oppressive contracts, they come to learn that life—and love—can only ever be what you make it. Strap in for a steamy office romance in space, because sometimes It Starts With a Kiss!

More about JL Peridot: JL Peridot writes sexy, cosmopolitan love stories with scifi and retrofuture vibes. In her spare time, she watches movies, plays Dungeons & Dragons, and consumes wholesome memes on Twitter. With the help of supportive friends, a loving partner, two bossy cats and a well-used music subscription, she writes and writes in her sunny, sea-girt, Australian home.

Answer these questions:

Red, White or Blue? All three. Even when the white eventually turns a murky yellow.
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter? All of the above if I have the right attire. We have beautiful climate here in Perth.
Chocolate pudding, cake, pie? Pie all the way! Love a good steak and kidney for savoury, and apple pie with custard and ice cream for sweet.
Coffee, Tea, Champagne? Tea usually, but I’ll take a decent filter brew if you’re offering 
Country music or Michael Buble? Oh gosh... both? My taste in music is pretty broad. I’ll listen to anything as long as I have the mood for it. Last week, it was dark ambient jazz. Today, it’s hard vapour.
Pencil or Pen? Drawing in pencil; writing in pen. Art memes like #inktober really mess with me.

Find It Starts With A Kiss at: Amazon
Find JL Peridot at: Website

Blog: Handbag and Book with author Kris Jayne @KateSpadehandbag #accessories #newbook #MFRWauthor

This is my FAVORITE bag. I love Kate Spade bags because they're clean, classy, and simple, but still fun. This one is a workhorse bag because it's big enough to fit my 13-inch laptop. Usually, though, I'll carry my iPad when I'm out in case I want to write or sneak in some reading. It has two big, zippered pockets on each side and two sections in the middle that close with a magnetic snap. 
I feel pulled together when I carry it, and sometimes, I'll run to the store in my yoga pants and a T-shirt, but if I'm carrying the bag, it's all good. I have a scarf obsession, so I like using them to add color to a simple black bag. This scarf is Hermes and was a Christmas gift.



Excerpt from Kisses & Kismet - Coming October 31 - Pre-Orders Available
Jamie lifted his chin to a haughty angle, but his evasive glance told me I was right. Preston was trying to tell me something. If I wanted to help Kali, I would have to set fire to the carefully reinforced walls at the edges of my psyche and listen.
“And you should be more careful of the truth,” I snapped.
“No. Your sister should.”
“What does that mean?” I edged closer to him.
“Ask her.”
“You’re deflecting.”
“I don’t have to listen to this.” He flipped the watch at his wrist to eye level. “Shit. I’m supposed to be somewhere.”
“You can’t run away. This isn’t over, you know.”
“Oddly, I do,” he grunted with a grim smile. “You’re relentless.”
I took another step forward and poked the center of his chest. The grumble of my own voice through clenched teeth shocked even me. “You have no idea.”
His gaze snatched down to mine as he took a half step back, trapped against the open door of his fancy car. Tingles of the electricity between us crackled on my skin. My breath quickened.
The dim light of the parking garage played with the angles of his face. The perfection crumbled. A rogue curl of dark hair slipped to his forehead. The arrogant mask he wore fell away revealing confusion, trepidation, and hurt.
He straightened his shoulders, adding to his height as he stared down at me, and sneered. “Is this your plan? You corner me in a parking garage and start touching me and giving me your best siren’s eyes?”
“Siren’s eyes?”
He cackled and lifted his hands up as if touching me might give him some incurable disease. “God, you and your sister are alike. But I’m not my father. I’m not going to let a little horniness make me lose my mind.”
I covered my mouth and mockingly wretched. “Ugh. I’m going to lose my lunch.”
“Really?” He snickered under his breath. “Yes. That’s why you touched me.”
“I was making a point. If you’re horny, that’s your problem.” Still, I stepped away from him. “Just know that I’m not going to let you railroad my sister.”
I spun on my heels and stormed away, not totally sure where I parked or if I was even on the right level of the parking garage, but I didn’t dare risk looking confused. I kept walking to the other side of the elevator. Finally, the screech of his car down the exit ramp pierced through the roar of rushing blood in my ears. I closed my eyes, clenching and unclenching my fists to relax.
If I was going to fight for Kali, I needed to get my emotions under control. Because when they controlled me, that was a disaster.




More about Kris Jayne: Kris Jayne is a devoted writer, reader, and traveler. She spends her days blissfully sweating out the writing process in the Dallas area with her dogs, Otis the Shih Tzu, Rocco the Terrier, and Red the Foxy Mutt. P.S. If you're buying her a gift, she has a penchant for single-malt Scotch and scarves.


Red, White or Blue? Blue
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter? Fall, for sure
Chocolate pudding, cake, pie? Pie! Pie! Pie!
Coffee, Tea, Champagne? All 3. I couldn't possibly choose one.
Country music or Michael Buble? Honestly, neither, but I'll go with Buble for the holidays.
Pencil or Pen? Pen. Weird fact about me: I can't stand the sound of pencil on paper. It makes my teeth hurt.

Find Kisses & Kismet at: BookFind Kris Jayne at:Instagram

Blog: Handbag and Book with Carmen Webster Buxton #favoriteaccessory #handbag #MFRWauthor

Over the years I have found that if I have a large purse, I end up filling it with stuff I don’t need to carry. On the other hand, I can’t get by with one of those tiny bags that are little more than wallets.
This one suits me. It has compartments so I can organize what goes where. It has an interior pocket that just fits my cell phone, and an exterior pocket that just holds my wallet. There’s a built-in clip where I attached a spare house key. The strap is long enough I can wear the purse cross-body, which helps negate the weight of it. The brown color is good—dark enough to go with anything. Also, and this is critical, it’s just big enough to fit my Kindle when I want to bring it with me. Perfect!  ALIEN BONDS is the story of two very different people from two very different species and cultures, a sort of AVATAR combined with PRIDE & PREJUDICE. Industrial chemist Dina Bellaire travels all the way to the planet Wakanreo to advance her career. She knows Wakanreans mate solely from pheromone compatibility, but she doesn’t expect this circumstance to apply to her. Her carefully planned life goes up in flames the second she meets Kuaron Du, a Wakanrean who makes his living singing ancient songs in a dead language. Both of them know they can’t go back to the way they were before they met. They just have to convince the rest of the universe that what happened to them is real. 
More about Carmen Webster Buxton: A voracious reader since childhood, Carmen spent her youth reading every book published by Ursula LeGuin, Robert Heinlein, and Georgette Heyer. As a result, her own books mix far-future worlds, alien cultures, and courting customs. Carmen was born in Hawaii but had a peripatetic childhood, as her father was in the US Navy. Having raised two wonderful children, she now lives in Maryland with her husband and a beagle named Cosmo. 
Answer these questions: Red, White or Blue? Red! I look good in red. Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter? Spring, because it comes just when winter is getting me down. Chocolate pudding, cake, pie? I love pie! Pie comes in so many varieties—fruit, chocolate, pecan. I love them all! Coffee, Tea, Champagne? Coffee, because while I like the others, I can’t live without coffee. Country music or Michael Buble? Neither. I’m stuck in the 70s, musically. Give me John Denver or Simon & Garfunkel. Pencil or Pen? Pen! I do the daily crossword in pen. 
Find ALIEN BONDS at: AmazonFind Carmen Webster Buxton at: Website

Handbag and Book with guest author Laura Haley McNeil - Has her purse seen better days? #favoriteaccessories #shoppingatNeimanMarcus #MFRWauthor

As you look at this picture of my favorite purse, you are probably hoping this purse has seen better days, and you would be right. At the time, I was dating someone who loved to attend plays and musicals at our downtown auditorium and I took advantage of these dates because I loved to dress up. I had a beautiful lace dress and wanted to accessorize it with the perfect shoes, purse and wrap. 
I found this purse at Neiman Marcus and knew this purse would look fabulous with my dress. When I bought the purse, I almost choked at the cost, but I had to own it. Nowadays the cost doesn’t seem like much but at the time it was a fortune. Sadly, the dress suffered a dry cleaner mishap and is long gone, but I’ll never part with this purse. It’s still my favorite though it sits in a box in my closet. 
As the top ranked student at Charleston’s military academy, Preston Lowe excels in class, in sports and with women. Only Willow Dockery, a barmaid at the city’s trendy nightclub, sees the pain in his eyes when he’s out with friends having a good time. But Willow doesn’t know how Preston inwardly struggles to forget a past that could derail the career he’s worked hard to achieve.  Willow wrestles with her own secrets. After a disastrous relationship leaves her broke and disillusioned, she vows never to let anyone rob her of her dreams again. But as she gets to know Preston, it’s as if their tumultuous pasts meld together into something so startling it transforms their relationship and their lives forever. 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? I love everything white, especially weddings. When summer comes, I’m happy to pull out all my white outfits.
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter? I love summer. There’s so much to do outdoors and I love being outside, even if it’s working in the garden or taking a walk. I am planning my summer vacation the day after Christmas.
Chocolate pudding, cake, pie? If it’s chocolate, I’m not that particular, though I have to admit I love a chocolate cake with rich creamy chocolate frosting.
Coffee, Tea, Champagne? If it’s  Starbuck’s macchiato or Frappuccino, then I’d have to say coffee, but  I love a cup of tea on a cold winter’s day.
Country music or Michael Buble? I hadn’t heard of Michael Buble so I looked him up and I’d have say I enjoyed listening to his music. I love easy jazz.
Pencil or Pen? If it has  a thick tip, I’m not particular, but pen does look better on paper. Blue pen looks wonderful.

Find When Love Whispers at: AmazonFind Laura Haley-McNeil at:  Website

Why is Alice Renaud's Handbag Special? #newbook #paranormalromance #MFRWauthor

This bag is special because it’s the one I carried on my wedding day. I needed a bag because wedding dresses don’t usually have pockets. I chose it because it was ivory-coloured, like my dress, and small enough to be fairly unobtrusive on the pictures, yet big enough to hold the essentials – my credit card, tablets in case I got a headache or stomach ache, and keys. I bought it in the same store where I bought my wedding shoes. 
I treasure it, and sometimes, still get it out when I need a small bag in a neutral colour. I had a lovely wedding. Finding someone you love, and who loves you, is the most wonderful thing. All my stories are about finding that special someone, and holding on to them… even if they’re a shape shifting merman or a warlock!


Rob Regor knew that humans were trouble. All the shape-shifting mermen of the Morvann Islands knew it. And human women were double trouble... especially when they were lying on the road in front of a digger. 
Rob has a mission. Go to the mainland. Work as a policeman. Spy on humans. Report back to his father, the head of the Regor Merman Clan. It should be easy. Until he has to arrest Charlie. Rob can’t fight his attraction to the sexy eco-warrior, and it puts him on one hell of a collision course with his family and his Clan. Will he break the rules – or break her heart, and his?
Love ‘em and leave ‘em, that was Charlie’s motto. It had served her well until now. But Rob is different… Can she open up her heart to Rob - when a secret buried in her past surfaces and changes her completely?


More about Alice Renaud: Alice lives in London, UK, with her husband and son. By day, she's a compliance manager for a pharmaceutical company. By night, she writes fantasy romance about shapeshifting mermen, water monsters and time-traveling witches. Her first book, “A Merman’s Choice,” was published in January 2019 by Black Velvet Seductions. It is the first book in a fantasy romance trilogy inspired by the landscapes and legends of Brittany and Wales. The second book, “Music for a Merman,” is on pre-order now. Alice has also written a short story, “The Sweetest Magic of All,” included in the BVS “Mystic Desire” anthology, on pre-order now. 
Alice loves reading and writing stories, and sharing them with anyone who’s interested!

Red, White or Blue? Blue, colour of the summer sky and sea, bluebells, and my husband’s eyes.
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter? The older I get, the more I like spring and summer.
Chocolate pudding, cake, pie? All three
Coffee, Tea, Champagne? I love champagne, but couldn’t live or write without tea.
Country music or Michael Buble? Country music
Pencil or Pen? Pen, though I write on a computer
 
Find Music for a Merman at: Books2Read

Find Alice Renaud at: Facebook 

Aah, Florence! Vacation and of course, A Handbag #newbook #romanticcomedy #shortstories #traveling #souveniers

Aah, Florence! The land of great food, incredible wine and ambiance, and handbags. This summer, Handsome and I cruised the Adriatic Sea. Our journey began in Tuscany in a resort converted from a farmhouse. We moved to Florence after a deluge wiped out electricity and more importantly, flushing the toilets. Our first stop on our adventure was Florence.

Ten years ago, Handsome and I had cruised the Mediterranean. I heard somewhere incredible leather goods were produced in Florence. After the standard old city tour ended, I asked the guide where I could buy handbags. She pointed me to a place across the piazza.

Fast forward to 2019. I KNEW I would have to shop for handbags in Florence. I found the same shop right next to the restaurant where we ate a great meal. The shop was bigger. Nine rooms to pick through. Nirvana! And I bought this  summery rattan one with pink trim: 
Inside are two pouches, perfect for sliding a pair of sunglasses in. And then a large zipper pocket which corrals all the little and important things. The whole bag can be zipped shut. I admit I don't do that. It's a great size. My small needlepoint project and a small water bottle easily fit. Many people have asked if it was made by a famous designer I know and love, but it isn't. 

Sadly, Labor Day has passed and soon, I'll moving be to a more fall-ish one when the weather turns cooler and the leaves change colors.


When you travel, is there something you like to buy to remember the trip? 

Do stories involving travel interest you? Let my Calgon moment take you to  Sommerville days, two of my stories which involve vacation destinations: 
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 yours at:   

A Whole Lotta Years #happyanniversary #thebigday #MFRWauthors

Pop the bubbly as Handsome and I are celebrating our anniversary. (I won't say the number!) We're quietly hanging at home, doing the normal daily things. I'm meeting with a friend after lunch. He's piddling. 

This year has been monumental for us. His mom passed in February. He sold the company in May. We traveled to Europe this summer. And we welcomed our first granddaughter in late August. 

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. When I opened the door on Saturday, 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.

Happy Anniversary, Handsome!

HBW Blog - Time Flies By--right? #happybirthday #mysonisadad #imagrandma #mfrwauthor

Time flies by--right? As a kid, I remember thinking "this takes forever" and counting how many days until the next break. However, once I had children, more milestones came my way and oh boy, did time fly--

School starts...Labor Day...Fall break...Halloween...Thanksgiving...Christmas...New Year's
...School starts...President's day...Spring break...School over...Vacation...School starts

And toss in momentous family days, like birthdays.

Tomorrow, #1son is celebrating a birthday. Every year, I am happy to share this adorable picture of him:

Not only is he celebrating his big day, he can celebrate four week old baby:

Happy birthday, #1 son! This year IS glorious. 

Sommerville days - lazy, a hammock, a cool drink, and a good book. Find your bliss at: Amazon  and KU

Handbags, Books...Whatever - author Barbara White Daille on A Fall or a Winter bag? The Rancher's Family #newbook #heartwarmingstory #MFRWauthor

Thanks to Vicki for inviting me back to the blog to share one of my newest fashion accessories!
My fall/winter go-to bag is usually something in black or brown leather. This year, I decided to go a little wild and pick out something with more color. The one I’ve chosen may not be your cup of tea, but I love it for so many reasons. 
First, it’s versatile, with handles just the right length to use the purse as either a handbag or shoulder bag. Next, it’s made up of two roomy zippered compartments (one front and one back) with an open space between them large enough for storing a paperback or tablet or for carrying a bottle of water, etc. 
And it’s got pockets and more pockets, including two inside sized to hold a cell phone, a pouch pocket on the outside front, and another wide, zippered one on the back. A-a-a-and if those aren’t enough, there are pockets outside on either end of the bag. If you’ve seen some of my previous posts here, you’ll know how much I LOVE that extra storage space! 
How about you? What’s your number-one love when it comes to a handbag?


About The Rancher’s Family: “Are you my new mommy?” She certainly hopes so… After a devastating loss, Cara Leonetti’s dreams of a husband and children are on hold. But Cowboy Creek’s local matchmaker thinks otherwise! And Cara finds herself unexpectedly entangled in the day-to-day family chaos of widower Wes Daniels and his two small children. She’s falling hard, but the strong, silent rancher doesn’t trust in love. Can Cara put her own fears aside and show Wes that they’re stronger together? 
More about Barbara White Daille: Barbara White Daille lives with her husband in the sunny Southwest. Though they love the warm winters and the lizards in their front yard, they haven’t gotten used to the scorpions in the bathroom. Barbara also loves writing, reading, and chocolate. Sign up for her newsletter to keep up with the latest in her writing life: https://barbarawhitedaille.com/newsle....
Red, White or Blue? Red Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter? Spring Chocolate pudding, cake, pie? Yes, please! Coffee, Tea, Champagne? Tea Country music or Michael Buble? Country music Pencil or Pen? Pen 
Find The Rancher’s Family at: AmazonFind Barbara White Daille at: website