Vicki Batman's Blog, page 19

Blog: More of the Dior Journey and #newbook #heartwarmingromance #romanticcomedy #MFRWauthor

Today, I continue the Dior journey. We pick up as time has marched forward and silhouettes have changed again. First up, a beautiful red and gold embroidered dress with a matching hat:

Definitely, I'd feel like a princess when wearing this one.
Another collection sample:
This one section is a slice of the exhibit. There was a blue, gold, and green one as well. I'm showing pink because I love pink!
Next up, this loverly flowery creation comes from an exhibit of seven flowery creations. I was quite captivated by a video which highlighted an artisan making fabric flowers for garments. I picked my favorite to share:

And finally, as the beginning was staged to our left, when we exited, we encountered one on our left, examples of suits. 

Here's what a few reviewers are saying about Sommerville days:
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. 

Begin your relaxation at: Amazon & KU

Blog: House of Dior Exhibit and #newbook #boymeetsgirl #lazydaysreading #MFRWauthor

Dior. The fashion. The dresses. The ooh-la-la. 

Not long ago, I went to the exhibit at our acclaimed art museum. In college I studied Clothing & Textiles. We studied the designers too. Dior was known for the fuller shape of his dresses which came after WW2. The wartime restrictions had been lifted and called for a new silhouette, a "new look."

Over the next few weeks, I'll be sharing photos from the exhibit. I hope you enjoy all the exquisiteness. 

The exhibit dramatically opened with the black dresses on the red state.














Isn't this gold poofy dress a beauty?


I love the striped skirt, the fabric of the red in the back, and the texture of the white one.
  The pearls draping down the back is so breath-taking.  I would wear it.


 Where all designs begin-muslin.
 Again, marvelous red.


Another marvelous creation: Sommerville days. Days of lazy swinging in a hammock with a good book and a favorite drink. Find your indulgence at: Amazon & KU

What's old is new? What's new? #vintagehandbag #boymeetsgirl #smalltownromance #MFRWauthor

I love Margaret Smith of Maine handbags. I have several, too. A while back, I had to let go of one I absolutely love. I loved it because it was red, lot of red flowers. There were way too many worn out edges. Not a problem, I thought. 

I was wrong. 

I kept hoping another exact red one would magically appear on ETSY or eBAY. Nope, not a thing. 

Rather disheartening. And then this baby showed:


You can see why I love this new handbag. Lots of vibrant colors. A super great size. Extremely light weight. A small zipper pocket on the inside. 

And as for what's new?

It's a new book! Sommerville days...  Love blossoms in the small town of Sommerville in these heartwarming tales, filled with fun and forever possibilities.



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?


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


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?
Immerse yourself in this book at: Amazon & KU

The New Addition AND Edition! #newbaby #newbook #romanticcomedy #readingonvacation

Maybe by the time you read this, our new granddaughter will be born. My daughter in law looks ready to pop and at her last check-up, the doctor said the baby will most likely come before her due date.

There's something special when the children you raise have children of their own. I can see how happy and excited #1son is. He is so ready. And thanks to changing times, he will be able to be home with her for a bit. I want to see him give her a bath, read to her, give her a kiss, hold her hand, see her run to him.

I want her to know and love Handsome and me. That she will think we are the cat's meow. LOL. That she will always know we have been there for her. That we can pass on a bit of knowledge and she will appreciate it.

I also have a new book. Sommerville days are three stories, featuring sassy heroines. Here's a bit:

Isn't the cover fabulous?

Love blossoms in the small town of Sommerville in these heartwarming tales, filled with fun and forever possibilities.
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?
Raving Beauty: What if the love of your life was in front of you all along?
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?

And from a favorite story, "Raving Beauty," (the end made my sister cry):
            "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."


FYI: "Raving Beauty" comes from an incident where I was a beauty contestant. Fortunately, what happened to our sassy heroine didn't happen to me.


Find yours at: Amazon

Who loves her handbag? Caroline Clemmons! and a #newbook Orphan Train Brides #MFRWuthor #readwesternromance #handbaglover

I love this handbag for more reasons than that it’s large enough for all my “stuff”. I found it at a local antique mall where my daughter and I had gone to have high tea at the tea room. A handbag display just outside the tea room caught our attention and we each chose a handbag we liked. Now when I carry it, I remember the pleasant experience associated with buying it. 
Another thing I like is that it’s a neutral color which goes with everything. I had considered buying a larger handbag for some time. I carry my Kindle tablet with me quite often and wanted the ability to store the tablet in the bag. I lost a Kindle and don’t want that to happen again. This handbag has pockets inside so I can keep the things I need at my fingertips. 


Become a bride or lose her children! Merry and Polly Bird jump at the opportunity when they’re asked to help with recording who took which children from the orphan train. Determined to liberate five quirky, ragtag orphans not likely to be adopted by caring people, the sisters vow the children will not end up as they had fourteen years ago. Back then, Merry and Polly and the two boys adopted with them from that orphan train worked as slaves and suffered in ragged clothes, horrible living conditions, and with meager unappetizing food. Mary and Polly’s children love their new home and family at the sisters’ Mockingbird boarding house. The rescue appears to have been a great success—until the supervisor from the Children’s Protection Society arrives. Single women are not allowed to adopt. Merry and Polly each has five days to find a suitable husband who won’t steal her share of the boarding house. Two award winning authors conspired to bring readers these two heartwarming stories, A Family For Merry by Caroline Clemmons and A Family For Polly by Jacquie Rogers in the sweet duet, Orphan Train Brides. In addition to Orphan Train Brides, the authors have in their future projects a duet about the two brothers, Bart and Newton Bird. 
More about Caroline Clemmons: Through a crazy twist of fate, Caroline Clemmons was not born on a Texas ranch. To compensate for this illogical error, she writes about handsome cowboys, feisty ranch women, and scheming villains in a tiny office her family calls her pink cave. She and her Hero live in North Central Texas cowboy country where they ride herd on their dog and three rescued indoor cats as well as providing nourishment outdoors for squirrels, birds, and other critters. 
The over fifty books she’s created in her pink cave have made her an Amazon bestselling author and won several awards. She writes sweet to sensual romances about the West, both historical and contemporary as well as time travel and mystery. Her series include the Kincaids, McClintocks, Stone Mountain Texas, Bride Brigade, Texas Time Travel, Texas Caprock Tales, Loving A Rancher, and Pearson Grove as well as numerous single titles and contributions to multi-author sets. When she’s not writing, she loves spending time with her family, reading her friends’ books, lunching with friends, browsing antique malls, checking Facebook, and taking the occasional nap.
Answer these questions: Red, White or Blue? Blue has always been my favorite color Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter? Fall—cooler weather and looking forward to the holidays Chocolate pudding, cake, pie? Pie—pecan, coconut meringue, or chocolate meringue Coffee, Tea, Champagne? Tea, hot tea for breakfast and iced tea for other meals Country music or Michael Buble? Neither—Easy listening or classical Pencil or Pen? Pen—I usually have half a dozen on my desk. 
Find ORPHAN TRAIN BRIDES at: AmazonFind Caroline Clemmons at: website

Handbag and Bag: Linda Nightingale-Her handbag has a long story and her #newbook #vampireromance #classicalpianist #readromance

My handbag has a long story.
Put briefly, I rescued it on eBay from a woman who didn’t love it at a ridiculously low price. It’s a Michael Kors.
The Buy It Now price was $125, but it was up for auction beginning at $19.95, plus shipping. I bid the starting bid, never dreaming I’d get a MK handbag she said had only been carried once.  I did! So, for $36 I got an almost new Michael Kors handbag. 



Morgan D’Arcy is an English lord, a classical pianist…and a vampire.  He has everything except what he desires most—Isabeau. Many forces oppose Morgan’s daring plan to sire a child with Isabeau—not the least of which is Vampyre law. For the first time in eternity, the clock is ticking. 

More about Linda Nightingale: Linda is grateful to have lived an interesting life—from breeding and showing Andalusian horses to working for a Circuit Judge—and won some prestigious awards for her writing. Find out more about her on her website and various social media, and she’d love to hear from you. 
Red, White or Blue? Red Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter? Spring Chocolate pudding, cake, pie? Chocolate pudding Coffee, Tea, Champagne? Champagne Country music or Michael Buble?   Who is Michael Buble? Pencil or Pen? Pen 
Find Sinner's Opera at: AmazonFind Linda Nightingale at: Web Site – Visit and look around. There’s a free continuing vampire story. 

Book and Bag: #guestauthor Alice Renaud - A pretty present #MFRWauthor #readromance #paranormalromance

This pretty clutch is a present from my niece. She picked it for me in Paris, where she lives and studies art. She’s an artist, and ridiculously talented. She did this drawing for my son when she was just 11! She’s all grown up now and produces lovely pictures. My secret ambition is to get her one day to illustrate one of my books.
 I think this bag is very Parisian. It remind me of when I was a student, hanging around the Latin Quarter, eating macaroons on the banks of the Seine, and listening to street musicians on the Place des Vosges. I love London, where I live now, but I quite enjoy carrying a bit of Paris with me when I go out. 

 
For centuries the shape-shifting mermen of the Morvann Islands have lived incognito among humans. But one of them, Yann, has developed some bad habits. Like rescuing humans, even when doing so risks revealing his true nature. When he fishes Alex out of the sea, he doesn’t expect her to reappear eight months later, and turn his life upside down by asking him to be her guide. Alex is determined to fulfil a promise to her dying grandmother, by gathering pictures and stories of the Morvanns. But she soon discovers that, on these remote Welsh islands, legends have a habit of becoming true! 
Over the course of a few days, Yann and Alex grow close. But some mermen hate humans. Their hostility, and Yann’s secret, threaten to tear the couple apart just as they are discovering that they are soul mates. Can Yann overcome the obstacles in his path and make the right choice? 
More about Alice Renaud: Alice was born and brought up in Brittany, Western France, her father was French and her mother British (from Wales). She moved to London, UK, in 1997, where she lives with her husband and son. She works full time as a compliance specialist in a pharmaceutical company and writes fantasy romance in her spare time. Her novella “A Merman’s Choice,” was published in January this year by Black Velvet Seductions. It is the first book in a trilogy inspired by the landscapes and legends of Brittany and Wales. The second book, “Music for a Merman,” will be out later this year. She’s also written a short story, “The Sweetest Magic of All,” that will appear in the BVS anthology “Mystic Desire,” due this fall (autumn). It’s about a sexy apprentice witch and a hot time-travelling warlock who go in search of a magical amulet... and find more than they bargained for! 
Red, White or Blue? Blue, the colour of the sea. Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter? When I was young, I liked Fall, but the older I get, the more I like Spring and Summer. Chocolate pudding, cake, pie? All three! Coffee, Tea, Champagne? I had to stop drinking coffee as it gave me palpitations. I drink a lot of tea and couldn’t get through a day without it, but I also adore champagne. Any alcohol with bubbles will do – Prosecco, Cava, sparkling wine… Country music or Michael Buble? Country Music. I love Johnny Cash. Pencil or Pen? Pen
Find A Merman’s Choice at: VendorFind Alice Renaud at: Facebook

Blog: Have You Ever Wished You Could? #cutemeet #lightheartedromance #MFRWauthor

Have you ever wished you could do something but were too embarrassed to do so? Or to shy? Or worried about what others would think?
I grew up a shy girl. I know that might contradict with what you know about me now. I love meeting new people and doing fun things. And as for embarrassing myself? Well, the likelihood of meeting those folks again is zilch.
I have always had in the background these wishes— I wish I could draw/paint (and I don’t mean the walls of the house. I can do that). I’ve never had an art lesson. The closest I ever came was a wine and paint class. I didn’t do badly because the instructor gave great directions. And now, I’m happy expressing myself through stitching embroidery and needlepoint. So maybe I'm okay with not learning how right now.
I wish I could dance. All I wanted in high school was to be a member of the dance team. But there was one drawback-I’d never had a dance lesson. I tried out my sophomore year and didn’t make it. In my junior year, I decided to be a manager based on the prior year.  I worked out with the other girls and could do what they did. So why didn’t I try? The teacher agreed to let me. I high-kicked my way perfectly. But jazz dance? That’s where no training showed. The teacher must have known how much I wanted to be a dance team member. She told me I’d have to work extra hard (which I did). And as a married woman, I found Jazzercise and have been happily dancing ever since.
I wish I could write. Ever since I read Dick Francis’ mysteries, I had the urge to write. But I had no guts. I knew deep inside I couldn’t take the rejection. After a friend pushed me to try, I felt more comfortable in my writing shoes. I worked and worked and joined Romance Writers of America and the local chapter. There I made friends and honed my craft. I had the rejections, but I’d learned how to handle that and plowed on. I’m glad I did. I’ve learned so much and grown immensely.
I know many of you have had “I wishes.” Is it too late? What would you do?

Creativity abounds in this fun, light-hearted, cute-meet collection:

Find yours at: 
 Amazon    Print     Nook   Other

Book and Bag with #guestauthor Sadira Stone - Not much of a Fashionista? #averagejoe #mfrwauthor

I’m not much of a fashionista, especially when it comes to purses. I bought this one at Macy’s during a summer visit to the U.S. (Until ’14, I worked as a teacher in Germany and could only visit during the summer.) It was the color that drew my eye. Anything on the teal-to-turquoise spectrum makes me happy. Right now, my toenails are painted the same color as this purse. 
I’m hard on purses, so the dye has worn away on the bottom. I like to keep my hands free when I’m out and about, so a cross-body strap is a must. This one has many pockets, perfect for losing my keys and phone. But all the zippers work, so at least the mess stays contained when I toss it into the back seat of my car. 




She hates average...he's as average as they come. 
High school history teacher Doug Garvey is trying to enjoy his last few weeks of summer vacation, but receiving his final divorce decree hits him harder than expected. After a brief fling fizzles, he fears love just isn't in the cards for him. If only he could find someone who's real, someone interested in something beyond herself…maybe a new running partner who can keep up with his more carnal appetite. When sexy, straight-talking Laurel runs across his path, he dares to hope again. 
He's done with social-climbing posers...she's ambitious and has big dreams. 
Fired from an art gallery, Laurel Jepsen shelves her pursuit of an art career in San Francisco to help her beloved great aunt Maxie move into assisted living. While out on a morning run, she's harassed by a group of teens until a tall, broad-shouldered hottie steps in, pretending to be her boyfriend with a kiss that makes her wish it were true. But she's only passing through, not looking for a relationship. 
Their fierce chemistry burns up the sheets—and the couch, the shower, the forest—but falling in love would ruin everything. Laurel can't stay in Eugene, and he can't leave. Doug's only hope is to convince her the glittery life she's after could blind her to the opportunities already in her path. 
More about Sadira Stone: Ever since her first kiss, Sadira’s been spinning steamy tales in her head. After leaving her teaching career in Germany, she finally tried her hand at writing one. Now she’s a happy citizen of Romancelandia, penning contemporary romance and cozy mysteries from her home in Washington State. When not writing, which is seldom, she explores the Pacific Northwest with her charming husband, enjoys the local music scene, belly dances, plays guitar badly, and gobbles all the books. 
Answer these questions: Red, White or Blue? Blue Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter? Early Fall, with crisp temperatures, clear skies, and the first golden blush of change on the leaves. Chocolate pudding, cake, pie? Berry pie, please. Or apple with cheddar cheese. Coffee, Tea, Champagne? Coffee. Lots of coffee. How does anyone write without it? Country music or Michael Buble? Sorry, neither. I’m a blues girl. Pencil or Pen? Colored pens, especially green 
Find Runaway Love Story at: Preorder AmazonFind Sadira Stone at: Website

Book and Bag with #guestauthor Kerry Blaisdell - I Found A Bag! #MFRWauthor #readromance

Weirdly, I found this bag at either Office Depot or OfficeMax (when they were still actually separate stores), in a sale/clearance bin. I had just finished the first draft of DEBRIEFING THE DEAD (the first book in my Dead Series, before WAKING THE DEAD), and as soon as I saw all the skulls, I *had* to have it! It’s not really a “handbag,” obviously - more of a messenger/work bag. Being a teacher, I have a lot of stuff to tote back and forth, so what I tend to do is buy bigger work bags, and smaller purses, which I then tuck inside the work bag, so I fool myself into believing I’m only carrying “one” thing. That weighs a ton, but what the hey!
It’s really roomy inside, with a few choice interior pockets that are about the size of a Kindle or small iPad, which I like. Simple. If a bag has too many pockets, it drives me nuts, trying to remember where everything is. But the downside is I have to have a pouch for small things, like writing utensils, sticky notes, snacks, etc.
The other down side to this bag is the flap. Believe it or not, I’m so pressed for time most days that having to lift the flap to get inside (as opposed to pulling a zipper, or just having the bag open at the top all the time) can be quite annoying. But I still love this bag, so I’ve kept it, and use it as a travel bag for short trips, or a carryon if I’m flying.

Hyacinth always assumed dying would simplify her life. But when her new boss, Archangel Michael, sends her on her first official mission—to retrieve a powerful rock from a collector in Germany—things go downhill fast. For one thing, the Dead keep popping up, expecting her to guide them to the Afterlife. For another, her part-demon nephew Geordi’s powers are starting to leak out, at age seven. What if Michael finds out about him? Worse, what if Satan does? Then there’s her love life-after-death. Rooming with a dead French cop no one else can see is complicated enough. But when Jason, Geordi’s lying Dioguardi Demon cousin, resurrects himself—so to speak—all Hell breaks loose. Literally. Can Hyacinth get Michael’s rock back before Satan steals its powers and breaks free of his prison? Or will her single-minded pursuit put those she loves—and the rest of the world—in the path of Satan’s fury?
More about Kerry Blaisdell: Kerry Blaisdell is the award-winning author of The Dead Series, including RITA®-nominated DEBRIEFING THE DEAD (Book One) and WAKING THE DEAD (Book Two). Kerry was born in Vancouver, B.C., and has since lived all over the West Coast of North America, including California, Oregon, Washington and Alaska—everywhere except Mexico! She’s a “computer industry” brat, not a military one, but moving so frequently meant she spent a lot of time reading and later, writing. She has a degree in Comparative Literature from U.C. Berkeley, and a Master’s in Teaching English and Mathematics from the University of Portland. She currently lives in the gorgeous Pacific Northwest with her husband, two quasi-adult “kids”, assorted cats and dogs, and more hot pepper plants than anyone could reasonably consume.


Red, White or Blue? Red  ;)
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter? Summer - I’m a teacher, so, duh.  :)  But season-wise, I love all four - seriously, I couldn’t pick just one. 
Chocolate pudding, cake, pie? Most of the time fruit pie, but I do love a good chocolate cake/cupcake!
Coffee, Tea, Champagne? Coffee (especially hot or iced lattes) and tea (in the warmer months, I live off of iced tea - yum!). At dinner, I like a nice Pinot Gris/Grigio, or a Sauvignon Blanc.
Country music or Michael Buble? If those are my only two choices, Country. Which I do actually like, I just don’t listen to it as much as I used to. Mostly now I listen to audiobooks in the car, or one of my random Google playlists that have an eclectic mix of all genres on them. Not unlike my books…. LOL! 
Pencil or Pen? Depends on the purpose. I’m a math teacher, so I love me a good mechanical pencil. But for other uses, flare pens are my favorite, or a nice ballpoint.


Find WAKING THE DEAD at: Vendor
Find Kerry Blaisdell at: Website