Vicki Batman's Blog, page 24

Book and Bag: Vicki Batman and a holiday handbag #WhispersofWinter #holidayanthology #fruitcakehaters

It's holiday time! And yes, I have holiday handbags, some you may have seen before, but maybe it has been a while.

Today, I am featuring a fabric snowy scene handbag made by Margaret Smith. It's approximately 10 x 13 with nice tote handles. The inside lining is satiny and has a small zipper pocket. The bag is extremely light and holds a lot.

Most fabric handbags wear easily if used a lot, and I have used this one. One of the handles is beginning to fray. I'm going to talk to my sister who had handles replaced with leather ones. I think it is an excellent idea. And maybe there are bumpers for the bottom.



Winter may be rolling in, but that doesn’t mean your days and nights must be cold. Before you get snowed in, grab yourself a copy of this limited-edition collection. With heroes and heroines of all kinds, you’ll be sure to find some that you just can’t help but fall in love with. Immerse yourself in this wintery ensemble from Romance Collections.
Find yours at: 
 Amazon  Nook  Kobo  iBooks

Book and Bag: Happy Thanksgiving! #lotsofcooking #turkeyanddressing #familycomingover

Twenty-five people! And tons of fun and food. May your day be thankful.

Book and Bag: Marilyn Baxter - Handbag Must Have #newanthology #contemporaryromance #doglover

I’ve had this handbag for about ten years, and I bought it at a craft fair while I was visiting my sister for a week one summer.  I have handbag standards, and this one met those standards in spades.  A handbag MUST have pockets, and this one has nine.  NINE!  There are pockets on the outside and all around on the inside.  I can be SO organized with this purse.  And it’s a backpack purse too so I can hitch it onto my shoulders and my hands are free.  It’s made of a heavy upholstery-type fabric and there’s hardly a sign of wear on it.  It was pretty much love at first sight and even though it was pretty pricey, it has turned out to be a great investment!
From “Almost a Hero” in the anthology RESCUED - When a hurricane threatens St. Magnus Island, deputy sheriff, Noah Tindall finds Lucy Jansen home alone. She hasn't evacuated along with all the other residents, and the reason - her foster dog is giving birth. Six pups later, Noah convinces Lucy to go to his home on higher ground. No power, a tornado warning, and cramped quarters make for intimacy neither want, but both end up craving. Forever.
 “I can’t force you to leave short of arresting you, putting you in cuffs and throwing you over my shoulder.” He raised a brow as he thought about how much he’d love to let out his inner caveman.
Her expression remained stoic, and while he hadn’t wanted to frighten her, perhaps it was time to make her realize the gravity of the situation.
“Dolly is a category one hurricane right now. And she’s set to make landfall in about seven hours or so right at high tide. That means about ten feet of cold, nasty salt water, maybe more, will come rushing up the beach, across that road and right into this house. And nothing will stop it. At that point you won’t be able get out and the water level will rise to…” He glanced up to note the ceiling height. “This room will be like a giant salt water aquarium, and you’ll be Dory.”
Noah saw the moment the risk finally pinged on her radar. A lone tear spilled down her cheek, and he felt like an ass. But she had to understand the consequences of remaining here.
“Do I have time to pack?” Her voice trembled, and her throat worked as she swallowed. “I need to put a few things into an overnight bag.”
He could give her some time, but not much.
Find RESCUED at: Amazon
Find Marilyn Baxter at: Website

Blog: Happy Release Day for Whispers of Winter, a holiday anthology #fruitcakelovers #romanticcomedy #MFRWauthor

HAPPY RELEASE DAY!!
Whispers of Winter holiday anthology which includes my romantic comedy short story, The Great Fruitcake Bake-off. When five-time champion Samantha Greene teams up with her new neighbor, Dixon Roberts, for The Great Fruitcake Bake-off, they discover baking a prize-winning entry is complicated, bad guys are plotting to take the crown, and first prize isn't just about a ribbon.“I’m not entering this year.” I pinned an unbreakable stare on Bethany, my co-worker and long-time friend who lived in the same apartment complex as me. Standing firm, I crossed my arms. “Period.” We'd arrived early for work and were piddling over coffee in her cubical like we always did before diving into the nuts and bolts of company business. She rolled her eyes in the “I'm so not believing this” fashion and tweaked the Santa garland decorating her cube's walls. “Why not, Samantha? You should be proud to be the five-time winner of The Great Fruitcake Bake-off. You're a-a”--her words trailed off as she searched the ceiling for the ultimate in descriptive--“legend.”          I dropped my arms to twitch my black skirt in place, then I tucked my shoulder-length hair behind my ear. I let loose a long exhale, “Is being a legend in the fruitcake world a good thing?”“What’s your point?” Bethany asked.“Alright already, it's exhausting. Finding the perfect recipe, then bake and exhibit it. The tension comes close to killing my holiday enjoyment. Besides”-–I shoved my finger in her direction—-“shouldn't the love be spread? Shouldn’t somebody else win the Bake-off?”          “Oh, by golly, Sam.” Bethany's hands covered her eyes. A few seconds passed, then she clasped them to her chest, inhaled, and composed her annoyance before saying, “We're talking fruitcake here. It's not groundbreaking like-like the Declaration of Independence. Or the Pyramids.” Find this one and many other great stories at:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GVNX2LZ/

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/whispers-of-winter-nicole-morgan/1129416841?ean=2940161939208/

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/whispers-of-winter-2/

iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/whispers-of-winter/id1441003491?mt=11&fbclid=IwAR0adp-71OzhnmSp40SB-AzIgj8s5B01xgKM5ePnUFgk_dY_dq17AhVY5G8/

Book and Bag - I Adore Red--Did You Know That? #newbook #designerhandbag #MFRWauthors

I adore red--did you know that? LOL. This year when my Annual Fun Day rolled around, I told Handsome no presents. I'd spent a lot on getting my computer fixed when it crashed and felt like that was enough money. And then, I scrolled through eBay and found this cutie:

This Kate Spade is so classy. I stick small things in the front pockets. It has a long strap in case I'm shopping and need both hands. The red leather is pebbly. The tote straps are a little smaller than usual.

Inside, the center is divided with a zipper pocket, leaving two areas on either side. Everything fits, including a fat book I'm reading for Book Club.

Yup, just had to have it and justified by saying it was for Annual Fun Day.

Although handbags aren't the primary focus in The Great Fruitcake Bake-off,  my romantic comedy short story, dessert is! Check out this yummilicious holiday anthology: Find yours at:
Amazon       Nook   Kobo      iBooks

Handbags, Books...Whatever guest author Lynda Rees - A Handbag of a Cheerful Color and her book The Bourbon Trail

This mint green purse is a favorite of mine because it’s a cool, cheerful color, has just enough bling to not be boring, and weighs almost nothing when empty. I hate heavy bags because of my bad shoulders and back.
This one is a charmer.
THE BOURBON TRAIL, BOOK 9 OF THE BLOODLINE SERIES of romantic suspense novels about horse country, rural Kentucky where thoroughbreds and bourbon are essential parts of the culture.
When her wealthy distiller lover is murdered, Eva Roberts and her dad, Tony Rizzo, are suspects. Their possible involvement hinders her daughter, Chloe’s love affair with beau, Deputy Leo Sanders, in charge of the case. The killer hungers for new blood, and looks their way.
 “I tell you, Leo, it was hilarious watching Gavin and Mom together. Immediately taken with her, he vamped into flirt mode. She was impressed and went all sensual and seductive. You should’ve been there. I could hardly keep from laughing aloud. I expected one of them to spread tail feathers and do a mating dance any moment.” Chloe slapped her leg laughing. She and Leo watched over Cy and his friends crawling through a huge maze of brightly colored obstacles and tubes. Loud children’s music piped from the walls, and garlic and onions ruled the air.
“Everyone deserves a chance at love. Eva’s a vital woman. I can imagine her dating a handsome gentleman. It might be good for her. Our parents are people too, you know.”
“I’m all for it. If she’s involved, she has less time for meddling worrying about my love life. I have nothing against her having a fellow. Dad moved on years ago. He’s remarried with twin monsters consuming every free minute of his life.”
Sour rumbling in her gut sprang to life. It always did thinking of Dad and his new, improved family. Everything was about them now. He only had time for the obligatory, occasional, distracted phone conversation with his oldest daughter. Chloe resented being tossed out like yesterday’s child. 
Find The Bourbon Trail, Book 9 of The Bloodline Trail at: Amazon

Find Lynda Rees at: Website

Book and Bag: author Barbara White Daille and #newbook Snowbound with Mr. Wrong #readromance #MFRWauthors

Welcome, Barbara! Hopefully your browser will show this bag close to its true (rose-pink) color. I bought the bag to match a gown I wore to a formal party.
It’s actually smaller than it looks, so it doesn’t hold much. And I’ll confess, now the dress the bag went with is long gone, the color makes it tough to find clothes that go well with it. But isn’t it pretty? And don’t you think that’s worth the challenge? ;)




Worst. Day. Ever. After Lyssa Barnett’s sister tricks her into reprising her role at Snowflake Valley's annual children's party, she doesn’t think anything can be worse than squeezing into her too-small elf costume. Then tall, dark, and way too handsome Nick Tavlock shows up to play Santa…and an unexpected storm leaves them snowbound in the isolated lodge.
Nick turned to Tommy. “Compromise means you have to give and take.”
“I got it!” The little boy thumped his fist against the tabletop. “I give you chicken. And I take dessert.”
Lyssa and Mollie laughed. Brent tried to smother a chuckle.
Nick shook his head as if in irritation, but even he couldn’t hide the half-smile that touched his lips and brightened his eyes.
At the sight, Lyssa swallowed her grin and looked away. She didn’t want to see him happy and smiling. She didn’t want to see him at all.
When they’d dated, she had gotten used to Nick’s excitement about a new project he’d accepted, a takeover bid he’d engineered, a company merger that required delicate negotiations only he could handle. The trouble was, his exhilaration over all those things shut her out.
But, without fail, that smile of his would draw her in again.


Find Snowbound with Mr. Wrong ($.99 all through November!) at: Entangled Books
Find Barbara White Daille at: Website
Barbara, the rose pink is gorgeous!

Book and Bag--er, Where's the Handbag, Vicki? #quilting #holidaygift ##holidayantholog

I had to switch things up a bit this Monday. But no worries as there are many more handbags coming from me and guests. 

Almost three years have gone by since my parents' passed. Recently, my sisters and I met to work on divvying up jewelry, Grandmother's handmade tatting, goodies from a trunk, and family photos. Before we got to work, I gave the third sister a thank you gift. I had embroidered a lap quilt top. Here you go:

I'd found the quilt in a Hershnerr's catalog, thinking it was pre-quilted--which I love. However, when I got it, I realized my mistake. I did one and asked my sister to have it quilted for me. She had coordinated having several other quilts which were done to perfection. 

But how to thank her? I knew. Make her one too. 

I gave her another top I'd recently embroidered, and she was so excited. The reindeer is stitched in white holiday words, a lime green sash, white snowflakes, pink nose and cheek. 

I didn't care for the thread in the kit; it was coarse. I bought new floss at my neighborhood Joann's, using two strands which I ran through a thread conditioner. 

My sister will pick out a backing and binding. Maybe she will add wide lime green rickrack around the edge for a neat contrast. I added beads on the snowflakes to mine. Whatever she does, I truly appreciate her helping me and that's what sisters do.


Winter may be rolling in, but that doesn’t mean your days and nights must be cold. Immerse yourself in this wintery ensemble from Romance Collections. Preorder at Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GVNX2LZ/

Book and Bag: Marcia James, author and extrovert #designerhandbag #readromance #servicedog

I’m an author and an extrovert, so I wanted a handbag that was both functional and a conversation-starter. I found this black backpack purse on sale at a resale shop. The bag is large enough to carry swag and other things I need for reader events and conferences, but also light and comfortable to wear. I enjoyed “blinging” it with my canine logo, Smokey, and my website URL. I included a dog-theme because my contemporary romances feature dogs. Why did I turn my bag into a craft project? Because authors are always standing in lines at these events from the buffet to the ladies room. This purse on my back is an ice-breaker for the shyer attendees standing behind me in line. I’ve met so many people that way. And once a conversation is started, I can retrieve swag from this purse and hand it out. I have prettier and more expensive handbags, but this one is my author favorite!

Stock car legend, Tom "Torque" Tyler, faces a bleak future following a traumatic head injury and seizures. Determined to drag her high-school crush from his self-imposed solitude, service dog trainer, Meg Klein, and a tiny but talented seizure response dog bring Tom hope and love.
Meg stepped closer. "Would it ruin dinner if we waited before eating?"
               His expression curious, Tom turned off the sauce. "No. Would you like some wine?"
               This was the moment of truth. "All I want is you." Meg flattened her hands on his chest and stood on her toes to press her mouth to his.
               She'd surprised him, and it took a heart-stopping second for Tom to respond. But then he tugged her against him and deepened the kiss. Her heart stuttered, then raced. Their tongues warred and explored, his taste a rich, savory mix of male and Italian spices.
Tom raised his head, his eyes darkly shining. "Are you sure? I don’t want you to have regrets?"
               "I'll only regret it if we stop." She loved that he was worried about her...and maybe she would have misgivings in the morning. But for once in her life she’d live in the here-and-now. She met his heated gaze. "I know you're not in Jenkins to stay, so let's not waste the time we have together." Meg circled his neck with her arms, pulled his head down to hers again, and poured every bit of her passion and love into the kiss.


Find Racing Hearts at: Amazon
Find Marcia James at: Website

Blog: Book and Bag with author Angela Drake Wanting Something For Years and a New Book #holidaybook #readromance #MFRWauthor

I have wanted a Michael Kors bag for years, though I couldn’t justify the price.
Last year I spotted this little jewel in a Marshall’s at a price I was willing to pay.
Happy Birthday to me!
From the moment he sees Stephanie across the crowded restaurant, Brendan Keane knows he has to have her… and does. Unaware that four years later, their lives would take different paths and Stephanie will marry someone else.
After the murder of her husband, Stephanie Douglas takes her two children and moves to the Ozarks, carrying with her a secret she’s harbored for ten years.
When Stephanie’s company, ’Planned to Perfection’, is called upon to plan his daughter’s wedding, Brendan’s back in her life.  And this time Stephanie fears she won’t be able to tell him good-bye.
            “May I join you?”
            So much for wishes. Her heart felt as if a beat had skipped then fluttered back to life. She knew without looking the voice belonged to Brendan Keane – entertainer, playboy and thief. Focusing on her wish, she hadn’t heard him open nor close the ballroom door as he came outside.
            Glancing to her left she could see the tall, strong frame of the man she couldn’t forget. The man who had stolen her heart so long ago.
            “Of course.” She struggled to keep her voice even. She wanted to tell him to go away. Not just from the hotel but from the close-knit community she called home. She hadn’t wanted him here from the beginning but her ultimate goal for the event to be a success over-ruled. This fundraiser would insure that every child in Eureka Springs and the surrounding area would receive a visit from Santa Claus. Being the biggest draw in the music business, Brendan Keane would make that possible. The fact he had volunteered to perform was a big boost to the benefit’s bottom line.
            “I’m sorry if I intruded.”
            An apology? In all their time together she’d never heard him apologize for anything – and he’d had plenty of occasions.
            “Not at all. I need to go back in anyway.” She hated that her voice shook. His mere presence shouldn’t be affecting her.
Find AN OZARKS CHRISTMAS at Amazon
Find Angela Drake at  Website