Vicki Batman's Blog, page 25

Blog: Quilting Magic with Ties #holidayanthology #crafting #readromance

A lot of you know I call my husband Handsome. When we first married, he gave me a card signed with Handsome Husband. I shortened it. (And Handsome is a pretty nice looking guy. )I grew up when working men wore suits to their job and to church, to shows, etc. I like the look. Handsome’s career began at a large accounting firm and he wore the “uniform” too. He especially liked ties and for a long time, never threw any away.An employee at his company makes quilts. After a chat, he decided to have one made into a quilt. Take a look:
He had her put on the back his philosophy about ties: 










The good news is he culled through his ties again and had a second quilt made, and a third one: 


Here’s the sash detail and labels:
Some people are soooo creative. Creativity abounds in this holiday anthology, the Whispers of Winter, featuring my romantic comedy short story, The Great Fruitcake Bake-off: 
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/

Book and Bag: #author Liese Sherwood-Fabre #readromance #shortstories #MFRWauthor

This handbag was a Christmas present from my husband. He is Mexican and has been traveling between Mexico and the US for business the past few years.
While not well-known in the US, the maker, Tous, originated in Spain in 1920. Originally watchmakers, the family-owned business expanded to jewelry, handbags, and other accessories; and it has an international celebrity following, including Gwyneth Paltrow. I get compliments constantly on it because of its unique design, and I’m proud to share my husband has great taste.





Love can bloom in infinite ways.


Virtual Harmony and Other Short, Sweet Romances shares eleven tales of love through cute meets to taking friendship to the next level to rekindling a marriage. Feelings can be sparked by an errant computer file, a hunt for diamonds, or even a fortune teller's tale. All that is needed is to open one's heart to let them in. Search, find, and deepen love along the way in these sweet romances.




I slumped into an empty chair at the coffee bar around the corner from my apartment. I was ending this foolishness. Now. For two weeks I’d been on a wild goose chase and gotten nowhere.


Time to give up. 


It’d all started innocently enough. After plugging in my new MP3 player, and booting up my computer to download my playlist, my finger froze just above the mouse. An unfamiliar file folder appeared along with the others: "George's Songs."


Who was George, and how did he get on my computer?


Having moved into the neighborhood less than a month ago, I didn’t know anyone in the area, and no one had access to my computer. Another new icon appeared at the bottom of my screen and blinked on and off. My new wireless system was working. I returned my gaze to the “George’s Songs” icon. Somehow, my computer's system had picked up this George’s file and downloaded it to my machine.


Curiosity won out over caution, and without thinking twice, I opened the file to check out his playlist. Almost the entire list of songs I’d planned to download onto my MP3 player were already in George’s.
           
Whoever he was, George had good tastes.


Find Virtual Harmony and Other Short, Sweet Romances on Amazon.
Find Liese Sherwood-Fabre at: Website

Handbags, Books...Whatever guest author Lynda Rees - The Essential Handbag and her book, Real Money

This tan purse is a favorite because it’s small but holds all my essentials.


It’s great for traveling and when I need to downsize because of my bad shoulders and back. That explains it’s much-loved appearance. REAL MONEY, BOOK 8 OF THE BLOODLINE SERIES of romantic suspense novels about horse country, rural Kentucky.Realtor, Chloe Roberts moves home to Sweetwater starting over after her fiancé’s disappearance. She’s pursued by a married ex-boyfriend and a billionaire tycoon, stalked by her ex’s volatile wife, falls for a loveable deputy, discovers a murder victim, learns her family tree has a rotten branch miraculously still living, and becomes the next target for the assassin.
 “I look forward to settling down enjoying a home of my own.” Vulnerability in his thick, strong voice added a special charm she hadn’t witnessed before. He wasn’t all business, after all. He was putting his heart into this decision. Her experience helping people find the perfect location was the best part of her job. She was glad to do it for Tray and his partner, confidant his offer would work out.“Thank you for dinner.” She bit into the thick, juicy burger and dipped a rippled, crispy fry in a bowl of ketchup. “You’re welcome. I get tired of business dinners with rubber chicken, steak houses or takeout at home.”“Don’t you or your partner cook? You gave merely a cursory glance through the kitchens of both houses.”He acted perplexed. “I enjoy cooking when I have an afternoon to indulge in it, but I work so much I rarely have the luxury. I think my partner cooks. I’m not sure. I’ll have to ask.”She cocked her head. “Oh, have you been together a short while?”“Five years. It never came up. We rarely discuss such things.”That seemed odd. “He doesn’t live with you?”
 Find Real Money at: Amazon Find Lynda Rees at: Website

Book and Bag: Who Are You? #ancestrydna #readromance #relatives

Last year for Christmas, #1son and wife gave Handsome and me Ancestry tests. I stuck mine on my desk and finally sent it in a few weeks ago. A confirmation e-mail came and I began filling in a family tree. All of the sudden pictures and records of various family members began popping up. 

One picture was of my grandmother with her five sisters. They all had on white shirts with a pin at the throat. Their hair in topknots. What I love about the picture is their names are written on the back. All of their names began with "L," Lannie, Letha, Lottie, Lela, Lou, and Lillie--my grandmother who went by a shortened version of her middle name, Josie. My mom's middle is Lorene. I like how my mom gave my sisters and I "L" middle names: Lea, Louise, Lynn, Lynette. 

The photo is printed on a postcard, taken at a studio in a small town near where they were raised. There is a backdrop of painted panels and the name of the photographer is embossed in a corner. When visiting my mom several years ago, we went through a box which had belonged to her uncle who had lived with my grandmother. That picture was in his box. Mom gave it to me. 
I am not seeing much resemblance between them. The lady on the top, middle looks happy. The lady bottom, middle looks stern. 

I've done author interviews where I've been asked which famous person would I like to eat with. I always say my grandmother. She was kind, giving. Everyone who visited her went home with something like her handmade tatting or a piece of cake, a plant.

I attended community college about fifteen minutes from her house. One semester I had three hours between classes. I bought hamburgers for us and visited with her. And was I happy she lived to meet my sons. Just writing this little bit about her makes me teary. 
What holiday cake did Grandmother bake? Check out The Great Fruitcake Bake-off, my romantic comedy short story featured in the Whispers of Winter holiday anthology.

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/

Blog: Magical Art - Works by Garth Williams #LittleGoldenBooks #LittleHouseonthePrairie #childhoodbooks

Recently, I went to an art exhibit for Garth Williams. I didn't know anything about him until I read his bio. Garth Williams did illustrations for Little Golden Books, Little House on the Prairie books, and Charlotte's Web.

Cha-ching! I had read all of the Little House books multiple times when I was a kid, many Little Golden Books, and Charlotte's Web. 

Mr. Williams created works for fifty years. Born in 1912 in New York City to British parents who were also artists, he studied portrait painting and sculpture until World War 2. After, he returned to New York and began to work on Stuart Little by E. B. Webb. And with that, his profession was sealed.

Eighty works later, we can see why his work was so outstanding.

Here's Little House on the Prairie covers: 
 A pen and ink from Charlotte's Web:  Mr. Williams took a flyer for a new publishing opportunity-colorful picture books in large quantities and set at an affordable price point, making books affordable for all. Mr. Williams liked this opportunity as it gave him the chance to work without cost restrictions on color. He collaborated with Margaret Wise Brown. 


I was entranced by the drawing. The colors were vibrant. How a shade of pink played with another of blue.

Here's other fabulous pix:
















Another great cover is the one for the Whispers of Winter holiday anthology which includes my romantic comedy short story, The Great Fruitcake Bake-off. Find your colorful fun at: 

Amazon      Nook      Kobo

Book and Bag: Mustard isn't just a Condiment and #newbook Whispers of Winter, a #holiday #anthology

Why buy that handbag? I'm asked this question a lot--besides the one about how many handbags do you have? LOL. I do have several in black, or by collection, for example, Enid Collins, Margaret Smith, Hobo.

When I looked at what I have, there are obvious colors missing, specifically yellow. So I turned to my favorite ETSY to shop and found this gorgeous mustard colored one. But...

It had belonged to a smoker or stored in a smoking place-whatever. I felt I couldn't use it at all. I'm not one to waste my dollars; so I turned to Google and searched to tips to removed the smell. I stuffed it full of laundry dryer sheets and sealed it in a very large zip lock bag. For two months!! Seemed like a long time; however, it was no use to me as it was.

Lo and behold, the smell went away.

I hadn't carried it much because it is a little large and heavy (all that leather!). Great for sticking extra things like water, needlepoint, or a book. I stuck it back on a shelf until a couple of weeks ago. The color appealed to me in a fall way; decision? Carry.

I've had compliments galore from strangers. Who knew?

Like I said, it is roomy. In the middle is a zippered pocket and another stitched in the side. There is a crossbody strap, too. The label has a name, but I can't read what's there. It does say "Made in Italy."

Do you switch your bag for different seasons?


The holiday season is creeping in. Don't you want a great book to cuddle with? Try the holiday anthology, Whispers of Winter, which includes my holiday story, The Great Fruitcake Bake-off: Find yours at:
Amazon       Barnes and Noble      Kobo

Book and Bag: Why Buy That Handbag? and #newbook Whispers of Winter, a #holiday #anthology

Why buy that handbag? I'm asked this question a lot--besides the one about how many handbags do you have? LOL. I do have several in black, or by collection, for example, Enid Collins, Margaret Smith, Hobo.

When I looked at what I have, there are obvious colors missing, specifically yellow. So I turned to my favorite ETSY to shop and found this gorgeous mustard colored one. But...

It had belonged to a smoker or stored in a smoking place-whatever. I felt I couldn't use it at all. I'm not one to waste my dollars; so I turned to Google and searched to tips to removed the smell. I stuffed it full of laundry dryer sheets and sealed it in a very large zip lock bag. For two months!! Seemed like a long time; however, it was no use to me as it was.

Lo and behold, the smell went away.

I hadn't carried it much because it is a little large and heavy (all that leather!). Great for sticking extra things like water, needlepoint, or a book. I stuck it back on a shelf until a couple of weeks ago. The color appealed to me in a fall way; decision? Carry.

I've had compliments galore from strangers. Who knew?

Like I said, it is roomy. In the middle is a zippered pocket and another stitched in the side. There is a crossbody strap, too. The label has a name, but I can't read what's there. It does say "Made in Italy."

Do you switch your bag for different seasons?


The holiday season is creeping in. Don't you want a great book to cuddle with? Try the holiday anthology, Whispers of Winter, which includes my holiday story, The Great Fruitcake Bake-off: Find yours at:
Amazon       Barnes and Noble      Kobo

Guest author Judy Penz Sheluk - Drop Dead Gorgeous Handbag & new book Past & Present #mystery #designerhandbag

I’m the Senior Editor for New England Antiques Journal (http://www.antiquesjournal.com) and in that role I not only assign and write editorial pieces, I receive a lot of press releases—everything from upcoming show news to auction action. It’s the latter category that brings me to share this drop-dead gorgeous Judith Leiber full bead, blue crystal Blue Jay miniaudieré. At the time I wrote this post, it was available for sale by Heritage Auctions for $3,100. Too much for my meager budget right now, but maybe Past & Present will be a New York Times bestseller. Here’s looking at you, handbag and book lovers…
Photos used with permission of Heritage Auctions, http://www.ha.com. Sometimes the past reaches out to the present...

It’s been thirteen months since Calamity (Callie) Barnstable inherited a house in Marketville under the condition that she search for the person who murdered her mother thirty years earlier. She solves the mystery, but what next? Unemployment? Another nine-to-five job in Toronto? Callie decides to set down roots in Marketville, take the skills and knowledge she acquired over the past year, and start her own business: Past & Present Investigations.It’s not long before Callie and her new business partner, best friend Chantelle Marchand, get their first client: a woman who wants to find out everything she can about her grandmother, Anneliese Prei, and how she came to a “bad end” in 1956. It sounds like a perfect first assignment. Except for one thing: Anneliese’s past winds its way into Callie’s present, and not in a manner anyone—least of all Callie—could have predicted.
Find Past & Present at: Book
Find Judy Penz Sheluk at:Website

Bag and Book: author Alanna Lucas - An Emotional Connection #historicalromance #StarWars #Disneyland

I love my handbags! They range in size, color, function, and sophistication. I don’t choose my bag because of a particular designer, it’s more of an emotional connection for me.
One of my favorites is my Star Wars backpack purse. I was at Disneyland with my kids and stepmom when I saw this purse. I let out such a squeal that I startled the people around me. I just knew I had to have it! It’s blue—my favorite color, and it has adorable Star Wars characters all over it—what’s not to love?



A Marquess in Waiting and the Cursed Heiress… The ton is abuzz and mamas are lining up their daughters; identical twins Maximus and Lucius St. Albans are making their entry into society. But they’re not just eligible―they’re the missing grandsons of the Duke of Warrington, stolen as infants.However, Maximus doesn’t relish the battle with his cocky, reprobate brother to be the next Marquess.  And he has no time for the simpering misses now vying for his attention. Only Miss Sabina Teverton has his interest.She was resigned to life as a spinster but from the moment Sabina meets Lord Maximus, her heart is torn. She dreams of a match with him―but how can that be when she’s been branded as cursed…and she knows secrets of that night long ago when Maximus and his twin were snatched from their cradles?
 “Oh,” she gasped. “I…” Her words halted as she glanced up at him. Warm vanilla encircled them.Maximus stared into the most enticing eyes he’d ever seen—one emerald green, one deep brown. Her compelling eyes riveted him in place as his heart pounded against his chest. Time halted, and energy surged between them. She stared at him with a tender longing. Who was this woman?Countless moments later, the lady spoke. “I apologize for ruining—”“You didn’t ruin anything,” he quickly reassured her, but couldn’t the find words to say more.Her mouth curved into a beautiful smile, revealing matching dimples, which sent a whirlwind through his world. He’d always had a fondness for dimples. “I…I best be returning to my party.” “I suppose I should release you,” he said with reluctance.“Yes, I suppose,” the words brushed past her pink lips with the same reluctance. 
Find When the Marquess Returns at: AmazonFind Alanna Lucas at: Website

CUT! Costumes in Movies, part 4 #historicalromance #moviecostumes #readromance

Who loved to play dress up? Me! Once, I went to a tag sale when I was about ten and for a very small fee, I bought a dark blue evening gown. I just loved it. Today is our last look at CUT!! and I'm featuring evening gowns. 
From Phantom of the Opera, we have this lovely pink creation worn by Emily Rossum as Christine:

Isn't it gorgeous? Love the shade of pink, how the train is gathered and embellished with flowers and ribbons.
Have I said how much I LOVE red? This stunning red dress was worn by Laura Flynn Boyle:

A little art deco flavor, slimmer silhouette:

And lastly, a slinky dress and suit:


Nothing historical in these stories, but everything hysterical. Find your fun at many e-trailers, including: Amazon