Vicki Batman's Blog, page 44

#Handbag and Book with Vicki - Possessed by orange #accessories #fashion #romanticcomedy #Mfrworg

Handbag and Book with
Vicki I was possessed with...ORANGE!! Sometimes, I think what color of handbag do I not have, but orange never came to mind.  Just for grins, I typed vintage orange handbag in ETSY's search bar and I found an orange satchel I loved, available in Europe. And it had an ink stain on it. No, not the one for me. 

This fall, my sister and I went to an antique mall where I spotted this goodie for $18.00 and at check out, $2.00 were knocked off. There's no maker's mark. It's made with a cool nubby fabric. The black handle tucks inside to turn the bag into a clutch. There is a nice envelope pocket on the inside which zips closed.  Surprisingly, the bag holds more than I thought it would. Clean and flawless, the bag is worth every penny.

So I am over my orange phase? No. Nor green.  Nor a neat shade of blue.  lol

No man. Bad job. And Murder.  Hattie Cooks takes a job at an accounting firm where mishaps and murders are definitely fishy. Satisfy your romantic comedy mystery itch at: Amazon

Question: have you ever been seduced by color?

A Good Man #rememberingmyfriend #handyman #homerepairs #MFRWorg

A Good Man


When my family was young and Handsome was in the early days of starting our business and too busy to do much around the house, a friend told me about her uncle, Handyman Bob. I called him and booked an appointment for the many little things that needed to be fixed in my 1929 Tudor home
.
Bob arrived promptly. He was about my height, thin, gray headed, quiet with a great twinkle in his blue eyes. He looked at my projects, quoted me a price, and got to work. I had never been so relieved. Pleased with the job he'd done, I hired him for many more, including building a huge deck off the back of my house and redoing an entry coat closet. When I moved into my current home, he helped hang Elfa shelving, painted with me, and lots more projects, even helping when I went to the company conventions.


Bob and I removed the shelving when we remodeled, reinstalled it, and added more after move in. We did yard work, touch ups, and more. I truly cherished our time. Both of us loved hamburgers.
We'd take a break and go to a local drive-in across from the Catholic High School. We talked about everything-family, hobbies, politics, etc.


Several years ago, I had a strange phone call from him. He told me he'd had a stroke and wouldn't be able to help me anymore. My heart broke as I loved our time together. I told him when he felt better to call and we would go out for lunch.


In the years following, we went to our favorite drive-in and ordered the same hamburgers, fries, and
drinks. We still chatted about everything. Sometimes, we drove around and treated ourselves to frozen yogurt too.


A few weeks ago, his friend, Carole, phoned and told me he'd passed. She'd held his hand and his weak heart stopped. Mine ached. Memories we shared surfaced in my head-- #2 helping him repair a window he'd broken. #1 saying Bob was the strongest man he knew. Friends come to us in many different ways.


I will always be grateful to this man for the many things he did for me and my family. I lost a friend who was truly a Good Man.

#Handbag and #book w Philippa Lodge #historicalromance #versailles #reading

Handbag and Book with...Philippa Lodge


It’s little! It’s red! Isn’t it cute? Don’t look too closely or you’ll see the signs of age. I got my handbag new at a thrift store and have probably had more compliments on it than any other handbag I’ve ever owned.  Ever since I had kids, I’ve carried a small handbag. It sounds counterintuitive, I know. Back in the day, I had a big bag for diapers and food and clothes and everything, then kept my stuff in a small purse inside the big one. It was a bit of psychology, maybe, that I could just grab MY stuff and go out without kids or their…junk. Ever since, I’ve found that I can live with a little bag most of the time.   This one’s big enough for a mass market paperback. And I can always read on my phone, too, as backup. Those are important considerations, after all.     
Henri de Cantière has been surly since he returned from visiting his family at Versailles, but he doesn’t want to burden Marcel Fourbier, his longtime lover, with his problems. He can’t sleep and hurts all over at exactly the time when everything else seems to be falling apart. Marcel can barely keep up with his usual duties of running their household and creating beautiful furniture in the de Cantière factory when more burdens fall on his shoulders. His estranged Huguenot family condemns him to hell but wants his help, a stranger attacks him in a dark street, an arsonist tries to destroy the factory, and Henri’s beloved sister-in-law, who has been like a sister to Marcel, is weakening after being in labor for several days. Most of all, Marcel wants to find a cure for Henri, the man who holds his heart.    Marcel was a peaceful man, but honestly, his lover was going to drive him to violence. Since Henri had returned from Versailles three days before, he’d been more grumpy than usual. Marcel had awoken each night to Henri tossing and turning or getting up to wander through the house. When Marcel caressed him, Henri flinched. When Marcel asked what was wrong, Henri snapped. Odd twinge. My shoulder hurts, but it is nothing. The meeting with the baron’s majordomo had distracted them both for a time, Henri no crankier than usual about figuring costs for new furniture and recovering the baron’s mother’s existing chairs. They would pack the samples into a carriage the next day to present them to the dowager and get final approval. Someday, the baron would order from them for his own home. Or better: for his Versailles apartments. But for now, he was outfitting all the ladies of his family one by one. What Marcel really wanted was to make dresses for these ladies. Something was wrong with Henri. Marcel felt crazy. Something hurt inside Henri, but was the pain only physical or was something wrong with his arm? Or was he angry?  Perhaps—and this frightened Marcel more than the other options—Henri had found another lover. He had been gone a few days, but what if he had met someone else? What if seeing his youngest brother falling in love had changed Henri somehow? Marcel would have to leave, not Henri. Henri was the colonel’s brother. Marcel didn’t have enough money saved to start up his own atelier in the style he wished: clothing fit for nobility.    Find Henri et Marcel at: Amazon  Find Philippa Lodge at:   Website

Philippa, what made you want to write your genre?

#Handbag and book w Laurel Wanrow #author of Passages #thermalsprings #travel #MFRWorg

Handbag and Book with
Laurel Wanrow 



While I was editing my draft of Passages, we made a family trip west that included a stop at Thermopolis, Wyoming. My new novel had hot springs in the plot and I wanted to visit some. The word thermopolis comes from the Greek word for ‘hot city’, definitely a good description for a town overtop of the world’s largest mineral hot spring. 
The waters well up at a hot 135 degrees Fahrenheit and a rate of 3.6 million gallons a day, bringing with them 27 different minerals. Over the centuries, evaporation has left mounds of colorful rock deposits in many places around Thermopolis. 


It’s pretty and, we’d heard, therapeutic. Native Americans traveled to the Bighorn River basin to soak in the waters, and fur trappers described them as early as 1826. Today, the water is piped to many attractions, including hotels, water amusement parks, and our destination, Hot Springs State Park, which boasted of a free State Bath House—not a facility found in many state parks.

  Inside the bath house, each visitor could select a private tub, or gather together outside in the covered soaking pool. There, the waters are moderated to 104 degrees, hotter where they enter and cooling across the pool, which was perfect for our family with two children. 




 

We joined a number of bathers who told us they were staying in nearby hotels and coming twice a day to ‘take the waters’. The recommended time to remain in the pools was short, fifteen minutes. While at first this seemed disappointing, after the allotted time we were warmed up—quite warmed up—and ready to go. Hours later, I remarked to my husband that I felt really good, like I’d had a longer soak, or a deep massage. He agreed, and we realized this was the effect of the minerals—they had penetrated our bodies and worked some mysterious wonder on our muscles. Hmm. That could be used in a novel… 


With toxic spores about to release across the planet, Eve is desperate to save the friends she’s made in her second life as a cyborg. When she joins forces with an amnesiac man also trying to save his grandmother, their plans lead to an attraction that could prove fatal—because Quinn’s forgotten secret will determine the fate of life on Aarde .   
“Yes, how do you feel?” She stroked my cheek, her hand still humming. “I don’t detect the element in your system, but the amount I saw…” It had gone in. It had gone in so easily and blended with my system so readily…my particle talent. It allowed the goud to interface with me, probably much easier than with others. Yet, the way Eve eyed me, agreeing I was fine avoided more conflict. Much to my regret, Eve dropped her hand and backed up. “PT says it might not be the same for Quinn,” Evangeline said, “being a newer generation of electorg. He’s never had the opportunity to test goudrogen and would be interested in—” “No.” Eve crossed her arms, dismissing the suggestion. They inspected their crystals. Evangeline’s had shrunk by two-thirds. Eve’s had grown, but its increase was noticeable only compared to the crystal’s prior size. Okay, I had to know, though they didn’t seem concerned. “Where is the extra goud?” Eve looked sheepish. “Uh—” “Gone, right, Evy?” Evard patted her shoulder. “You saw how readily it flows. Even in the crystal form, the element constantly rearranges its lattice structure. Repeatedly taking the Waters allows the element deeper into the cells, until a user can direct the atoms—in liquid or vapor. They go, dispersed among the more in-tune Zeffirites.” He shot me a smile, as if that mini-lecture answered the question. It did, it just didn’t clarify which one she’d done.  Follow the Passages Blog Tour to read more science & fantasy tidbits!  Find Passages at:  Amazon Find Laurel at: Website  Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway! 
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/shar...?
 More rafflecopter opportunities at: Website


Laurel, the springs look fabulous. I've never tried any before.

#Handbag and #book w Mary Thompson #contemporaryromance #hotstuff #oldfriendship #MFRWorg

Handbag and Book welcomesMary E. Thompson
Handbags are very personal. When I need a new one, it can’t be a gift. I’m just that picky. My Simply Vera bag has been my favorite for a little over a year now. It has a pocket on the outside for my phone, a pocket inside for my keys, and enough space that I can keep everything I like to take with me. Like a notepad for those moments I have to write down an idea! 



Tara thought her life was perfect. Right up until everything fell apart. With no job, no boyfriend, and no future, she returned home to Winterville to help her mom run her floral shop. She felt like she was back in high school, working for her mom and living at home.
When nude pictures of Tara show up online, her life is scrutinized even more than it ever was in Hollywood. She can’t leave the house without someone asking her questions or thinking she’ll be willing to model for them. As if.
When Tara meets Noah she thinks he’s playing her. He doesn’t seem to know anything about the pictures. As they get closer, doubts creep in, but Noah holds strong as her rock.
Until he learns the truth.

Noah eyed me carefully then burst out laughing. “You’re an interesting woman.” He called the guy over and traded our tickets for my stuff. I wrapped one of the friendship bracelets around his wrist and he groaned. “Damn. I didn’t want to be in the friend zone.” I gave him a saucy look and started for the door. “I was thinking it could be a friends-with-benefits bracelet instead.” “Oh, really?” he asked with raised eyebrows. “Does that mean there are benefits to our friendship?” I gave him my best come-hither look and walked away, knowing he would follow. 
Find your Round & Ravishing link at: Amazon
Find Mary E. Thompson at: Website
Wow, Mary, that cover is hot! What did you think when you first saw it?

Having a conversation @VickiBatman #foreignlanguage #makingfriends #MFRWorg

Recently, I was out of town with Handsome. While he was attending to business, I waited for him in the lobby. I stuck in my headphones to listen to Chris Botti and began embroidering a special gift. As he was ushered back, a man across the way said something like "you don't go?"


Since I wasn't sure I heard him correctly, I took out my earbuds and walked over to him. He was an elderly guy and having men in my life who couldn't hear well, I am a little sensitive in talking with people so they can hear. I said, "I'm sorry, I didn't hear you."


He pointed in the direction Handsome had gone. "Don't go?"


I must have looked puzzled. "No. It's okay to wait."


He asked, "You speak Spanish?"


I do not speak Spanish. I know French. Nine years worth. After all that time, you'd think I was an expert at the language. However, like most things, it's only good if you practice. Like I used it when in France. There's not much reason to speak French where I live. Spanish and French, being romance languages, have similar words. That's probably why I can read some Spanish.


That said, I did learn a bit of Spanish, the first grade stuff-numbers, colors and everyday things. So I said to the nice man, "Uno. Dos. Tres."


We laughed. He indicated the handiwork and I said, "Embroidery."


He nodded.


I asked if his wife was sick. He said tests.


He asked if I have children. I said, "Dos. Ninos."


He informed me he had grandchildren by showing knee high with his hand. "Ocho." 


I understood.


He asked, "Glasses?"


"Contacts."


And then his wife and another man came. He left.


Neither of us spoke different languages well, but we somehow understood each other. I thought that was cool.


Season of Promises has a new cover! All the great holiday stories you'd expect from the Season of anthology authors. Find out more at: Amazon














Do you speak another language?

#Handbag and #Book w Brenda Moguez #greatesttreasures #shoppingdeal #MFRWorg

Handbag and Book with
Brenda Moguez

I have a bag fetish. I can’t walk past a sale table in Macys’ without stopping. On weekend getaways or vacations, no boutique will go unexplored. Frankly, off the beaten path in little towns on the beachfront is where I’ve found my greatest treasures. My husband swears I have a new bag every week, but so not true. Cough! Cough!  I am fussy about the style of bag I’ll carry. No clutches, totes, satchels, no drawstrings, no bucket-bags. For me, it must be a Crossbody or Messenger bag big enough for an on-the-go wristlet, and strap for a hair clip. It’s hands-free for me.    My latest I bag was a Christmas gift from me-to-me. It’s Italian. It’s a Crossover. And it’s roomy. The bag fairy made sure I found it. I owe her big time.   When Stella Delray unexpectedly loses her job a week before Christmas, which is also the anniversary of her husband’s death, she is forced to stop talking to his ashes, come to terms with her loss, and get her life back on track for her young son’s sake as well as her own. She never expected that posting an ad on Craigslist would send her into the arms of not one but two men, one of whom is her former boss. Now she’s working as an admin for a retired Broadway star, bookkeeping for an erotic video production company, and writing love letters for the mysterious "Oaklander." Adding to the craziness of her new life, her monster-in-law resurfaces and the father-in-law she never met shows up on her doorstep. With the guidance of her best friend, Bono, Stella will learn to redefine the rules she’s always lived by.  Focus, Stella, the little voice shouts. There’s enough cash in the bank to last six months. This is not a good time to be unemployed. As if there is ever a good time, I whine inside.  
“Stella, did you hear me? Are you okay?” A touch of worry sails through the wires and lands like a thud on the counter.  I hit the mute button to block the dry sob growing behind my breastbone. Breathe, one thousand-one, one thousand-two, one thousand-three, one thousand-four, hold for six counts. I grip the edge of the counter, which keeps me rooted to the kitchen floor and from drowning in the acid panic flooding my veins. Damn. I’m losing my job. Ava will come after Santi again. Damn. Stop! Don’t you dare cry on the phone in front of a man, especially not Jack. Inner Stella swoops in and takes control.  “Stella?” His voice is no longer a whisper. I unmute the phone. “Yes, I’m here.”  “Is everything okay? Did you hear what I said?”  “Yes, I heard, and I’m fine.” You jerk, what a stupid question. “The news is unexpected, of course. Thanks for the heads-up.” I need to make a graceful exit from the call. I manage to choke back my sob. “I assume our meeting is canceled. There’s probably no point in me coming into the city to talk about the business plan for next year.” Since I’ll be living in a cardboard box under the Bay Bridge, you selfish prick.   Find Nothing Is Lost In Loving at: AmazonFind Brenda at:  Website      

#Craft and #Book w @VickiBatman #embroidery #crewelwork #Christmas #homedecorating

Craft and Book with Vicki I have a friend who does estate sales and early on in her career, she invited me to stop by one. I did and I found Christmas crewel kits for $2.00. I loved them. They were funky things from the seventies, perhaps the sixties. Didn't matter because they spoke to me.


Crewel is very similar to embroidery, something I had been doing since age nine when my grandmother set me down with a pillowcase she had stamped, thread, and a needle.


But eBay and ETSY had the whole series of holiday crewel works and a large picture one. I bought them.


Today, I picked up the last two in the series, Love and Noel.


 

I did add my own bits to the work, like beads, sequins and some stitches. The finisher at the needlepoint store I frequent made the pillows. I get teary eyed when I see things I've done made better.
 And speaking of the holidays, did you pick up your ecopy of Season of Promises for a mere 99cents? Amazon  iTunes  B&N


















Now that the holidays are over, are you taking on new craft projects?

#Handbag and Book with Melissa Ohnoutka on Sinful Secrets #MFRWorg #Rssos #Entangled #accessories

Thanks for letting my visit your blog today, Vicki! I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and that your New Year is off to a wonderful start.  I’m so excited to be here to show off my favorite purse, as well as my newest release, Sinful Secrets. 
 
Some people have a shoe thing. My middle daughter is one of them. But for me, it’s all about the purses. Doesn’t matter what color, shape or size, I love them all! And for this reason, my girls try their best to steer me clear of the purses whenever we go shopping. Bless their little hearts. LOL And usually it works. Out of sight, out of mind, right? J I’m drawn to them, can hear them calling my name, and never have trouble picking one out to take home with me.


That’s what made finding my last purse so strange. Maybe it had to do with the fact I needed a certain color to match an outfit. Reminds me of my muse. Boundaries and limitations stop me cold. Odd, I didn’t already have a bag in this color among my stash in the closet. A clue to why the search became a struggle maybe.


I scanned the purse section of a certain store over and over. Moved and rearranged displays to make sure I wasn’t missing anything. And still nothing. Seriously? To say I was getting irritated was an understatement. My time was running out. I only had about thirty minutes left to find that perfect piece. My oldest daughter was due back to pick me up and this was my last shot. Panic!


And then I saw it. As I walked by a shelf/rack of what I’d thought was odds and ends from the shoe department, a sliver of a brown strap too large to belong to a shoe caught my eye. Color was a perfect match. Could it be? The suspense was killing me. On further examination, I discovered it was definitely a purse on the bottom of the sales rack in the middle of mismatched scarfs, sunglasses and even a few socks. Yep. Socks. Almost as if someone had tried to hide this treasure from view. 


As I dug threw the other items, more of the purse came into view. I couldn’t believe it. I’d found it! And there was no doubt in my mind someone had done all they could to hide this lovely purse so they could return later and snatch it up.


I almost felt sorry for them. LOL But I found it fair and square. And it’s now one of my favorites! J Worth the struggle, right? 






Besides my addiction to purses, I also love suspense…ah…the thrill of adrenaline rushing through my veins. My newest book, Sinful Secrets, was released in November from Entangled Publishing and is a romantic suspense, heavy on the suspense.


All Joanna McNamee wants is to make her event planning business a success, but someone keeps sabotaging her events. The last thing she expects is to see Ryker Kane, the man she’s been crushing on since college, show back up in her life. Talk about awkward. She decides acting as if they’ve never met is the best option. But when a man tries to kidnap her in order to get his hands on her father’s secret formula, she must put the past behind her and trust Ryker. Or lose everything.
Click here to read the first chapter and order your copy: Amazon



Or visit Melissa at: Website


Readers: how important is it for you to match your handbag and shoes?

My Christmas gift to you! #holidaymovies #MFRWorg #Rssosisters

Every year, I share this link to a wonderful, Academy award-winning short about the nativity story. It will truly touch your heart.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXjdBs70syY


Did you like it? I always get teary. Hugs!