Vicki Batman's Blog, page 51

#author Anne Marie Brear w #historicalromance Where Dragonflies Hover & #handbag #MFRWorg #RssosSisters #accessories

Handbag & Book with Anne Marie Brear

I adore my handbag because it is the first designer bag I’ve ever owned.
My husband bought it (and the matching purse) for me from Macy’s in New York for my birthday while we were on our honeymoon last year. The grey colour and shape is very much my style.So, not only is it a very classy Michael Kors handbag, it was bought with love from my wonderful husband. I will always treasure it.




Sometimes a glimpse into the past can help make sense of the future…

        Everyone thinks Lexi is crazy when she falls in love with Hollingsworth House – a crumbling old Georgian mansion in Yorkshire – and nobody more so than her husband, Dylan. But there’s something very special about the place, and Lexi can sense it. 
The trunk was nothing special, plain and in parts rusted. No ornament or writing hinted at its use.
Intrigued, she grabbed a hammer from the workbench, but then hesitated. She had no right to open someone else’s property. Lexi closed her eyes momentarily. What was she thinking of breaking into the trunk? What am I doing? Never had she broken the law and here she was guilty of trespassing and breaking and entering! She looked around the rowboat as though expecting someone to jump out and arrest her.
Something inside urged her on. She knew she couldn’t stop now. Sucking in a deep breath, she bent and hit the lock hard. The ringing sound was loud in the quiet serenity of the garden. The metal dented and with another few solid whacks the lock gave.
Shivers of excitement tingled along her skin. Gently, she eased up the lid. Find Where Dragonflies Hover at: http://goo.gl/HVlcH7/

 Find Anne Marie at: http://annemariebrear.blogspot.co.uk
Wow, first, Anne Marie, what a great bag and second, a very intriguing excerpt!

What is Real?? Literary work imitates real life w #author Melissa Keir #MFRWorg #RssosSisters #newanthology

Let’s Get to Know...
Melissa Keir Sometimes literary work imitates real life. In The Notebook, the main characters have a love that lasts a lifetime, including dealing with dementia. This could have been written about my own grandparents. It was touching watching the two of them together. Grandpa would sing to Grandma and sometimes talk to the wall, but only when the wall was actually the Pope visiting. 
 
Authors have a ton of real life experiences to use as fodder for their stories. I am known for putting a real life event in each of my stories. In The Christmas Accident, my mom was really in a coma and came out of it just as it was written in the story. I am the oldest of five girls, like in the Wilder Sisters series, although none of my sisters are like any of the characters in the books.


When it came time for me to write Lucas Pigg’s story, I knew that I had to use a real life story that my accountant told me. My accountant is a fun guy. He’s lived a very full life with a ton of experiences. This one was too good not to use.


When Charles (name changed to protect the innocent) was dating this one young lady, they had been out to eat but urges became so strong that they decided to visit a hotel along the freeway for some stress relief. They couldn’t keep their hands off each other. 


They booked a room for the night and proceeded to enjoy themselves. Suddenly, the alarms started going off. The hotel was on fire. They couldn’t leave the room because of the fire in the hallway, so they broke the window. As they stood there looking down, the young lady freaked out. Charles had to slap her to calm her down before they jumped. Luckily, they were both fine (no major injuries) but it turned out that a person tried to commit suicide by fire and ruined so many people’s nights.


Whew! Scary right? Now you can see why I needed to use it, although it’s not exactly the same in my story. I am an author and I love to take liberties with reality. So check out my book Protecting Her Pigg to see exactly how the story happens.





Protecting Her Pigg
Strange. Jessi usually has music going or kitchen noises. It’s too quiet.


At the door to the kitchen, smoke assaulted my nose. My training kicked in. Dialing 911, I call it in. Checking the swinging door for heat, I ran my hand up and down the length then, pulling my scarf over my nose, opened the door with caution. The haze of smoke darkened the room. However, I couldn’t see a fire or flames. Going to my hands and knees, I entered the kitchen, intent on making sure no one was inside. As I moved closer to the rear of the building, the smoke doubled. Suddenly, I noticed Jessi lying on the floor in front of the rear delivery door.


I crawled to her, fear raging in my brain. “Jessi.” I shook her. “Jessi, are you okay?” She looked like a crumpled piece of trash. Running my hands up her body, I felt her chest rise and released the breath I’d been holding since I saw her. “Thank God.”


“Ooohhh. What happened?” She tried to sit up. Coughs wracked her body, and she reached out blindly before collapsing onto the floor. “What’s going on? Why are you here?”


“There’s a fire. Did you leave the oven on? Are you able to move?”


“I never leave the oven on. My head hurts.” She winced when she touched the back of her head. Her fingers came away red. “I think my head is bleeding.”


A noise behind Jessi caught my attention. A pop and then a whoosh. Flames engulfed the rear door to the alley. Frantic, I pulled Jessi toward me and the outer door. “Come on. Let me help you. We need to get out.”


Her body felt like dead weight as she tried to stand. She fell to the ground and moaned. “I can’t walk. I’m nauseous.”


The kitchen door slammed open. In shadow, a tall man strode in, looking like a hero from my favorite romance novel. My heart sped up.


“Anyone in here? The building’s on fire!” Thank God Lucas had arrived.


“We’re here. Jessi’s hurt.”


He must have followed the sound of my voice because, a moment later, he stood in front of me and then scooped Jessi up in his arms. “Put your hand on the belt on my waist. Follow me. The kitchen wall is in flames, and the smoke’s too dense for breathing.”


Reaching out, I threaded my fingers into his belt, glad for the help with Jessi and knowing, somehow, he’d make sure we’d get out.




Find Summer Heat at: Amazon


Find Summer Heat at:   Website




I'm sure you've answered this, Melissa, but how did you get your hero's last name?

Handbag & Book: #mysteryauthor Judy Penz Sheluk #fashion #vintagehandbag #RssosSister #MFRWorg #Sinc

Handbag & Book with Judy Penz Sheluk
  I’ll admit it. I’m not much of a purse person. In fact, I’ve been carrying around the same old black leather purse, year-round, for the past three years. When the shoulder strap finally broke, I simply took the carry strap off my Lululemon gym bag and used that. Problem solved.
But even a crusty old purse curmudgeon like me has at least one nice handbag, right? And in fact, I do: This lovely sequined evening bag that I’ve owned—and loved— since the mid 1970s. Note the rhinestone in the snap, and lovely creamy white silk lining. Not to mention all those shiny sequins and seed pearls.
The purse was a Christmas gift from a boyfriend’s parents. The boyfriend turned out to be a two-timing loser (a lesson learned later rather than sooner). His parents, however, were decent hardworking folks, and I enjoyed spending time with them, and their miniature poodle. I like to think the feeling was mutual.

Anyway, this was a time when you’d dress up for New Year’s Eve, even if you were just going to a house party. I can remember wearing a floor length black velvet skirt and a red blouse that year, along with this lovely little clutch, and feeling quite mature (I was about seventeen at the time). The moment was ruined when said boyfriend’s best friend asked me if I’d gained weight, but I digress. The point is, I still own that purse, but I’ve never worn it since that evening.

 And yet, in all my moves, in all my de-cluttering attempts, I’ve never once been tempted to get rid of it. Maybe that’s because it’s more than just a pretty purse to me, a memory maker if you will.

 And maybe because one day this pretty purse will serve as inspiration for a short crime fiction story. After all, it has all the ingredients needed for a darned good murder mystery: a cheating boyfriend, his jerk of a best friend, a naïve seventeen-year-old girl, New Year’s Eve…  Small-town secrets and subterfuge lead to murder in this fast-moving, deftly written tale of high-stakes real estate wrangling gone amok. 
Emily Garland considered the offer on the table and nodded. It certainly sounded as though Urban-Huntzberger had everything covered. She wondered whether she should study the contract, contact a lawyer. Take a moment to decide whether this was the opportunity of a lifetime or an act of insanity. “How long do I have?”

“We need an answer ASAP. You’d move in by the end of the month, sooner if possible. The rental house has been recently renovated and is currently available.”

Michelle stood up. “Emily, you’ve been in this business long enough to know this kind of assignment doesn’t come along every day. Work with us. Get rich with us. And help us to expose Garrett Stonehaven for the lying, cheating, bastard we both know he is.” 

Definitely more to this scenario than meets the eye. Emily pulled a gold-plated pen out of her handbag, a graduation gift from her mother a dozen years ago. She twirled it between her fingers, remembering how proud her mom had been, her daughter the first one in the family to go beyond high school. Remembered the way her mother had looked the last time Emily saw her, shell-shocked and shattered.

“Where do I sign?” 

Find Judy at: Website

Find The Hanged Man's Noose at: Amazon

Judy, I swear I had a handbag like this one. I'm going to look now...

Travel & Book w author Kim McMahill on Sedona #wheretovisit #RssosSisters #MFRWorg romanticsuspense

Travel & Book withKim McMahill There is something magical and mystical about Sedona, Arizona. Though the town itself has grown substantially over the years, it still has great food, unique shops, and an intimate feel. But what I find most enchanting about the area are the fascinating red rock formations and vast open spaces. It doesn’t take long to leave the tourist crowds in town behind and become immersed in the stunning landscape.


In my latest novel, A Taste of Tragedy, the main character is career driven to the point that she has pushed away the only man she has ever loved. To survive her high pressure career, which has taken a curious and deadly turn, she relies on weekends at her Sedona retreat. She finds peace and serenity in this enchanting place, which encourages  her to reevaluate her priorities and attempt to rebuild her future.

Kim, Sedona, is just beautiful. I did a balloon ride when I visited!
She had encountered nothing she wouldn’t do to succeed…until now.

“Here, let me help you,” Morgan said as she draped Devyn’s arm around her shoulders.

Morgan tried to relieve as much weight as she could from Devyn as she helped her hobble to the waiting vehicle. Once Devyn was seated in the cramped back seat, Morgan dug out her emergency supply bag. She handed Devyn a blanket and a bottle of water. “I have a first aid kit, but I think you need something a little more than a bandage.”

“It’s just a few scratches. I’ll live.”

Morgan could see why Nick trusted Devyn with his back. As she looked at the battered and bruised woman, who had taken off into the desert in the middle of the night in bare feet to prevent a criminal from getting away, she had to admire her. Devyn had to be in extreme pain, yet not a complaint escaped her lips.

“Make room in the back,” Nick huffed.

Morgan looked up to see Nick trudging toward her with an inert man slung over his shoulder. She raced to the tiny back cargo area and moved a few items around so Nick could squeeze the body in the vehicle.

“Is he dead?” Morgan whispered.

“Not quite, but we need to get him medical help A.S.A.P. The bullet didn’t hit any vital organs, but I’m not sure how much damage he suffered from the knock to the head.”
 
Morgan watched as Nick set the man down in the vehicle, and then she joined Devyn in the back seat. Turning around and kneeling, she was able to lean over the seat and assess his injuries. She folded up a handkerchief and placed it over the gunshot wound and applied pressure. She wasn’t sure which was bleeding more, the bullet hole or the bump and cut to the head, but she had to try and slow the blood loss any way she could.

“That’s all we can do for now,” Nick said. “Just keep the pressure on the best you can.” 

Morgan nodded as Nick secured the back and then got behind the wheel. 

“You okay?” Nick asked as he turned to face Devyn.

“I’ve had better days, but sadly, I’ve had worse.”


Find A Taste of Tragedy at: Amazon

Find Kim McMahill at: Website

So where is your favorite place to travel to?

The perfect tote & handbags in books on #Handbag & Book #RssosSisters #MFRWorg #fashion

Handbag & Book with
Vicki

While the boys were young, occasionally, I would work at market for a friend's showroom. I loved it. Her business was accessories and of course, the biggest fun one for me was the handbags. I bought several. Here's one:


The vendor was known for making jackets, yet did dabble in handbags. This is a heavy weight fabric, fully lined in dark blue with a pocket. I have to say this is my perfect size and style. It holds everything and has my favorite tote handles. I did put the pin on because why not style up your handbags. This giveaway came from a now defunct store which had been hugely popular when I was a teen and young adult.
I passed on my love of handbags to my heroine, Hattie Cooks, in the romantic comedy mystery, Temporarily Employed, and coming this fall, Temporarily Insane. Here's a fun excerpt:

           With a drawn-out sigh, she dropped her handbag on the couch. Her gaze went back to the photo. “He looks kinda young to be writin’ tickets.”

            “Aren’t you funny?” Determining I stood too close, I took two steps back. “I knew him a long time ago.”
            She pressed her hand over her mouth. “You know the cop who wrote you a ticket?”
            “Sorta.”
            With a drawn-out sigh, she dropped her handbag on the couch. “Explain sorta.”
            My arm rose and reached behind, my front leg lifted in a baseball windup. The first squishy ball landed on his left temple. “He’s Sarah Anne Wellborn’s brother, and he wrote me a citation today.”
            “And throwin’ things...”
            I took a step to my right and eyeballed again. “Stress balls.”
            “’cuse me. Throwin’ stress balls will make you feel what…happy?”
            The second ball hit his mouth smack dab in the middle. I blinked. “All the time he knew who I was. Why didn’t he say something? He didn’t have to write me a ticket. He was being a smart ass. The creep. The asshole. The...” The third ball smashed the bridge of his glasses. The paper split. “The geek!”
Find more of Hattie's story at: Amazon

So do you keep handbags forever like me? Or do you carry until in tatters and buy a new one and if so, what do you do with dressy clothing?

#Recipe & Book Who can resist a great Mac n Cheese? w Trevann Rogers #homecooking #supernatural

Recipe & Book withTrevann RogersI don't know about you, but for some of us there are moments in life when food is EVERYTHING. That snowy night in December, what's more necessary than a cup of cocoa? What's Thanksgiving (or New Year's or Arbor Day) without (insert your family's most treasured entree)? Your first cup of java in the morning? How about a pint of Ben and Jerry's the day someone royally irritates you? Or chocolate--need I say more?

For me, nothing comes close to the comforting gooey goodness of macaroni and cheese. My mother would make a huge Corningware vat of it nearly every holiday, but more importantly, on those days when we just needed food to be perfect, and perfectly there for us. Her recipe wasn't fancy. It included cream and eggs and breadcrumbs extra sharp yellow cheese...and Mom's special magic. 

Honestly, it had to be magic of some kind. With my best efforts I could never replicate its extraordinary taste and texture. My sister can, but I apparently don't have her gifts.  However, after years of looking at recipes and trying to cook a dish my mom would be proud of, I struck cheesy gold.
Here is my take on macaroni and cheese with nods to my mom's flair for convenience and Martha Stewart's penchant for flavor bursts. The result is simple, rich and amazing. 

The Most Amazing Mac and Cheese1 cup bread crumbs
1 pound elbow macaroni
1 stick butter
5 1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup flour
1.5 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
5 cups grated sharp white cheddar cheese
2 cups grated Gruyere cheese
Large(13x9) buttered baking dish

DIRECTIONS: Cook macaroni, rinse in cold water to stop it from cooking and set aside.

Melt butter in a deep skillet or pot over medium heat. When melted whisk in flour. Keep whisking 1 minute then slowly whisk in milk. Continue cooking and whisking until it thickens. Turn off heat.

Add salt, cayenne pepper, the Gruyere, and all but a half cup of the cheddar cheese. Stir macaroni into the cheese sauce. Pour mixture into buttered baking dish. Mix bread crumbs with remaining half cup of cheddar and sprinkle over top. Bake until bubbling and  golden brown (30-40 minutes). Enjoy! 

Cheyenne is a half-human incubus whose star is on the rise in the Unakite City rock scene. His father, the leader of the supernatural races, would prefer he keep a “low profile”, but screw that. Cheyenne has as much music in his veins as royal incubi blood. 

Alexander's future is all set—finish law school, join the family firm, and marry someone who'd be good for business. Not that he has a say in any of it. He's barely met the woman his father expects him to marry. 


As Cheyenne's musical career takes off, his carefully constructed life begins to unravel, exacerbated by an ex-lover who can't let go, a crotchety barkeeper with a dirty mind and a pure heart, a drag queen who moonlights as a nanny, and Alexander—who's not sure if he's falling for the incubus or the rocker. 

Cheyenne denies who he is, while Alexander hides what he wants. Together, they learn that getting what they truly want means being who they truly are.


You can find House of the Rising Son at:  Amazon
Find Trevann Rogers at: Website  

Trevann, my son will be all over your mac & cheese--his favorite? So what's your favorite dessert?b

A totally Frenchy bag on Handbag & Book #accessories #RssosSisters #shoes #romanticcomedy #holidayanthology

Handbag
So most of you know I find my treasures on ETSY. I type in the search bar "vintage needlepoint handbag." And then I filter to the newest listed as I search quite frequently. This beauty popped up:

And if you like that side, how about this one:


Cool--right? This bag came from the South of France and the maker used several pieces of canvas to craft the bag. I fell in love with the lady. The bag is about 14" x 14". A little large for me to carry as an every day; however, it is perfect for--needlepoint!


Inside is a cute light colored flower print and three pockets. I did ask the maker to cut the leather handles down for me as I use tote handles, not over the shoulder.


Isn't this a clever idea? 


& Book




The sales on this holiday anthology are still outstanding! Who knew? But if you didn't... Check 'er out: “Holiday Handbag Extravaganza” by Vicki Batman: Christmas Countdown is on!Hunk-a-licious customer, Jack Treadaway, pesters boutique owner, Callie Woods, to locate a vintage handbag for his mother. Too bad the wedge between them is his sister, the meanest girl in town.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Excerpt:           What a mess.         The bell sitting on the counter above my head ding-ding-dinged in an irritating way. I huffed. Really?         Then I heard, "Hey,” —two dings— “I need help. Anybody working today?"         Despite the din assaulting my ears, I didn't answer, and not because I was mean. Because I was a woman on a mission. It was imperative I retrieve the hundred dollar bill that had vanished when The Copper Teapot's front door had erupted wide with a wintry gust. All kinds of stuff had gone flying like price tags, papers, and hard-earned moola. In today's sucky economy, every smidgen of revenue mattered.         Obviously, this guy couldn’t see me crouched down on the floor. His toe tapping and bell ringing conveyed his impatience. Sticking the ruler in the gap between the floor and the showcase, I bit my lip and concentrated, waving the tool back and forth so I could snag the elusive dinero. Another three-note ding sounded, and I rolled my eyes before singsonging, "Just a...minute, please."         Fingers drummed above my head. I shrugged my shoulders, thinking, rats. Every customer is important. Guess I should be a responsible business owner and do the right thing. "Be right with you."         "Okay, but hurry."         "Almost...there...Got it!" I jumped to my feet and dangled the money in his face. "Pay day."         I finished my jig to check out the customer only to find —Oh By Golly— Jack, as in theJack Treadaway, the hunky hunk from Sommerville High School days. I couldn't believe this man graced my shop.           Why was he here?Find Season of Surprises at: Amazon     Amazon UK






 

Unexpected company fix rennet pudding--uh no. Penny Estelle on Recipe & Book #cookingexperiment #Weightwatchers #yummy

Recipe & Book with
Penny Estelle Morning everybody! First let me thank Vicki for having me as a guest on her blog.  I was given a few options to pick from as her blog is full of wonderful information.  Crafts, handbags, or recipes.  

Crafts – I love crafts and do them for my sisters every Christmas.  They are always polite and tell me how much they love them while deep inside they are thinking – “What the heck is this?”


Handbags – I know nothing about handbags, except, I’m always on the look for the perfect one.  The one I am carrying right now is from a 2nd hand store!


So, I picked recipes, which is also iffy as my hubby is the cook – but I actually do make desserts.  


I write in all genres but today I’m spotlighting a historical western romance, Gabe, The Thornton Trilogy, Book 1.  I researched what desserts might have been made in the 1800s and came up with a few ideas, but this one, Rennet Pudding, caught my attention – ‘If unexpected company dropped in when you are unprepared, rennet pudding may be made at five minutes’ notice, if you have calf’s rennet soaked in a bottle of wine; one glass of this wine will make a sort of cold custard.’  (Rennet is stomach lining)   YUM!



So I’m going to give you a recipe for Yummy Cobbler….Weight Watcher Friendly and sooooo easy!
Ingredients: Two 12-oz bags frozen mixed berries 1 box white cake mix (no pudding) 1 can of diet 7-up or sierra mist (clear soda)


Instructions: Place frozen fruit in a 9x13 baking dish. Add dry cake mix over the top. Pour soda slowly over cake mix. DO NOT stir the cake mix and the pop - this will give you a 'crust'. If you stir the two, you will have a cake like topping.


Bake: 350 for 45-50 min. You can use frozen peaches instead of mixed berries.
Gabe Thornton inherits the Double Bar Ranch from good friend and neighbor Bill (Pappy) Thomas, but there are conditions.   Last Will and Testament states five hundred acres have been set aside for his only niece, or interested heirs.  Molly Blackburn, who knows nothing about cattle ranching, shows up to claim her inheritance. Sparks fly! Will she give up her land or will she find more than just a cattle ranch in Bastrop?


“I happen to also own a hand gun but..well I didn’t think to purchase bullets for it.”


“Perfect!” Gabe said, shaking his head.  “There’s also wood to be cut and hay and water to be hauled plus a million other things.”  He laid the gun against the wall, opening the door.  “You won’t last the week and if you had half a brain you’d know it!”


“Get out of my house,” she hollered.  He walked out into the cold morning but she was right on his heels, taking his coat off.  “Wait!”  He turned and she threw his coat in his face.  “Thank you for the use of your coat but I’ll thank you to stay off my property!”


Gabe advanced a step her way but a discreet cough stopped him.  There were his mother and sister, sitting on their horses.  He swung up on his horse, staring at his new neighbor.  “See if you can’t talk some sense into her!” he ground out before riding away. 


Find Gabe, The Thornton Trilogy at:   Amazon

 
For more information about Penny Estelle's stories at: Amazon Central

A Handbag for All Season w Rebel Miller & #newbook #accessories #MFRWorg #RssosSisters #KateSpadehandbag

Handbag & Book with Rebel Miller I was a tomboy. Anyone who knows me now would be incredibly surprised by this little known fact. When I was growing up, I was the child in afro pigtails, hanging off the monkey bars and riding my bike all over the community with my little brother. It’s strange to think back on that now because, today, I don’t go anywhere without a light dusting of make-up, a spare pair of heels and my handbag.
Like most women, I wear many hats. With two kids under the age of ten, a budding career as a romance author, and fast-growing freelance communications client list, it’s not easy to keep it all pulled together, but I make a valiant effort each and every day by shoving everything I need into my favorite Kate Spade handbag.

In addition to the bright color that makes me feel warm and fuzzy in the cold winter months as much as in the hot summer ones, I love that my Kate, as I call my bag, is just the right size to hold what I need for my hectic, day-to-day life. Whether it’s a pack of emergency hand wipes, my cell phone with my Evernote app to jot down a story idea or business cards, Kate holds it all. She even holds my iPad. No, not the mini version, the full size model! But the color and compact, yet roomy, size aren’t the only reasons this handbag is my go-to. Despite its color, it’s very versatile. Recently, I headed to my local library to start a scene in the third book of my New Adult romance trilogy, went to dinner and a movie with my husband then went out for cocktails with friends – all events I enjoyed with my Kate in hand, no matter the outfit. Furthermore, believe it or not, the bag is easy to clean. To be honest, it doesn’t show wear and tear as much as I thought it would when I first received it in the mail in its pretty Kate Spade box. Hands down though, the best feature of the bag is its long strap. I can easily sling Kate across my winter coat-clad body, leaving my hands free to take care of my disgruntled four-year-old or to make a quick story edit while in transit. Living in Canada means wearing a lot of layers most months out of the year; goose-down jackets, thick wool scarves – the whole nine! Having a bag for which I don’t have to be constantly adjusting the length of its strap based on what I have on is a bonus for me!As a child in pigtails, I could never have imagined owning a bag like Kate. Truthfully, I wouldn’t have been able to imagine a grown-up version of me in the first place, never mind a bag! I suppose that, in part, is why my Kate Spade handbag is the favorite among my many bag options. It’s because the handbag represents who I am now – mom, author and entrepreneur; helping me through every event, situation and season without missing a beat. Promising: Book Two of Kira’s StoryPROMISING, the riveting follow-up to AWAKENING by Rebel Miller.Faced with diverging loyalties — between those she loves and her responsibility to the Realm — Kira has to make heartrending and strategic decisions that threaten to jeopardize her future.As her connection to Tai deepens and turmoil in the Realm builds, so does Gannon’s frustration at being unable to call Kira his own. Worlds at War ... A Heart in Conflict While the Realm stands defiant amidst rising unrest, Kira is thrust into a role that puts her at the forefront of her system’s governance and law, supporting a landmark position. Following a devastating turn of events, she turns to Tai for a shoulder to lean on after making a painful choice to ensure Gannon fulfils the role he was meant for. As she becomes a reluctant - yet inspiring - voice for her caste, Kira learns about one of the Realm’s most well-kept secrets and how far leadership will go to prevent it from being revealed. What she doesn’t know is how much the decisions of her past have the power to bring enemies into her path, threatening to destroy everyone she holds close to her heart.Find Promising at: Rebel Miller Connect with Rebel at http://rebelmillerbooks.com/

.@VickiBatman - Handbag & Book, You're not a #BoyScout #MFRWorg #RssosSister #backpack

Handbag & Book withVicki BatmanToday, I have something quite different to show you handbag-wise. It's this:


Yup, my backpack. 
I found it several years ago at an antique mall when #2 son was in Scouts and thought he would like it. The price was great, $6.00, not tons of pockets, roomy, great condition, heavy canvas. 
He said...no. 
I guess it didn't have the cool factor of his *day.* So I appropriated it for myself. 
Handsome says it isn't great, but I love it. There's no digging through various pockets and zips for things like he does. (How many times has he lost his wallet??)
I can lash other things on it and the closure fits in two places. There are twill ties on the inside for closing as well. If ripped, it can be resewn (under certain conditions). And the roomie pocket on the front?? I stash my Kindle or a paperback there.
I usually take it when I travel on planes, and invariably, a guy behind me will comment on it. I'm guessing they don't see many women carrying Scout stuff. LOL.

Are you a backpack carrier? 

Can you vote for Season of Surprises? The Season of Surprises anthology is in The Romance Reviews Readers Choice Awards.Ours is in the Anthology category. Here's the link and thank you!  http://www.theromancereviews.com/bookvote.php