Vicki Batman's Blog, page 57

#author Madison West is showing off something spikey & a story from Season of Surprises #MFRWorg #RssosSisters #holidays #romance

Handbag Monday--er, Wednesday--welcomes...Madison West Some women consider themselves obsessed with shoes or clothes, but not me. I’ve always been a handbag girl. No matter what my size or style, a handbag always made me feel good about myself.
My current favorite handbag is this gorgeous black leather purse that has spikes and rhinestones details on its sides and a gold chain handle. It’s bold, very girly and perfect for a night out on the town.
Wow, Madison, I never thought of you as a "spikey" kind of girl. 


Turkish Delight by Madison West An agoraphobic young woman embarks on a trip to Istanbul, Turkey in search of a rare tapestry, but instead finds love and herself.Excerpt:           “As much as Amelia was an introvert and liked being around the familiar, she sometimes found herself longing to trade places with Penny—to become as adventurous as she was, to live life as fearlessly as her.         “You have to make a wish now!” Penny declared, placing a candle on the pink, sparkly cupcake and lighting it.         The gesture made Amelia temporarily cringe.         Penny held out the cupcake closer to Amelia, ignoring her lack of enthusiasm. “Come on, you have to close your eyes too or it won’t come true!”          It was a silly notion, but Amelia quickly closed her eyes and wished things would be different from now on.         She wished she could trade places with the bold and adventurous Penny Landry.”
You can find Madison West at:  ContemporaryBooks
Find Season of Surprises at: Facebook

Amazon    Barnes & Noble     Kobo     iTunes

Handbag Monday welcomes Season of Surprises' #author Jane Gale & her bag & story #MFRWorg #RssosSisters #fashion #accessories

Handbag Monday welcomes...Jane Gale
This handbag is versatile and can carry pretty much everything a lady writer could ever need, just short of an iron. Perfect for those moments when I sit too long in one place and create crazy wrinkles in my clothes. The black is a universal color and the style goes with pretty much everything in my closet. I realized early on that the leather material is much easier to clean when I spill the contents of my beverages and splatter spaghetti sauce while slobbishly shoving giant wads of not-so-organized, sauce smothered pasta noodles in my face. The poor handbag has been victim of many a spill and splatter, looking a bit like a piece of evidence from a crime scene more than the fully versatile and functional handbag of a lady writer. 

Hi, Jane! And what a versatible bag. I love black handbags almost as much as red ones. lol
Destiny’s life is turned upside down after receiving a court summons. A sexy and mysterious man arrives in town throwing her mundane life further into a tailspin. Destiny doesn’t know who to trust or if she should take a chance and risk it all.


         “The twinkle in your eye tells me I have you intrigued. It’s been a long time since I’ve had the pleasure of spending the evening with such a lovely woman. I won’t take no for an answer. I’ll pick you up at closing time and we’ll have dinner. You can tell me about what you’ve been up to these last ten years, and I can tell you why I need your help acquiring what’s mine and always has been mine.”           Destiny sat on the stool next to the counter for fear of having her knees buckle. Compliments didn’t come her way often, and certainly not from such an attractive man as the one standing before her, insisting she go out to dinner with him.“I can’t tonight, I have plans.”And I seriously need to get my act together, I shouldn’t be blushing like a schoolgirl because a hot guy came by and paid me some attention. I so need a life!         Shrugging his shoulders, the man’s lips turned in a full toothy smile. “Looks like you’ll just have to break those plans, my dear. I’ll be here five minutes after your doors close for the evening. Until then, I’ll be thinking of you.”
Find Jane Gale at:   Facebook

Find Season of Surprises at:  Facebook
Amazon    Barnes & Noble     Kobo     iTunes 

#Author Laurel Wanrow #newbook The Twisting & sharing tidbits #MFRWorg #fantasy #romance #RssosSisters

Let's Get to Know...Laurel Wanrow Passionate about nature since she was young, Laurel Wanrow writes stories about living close to the land, falling in love, and the magic in both.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer? Really a writer? Not just someone who made up stories for fun? The third year of homeschooling my son. He’d become more independent and was taking classes. I was driving him to them and bored. I began writing one of my stories in a spiral notebook, and pretty soon I was hooked.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk? I have always been terrified I’d lose a whole slew of writing with one misplaced key stroke. I started off transcribing my handwritten story by placing each chapter in a separate Word doc, and still do that. I am a back-up fiend!
What do you like to do when you’re not writing? Garden, hike and take photos of nature.
How many books have you written? Which is your favorite? I’ve written 10, but doubt some of them will make it out into the world. My favorite is a sci-fi in which the people have been brought together from different times and places to save a dying world. I’ll be releasing it—Passages—next year.
What do you think makes a good story? Magic. I love magic and unique world-building and characters fighting to save a special way of life.
What are your favorite book genres in writing and reading? Fantasy and mystery, always with a romance.
Who are your favorite authors to read? I read a lot of YA: Maggie Stiefvater, Rainbow Rowell, J. K. Rowling, Sharon Cameron. For more grown-up fare, I can’t get enough of The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern.

As desperate farmworkers modify steam machinery to fight crop-eating pests, a proper Victorian girl discovers those eager to profit from the disaster prove even more dangerous.
Annmar scrunched back into her pillow. This wasn’t a cat. The face was too pointed, never mind the sleek body three times as long as it was tall. Yet when she looked into its face, the familiar eyes belonged to…“Daeryn?”Eyes squinting, the animal’s ears pressed flat. Its head sank, giving a little jerk up and down.Had he…nodded? “That isyou.” Daeryn. This was a polecat. Her drawings had been correct, but not the same as seeing one uninjured, acting normal. Or as normal as a polecat in someone’s bed would act.She pressed her fingertips to her temples. Oh, Lord, just stop thinking already.But her head didn’t hurt, her vision wasn’t cloudy, and neither were her thoughts. She lowered her hands and looked around to confirm they were alone before fixing her gaze on…him. “What are you doing in my room?”His shoulders lifted.That was a shrug. He half-crouched and jumped to the foot of the bed, then to the floor, all before she knew that’s what he had in mind. He disappeared behind the end of her bedstead.She half-sat up, and as she started swinging her legs around, a hand pulled down the extra quilt that hung on the end of her bed. Annmar gasped and scooted under her covers. A moment later, Daeryn’s tousled brown hair came into view. The quilt swung through the air, and he stood, the fabric draped over his shoulders and held closed in the front.He squinted at her, his expression the same as the polecat’s, looking very sleepy. “Sorry,” he muttered. “Didn’t mean to surprise you.”What was she supposed to say to that? He’d been in her room. Sleeping in her room. In her bed! Oh, Lord, what would Mother… Nothing. Mother wasn’t around to worry about anymore, as Mary Clare had pointed out. Annmar had no one to answer to, Blighted Basin society included. Their lack of rules completely befuddled her. How did these people function?

The Twisting is available for pre-order and will be released Nov 3rd on: Amazon

Who's Counting? I am! Season of Surprises #RssosSisters #MFRWorg #newbook #sweetromance

Let’s Get to Know...Season of SurprisesGood morning! I'd thought I would share a bit about "Holiday Handbag Extravaganza," my funny short story featured in the Season of Surprises anthology.

As many of you know, I love handbags. Usually, my heroines carry a special one. Enid Collins handbags are near and dear to my heart. I have about nine. They are jeweled and stenciled spectacularly. Sadly, I don't have a holiday one. Here's a couple from the Enid Collins fan club:

Tiny pictures!

I thought why not combine my love for all things Enid and holiday stories and came up with my story. 


“Holiday Handbag Extravaganza”: 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.                                                                                                              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? 
So why is Jack at The Copper Teapot? LOL There's action, adventure--OOPS! that's what happens in the new Star Wars movie. Seriously, romance, a nasty sister, handbags everywhere all adds up to tons of fun. 
Find Season of Surprises at: 
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Season-Surprises-Holiday-Box-Set-ebook/dp/B014LZJRVM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1441331771&sr=8-1&keywords=season+of+surprises

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/season-of-surprises-holiday-box-set-merry-holly/1122604571?ean=2940152242966

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/search?Query=season+of+surprises

iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1034934609

#Handbag Monday: guest #historicalromance #author Heather Boyd, a handbag & her #newbook #fashion #accessories #MFRWorg #RssosSisters

Handbag Monday welcomes...Heather Boyd
Bestselling regency romance author, Heather Boyd, believes every character she creates deserves their own happily-ever-after, no matter how much trouble she puts them through. With that goal in mind, she weaves sizzling English set love stories that push the boundaries of regency era propriety to keep readers enthralled until the wee hours of the morning. While writing full time north of Sydney, Australia, Heather collects dust bunnies in all corners of the house and does her best to wrangle her testosterone-fuelled family into submission.
I’ve only ever spotted the Fossil Vickery Shoulder Bag in David Jones (an Australian upmarket department store) but love was instant and forever. Soft black leather, so well made I might never let it out of my sight should I own one, and it has shoulder strap options. Squee…. It’s on my wish list for Christmas, or for the next really great income month we have. 
Oh, Heather, don't get me started on Christmas Wish Lists! Ask Handsome how long mine is--LOL. 
When Melanie Merton's neighbor Walter George jumps to her defense against slurs cast by suitor number twelve, he also pries into her past—uncovering the circumstances around a tragic loss in her childhood and her aversion to being touched by anyone.
Find Miss Merton's Last Hope at: Amazon
Find Heather Boyd at: Website


*clapping hands* because I love historical novels, Heather! Thanks for joining me.

October for Cancer : Remembering my friend #MFRWorg #friendship #cancer #RssosSisters #MuseItUp #Jazzercise

October is for...Remembering
When I first sold to Muse It Up Publishing, I heard chatter about cancer stories and anthology on the author loop. I inquired a bit and was able to submit mine about my friend who'd passed the year prior from stomach cancer. 

My friend was the life of the party and downright gorgeous. We attended Jazzercise together for many years. Loved to needlepoint. Loved handbags. Loved to read. 

So in honor of her, I thought I'd post a few paragraphs from "Taking Flight." 
It seemed everyone knew this woman. And me, a newbie in this Jazzercise class at a local rec center, knew who she was because everyone had loudly shouted her name, “Charley,” as the class assembled. Charlene, Charley for short, stood on the back row with her equally rambunctious friend, always joking, playing around, and dancing their own routines. The whole class loved their antics, exuberance, joie de vivre. They would laugh and poke fun at their friends like they were the Jazzercise police, “You’re doing it wrong.” Carley was tall, reed thin, had a wide smile, and a mischievous glint in her eye. She loved to needlepoint, absorbed books, and shopped at Talbot’s. She adored her small dog and hubby. Quietly reverent. We all knew she looked like a superstar when driving around town in her bright red sports car, top down in the summer. For Lent she gave up chocolate, Mexican food, and swearing. She failed miserably at swearing. Then her world changed. Charley was diagnosed with colon cancer.The unexpected news shook us all. The whole class held a collective breath. Could Charley fight and win this battle? What would our group be without her? We couldn't imagine.For as long as she could, she came to class and continued to dance her own crazy steps. When her hair fell out, she tied colorful bandanas on her head. To show our support, we wore one too. However, the subsequent surgeries and chemotherapy took a toll on her already skinny frame. Pounds evaporated from her body. We were scared for her.
If you are interested in supporting Lavender Dreams, go to: Muse It Up Publishing

#Handbag Monday : author Paty Jager w fringe & beads and a new #mystery #MFRWorg #RssosSisters #TWRP #accessories

Handbag Monday welcomes ...Paty Jager 
This is a handbag I have on my wish list. I’m a one bag person and when the Montana West bag I have now has lost all the turquoise bling and is looking rattier, I’ll splurge on this bag. I love Native American looking accessories and this bag reminds me of a messenger bag that the Native Americans used to carry food they harvested and to carry supplies when traveling. It also resembles the bag my amateur sleuth, Shandra Higheagle uses. She has a Native American background and is trying to reconnect with her father’s heritage.
I’ve always loved leather fringe on bags. I had a rough-out leather bag with a fringe in Junior High that I loved. The added design reminds me of carvings and drawings seen on Native American crafts.I like having my hands free and always purchase cross-body bags for that reason.
I like traveling with crossbody bags, Paty. Wore them a lot when the boys were little too. 
Jealousy…Deception…Murder The accident that took her father’s life has always haunted Shandra Higheagle. When her dreams become too real, she knows it’s time to discover the truth. It doesn’t take long to suspect her father had been murdered and that someone is unhappy with her probing.

Find Murderous Secrets link at: Amazon
Find Paty’s at: Website

So, Paty, do you have handbags for other occasions? 

Movie Mom - Snatch #GuyRitchiefilm #RssosSisters #MFRWorg #goodmovie

Movie Mom watched...
Snatch When this movie was released, I grabbed sons and Handsome to go see it. We all really liked Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels; so no brainer. The other night when cruising for something to watch while I embroidered, I paused on this title and said, "yeah."
The movie: a 2000 crime comedy directed by Guy Ritchie (Man from U.N.C.L.E.), starring Dennis Farina, Jason Statham, Vinnie Jones, and Benecio del Toro. There are way too many plots to describe here--diamond, dogs, pigs, gypsies, promoters, Russians, etc.
My thoughts:  Handsome settled by me on the couch and soon, we were rolling with laughter. The whole cast is a serious mess of bumbling idiots, but the film's uniqueness is extraordinary. Even though it is a comedy, there are plenty of gory things going on, too. Lots of shootings. The acting is superb and we are still wondering what the heck Brad Pitt's character said. You have to pay attention as there is a lot going on and great filming.
FMI: Wikipedia

This isn't your ordinary film. Are there movies that standout in some unique way you'd like to share? 

#crafting I like to keep busy : #embroidery #needlepoint #crochet #grandmotherthings #RssosSisters #MFRWorg

Crafty gal...likes to keep busyIf I can, I like to make some gifts for Christmas. As you know, I do needlepoint, but I'm an avid embroiderer. I began at age nine with a pillowcase. My grandmother set me down on my parent's tiny front porch and passed me the pillowcase, already stamped with a kitty stepping on a fork. She showed me a bit and then said for me to try. I did and loved how the thread enhanced the piece. 
About age nineteen, someone had given me this pillowcase to embroider...
Grandmother even crocheted the edging. I bet you can agree I saved the case because of her work, not mine. It's not bad; hopefully, I improved. 
Last year, I worked these for my daughter-in-law:
I bought the already finished tea towels at JoAnn's and used a transfer I had. I like how doing the whole picture in black worked. I also added a favorite trim--rick rack.

Many times I've said I believe creativity begets more creativity. Do you think that shows in my writing? lol


What are special hobbies you have? 


 “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.                                                                                                                 Find at most e-retailers and: Barnes and Noble                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

#Handbag Monday's guest is #author Darlene De Luca with a dotty bag & a book! #fashion #shoes #MFRWorg #RssosSisters

Handbag Monday welcomes...Darlene De Luca


This is one of my favorite handbags. It’s small, so I don’t use it often. I’m one of those women who carry everything – not only my own stuff, but emergency bandages and tissues and pens for everyone else, too. (For those of you who remember Let’s Make a Deal, I’m pretty sure I could’ve been a big winner!) 


This little gem is also my only Kate Spade purse, or designer purse of any kind, and it’s one of my favorite colors. I love yellow. It’s fun and cheery, and the big yellow circles on the bag are like sunshine on a bright summer day. Summer also happens to be my favorite season, so I guess you could say this one little bag combines a few of my favorite things! 
But the bag is special for one other reason – it belonged to my mother-in-law who died about ten years ago. She and I had very different tastes in clothing. Her style ran more toward Southwestern with bold patterns, and big, chunky silver belts and jewelry, most of which I could never wear. So when we were sorting through her closets after her death, I was delighted to find the darling yellow Clashing over the fate of a historic building, Jennifer Aukland and Michael Reynolds are on course to become adversaries. She’s an architect devoted to green building and restoration. He’s a developer hell-bent on ripping down the old hotel she’s racing to save to make way for a new casino.
Chemistry leads to compromise, and for a time, they’re on the same team. Jennifer adds Michael – and marriage – to her safe and steady plan for the future. But when Michael throws caution aside and lands in a life-threatening situation, Jennifer’s world comes crashing down. In her family, she’s learned that recklessness leads to tragedy. She must decide if she can commit her life to someone who takes unnecessary risks with his. Will she take control of her own destiny, even if it means leaving Michael behind? Or will she risk everything for love?
Excerpt:She whirled around, out of his grasp. “Let’s don’t play games. You know what I’m talking about.” Bright eyes pleaded with him. “Don’t get involved in this project. Please.”“Please,” Michael repeated, his voice low and silky. “You’ve said that twice now. You mean please like when I asked you to talk to me?”“There’s nothing more to say, and you know it.”“I disagree. I think we have a whole lot to talk about.”Her head dropped into her hands. “We are not having a conversation about the past. It’s over and done. You have no right to interfere in my career, Michael.”“That’s not my intent.”“Then what is it?” Jennifer cried. “I don’t understand. What do you want?”The silence was deafening, and Jennifer’s chest heaved while she waited.His eyes locked onto hers. “I want you to remember what we had.”The blood drained from her face.
Find at: Amazon
Find Darlene De Luca at: Website

Darlene, did you know I just adore Kate Spade and nothing could be better than Kate Spade and polka dots!!! Thanks for being with me today!