Vicki Batman's Blog, page 63

The color Purple on #handbag Monday w author J. M. Maurer #fashion #accessories #shoes #MFRWorg

Handbag MondayWelcomes J. Maurer. Let's check out what she brought to show off:  
Nestled somewhere in their closet, some women have a handbag in every shape, size, and color they would possibly need. Admittedly, I’m somewhat one of them. Even as I admit that, I am practical with neutral colors that tend to match most anything I choose to wear. Except for this handbag, which is my favorite. Yes, it is purple. 
And yes, I use it all year. I don’t particularly care if it’s a fall color, as my son so eloquently has pointed out. I love it!
Jackie! that purple is absolutely gorgeous and I'd carry all the time too. It is similar to my favorite style, the Kelly bag. Well done!
It’s simple and has a roomy inside. So why do I love it so much—other than the fact that it is an awesome shade of purple? Well, we often travel out of state with my son’s baseball team. Believe me, I’ve learned to cram in a lot of necessities into my handbag for these three to seven day excursions. With all of the extra goodies I’m carrying around, there is one item inside my handbag that I never have to worry if I’ll ever find it—my keys.


In my humble opinion, all handbags should have the attached key clip like this bag does. In fact, it is now the first thing I look for when I’m shopping for a new handbag. J


Every day, Jessica Winters does what she does best—bury herself in patient care within the walls of the neuro intensive care unit, keeping herself busy to escape the dark sadness that controls her life. But the day she sees Matthew Moi, the intriguing man seated at her new patient’s bedside, her shattered heart begins to frantically beat once again. 
As Matthew pins his mesmerizing gaze upon her, trying to distract her with his humorous and playful banter, she does her best to ignore him. Somehow he already knows a great deal about her, breaking down Jessica’s barriers and awakening her soul, drawing her out of the darkness and into his arms. 
When her painful past resurfaces, revealing truths that threaten her future, Jessica struggles through her issues and fights to stay on a healing path . . . seeking love.
Find Seeking Love at: Amazon
Find J. M. Maurer at: Website  Facebook  Twitter  Goodreads
Thank you, J. M., for showing off your stylish bag. Love the color! 

Welcome Christina OW and Twist of Fate #romance #MFRWorg #amreading

Today, I welcome a new author for me--Christina OW. Let's get to know her and Twists of Fate



Christina OW writes suspense, thrillers, erotica, interracial and multicultural romance books. Books have always been an escape for her, for a few hours she gets to live the lives of characters she grows to cherish and admire. She's always had an active imagination and because of it has lived in her head more than she has been in the outside world. 

What was the hardest part of writing your book? The writing. There is this meme about having voices in your head. For authors we need those voices, those characters, in writing the book because when they go silent, I end up staring at a blank page for hours even days. It’s not fun at all especially when there deadline is looming in the horizon.
Are you a plotter or a pantser? Both. Before I begin a book, I plot it out. How I would like it to begin, the climax, the conflict and finally the ending. But sometimes the book takes a life of it’s on and the only thing that stuck to the plan was the beginning.
What other careers have you had? I have a BA in International Studies and Communications & Media, and a Diploma in Law. I worked at a law firm, and a fashion house while studying. But at the moment, I’m a writer and a fashion designer. This is where the ‘We make plans and God laughs’ joke comes in.
What is your favorite vacation spot? Mombasa, Kenya. It’s beautiful, it’s hot and has the best night life during the holidays. It’s also home, nothing beats that.
Which food could you not live without? Chocolate. I would wither away without chocolate.
If you could travel anywhere in the world where would you travel? Italy. There is just something about Italy that has me drooling over it.
Do you have siblings? What was it like growing up with them? Yes, a twin, and an older sister. Growing up, let’s just say, it was complicated. No one likes to share but people seem to think just because you’re a twin, it’s a given.
Do you have a favorite snacks that you drink when you write? Orange juice, chutney chips and chocolate chip cookies.
Life had been great these past few weeks. I have a hot boyfriend, got back my dad and my adopted sisters were happy with their significant others. Life was good. That is until I started getting attacked by bouts of pain that would render me unconscious. Something was wrong with me, Ash knew but he wasn’t sharing. Worse than that, Steve in the worst form possible is back to haunt me. And Ash with his hug archaic pride just won’t let it go. Oh, but I haven’t gotten to the worst part yet…hell!What’s a girl to do to get some long term happiness?
Get the series preview The Beginning FREE at: The Beginning
Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win a $20 Amazon Gift card and other giveaways. For multiple entries visit Christina OW’s Facebook page at: Facebook & Rafflecopter
Find Twists of Fate at: Amazon

Old Things #crochet #vintage #MFRWorg #RLFblog

I love some old things. Beaded satin Christmas ornaments. Needlepoint handbags. Books. 

Recently, I traveled with Handsome to Lawrence, Kansas. He attended a KU Business School board meeting and I snuck off to the fabulous downtown where there are plenty of shops and restaurants. But my favorite one of all is an antique mall. 

There, something caught my eye: 



Isn't it lovely? The shawl is wool, probably crocheted in a wave pattern (If you know, please tell me!) It measures five feet by 18 inches. And the cost? You won't believe this. A mere $7.00.

I'm guessing a family cleaned a house and had a tag sale. The shawl was leftover. I can't imagine the price being so low, but that was the correct one. Recently, we had a cold day, like upper fifties, and I wrapped it around my shoulders while working at my computer. Perfect! 

I've carried it to the movies where the theaters are notoriously cold. Perfect!

How about you? Have you ever found a bargain and it was perfect?


Need a perfect read for a drizzly day? Try my romantic comedy mystery where my heroine takes temporary jobs and nothing goes right. Find Temporarily Employed at: Amazon

Welcome to author Jessie Clever who oh so cleverly is sharing a #handbag and her #book #lovebooks #MFRWorg

Happy Memorial Day to all! And welcome to 
Handbag Monday
Today's guest is author Jessie Clever. Let's see what she brought to share with us: 
I’m often called Little Irene after my maternal grandmother Irene.  We have very similar personalities in that we make friends with anyone and will talk to everyone.  And we are guaranteed to make you laugh.  Grandma Irene always wore red high heels and carried a matching red handbag.  My whole adult life I said one day I will have a red handbag just like Grandma Irene to go with my on red high heels.  
Not so long ago, I traipsed across a milestone birthday, milestone enough that my husband and I planned to go to Walt Disney World to celebrate it.  I didn’t expect presents that year (the trip was present enough), but I came downstairs on my birthday to find a giant box on the dining room table (formerly Grandma Irene’s table).  What was in the box?   The red bag to go with the red shoes.  Apparently, my husband thought it was time for someday, and he had picked out just the right red bag.
Oh, Jessie, that is a wonderful man! A real keeper.
Shannon Wynter has many things on her mind. Romance is not one of them.
Abandoned by her mother at eleven and strapped with an agoraphobic father, Shannon’s focus doesn’t travel much farther than her career as a journalist despite the sometimes maniacal efforts of her two best friends from her days at an all-girls boarding school.
But when an assignment puts her in the path of hypnotically enticing Ian Darke, not even her dedication to her career and her father can hold her steady. Pulled ever deeper into a relationship with a man she swears she doesn’t even like, Shannon uncovers Ian’s weaknesses and her father’s secrets.

But the most important thing she discovers is what she already knows.
Where to Find Jessie: Website  Facebook  Twitter  Pinterest
When She Knows: Franconia Notch Trilogy Book One: Amazon
Thank you, Jessie, for being with me today!

.@VickiBatman - What name was popular when you were in school? #namingbaby #MFRWorg #RLFblog #cozymystery

The Name Game  When I went to grade school, there were at least three other girls in my class with the same name. However, they were spelt differently. I’m: Vicki (that's me over there!) The others were: Vikki, Vickie, Vicky Later on and when I thought about it, Susan, Cathy, and Kathy names dominated, as did variations with full names or short names, like Katie, Katy, Kat, Cathie, Cathleen, Suzie, Suzy. So when I was pregnant with #1son, Handsome and I struggled over naming him, even though we didn't know he would be a boy. I’d toss out something.  “No.” And more. “Nope.” I was determined he would not have a J name:  Jonathan, Justin, Jacob, Jake, Joshua, etc. Those names were way too popular. I didn’t want him to have to go through what I did. Finally when watching an old and favorite detective movie, I said, “What do you think about this?” Handsome said, “Yes.” Great Rejoicing! I can’t say what #1son’s name is because he doesn’t want me to tell via social media. Lol. The funny thing is in his Sunday School class of 24 kids, there were two other boys with the same name. Yikes! I never thought I’d have a boy. I come from a family of four girls. In my mind, I was going to have girls. And name the first, Holland. The second, Hayley.  And the third, Hattie. Sadly, no girls came my way. Instead, I got #2son: first name is his dad’s, second name is a church friend’s. And let’s mention, they get the wonderful Batman as their last name. lolol. A lot of character’s names just pop in a writer’s head and as a writer, I know when this instance does happen, that name is most likely absolutely perfect. I have gone the route of looking at the census and seeing which names were popular in specific years. In 2014, these are the names used:
If you want to look up your birth year, go to:  To discover more about Hattie and her wacky journey through unemployment, her romance with a hunky hero, and murder, go to: Amazon  



 

Welcome author MaryAnn Kempher & her funny mystery, Mocha, Moonlight, and Murder #mystery #MFRWorg #funnybook

Author Bio:MaryAnn Kempher’s books will test your crime solving skills and tickle your funny bone; with quirky characters and witty dialogue, her books will keep you guessing, and smiling until the very end.

Her books can be read out of order, but she recommends you start with her first, Mocha, Moonlight, and Murder which is a romantic mystery set in Reno NV, then Forever Doomed, which is a murder mystery set on a cruise ship.


Sweet Mystery is her most recent release and another “I did not see that coming.”murder mystery.



A midnight food run nearly gets Katherine O’Brian killed. She’s the only person to see the man who brutally murdered a local woman and the killer is hell-bent on making sure she doesn't talk. 
When Katherine meets Scott Mitchell; literally, tall, dark, and handsome, sparks fly, but despite their chemistry, both have their own reasons for wanting to stay "just friends". When it becomes clear that Katherine’s life is in danger, they'll work together to try to figure out what the police haven’t been able to—the identity of the killer, before Katherine becomes his next victim. 
Scott and Katherine will face jealousy, misunderstandings, lust, and rivals, not to mention attempted murder—and all before their first real date.


Find MaryAnn at: Twitter     Facebook   Goodreads    Pinterest     Website

#Handbag Monday - a lovely Springtime vintage bag sure to make everyone green with envy #MFRWorg #RLFblog #fleamarketfind

Handbag Monday
Long ago, my sister took me to a really great flea market where a vendor was selling Margaret Smith handbags. I had never heard of them, but was really in love because of the fabulous patterned fabrics. No leather!


 Here's a bit about the Margaret Smith company: Margaret Smith made beach bags and totes in the forties, eventually leading to the formation of the Margaret Smith Company. Her bags were considered the Kate Spade of the fifties, sixties, seventies. She became the first woman to represent Maine in the Senate and the first woman to serve in both houses of Congress.
The small tote I purchased that day is a typical hunting scene. The totes came in various sizes of small, medium, and large-almost briefcase-sized. Then there are the specialty ones with other kinds of fabrics and different handles and closures. I confess, I have a variety of all of them. AND I always get tons of compliments.

I've bought several on eBay and ETSY for a nominal price. Some have never been carried. This red one is a favorite because it is RED, and also, the size. It's lightweight and I like the tote handles because the larger ones drop off my shoulders.
In this day of leather handbags, would you be willing to carry a fabric one like this?

.@VickiBatman - Hitchcock's classic: Rebecca #RWAKissofDeath #classicmovie #MFRWorg #RLForg #lovebooks

Several  times, I’ve blogged about how the book, Rebecca , changed my reading life from young adult to adult. Not long ago, Handsome and I were talking about this topic, and he mentioned he’d never seen the movie (although he said he knew it from my lengthy talks about it. LOL). The next day in our local paper was an advertisement for special screenings of movies from 1970 and prior. This year’s line-up included Rebecca . Instantly, I emailed Handsome we had to go as I had never seen Rebecca on the big screen. Rebecca , 1940, and directed by the awesome Alfred Hitchcock, starred Joan Fontaine and Laurence Olivier, adapted from the 1938 novel by Daphne du Maurier. The film adaptation is pretty true to Ms. du Maurier’s plot. Shot in black and white, the film is considered to be a gothic tale, not a romance. We never see Rebecca, Maxim de Winter's first wife, who died before the story starts, but the audience grows to know her reputation through recollections about her. Her constant presence is kept alive by Mrs. Danvers, the housekeeper. Also to note is the second Mrs. de Winter is never called by her first name.The film won two Academy Awards, Outstanding Production and Cinematography, out of a total 11 nominations. Olivier, Fontaine and Anderson were all Oscarnominated for their respective roles. Funny bit: Mr. Hitchcock lied to Ms. Fontaine, saying that no one in the cast liked her.

Blurb: A naïve paid companion marries an aristocratic widower and becomes intimidated by her responsibilities and the memories of the first wife and doubts her relationship with her husband.

My thoughts: I loved this movie. It is perfectly cast, movies well. There are close up subtleties that are incredible. Truly, one of Hitchcock’s finest movies. I was a little baffled as to why some audience members tittered during it. Maybe because it seemed a little melodramatic.  

FMI:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebecca_...

 
 

Welcome to Kim Cresswell & #newbook : Retribution #thriller #romance #MFRWorg

THE WAR HAS JUST BEGUN…
Once the top leader of the Sur del Calle cartel, Colombia’s largest drug trafficking organization, Pablo Sanchez has declared revenge against Blake Barnett, the FBI agent who’d killed his twin brother over a decade ago.After one failed attempt forced him to flee the United States, Pablo has a bold new plan and he’s even more determined to kill Blake and his fiancée, Whitney Steel.

From Las Vegas to the militant infected jungles of Bogota, Blake has no choice but to risk his life and infiltrate the cartel’s inner world and eliminate the ruthless drug lord. 

Bio: Kim Cresswell resides in Ontario, Canada. Trained as a legal assistant, Kim has been a story-teller all her life but took many detours including; working in legal and adult education before returning to her first love, writing.

Her debut romantic thriller, REFLECTION, has won numerous awards: RomCon's 2014 Readers' Crown Finalists (Romantic Suspense), InD'tale Magazine's Rone Award Finalist (Suspense/Thriller), UP Authors Fiction Challenge Winner (2013), Silicon Valley's Romance Writers of America (RWA) "Gotcha!" Romantic Suspense Winner (2004), and an Honourable Mention in Calgary's Romance Writers of America (RWA) The Writer's Voice Contest (2006).

Kim's short novel thriller, LETHAL JOURNEY, was a finalist in From the Heart Romance Writers (FTHRW) Golden Gate Contest (2003) and more recently won RomCon's 2014 Readers' Crown (thriller/suspense). 

Her action-packed thrillers have been highly praised by reviewers and readers. As one reviewer said, "Buckle up, Hang on tight!"

Kim recently entered the true crime writing arena. Real Life Evil - A True Crime Quickie (two short stories) was published in January 2014. You can read her latest true crime stories in Serial Killer Quarterly, a new quarterly e-magazine published by Grinning Man Press. You can read her latest true crime stories in Serial Killer Quarterly, a new e-magazine published by Grinning Man Press. She is also a member of The American Investigative Society of Cold Cases (AISOCC), a non-profit, volunteer based organization of professional investigators who assist in solving cold cases. 


Find Kim at:  Website     Facebook      Twitter

Find Retribution at: Amazon

Do you believe in Ever After? Susan Winters on #handbag Monday #contemporaryromance #princecharming #MFRWorg #accessories

What kind of handbag does a corporate paralegal and writer carry?



Handbag Monday
My favorite purse is a Coach wristlet given to me by my former boss as a farewell gift. The wristlet is a snazzy convertible among my SUV-sized every-day bags. With just enough room for my license and lip gloss, it is perfect for a night out on the town without being weighed down by all the usual necessities.
I just love this bag, Susan! I like to carry a wristlet at evening events or on special dates with Handsome. However, they can hold the necessities and fit very nicely in a larger tote, too. Well done!


Roz Parker is worried by her husband’s moodiness and frequent trips to the gym. Is Dave on the treadmill or simply running around?
While her husband is away on business, Eden Jones discovers that their accounts have been completely wiped out. Will Alan return or has he disappeared along with all of their money?
In the face of crisis two childhood friends re-ignite their friendship and discover which magic truly lasts. 
Find Susan at: Susan
Find Ever After at: Amazon
Do you believe in ever after?