Vicki Batman's Blog, page 71

.@VickiBatman - guest author Marianne Stephens from RB4U with special #handbag #MFRWorg #RLFblog #fashion

This is such an extra special day as my guest is Marianne Stephens who allows me to post on RB4U!

Handbag Monday

Let's get to know Marianne: Marianne Stephens has written mainstream romance and nonfiction books. ( Other pen name, April Ash, has written erotic romance books.) She runs the Romance Books '4' Us website - a promotion site for authors, publishers, and industry representatives. Marianne lives in the Midwest and enjoys communicating with readers and those in the romance book industry.



One year, my bowling team got first place, and our prize was a gift certificate to Macy's. I used it to buy the bag. I LOVE this bag...it even goes in the washer and dryer! It's my Spring/Summer bag, but I sometimes use it into the Fall. Lots of room inside to hold whatever I want to put in it. The canvas shoulder strap doesn't cut into my shoulder; it's wider than most straps and more comfortable.

VB says: Marianne, I like the fabric on the bag. It looks worldly. 



Here's the blurb from Naughty List: Are you on the Naughty List...thirteen Naughty Holiday stories to warm up your winter.
Marianne's story is: Dear Santa: I Want a MAN for Christmas
Find Naughty List at: website


Thank you, Marianne, for sharing your handbag with me today! And congratulations on Naughty List. Very hotttt guy.

.@VickiBatman ~ is examining her closet for #handbag Monday and found a holiday one *am smiling* #MFRWorg #RLFBlog #fashion

My scheduled guest had to change and oops, you got me.

*Handbag Monday*
This is one of my favorites. I found it at a huge flea market years ago and only really carry it to holiday parties.


Way back when, I didn't want to pay $45.00 for a handbag, but I did. I stood and looked and looked. Then went "yes."

It is curved into the shape of a rolled magazine and features an iconic Christmas picture of Santa and his sleigh with the reindeer, heading off to deliver the goodies. Snaps shut and has a strap that can be used if desired.

It truly is a favorite and I receive many compliments.

Do you carry holiday handbags?


And don't forget--my hilarious romantic comedy, "Holiday Disaster," is in the Season of Magic boxed set and has been on Amazon's best seller list for many days now. Find Season of Magic at: Amazon

.@VickiBatman - bring on the popcorn! I'm watching holiday movies #MFRWorg #RLFblog #Christmasmovies

I've started a small list of some of my favorites that are a must-see for me each year. Some are oldies, some are sorta old, some are everlasting. 
* Movie Mom *
Charlie Brown Christmas: is based on the comic strip Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz. Charlie Brown finds himself depressed despite the onset of the cheerful holiday season. Lucy suggests he direct a school Christmas play, but he is both ignored and mocked by his peers. The story touches on the over-commercialization and reminds us of the true meaning of Christmas.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: is a Christmas television special produced in stop motion animation by Rankin/Bass.  The special was based on the Johnny Marks song "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" which was itself based on the 1939 poem Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer written by Marks' brother-in-law.

White Christmas: is a 1954 musical, starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, and Vera-Ellen (amazing dancer!!), loosely based on the 1942 film Holiday Inn and features the songs of Irving Berlin.

Stalag 17: is a 1953 war film which tells the story of a group of American airmen held in a German World War II prisoner of war camp, who come to suspect that one of their number is an informant. It starred William Holden, Don Taylor, Robert Strauss, Neville Brand, Harvey Lembeck, Peter Graves and Otto Preminger in the role of the camp's commandant.

Millions: is a 2004 British comedy-drama film directed by Danny Boyle, and starring Alex Etel, Lewis McGibbon, and James Nesbitt. Two brothers discover a duffle of money and selfishly and selflessly spend it with interesting consequences.
Love, Actually: Ten romantic stories that intertwine, beginning five weeks before Christmas. 










How the Grinch Stole Christmas: is a 1966 American animated television special directed by Chuck Jones (one of the brilliant animators behind Bugs Bunny). Based on the story by Dr. Seuss,  the Grinch trying to take away Christmas from the townsfolk of Whoville below his mountain hideaway.
  


Do you always watch specific holiday movies? What are your favorites? 



While eating chocolate dipped fruitcake, Vicki Batman is having fun with her romantic comedy story, "Holiday Disaster," featured in the Season of Magic anthology. Find Season of Magic at: 

.@VickiBatman - Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope all of you enjoy this blessed day with family and friends. That you have great turkey and even better pie!

.@VickiBatman - #handbag Monday's guest doesn't always carry black! author Kayelle Allen #MFRWorg #RLFBlog #PlottingPrincesses #fashion

I am so honored to have my friend, Kayelle Allen, with me today. But seriously, only carries black? 
~Handbag Monday~
And then she shows up with this picture:

This custom made bag features my website colors and was made to my specifications by
Kayelle, you done well!! And I'm happy your appearance on Handbag Monday led you to a new treasure.


Kayelle Allen's bio: is a multi-published, award-winning author. Her unstoppable heroes and heroines include contemporary every day folk, role-playing immortal gamers, futuristic covert agents, and warriors who purr.

Here's a blurb from A Romance for Christmas: A cop at the door on Christmas Eve brings an unexpected gift.

Find Kayelle at: Website

Find A Romance for Christmas at: Amazon, Nook & more

Thank you for being with me today, Kayelle, and showing off something you might indulge in (go for it!)

#Movie Mom - Saints are around us? Good question See St. Vincent #MRWorg #RLFblog

#Movie Mom 
I've watched a lot of Bill Murray movies and still love Lost in Translation and Ghostbusters. In St. Vincent, he plays an old curmudgeon. So a no brainer--right?




Blurb:  A gambling war veteran retiree is recruited by his new neighbor to watch over her son after school, only his ideas aren't the normal babysitter's. St. Vincent is an American comedy-drama film written and directed by Theodore Melfi, making his feature film debut. The film stars Bill Murray as the title character and features Jaeden Lieberher, Melissa McCarthy, Chris O'Dowd, and Naomi Watts.

Thoughts: Like I said, Bill Murray plays cranky old guy well and you'll figure out why he is the way he is when you see this film. The kid, Chris O'Dowd, and Naomi Watts are fantastic. Melissa McCarthy does her role well, but it could have been done just as well by other actresses. My friend said it resembled a made for TV film. I disagree. There's a lot to take in and I was never bored. The kid's project scene is very good. 

FMI: St. Vincent

.@VickiBatman - crafty mom: fancy stitching or not? #MFRWorg #RLFblog #needlepoint

Recently, I saw fancy pillowcases in a magazine and of course, I said I can do that because I have done that. The cases were embellished with embroidered white flowers. 
Crafty mom
So I happened to be shopping at a local antique mall for a long buffet when I came across a set of vintage pillowcases with just a tiny bit of crocheted edging. They looked to have never been used. I went to ETSY and bought vintage transfers. 

I settled down by my special light next to the couch, put on Survivor and began stitching. Only I was having a dickens of a time. The needle wouldn't go through easily. I decided to buy new ones and did--three packages. Alas, none of those worked well.

I spoke with a friend who is a costume designer and she lamented too about the same problem, noticing specifically in safety pins. She lent me what she thought would work, but no. Didn't.

I appealed to a Facebook site for needlepointers because many of those crafters are like me and do other kinds of projects. They recommended a specific brand of needle which I bought on Amazon. 

Long story short.... Here's the finished project. (sorry about the weird lighting)


I gave them to my friend for her birthday and she says she loves them. lol. 

Have you ever had a craft stump you? 

.@VickiBatman - a chance encounter in an elevator = a new friend Cara Marsi with a green bag on #handbag Monday #MFRWorg #fashion

My friend from the elevator is Cara Marsi. That's right, we met on an elevator and bonded over writing romantic short fiction. She's my guest today on 
*Handbag Monday*
Here's something about Cara: Cara Marsi, an award-winning author and self-proclaimed TV junkie, is a former corporate drone and cubicle dweller. Freed from her fabric-covered cage, she can now indulge her love of all things romance. An eclectic author, Cara is published in romantic suspense, paranormal romance, contemporary romance, and  romance short stories. 


This green Kate Spade bag is my favorite for several reasons: I think it’s beautiful; it’s roomy; it’s green, my favorite color (a green purse even figures prominently in one of my books). And the top reason I love it—I got it half price.

If you’ve never heard of the online discount retailer, Gilt Groupe, hop on over to the internet right now and join. Here’s their site: www.gilt.com. They sell designer clothes and accessories that are overstocks or from the season that just passed. When I saw this bag on their site, I knew I had to have it. But you need to work fast. The deals go quickly. 

What makes me love this even more is soon after I bought it, I was in Nordstrom's and saw the same bag for double what I paid. So it wasn’t last season’s and I really got a deal.

Cara, you wicked girl! This green is gorgeous. I love a good bargain too. 



I'm such a lucky girl because I'm in an anthology with Cara. Her story is "A Cinderella Christmas." Here's a blurb: 
Jessica Gallo no longer believed in fairy tales or happy endings. And she certainly didn’t believe she’d find her Prince Charming at Saks Fifth Avenue. Her Fairy Godmother thought differently. 

Find Season of Magic at: Amazon

Find Cara and the other Season of Magic authors at: Facebook


Thank you so much, Cara, for sharing another lovely Kate Spade!

.@VickiBatman - when something awesome comes my way, I get sobby...it's a good thing! #MFRWorg #RLFblog #Amazon

Late Summer, I was asked to submit a story for a holiday anthology. I had one I could use and eagerly said yes. There's a couple of contemporaries, a Chanukah, a romantic comedy (me!), and a historical story. A nice, something-for-everyone collection priced at 99cents.
We have been getting great reviews. And that is a thrill. To know others value your work as much as you do--wow.
Yesterday, our venture made Amazon's top new seller and historical bestseller lists. Of course, I got sobby. What a happy dance day for us and my little story. 
Hopes and wishes. And holiday kisses...the Season of Magic.  Wrap yourself in the holiday spirit with five romantic stories filled with fun and forever after. 
Noel Noel Noel by Merry Holly ~ Dumped and lonely, is it possible to find love at the local mall? Noelle thinks not, but a chance encounter with Chase Clayborne while Christmas shopping has her rethinking her rigid set of rules, as sparks flare between them.

A Cinderella Christmas by Cara Marsi~ Jessica Gallo no longer believed in fairy tales or happy endings. And she certainly didn’t believe she’d find her Prince Charming at Saks Fifth Avenue. Her Fairy Godmother thought differently.

Matchmaker Matchmaker by Bobbi Lerman~ With Chanukah around the corner, is there enough magic left for a matchmaker to bring Molly's cynical heart back to life.

Holiday Disaster by Vicki Batman ~ The week before Christmas and all is in disarray when a librarian experiences horrible plumbing issues and a Mr. Maintenance Man who isn’t nearly as jolly as Santa Claus. This Christmas is a disaster.

Yuletide Bride by Gerri Brousseau ~ The Dowager Duchess’s decree that her grandson must marry before Twelfth Night or relinquish his title and fortune sends him into a tail spin. Without any prospects and with only two weeks until Christmas will Stuart Nelson find himself destitute or will he find The Yuletide Bride.

Find Season of Magic at: Amazon
Find Season of Magic at: Facebook
Perhaps, you'll be intrigued by these  fine authors andwant to check out their other works. 
Thank you!

#Movie Mom - Into drums? #Whiplash #MFRWorg #RLFBlog

#Movie Mom I've got 3 drummers in my family, and when this movie appeared in the previews, it got a resounding yes!!! 



Blurb: A young drummer attending a music academy is selected by the music conductor who will stop at nothing to realize a student's potential. Whiplash is a 2014 American jazz music drama film written and directed by Damien Chazelle. The film stars Miles Teller as a young jazz drummer who attends one of the best music schools in the country under the tutelage of the school’s fearsome maestro of jazz (J. K. Simmons).

Thoughts: Go see this movie. It's not an action/adventure/superhero drama. It's better than that. The drumming is outstanding. The acting is superb and J. K. Simmons should go head to toe with Brad Pitt for the Oscar. The angry scenes were rather upsetting and yeah, that's the way it should be. The ending has a great twist. 

FMI: Whiplash