Kate Collins's Blog, page 226
July 3, 2013
Happy Independence Day!
It's the Fourth of July and here, in the United States of America, that's cause for celebration because it's our nation's Independence Day!
From all of us here on The Cozy Chicks, to you:Have a Wonderful July 4th!
From all of us here on The Cozy Chicks, to you:Have a Wonderful July 4th!
July 2, 2013
Living in the Moment isn't Always What It's Cracked Up to Be!
by Deb Baker/Hannah Reed
This is my first time living alone. Ever. From the shelter of my family home, to roommates, then marriage and children. In these early beginnings of a new life, I sometimes find myself unable to focus on anything for very long.
Yesterday, after several weeks of reading self-help books, I decided to change my state of mind by concentrating on living in The Now. Forget the past, I tell myself. All that’s important is…The Now.
So I’m driving down the highway and my mind is totally scattered. Checking into the past - a rinse and repeat process, then whizzing to the future to find something to worry about. It’s going a mile a minute (pretty much like the car is) and I remember my decision and whistle for it. Okay, I can’t actually whistle, but you know what I mean.
And then I focus really hard on The Now. I look around and see weeds blooming in a field. Pretty. On the other side of the highway –an industrial park. Not so pretty. Ahead of me is more concrete and kazillions of vehicles. I try to admire the different kinds of cars, but am failing at this new experiment fast.
Living in The Now, I'm discovering, can be pretty sucky.
Then, when I’m about to give up and declare all those hours of reading a big waste of time, I have an epiphany! Insight slithers through the open door of my brain exactly like I heard it would once I shed everything but The Now. And I’m pumped because I love to learn new things and this is a biggie. My protag, Gertie Johnson, studies a new word every day. I used to do the same thing. This is much like remember to use one of those words at the proper time, only much, much better. I actually feel my mind expand as truth zaps me right through the shatter-proof front window.
I’m going to share with you what I learned. It is going to seem simple. And it is. Ready?
The past is dead and buried. Forget it. Nothing will come from regrets. You can’t go back in time and fix anything that’s already taken place and you’ve learned all you are going to learn from it. Move on.
However, if The Now is really ugly, if it’s endless miles of concrete or super highway family and friend drama, why stick around and punish yourself when you can be elsewhere?
That’s when your own fine mind comes in. That is, unless you have a book on hand to escape into. But if you’re blasting along in traffic like me, or trapped in equally hideous surroundings, pick a happy place in your imagination where you’d rather be.
Then go there, where it’s beautiful all the time, where everything exists in harmony and is exactly how you imagined it would be. Because you are imagining it. And don’t feel guilty when you take off for parts unknown. No one has to know but you.
Sometimes, daydreaming is a really great place to be.
The secret is to know when to stay and know when to go.
This is my first time living alone. Ever. From the shelter of my family home, to roommates, then marriage and children. In these early beginnings of a new life, I sometimes find myself unable to focus on anything for very long.
Yesterday, after several weeks of reading self-help books, I decided to change my state of mind by concentrating on living in The Now. Forget the past, I tell myself. All that’s important is…The Now.
So I’m driving down the highway and my mind is totally scattered. Checking into the past - a rinse and repeat process, then whizzing to the future to find something to worry about. It’s going a mile a minute (pretty much like the car is) and I remember my decision and whistle for it. Okay, I can’t actually whistle, but you know what I mean.
And then I focus really hard on The Now. I look around and see weeds blooming in a field. Pretty. On the other side of the highway –an industrial park. Not so pretty. Ahead of me is more concrete and kazillions of vehicles. I try to admire the different kinds of cars, but am failing at this new experiment fast.
Living in The Now, I'm discovering, can be pretty sucky.
Then, when I’m about to give up and declare all those hours of reading a big waste of time, I have an epiphany! Insight slithers through the open door of my brain exactly like I heard it would once I shed everything but The Now. And I’m pumped because I love to learn new things and this is a biggie. My protag, Gertie Johnson, studies a new word every day. I used to do the same thing. This is much like remember to use one of those words at the proper time, only much, much better. I actually feel my mind expand as truth zaps me right through the shatter-proof front window.
I’m going to share with you what I learned. It is going to seem simple. And it is. Ready?
The past is dead and buried. Forget it. Nothing will come from regrets. You can’t go back in time and fix anything that’s already taken place and you’ve learned all you are going to learn from it. Move on.
However, if The Now is really ugly, if it’s endless miles of concrete or super highway family and friend drama, why stick around and punish yourself when you can be elsewhere?
That’s when your own fine mind comes in. That is, unless you have a book on hand to escape into. But if you’re blasting along in traffic like me, or trapped in equally hideous surroundings, pick a happy place in your imagination where you’d rather be.
Then go there, where it’s beautiful all the time, where everything exists in harmony and is exactly how you imagined it would be. Because you are imagining it. And don’t feel guilty when you take off for parts unknown. No one has to know but you.
Sometimes, daydreaming is a really great place to be.
The secret is to know when to stay and know when to go.
July 1, 2013
Food, Food, Glorious Food
by Maggie Sefton
Are you trying to lose weight and/or inches? Having trouble, perhaps, getting past a certain "plateau" weight? Well, I'll make a suggestion you might want to try. But, first, the Informational Disclaimer part of this post:
I've always paid attention to Health and Nutrition issues, and I've made it a point to educate myself about what is often called "Healthy Eating." One thing that I've definitely learned over the years is that everyone responds differently to weight loss efforts. Not everyone can lose pounds and be healthy on the same "diet plan." Over the years, we've all seen various Fad Diets blaze into popularity, proclaiming themselves the One and Only Way to Lose Pounds and Inches. . . well, you've heard the rest. Blah, blah, blah. People try it. Some lose weight and inches, others don't. People are different.
One thing that holds true for ALL people, however, is good nutrition. If we're eating healthful meals and including protein, carbohydrates, and good fats in proper amounts, not only will we stay healthy, but we'll also be able to lose and maintain a healthy body weight. Those principles remain true. We, then, are free to decide how we choose to combine those principles in ways that work for us.
Okay, now that that's over, here's the suggestion----if you have yet to drop Gluten in all forms, then make that change. And I mean Gluten in ALL its insidious forms and combinations that are found in various foods. This means you will have to READ LABELS. Uh, huh, as boring as that sounds. Believe me, label reading is absolutely essential nowadays. (More about that in an upcoming post). You will find gluten as Wheat and wheat products, added to soups, packaged sauces, prepared meals, cereals---anywhere and everywhere.
However, if you really, really can't be bothered to read labels, here's a quick and dirty way to conduct your Seven Day trial period: Just drop all wheat products, which means breads, bagels, pasta, cereals, muffins, rolls, etc, etc. Bread in ALL its forms. And almost all boxed cereals. And White Rice. But, here's the part people find the hardest-----drop Sugar in all its forms, including corn or fructose syrup. It's EVERYWHERE, so read those labels.
Those two changes alone can make a big difference. If you really want to see a change that's measurable on the scale AND on the tape measure----drop Gluten and Sugar in all forms for 3 full weeks. Make sure you eat plenty of leafy green veggies and fruits, focusing on berries which are lower in natural sugar, good starch carbs like brown rice or quinoa or Gluten-Free breads, good fats like Virgin Olive oil, avocados, and nuts---EXCEPT Peanuts. Peanuts are NOT nuts. They are beans and are metabolized as starch. And don't forget meat, chicken, or fish. And, as before, be good to your body and choose Organic.
If you're pleased with the results of that 3 week period, then I will make another suggestion. Eliminate Dairy, Corn in all forms, and Soy and soy products. Try that for another 3 weeks. Or---you could try what I did: Eliminate all of those Food products for a three week period. Watch what happens, not only on the scale but also on the tape measure. I think you may be extremely pleased. I know, I have been. I'm seeing lower numbers on the scale I haven't seen for a long time. :) If you choose to continue eating this healthy way, guess what? You continue to shed that excess weight. Really.
I can tell lots of you are thinking, Good Heavens! What's left to eat? Well. . .to be honest....EVERYTHING ELSE! Tons of veggies of all descriptions, fruits, good fats like avocado and nuts like cashews, almonds, Macadamia (yes, those so-called fattening Macademia nuts), and lean meats, chicken, and fish. I choose Cage Free chicken and Free Range Grass Fed beef and Wild Caught fish, unless it's not available. Nowadays, "choosy" shoppers can actually find Organic items in all these categories. And----you're never hungry between meals. No need for snacking. Eating well-balanced like this will allow you to eat three balanced healthful and delicious meals that are completely filling. Give it a try. What have you got to lose. . . except the excess weight?
Are you trying to lose weight and/or inches? Having trouble, perhaps, getting past a certain "plateau" weight? Well, I'll make a suggestion you might want to try. But, first, the Informational Disclaimer part of this post:
I've always paid attention to Health and Nutrition issues, and I've made it a point to educate myself about what is often called "Healthy Eating." One thing that I've definitely learned over the years is that everyone responds differently to weight loss efforts. Not everyone can lose pounds and be healthy on the same "diet plan." Over the years, we've all seen various Fad Diets blaze into popularity, proclaiming themselves the One and Only Way to Lose Pounds and Inches. . . well, you've heard the rest. Blah, blah, blah. People try it. Some lose weight and inches, others don't. People are different.
One thing that holds true for ALL people, however, is good nutrition. If we're eating healthful meals and including protein, carbohydrates, and good fats in proper amounts, not only will we stay healthy, but we'll also be able to lose and maintain a healthy body weight. Those principles remain true. We, then, are free to decide how we choose to combine those principles in ways that work for us.Okay, now that that's over, here's the suggestion----if you have yet to drop Gluten in all forms, then make that change. And I mean Gluten in ALL its insidious forms and combinations that are found in various foods. This means you will have to READ LABELS. Uh, huh, as boring as that sounds. Believe me, label reading is absolutely essential nowadays. (More about that in an upcoming post). You will find gluten as Wheat and wheat products, added to soups, packaged sauces, prepared meals, cereals---anywhere and everywhere.
However, if you really, really can't be bothered to read labels, here's a quick and dirty way to conduct your Seven Day trial period: Just drop all wheat products, which means breads, bagels, pasta, cereals, muffins, rolls, etc, etc. Bread in ALL its forms. And almost all boxed cereals. And White Rice. But, here's the part people find the hardest-----drop Sugar in all its forms, including corn or fructose syrup. It's EVERYWHERE, so read those labels.
Those two changes alone can make a big difference. If you really want to see a change that's measurable on the scale AND on the tape measure----drop Gluten and Sugar in all forms for 3 full weeks. Make sure you eat plenty of leafy green veggies and fruits, focusing on berries which are lower in natural sugar, good starch carbs like brown rice or quinoa or Gluten-Free breads, good fats like Virgin Olive oil, avocados, and nuts---EXCEPT Peanuts. Peanuts are NOT nuts. They are beans and are metabolized as starch. And don't forget meat, chicken, or fish. And, as before, be good to your body and choose Organic.
If you're pleased with the results of that 3 week period, then I will make another suggestion. Eliminate Dairy, Corn in all forms, and Soy and soy products. Try that for another 3 weeks. Or---you could try what I did: Eliminate all of those Food products for a three week period. Watch what happens, not only on the scale but also on the tape measure. I think you may be extremely pleased. I know, I have been. I'm seeing lower numbers on the scale I haven't seen for a long time. :) If you choose to continue eating this healthy way, guess what? You continue to shed that excess weight. Really.
I can tell lots of you are thinking, Good Heavens! What's left to eat? Well. . .to be honest....EVERYTHING ELSE! Tons of veggies of all descriptions, fruits, good fats like avocado and nuts like cashews, almonds, Macadamia (yes, those so-called fattening Macademia nuts), and lean meats, chicken, and fish. I choose Cage Free chicken and Free Range Grass Fed beef and Wild Caught fish, unless it's not available. Nowadays, "choosy" shoppers can actually find Organic items in all these categories. And----you're never hungry between meals. No need for snacking. Eating well-balanced like this will allow you to eat three balanced healthful and delicious meals that are completely filling. Give it a try. What have you got to lose. . . except the excess weight?
June 30, 2013
Fantastic Fennel
by Lucy ArlingtonWho doesn’t love fennel? Crisp and crunchy like celery with a hint of licorice flavour, it’s a wonderful ingredient that can be used so many ways--eaten raw in a salad, grilled as a side vegetable, or tossed in a stirfry. Plus it’s a great source of potassium, fiber, and vitamin C.
The other day we were invited to a rib barbeque. Included in the menu was fresh corn on the cob and baked beans. I was asked to bring a salad. What better to go with ribs and corn than a slaw? I searched my recipes for a slaw with a difference, and when I found this among my favourites, I knew it would be the one. So light and refreshing, it was the perfect accompaniment to the
meal.Since we’re in the middle of barbeque season (not to mention that today is Canada Day and Thursday is Independence Day, both of which are perfect opportunities for barbeques) I thought I’d share the recipe for this slaw with you. Bring it to your next potluck and wait for the rave reviews.
Carrot-Fennel Slaw1 small to medium fennel bulb3 cups peeled, shredded carrots (about 4-5 large carrots)1/4 minced red onion1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro1/3 cup toasted slice almondsDressing:5 Tbsp fresh orange juice1 Tbsp white wine vinegar2 tsp fresh lemon juice1 to 1 1/2 tsp dry mustard2 Tbsp olive oil1/2 tsp salt
1. In a small bowl, whisk together all of the dressing ingredients.2. Remove the top greens and stalks from the fennel bulb, saving (and chopping) the feathery greens for the slaw. Use a vegetable peeler to remove any bruised or tough spots. Cut out the core of the trimmed bulb and shred the fennel (I used the shredding disc of my food processor). 3. In a medium bowl combine fennel, chopped fennel greens, carrots, red onion, and cilantro.4. Just before serving, pour dressing over slaw and mix well. Garnish with toasted almonds.
June 29, 2013
Where's the Spell Check?
by Leann
I understand mistakes happen to everyone, but it seems when big online companies--and I am referencing Amazon and Audible right now--are dealing with a spelling mistake, it creates big problems if you are an author.
Let's go back several years ago to my second Cats in Trouble Mystery, The Cat, The Professor and The Poison. My publisher, The Penguin Group (see? I can spell penguin!) sends in book covers to online retailers like Amazon well ahead of release, and certainly well ahead of the book even being finished. That's great, UNLESS they spell a word wrong in the title. In my case, they sent in a cover with "professor" spelled "proffessor."
Here's the problem this created. When Penguin sent Amazon the cover for the book for the KINDLE version--and the Kindle version only--they sent it with professor spelled correctly. Well, computers being what they are, it was determined that these were two DIFFERENT books. So, my Kindle version and my paperback version did not appear together on the same sales page. Readers alerted me to this. It was only after many emails between myself and Amazon that they agreed to pair the versions on the same page. But there was a "HOWEVER" involved. To correct the misspelling on the paperback, Penguin had to send an entirely new PDF cover file to Amazon. Depsite my requests, this never happened. You can see what I mean! This is what is up there to this day:
For me, this is an embarrassment even though it not my fault. (Please rest assured, the actual book has "professor" spelled correctly on the cover!) Every time I see that page I cringe. You would think it would matter to Penguin, but apparently not.
Moving on to Audible. First, Audible now has all the Cats in Trouble books produced (YAY!) except one. You guessed it. The Cat, The Professor and The Poison. I don't know if this is because of the difficulty pairing the audio to the book page on Amazon or not. (Amazon owns Audible.com and gives special prices on kindle and audio titles bought together, so I am only guessing this misspelling has created a problem.)
But there's MORE. The Cat, The Wife and The Weapon, the 4th book in the series now out on audio, does not appear on the same page as all my other audio books when you go to Audible.com. Well, guess what? THEY SPELLED MY NAME WRONG! Here's the link and you can see what I am talking about.
The Cat, the Wife and the Weapon: A Cats in Trouble Mystery
UNABRIDGED By Leann Sweeny
Leann Sweeny instead of Leann Sweeney, but only on that one book. So, this title is being put up as if it is written by different person--because that's what the computer has decided.
Can I scream now? You might hear it across the ocean if that's where you live! :-)
If you are interested in audio books and want to buy the Cats in Trouble series and listen in order, I have asked my agent to find out why book #2 is missing. Nothing I have done seems to have made any difference. And maybe, if enough people use the "contact us" section on these sites and talk about the misspellings, they might decide to fix these problems. Thank you for reading this!
I understand mistakes happen to everyone, but it seems when big online companies--and I am referencing Amazon and Audible right now--are dealing with a spelling mistake, it creates big problems if you are an author.
Let's go back several years ago to my second Cats in Trouble Mystery, The Cat, The Professor and The Poison. My publisher, The Penguin Group (see? I can spell penguin!) sends in book covers to online retailers like Amazon well ahead of release, and certainly well ahead of the book even being finished. That's great, UNLESS they spell a word wrong in the title. In my case, they sent in a cover with "professor" spelled "proffessor."
Here's the problem this created. When Penguin sent Amazon the cover for the book for the KINDLE version--and the Kindle version only--they sent it with professor spelled correctly. Well, computers being what they are, it was determined that these were two DIFFERENT books. So, my Kindle version and my paperback version did not appear together on the same sales page. Readers alerted me to this. It was only after many emails between myself and Amazon that they agreed to pair the versions on the same page. But there was a "HOWEVER" involved. To correct the misspelling on the paperback, Penguin had to send an entirely new PDF cover file to Amazon. Depsite my requests, this never happened. You can see what I mean! This is what is up there to this day:
For me, this is an embarrassment even though it not my fault. (Please rest assured, the actual book has "professor" spelled correctly on the cover!) Every time I see that page I cringe. You would think it would matter to Penguin, but apparently not.
Moving on to Audible. First, Audible now has all the Cats in Trouble books produced (YAY!) except one. You guessed it. The Cat, The Professor and The Poison. I don't know if this is because of the difficulty pairing the audio to the book page on Amazon or not. (Amazon owns Audible.com and gives special prices on kindle and audio titles bought together, so I am only guessing this misspelling has created a problem.)
But there's MORE. The Cat, The Wife and The Weapon, the 4th book in the series now out on audio, does not appear on the same page as all my other audio books when you go to Audible.com. Well, guess what? THEY SPELLED MY NAME WRONG! Here's the link and you can see what I am talking about.
The Cat, the Wife and the Weapon: A Cats in Trouble Mystery
UNABRIDGED By Leann Sweeny
Leann Sweeny instead of Leann Sweeney, but only on that one book. So, this title is being put up as if it is written by different person--because that's what the computer has decided.
Can I scream now? You might hear it across the ocean if that's where you live! :-)
If you are interested in audio books and want to buy the Cats in Trouble series and listen in order, I have asked my agent to find out why book #2 is missing. Nothing I have done seems to have made any difference. And maybe, if enough people use the "contact us" section on these sites and talk about the misspellings, they might decide to fix these problems. Thank you for reading this!
June 28, 2013
Meet Laura Morrigan...and her kitty
A big Cozy Chicks' welcome to LAURA MORRIGAN, whose debut mystery, WOOF AT THE DOOR, hits bookstores next week. Laura's writing is quirky and fun--just like she is, as you might be able to tell by her adorable picto-blog:
One lucky commenter will will a copy of WOOF AT THE DOOR, either print or e-book. Winner will be randomly chosen tomorrow morning and posted in the comment section, so be sure to check back.
Animal behaviorist Grace Wilde keeps her ability to psychically communicate with furry and feathered critters under wraps. But when a Doberman turns out to be the only witness to a crime, Grace will have to let the cat out of the bag in order to catch a killer.Grace Wilde’s job is anything but normal. When she’s not helping out at the zoo by comforting agitated lemurs, she’s listening to the woes of annoyed house pets. Grace’s life gets even more complicated, though, when the cops summon her to a crime scene to help deal with the murder victim’s terrified Doberman.
The pooch turns out to be the only one who saw what happened the night of the shooting—and only Grace can get the information out of him. The problem is, how will Grace tell the distractingly gorgeous Sergeant Kai Duncan that it’s the dog who’s giving her the intel without spilling her big secret or sounding crazy? Left on her own, Grace will have to follow the pup’s lead to track down the killer. But she’ll have to be careful—or curiosity may end up killing the cat whisperer.
And just a reminder that both Lorraine (aka Lorna) and Julie have books out next week as well!
June 27, 2013
In an instant ... gone.
by Lorraine Bartlett / Lorna Barrett / L.L. Bartlett
Ossie -- on top of the bathroom mirror.I had planned to talk about my garden. (Such as it is.) But then real life reared its ugly head.
We never know when someone we love will be instantly snatched from our lives. Eleven years ago this week, my cousin lost his middle child to a car accident. It happened so fast. One day here ... one day gone. It's a devastating loss his family has never recovered from.
Something similar happened to my sister-in-law just yesterday. No, she didn't lose a child. She never had children. But she has cats. Or she had cats.
She went away on vacation for a few days leaving her beloved cats in the care of the cat sitter she's trusted and used for more than a decade. On Wednesday the cat sitter said her boy was fit as a fiddle. Less than 24 hours later my sister in law came home to find her boy dead in the middle of her living room. There was blood around his mouth, but no other sign of trauma.
Ossie was a bad boy. He was constantly in trouble. He bugged his housemate Mollie. He broke things. He climbed places where he shouldn't have gone. He should have been named Mischief, because that was what he was always into, and my sister in law loved him more fiercely than she ever loved a pet.
I know exactly how that feels. I have had many cats over the years, and I've loved them all. But once in a lifetime there seems to be a pet that demands more love from you than any other. For me, that's my tiny son, Fred.
Like Ossie, Fred is constantly in trouble. He should have been a greyhound. He loves to run. And even more, he loves to chase things. Or rather, he loves to chase the other cats. He talks. OMG, does he talk. But mostly at night...when the rest of us are trying to sleep. He has kitty OCD. That means sometimes he just runs and runs and runs and the worst thing you can do is pet a cat when it's suffering from that. Except ... if I pet him when he's hyper, he calms right down. Not for anybody else, but I seem to have the magic touch.
Sadly, I can imagine only too much how lost and hurt and alone my sister in law feels. She loved her boy like I love mine. (And boy have I smothered him in kitty hugs and kisses.)
Rest in peace, Ossie, and know that you were deeply loved.
Ossie -- on top of the bathroom mirror.I had planned to talk about my garden. (Such as it is.) But then real life reared its ugly head.We never know when someone we love will be instantly snatched from our lives. Eleven years ago this week, my cousin lost his middle child to a car accident. It happened so fast. One day here ... one day gone. It's a devastating loss his family has never recovered from.
Something similar happened to my sister-in-law just yesterday. No, she didn't lose a child. She never had children. But she has cats. Or she had cats.
She went away on vacation for a few days leaving her beloved cats in the care of the cat sitter she's trusted and used for more than a decade. On Wednesday the cat sitter said her boy was fit as a fiddle. Less than 24 hours later my sister in law came home to find her boy dead in the middle of her living room. There was blood around his mouth, but no other sign of trauma.
Ossie was a bad boy. He was constantly in trouble. He bugged his housemate Mollie. He broke things. He climbed places where he shouldn't have gone. He should have been named Mischief, because that was what he was always into, and my sister in law loved him more fiercely than she ever loved a pet.
I know exactly how that feels. I have had many cats over the years, and I've loved them all. But once in a lifetime there seems to be a pet that demands more love from you than any other. For me, that's my tiny son, Fred.Like Ossie, Fred is constantly in trouble. He should have been a greyhound. He loves to run. And even more, he loves to chase things. Or rather, he loves to chase the other cats. He talks. OMG, does he talk. But mostly at night...when the rest of us are trying to sleep. He has kitty OCD. That means sometimes he just runs and runs and runs and the worst thing you can do is pet a cat when it's suffering from that. Except ... if I pet him when he's hyper, he calms right down. Not for anybody else, but I seem to have the magic touch.
Sadly, I can imagine only too much how lost and hurt and alone my sister in law feels. She loved her boy like I love mine. (And boy have I smothered him in kitty hugs and kisses.)
Rest in peace, Ossie, and know that you were deeply loved.
June 26, 2013
Grace Takes Off and more...
by Julie
Indulge me, if you will: My next chance to post will be Thursday, July 4th, and I'm pretty sure everyone in the U.S. will have plans that day. Plans that don't include checking in here at the Cozy Chicks, or picking up a new book to read.
So I'm here today to let you know that my 4th Manor House Mystery, Grace Takes Off, is coming out TUESDAY!! Yep, the book releases July 2nd, along with fellow Cozy Chick Lorraine (Lorna Barrett's) brand new Booktown Mystery, Not the Killing Type .
About Grace Takes Off:
A trip to Italy’s Tuscan countryside is a dream come true for curator and manager of Marshfield Manor, Grace Wheaton. At least until her boss—and benefactor of this whirlwind excursion—becomes the target of a murderer ...
About Not the Killing Type:
New York Times bestselling author of Murder on the Half Shelf Lorna Barrett delivers another compulsively page-turning Booktown Mystery in which amateur sleuth and bookstore owner Tricia Miles gets caught up in a local election that turns lethal
Feel free to spread the word about our new titles. I'm so excited about this new Grace - I think it may be my favorite of the series so far.
I hope you'll pick up one or both books and consider reviewing them on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Reviews are so much help!
Have you read any of the other books in these series?
Indulge me, if you will: My next chance to post will be Thursday, July 4th, and I'm pretty sure everyone in the U.S. will have plans that day. Plans that don't include checking in here at the Cozy Chicks, or picking up a new book to read.
So I'm here today to let you know that my 4th Manor House Mystery, Grace Takes Off, is coming out TUESDAY!! Yep, the book releases July 2nd, along with fellow Cozy Chick Lorraine (Lorna Barrett's) brand new Booktown Mystery, Not the Killing Type .
About Grace Takes Off:
A trip to Italy’s Tuscan countryside is a dream come true for curator and manager of Marshfield Manor, Grace Wheaton. At least until her boss—and benefactor of this whirlwind excursion—becomes the target of a murderer ...
About Not the Killing Type:
New York Times bestselling author of Murder on the Half Shelf Lorna Barrett delivers another compulsively page-turning Booktown Mystery in which amateur sleuth and bookstore owner Tricia Miles gets caught up in a local election that turns lethal
Feel free to spread the word about our new titles. I'm so excited about this new Grace - I think it may be my favorite of the series so far.
I hope you'll pick up one or both books and consider reviewing them on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Reviews are so much help!
Have you read any of the other books in these series?
June 25, 2013
To Massage or Not to Massage
by Deb Baker/Hannah Reed
When I was younger I just couldn't do it. No massage for me, thank you very much. Wouldn't that be awkward? A total stranger poking and prodding. Exposed. No way.
That was back when I actually had a decent body, although I didn't know it at the time. Now that I'm sixty and things are rearranging, I've lost those inhibitions and no longer care. Isn't that weird?
For those of you who approach the subject with trepidation, here are a few comforting facts that might convince you to give it a try:
If you have certain parts you don't want worked, communicate upfront. You can keep on as much as you need to maintain your comfort level. I stripped down to my panties.You are completely draped in a sheet.And the therapist exposes limbs one at a time, works her magic, and tucks you back up tight.
What an experience. Imagine every single second of an entire hour set aside entirely for your absolute pleasure. And the afterglow is amazing. I'm still basking in the sensations.
I should have a massage every day! My wish for you - a massage every day!
When I was younger I just couldn't do it. No massage for me, thank you very much. Wouldn't that be awkward? A total stranger poking and prodding. Exposed. No way.That was back when I actually had a decent body, although I didn't know it at the time. Now that I'm sixty and things are rearranging, I've lost those inhibitions and no longer care. Isn't that weird?
For those of you who approach the subject with trepidation, here are a few comforting facts that might convince you to give it a try:
If you have certain parts you don't want worked, communicate upfront. You can keep on as much as you need to maintain your comfort level. I stripped down to my panties.You are completely draped in a sheet.And the therapist exposes limbs one at a time, works her magic, and tucks you back up tight.
What an experience. Imagine every single second of an entire hour set aside entirely for your absolute pleasure. And the afterglow is amazing. I'm still basking in the sensations.
I should have a massage every day! My wish for you - a massage every day!
June 24, 2013
Odds and Ends
by Maggie Sefton
I've got lots of little things I wanted to share on my Cozy Chicks Blog post today, so I thought I'd simply throw all of them in the same post and move through the list. Hence, the title for this post. :)
First---I wanted to remind those of you who've seen my post on Facebook earlier this month and alert other bloggers who hadn't that I'm participating with three other cozy mystery authors this month in a contest with our FREE BOOKS as the prize. The other authors are Daryl Gerber, Krista Davis, and Janet Bolin. We call the contest the June Scramble because it involves solving word puzzles and each of our new releases. If you like word puzzles, check out my Facebook Author page and take a look at the pink icon right beneath the banner. You can click on that and find out how to enter. My Facebook address is--- www.facebook.com/MaggieSeftonAuthor.
Next---I'm finishing the last tweaking of the very next Kelly Flynn mystery which will be out in June 2014. We submit our novels at least a year before their publication dates. New York publishing is a complex business with a great many hands stirring the pot. I've learned to watch out so I'm not hit with that big wooden spoon. :)
Next---On Thursday of this week, Daughter Serena will arrive for a long weekend visit. We'll make sure she has plenty of time to visit her grandmother. My mom is in a Health & Rehab facility. They don't call them "nursing homes" anymore. They're skilled facilities or "full service" facilities. My mom will be delighted to see Serena. She always enjoys seeing any of my four daughters when they visit. As well as other family members, too. My mom is still a happy person, thank goodness. I personally think that has a lot to do with our general state of health. She has no major diseases. None of those Big Three that take so many others. She has extremely bad arthritis in both knees which means she has to be in a wheelchair now. Since she turned 93 on May 10th, I think that's perfectly fine. At that age, whatever makes it easier for them to stay around with us. :)
Serena and I will also make time to drive up into the High Country and also into our beloved Cache La Poudre Canyon to the northwest of Fort Collins. I was amazed how much vegetation was still growing and how little fire damage I saw last Fall when driving through Poudre Canyon. After the awful High Park wildfire last summer that blazed through Rist Canyon, to the West of Laporte (small suburb on western edge of Fort Collins), I thought I would see everything burned. Not at all. On the right side of the Poudre Canyon, it looked like always. Nothing was burned that I could see. The only burned areas I spotted on the left side appeared occasionally and were mostly up on the ridge line where the fire swept over from Rist Canyon that night. Firefighters tell you that wildfires do NOT burn everything in their path. They hop and skip all around. Burn one patch, leave others untouched. Burn one house, leave the others. Whatever the reason. I'm grateful and thankful. Our beautiful Poudre Canyon is still there and looks the same. At least it does to me. :)
Lastly---Oh, yes. I had good news about CLOSE KNIT KILLER after the first week it came out June 4th. Check out my Facebook page and scroll back to read it. Again---I say Thank you, Thank you, Readers!
Oh, another Lastly---I'll be signing this Saturday, June 29th, in Old Town Square Fort Collins at the Old Firehouse Books tent. Fort Collins is having a Book Festival so there will be lots of books and book-people all over. :) If you're in the vicinity, come out and join the fun.
I've got lots of little things I wanted to share on my Cozy Chicks Blog post today, so I thought I'd simply throw all of them in the same post and move through the list. Hence, the title for this post. :)
First---I wanted to remind those of you who've seen my post on Facebook earlier this month and alert other bloggers who hadn't that I'm participating with three other cozy mystery authors this month in a contest with our FREE BOOKS as the prize. The other authors are Daryl Gerber, Krista Davis, and Janet Bolin. We call the contest the June Scramble because it involves solving word puzzles and each of our new releases. If you like word puzzles, check out my Facebook Author page and take a look at the pink icon right beneath the banner. You can click on that and find out how to enter. My Facebook address is--- www.facebook.com/MaggieSeftonAuthor.
Next---I'm finishing the last tweaking of the very next Kelly Flynn mystery which will be out in June 2014. We submit our novels at least a year before their publication dates. New York publishing is a complex business with a great many hands stirring the pot. I've learned to watch out so I'm not hit with that big wooden spoon. :)
Next---On Thursday of this week, Daughter Serena will arrive for a long weekend visit. We'll make sure she has plenty of time to visit her grandmother. My mom is in a Health & Rehab facility. They don't call them "nursing homes" anymore. They're skilled facilities or "full service" facilities. My mom will be delighted to see Serena. She always enjoys seeing any of my four daughters when they visit. As well as other family members, too. My mom is still a happy person, thank goodness. I personally think that has a lot to do with our general state of health. She has no major diseases. None of those Big Three that take so many others. She has extremely bad arthritis in both knees which means she has to be in a wheelchair now. Since she turned 93 on May 10th, I think that's perfectly fine. At that age, whatever makes it easier for them to stay around with us. :)
Serena and I will also make time to drive up into the High Country and also into our beloved Cache La Poudre Canyon to the northwest of Fort Collins. I was amazed how much vegetation was still growing and how little fire damage I saw last Fall when driving through Poudre Canyon. After the awful High Park wildfire last summer that blazed through Rist Canyon, to the West of Laporte (small suburb on western edge of Fort Collins), I thought I would see everything burned. Not at all. On the right side of the Poudre Canyon, it looked like always. Nothing was burned that I could see. The only burned areas I spotted on the left side appeared occasionally and were mostly up on the ridge line where the fire swept over from Rist Canyon that night. Firefighters tell you that wildfires do NOT burn everything in their path. They hop and skip all around. Burn one patch, leave others untouched. Burn one house, leave the others. Whatever the reason. I'm grateful and thankful. Our beautiful Poudre Canyon is still there and looks the same. At least it does to me. :)Lastly---Oh, yes. I had good news about CLOSE KNIT KILLER after the first week it came out June 4th. Check out my Facebook page and scroll back to read it. Again---I say Thank you, Thank you, Readers!
Oh, another Lastly---I'll be signing this Saturday, June 29th, in Old Town Square Fort Collins at the Old Firehouse Books tent. Fort Collins is having a Book Festival so there will be lots of books and book-people all over. :) If you're in the vicinity, come out and join the fun.
