Kate Collins's Blog, page 244

The Touch, The Feel, The Heebies

By Heather

A few months ago we were in the market for a new sofa. This was quite the undertaking. Not only because we’re a picky lot (we are), but because there were certain guidelines we needed to follow, thanks to a case of my daughter’s heebies jeebies.
Dictionary.com defines heebies as: hee·bie-jee·bies [hee-bee-jee-beez]   noun,   ( used with a plural verb  ) Slang.a condition of extreme nervousness caused by fear, worry, strain,etc.; the jitters; the willies (usually preceded by the  ): Just thinking about ghosts gives me the heebie-jeebies.
Heebies give me goosebumps!She gets heebies from a few things, mostly textural. Things like corduroy and velvet... Do you know how many sofas are made of corduroy? Of velvet? A lot. It really made us have to look long and hard for our new couch. Eventually, though, we found one we like (microfiber). 
But Christmastime is the absolute worst for her. Why? Cardboard and STYROFOAM, which is her worst offender. Both are unavoidable. She can’t even bear to look at Styrofoam. It’s become a bit of a joke in the family, especially when she shudders even saying the word. Poor girl.
I can’t really blame her. I get the heebies from touching raw pork. Shudder. And sandpaper? UGH. And the noise sandpaper makes? SQUIRM! I’ve got goosebumps just thinking about it.
Tell me we're not the only ones who experience this sort of thing. What gives you the heebies? 

Suggest a title -- win a prize!

by Lorraine Bartlett / Lorna Barrett / L.L. Bartlett

And so I'm chugging along on my next Booktown Mystery which is currently titled:  Booktown Mystery #8.

Okay, I admit it.  I suck when it comes to titles.  (However, I do pick perfect names for cats.  This is Fred.  Doesn't that name just suit him to a T?)

It appears that my publisher doesn't care if titles match the story or not.  (Why else would we have Chapter & Hearse as the title for #4 in the series?) They like something that is bookish and crime-ish.  They really liked Sentenced to Death because it was wordy/bookish and mystery in three little words. (Thank you, Michele Fowler for that great title.  Michele became a character in the book, and I have no plans to abandon her in future stories.)

A few weeks ago, I couldn't sleep and came up with about six really good candidates for a title.  They were so wonderful, that I was sure I wouldn't need to write any of them down because I was going to remember them.

NOT!

So ... I need a title, and you guys are so  good at it I hope you'll help me out.

It needs to have a great catchy "wordy" word (that has to do with writing ... as in Sentenced to Death ) and it has to relate to crime.  (Sorry, Poisoned by a Preposition won't work in this case because the victim was squashed like a bug ... but something in that vein would work if the victim wasn't squashed like a bug.)

So, have at it.  I'll choose my favorite, and send the best of them to my editor.  The winner will get a very cool Haven't Got a Clue coffee (or tea) mug and, if you choose, will be a character in a future Booktown mystery (you get to pick whether you're a good guy or a bad guy).  The deadline is January 15th, and I'll announce the winner on January 18th.

PLEASE DON'T PUT YOUR ENTRY IN THE COMMENTS SECTION OF THIS POST -- send them to contest @ LornaBarrett.com (and remember to close up those spaces in the email address). Please add your snail mail address in your entry so I have a place to send the prize.  Thanks!

Happy New Book!

by Julie

Happy New Year! Happy New Book!

Readers often ask if the excitement of bringing a new book out ever gets old. I answer with an exuberant "No way!"

To this day, the first time I spot one of my new books in a store, I give a little squeak of joy. Fortunately for my family, I've learned to keep it quiet enough to prevent every head in the store from turning my way. That gets embarrassing, especially for the kids.

Fonduing Fathers , the sixth in my White House Chef mystery series, came out Monday - New Year's Eve. As of this writing, I haven't actually seen it in a store yet, but I'm hopeful to catch a copy on display soon. The publisher sent me one and I'm delighted to note that the pages all seem to be right side up and, at least as far as I can tell, nothing's amiss. I've heard horror stories from other authors (:::shudder:::).

In any case, I'm absolutely thrilled that Fonduing Fathers is now making its way into readers' hands. That's always so much fun, and yet so terrifying. I hope everyone will like it, but I worry that maybe someone won't. The fear, the excitement, it's always exhilarating. How could that ever get old?

So far, Fonduing Fathers has one early review. Have you ever visited Jenn's Bookshelves? She's great and her blog is wonderful. If you're a reader and haven't yet made your way to her site, you're in for a treat. She was kind enough to review Fonduing Fathers last week. I hope you'll take a look, here .

Thanks so much to everyone who's read the White House Chef Mysteries thus far. I'm really excited about this installment, and -- if you've been following Ollie -- I hope you particularly enjoy this story. It's different, and digs a bit deeper into her life. I won't say any more than that except to add that I hope you let me know what you think about it after you turn the final page.

Thanks!! Happy reading!
Best,
Julie

All the Possibilities of a New Year

by Hannah Reed/Deb Baker 


 I love beginnings (the opening page of a good novel, the start of something new and fresh,...) and 2013 is going to ‘bee’ awesome! Imagine – we could win the lottery this year. No, not the classic, chilling tale by Shirley Jackson sort of lottery, but the cash one.

Or how about the priceless kind, those we can’t put a price tag on?

For example, a new Baker joined the family at the end of the year, so watching Charlotte (the baby) and two-year-old Natalie, and Cassidy grow is going to be such fun. Make 2013 the year of the family. Embrace it.

This year, for me at least, will be one of focus, commitment to not getting dragged down by distractions. (2012 was a major year of distractions. Goodbye 2012!)

Let’s have more experiences this year, not hibernate inside our safe little cocoons. I’m taking a leap over the pond in March to do research in Scotland. Exciting, but scary at the same time.

2013 should also be a year of safety and good health for all of us. Start by watching this heartwarming video.



Maybe you've given up making New Year's resolutions that you break right afterwards. Instead, for 2013, why not reach just a little bit further, stretch just a little bit higher.

So strap on your seat belts and prepare for take off! The only one who can stop you...is you.

Cold January, Warm Soup

by Lucy Arlington
Happy New Year, everyone! Can you believe we’re here already? I am astonished at how quickly the time seems to pass and can’t believe that it’s 2013, much less January first! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season, and that your new year is filled with happiness, productivity, and peace.
If you’re like me, you indulged just a little too much over the holidays, and are now in the mood for light, healthy comfort food, especially on a cold winter day. Even in Bermuda January can be chilly and, to me, nothing evokes warm comfort more than soup. I tend to make up soup recipes as I go, depending on what I have in the fridge. This kale soup is one that I’ve repeated a few times, though, because it’s so delicious and hearty and healthy to boot! Isn’t kale the new superfood?
When I make this, my handheld blender is a godsend. If you don’t have one, a regular blender or a food processor will do. Be sure to let the soup cool down somewhat before blending so you don’t burn yourself.
The beauty of this soup is that you can vary it any way you like. Take the choice of stock, for instance. If you want a heartier flavor, use a beef stock. For a lighter taste use chicken stock. And if you’re vegetarian or vegan, use vegetable stock. I use brown rice for the thickener, but you can use plain white rice or potatoes too, as long as they're cooked soft enough to blend. 
I serve the soup with a dollop of plain yogurt (you can use sour cream if you’re in the mood for decadence) and croutons. Yummy!
KALE SOUP
1 bunch of kale, chopped1 small onion, chopped½ cup brown rice6 cups of stock Salt and pepper to taste




Put everything into a large pot on the stove. Bring to a boil, then lower heat, cover and simmer until the kale and onion are cooked soft and the rice is overcooked, about 40 minutes or more. Let cool a bit, then blend until smooth. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
Do you love soup on a cold day?

Twenty-Thirteen, Ready or Not Here We Come!

by Kate Collins

Just a quick note to wish you all a very happy, healthy and safe New Year's Eve and day. Hasn't the year sped by? December seemed to all but vanish.

I'll see you back here next Monday. Shake those noisemakers for me!

Happy New Life!

by Leann

We welcome the newest Sweeney--Meika Elise-- to the new year.  And the new "middle child," Morgan Elizabeth, likes it! And so does their grandma.

See you next Sunday and have a safe and happy holiday everyone.

It's That Time

Lorraine posted her resolutions yesterday, and I'm adding mine: To answer emails more quickly. Ha! Let's see how long that lasts...

New Year's Resolutions--do you make them?

by Lorraine Bartlett / Lorna Barrett / L.L. Bartlett

Do you make New Year's resolutions?

I don't.  I mean, if I did, I'd probably break it/them in no time flat. (Like that diet that's going to work and have me in size 8 jeans.  Mwa-ha-ha!)

But this year I'm honestly going to try to do one thing:  take more pictures.

Of course, right now that's rather difficult.  In late October, I dropped my Canon EOS camera.  I was heartbroken.  Mind you, I've owned SLR cameras for most of my life and have NEVER dropped one ... until October.  And I dropped it on a ceramic floor.  I could have handed the camera off to Mr. L at the same time I handed off my laptop computer (we were traveling), but no--I took my camera with me and seconds later dropped it.  I heard what sounded like glass shatter.  I tried taking pictures and was surprised that the camera still takes good picture.  But the zoom and viewfinder no longer work.  That makes it rather difficult to take a good picture--or rather size up a good shot.

The next day I took the camera to the shop where I bought it, but they said it would cost the same as getting a new camera body.  : (

Now that the holidays are over, I worry about indulging in a new camera when there are other bills to pay, but the thought of being without a camera for two months has been unbearable.  I'm going to replace it.  And when I do, I'm going to take more pictures and hope to share them with readers on my Facebook pages.  (Don't be surprised if they're mostly of my cats.)

What's your New Year's resolution?

Holiday week

Holiday week... 


Time to relax...Kick back...And enjoy the leftovers!