Kate Collins's Blog, page 263
June 29, 2012
It's okay ... I'm not REALLY working
by Lorna Barrett / Lorraine Bartlett / L.L. Bartlett
A few days ago, I got a call from my brother. Someone he worked with had bought a copy of The Walled Flower and wanted it autographed, and could I do it? Of course!
So I walked down the street to my mother's house, where he happened to be visiting, and he handed me the book, which I signed. (He then criticized my handwriting, saying he couldn't read it. Oddly enough, when he called, I'd been transcribing a new scene for my Work In Progress and thought the same thing. I really must try not to write so fast ... except, I worry I'll lose my train of thought. Um ... like now.)
My brother seemed rather amused and ... well, shocked ... that anyone would want MY autograph. To him, writing isn't a job. I don't punch a clock, and I don't collect a regular paycheck, and I'm home fooling around on the computer all day. That's not work.
His point of view is not unique. Every full-time writer I know will tell you how their work time is not valued by friends and family. How people think they can disrupt your work with a telephone call or request for a favor or to run an errand and not understand how it can destroy the entire writing day because we're not really working ... but again I digress.
I handed him one of my goody bags, which I'd brought for him to give his work pal. He looked at it, dismissed it, and immediately passed it to my sister-in-law. "Wow, this looks nice," she said. "What's this button?" I explained it was for my Jeff Resnick series.
"Who's Jeff Resnick?" my brother asked.
I sighed. "He's the main character in my first mystery series. Remember, the first book I had published? THE ONE I DEDICATED TO YOU ?"
"Not really."
*Much Heavier Sigh*
I walked back home and resumed my keyboarding, thankful I'd already written the words so that this interruption didn't upset the muse.
What an odd job to have. To think about make-believe people, with complicated lives, and jobs, and relationships, and ... a lot of times, devising ways to kill people.
You know what? In spite of the disruptions, this has got to be one of the best jobs in the world. But ... don't tell that to my brother.
BTW: Just a reminder that the latest Booktown Mystery will be available on Tuesday. It's Murder On The Half Shelf, and I'm proud to say it's racking up some pretty awesome reviews. (Our own Dru Ann Love reviewed it just today on her blog Dru's Book Musings.) I hope you'll give it a try.
====================================
But wait... there's more!
FOUND--AUTHOR SWAG: Speaking of goody bags, while cleaning out the Cozy Chicks' office supply room, we came across two more Malice goody bags. How can you get one? Write a review of more than one or two sentences for our cookbook. THE COZY CHICKS KITCHEN , and post it on either Amazon or Barnes & Noble (both is better), and we'll send you Cozy Chicks swag. (Which includes bookmarks from all the Chicks, plus a bonus recipe card and an incredibly cute teapot cookie cutter.)
How can you miss?
P.S. Did you buy the cookbook and wish you could have it signed? Guess what? We've got
free bookplates
signed by all the contributing Chicks! To get yours, just write to us, give us your snail mail address, and we'll send you one (plus a few Cozy Chicks bookmarks). Our email address is: cozychicks(at)gmail(dot)com -- Please put BOOKPLATE in the subject header. Thanks![image error]
A few days ago, I got a call from my brother. Someone he worked with had bought a copy of The Walled Flower and wanted it autographed, and could I do it? Of course!So I walked down the street to my mother's house, where he happened to be visiting, and he handed me the book, which I signed. (He then criticized my handwriting, saying he couldn't read it. Oddly enough, when he called, I'd been transcribing a new scene for my Work In Progress and thought the same thing. I really must try not to write so fast ... except, I worry I'll lose my train of thought. Um ... like now.)
My brother seemed rather amused and ... well, shocked ... that anyone would want MY autograph. To him, writing isn't a job. I don't punch a clock, and I don't collect a regular paycheck, and I'm home fooling around on the computer all day. That's not work.
His point of view is not unique. Every full-time writer I know will tell you how their work time is not valued by friends and family. How people think they can disrupt your work with a telephone call or request for a favor or to run an errand and not understand how it can destroy the entire writing day because we're not really working ... but again I digress.
I handed him one of my goody bags, which I'd brought for him to give his work pal. He looked at it, dismissed it, and immediately passed it to my sister-in-law. "Wow, this looks nice," she said. "What's this button?" I explained it was for my Jeff Resnick series.
"Who's Jeff Resnick?" my brother asked.
I sighed. "He's the main character in my first mystery series. Remember, the first book I had published? THE ONE I DEDICATED TO YOU ?"
"Not really."
*Much Heavier Sigh*
I walked back home and resumed my keyboarding, thankful I'd already written the words so that this interruption didn't upset the muse.
What an odd job to have. To think about make-believe people, with complicated lives, and jobs, and relationships, and ... a lot of times, devising ways to kill people.You know what? In spite of the disruptions, this has got to be one of the best jobs in the world. But ... don't tell that to my brother.
BTW: Just a reminder that the latest Booktown Mystery will be available on Tuesday. It's Murder On The Half Shelf, and I'm proud to say it's racking up some pretty awesome reviews. (Our own Dru Ann Love reviewed it just today on her blog Dru's Book Musings.) I hope you'll give it a try.
====================================
But wait... there's more!
FOUND--AUTHOR SWAG: Speaking of goody bags, while cleaning out the Cozy Chicks' office supply room, we came across two more Malice goody bags. How can you get one? Write a review of more than one or two sentences for our cookbook. THE COZY CHICKS KITCHEN , and post it on either Amazon or Barnes & Noble (both is better), and we'll send you Cozy Chicks swag. (Which includes bookmarks from all the Chicks, plus a bonus recipe card and an incredibly cute teapot cookie cutter.)
How can you miss?
P.S. Did you buy the cookbook and wish you could have it signed? Guess what? We've got
free bookplates
signed by all the contributing Chicks! To get yours, just write to us, give us your snail mail address, and we'll send you one (plus a few Cozy Chicks bookmarks). Our email address is: cozychicks(at)gmail(dot)com -- Please put BOOKPLATE in the subject header. Thanks![image error]
June 27, 2012
Our Summer Splurge
by Julie Hyzy
We have a pretty big backyard. Don't get me wrong, it's not like acres-big. In fact, it isn't even a full acre, but it's close. While parts of the lot are taken up by the house, the patio, and garden areas, most of it is just plain grass. Looks wonderful most of the time, but it has this nasty need to be maintained. When we first moved into this house fourteen years ago, we were required to cut the grass every Saturday. Took four hours. Every. Weekend.
Fun, fun.
We eventually managed to convince our daughters to take on this job as they aged into it. We even paid them for this because it was clearly an above-and-beyond their regular around-the-house responsibilities. Daughter #3 was in the middle of her stint when my husband and I realized that soon - just like her sisters - she'd be too busy during the summer with a "real" job or other responsibilities to keep up with the lawn. We'd have to take this on ourselves again.
We really didn't want to buy a riding lawnmower -- both because they're so expensive and because we'd have to store the thing, so we resigned ourselves to delaying Saturday plans *every week* until the lawn was in shape.
It was then I noticed that our next door neighbors had a service taking care of their grass. Their yard is almost as big as ours and every Thursday a team of three or four men would come in and -- zip -- the lawn was cut, edged, trimmed, and swept in a matter of about 45 minutes.
The proverbial light bulb flashed on.
I checked into the costs for getting our lawn maintained by our neighbor's service and guess what? The price per week was reasonable.
This, to me, was the definition of a no-brainer. My husband took a bit more convincing. He's not thrilled with the idea of paying people to do things we're capable of doing ourselves. The fact that the cost per week would be pretty close to what we'd been paying our daughters and that we would have a lot more free time on the weekends (that's huge for me) finally brought him around to my way of thinking.
Now, every summer Thursday at about 8:30 AM, the team shows up here. In less than an hour my yard looks neat, clean, and beautifully maintained. I love this service so much. Every week I sigh with a little bit of contentedness. It's a splurge, for sure, but totally worth every penny.
I'll bet there are lots of interesting splurges out there. What's yours?
Julie
PS - We all know that books aren't splurges - they're NECESSITIES!! Lucky for us there are two brand new titles coming out next week from two wonderful Cozy Chicks: Jennifer Stanley a/k/a Ellery Adams, and Lorraine Bartlett a/k/a Lorna Barrett.
Ellery could sure use some good news right now, and Lorna is making her first foray into the world of hardcovers. I know they'd appreciate any cozy love you can offer!
PIES AND PREJUDICE by Ellery Adams
MURDER ON THE HALF SHELF by Lorna Barrett
[image error]
We have a pretty big backyard. Don't get me wrong, it's not like acres-big. In fact, it isn't even a full acre, but it's close. While parts of the lot are taken up by the house, the patio, and garden areas, most of it is just plain grass. Looks wonderful most of the time, but it has this nasty need to be maintained. When we first moved into this house fourteen years ago, we were required to cut the grass every Saturday. Took four hours. Every. Weekend.
Fun, fun.
We really didn't want to buy a riding lawnmower -- both because they're so expensive and because we'd have to store the thing, so we resigned ourselves to delaying Saturday plans *every week* until the lawn was in shape.
It was then I noticed that our next door neighbors had a service taking care of their grass. Their yard is almost as big as ours and every Thursday a team of three or four men would come in and -- zip -- the lawn was cut, edged, trimmed, and swept in a matter of about 45 minutes.
The proverbial light bulb flashed on.
I checked into the costs for getting our lawn maintained by our neighbor's service and guess what? The price per week was reasonable.
This, to me, was the definition of a no-brainer. My husband took a bit more convincing. He's not thrilled with the idea of paying people to do things we're capable of doing ourselves. The fact that the cost per week would be pretty close to what we'd been paying our daughters and that we would have a lot more free time on the weekends (that's huge for me) finally brought him around to my way of thinking.
Now, every summer Thursday at about 8:30 AM, the team shows up here. In less than an hour my yard looks neat, clean, and beautifully maintained. I love this service so much. Every week I sigh with a little bit of contentedness. It's a splurge, for sure, but totally worth every penny.
I'll bet there are lots of interesting splurges out there. What's yours?
Julie
PS - We all know that books aren't splurges - they're NECESSITIES!! Lucky for us there are two brand new titles coming out next week from two wonderful Cozy Chicks: Jennifer Stanley a/k/a Ellery Adams, and Lorraine Bartlett a/k/a Lorna Barrett.
Ellery could sure use some good news right now, and Lorna is making her first foray into the world of hardcovers. I know they'd appreciate any cozy love you can offer!PIES AND PREJUDICE by Ellery Adams
MURDER ON THE HALF SHELF by Lorna Barrett
[image error]
June 26, 2012
A Penny For Your Thoughts
by Deb Baker/Hannah Reed
Today we are burying my husband’s father. He’d lived a rich life, eighty-five full years. His children and grandchildren had the opportunity to say goodbye, to speak from the heart, say the words some of us never get the chance to utter.
In another sad moment, Cozy Chick Ellery lost her sister-in-law on Monday due to childbirth complications (the baby is fine), shocking for all of us. Ellery's helping care for the newborn.
One old and expected. One young and so unexpected.
However, rather than write a maudlin post, I want to share a story about pennies.
A dear friend once told me that when she left the church after her mother’s funeral service, she spotted a bright and shiny penny on the church steps. She picked it up, took it home, and put it in a bowl. Since then, she’s found pennies after family events – weddings, baptisms - and at times when she craves her mother’s love and support the most. She had to get a bigger bowl.
So I was overwhelmed when we learned of the Baker patriarch’s passing and within a few minutes I’d picked up a bright and shiny penny next to the chair I was sitting in. Of course, that reminded me, and I told my husband the story.
But things grew strange from there.
You see, my husband isn’t the one finding pennies. I am. One on the passenger seat of my car. Another on the basement steps. Six in all found in the strangest places within my home or vehicle.
I’m not sure what it means, if anything. But those pennies are gathering in a decorative bowl. I’ll think of my father-in-law every single time I find one, probably forever. He was a loving and generous human being. I was lucky to have known him.
I hope Ellery will find the same kind of comforting thoughts in something as simple as a penny.
How about you? Have you ever had a sign you thought might be from beyond the grave?[image error]
Today we are burying my husband’s father. He’d lived a rich life, eighty-five full years. His children and grandchildren had the opportunity to say goodbye, to speak from the heart, say the words some of us never get the chance to utter.In another sad moment, Cozy Chick Ellery lost her sister-in-law on Monday due to childbirth complications (the baby is fine), shocking for all of us. Ellery's helping care for the newborn.
One old and expected. One young and so unexpected.
However, rather than write a maudlin post, I want to share a story about pennies.
A dear friend once told me that when she left the church after her mother’s funeral service, she spotted a bright and shiny penny on the church steps. She picked it up, took it home, and put it in a bowl. Since then, she’s found pennies after family events – weddings, baptisms - and at times when she craves her mother’s love and support the most. She had to get a bigger bowl.
So I was overwhelmed when we learned of the Baker patriarch’s passing and within a few minutes I’d picked up a bright and shiny penny next to the chair I was sitting in. Of course, that reminded me, and I told my husband the story.
But things grew strange from there.
You see, my husband isn’t the one finding pennies. I am. One on the passenger seat of my car. Another on the basement steps. Six in all found in the strangest places within my home or vehicle.
I’m not sure what it means, if anything. But those pennies are gathering in a decorative bowl. I’ll think of my father-in-law every single time I find one, probably forever. He was a loving and generous human being. I was lucky to have known him.
I hope Ellery will find the same kind of comforting thoughts in something as simple as a penny.
How about you? Have you ever had a sign you thought might be from beyond the grave?[image error]
Horrible Heat!
by Maggie Sefton
I just returned Monday evening from a three-day writing business trip to Anaheim in Southern California, where it was a lovely early summer temperature of 81 degrees. I returned to land Monday evening in Denver, Colorado’s airport to temperatures of 102 degrees. Yep. We were hotter than Southern Clifornia, even at 5000+ feet of altitude. Phone calls home to friends in Fort Collins to check on the wildfire’s progress brought more surprises. Fort Collins had temps of 101 on Saturday and---ready for this? ---103 degrees on Sunday---in the SHADE! Another friend told me that neighboring Loveland, Colorado recorded 106 degrees in the shade. Yikes!
What is up with these temperatures? We’ve broken all sorts of heat records in Colorado during this dreadful Drought. We NEVER had temps like that in June before. Only in July in drought years did we go into triple digits, and then only for a couple of days in Fort Collins. This totally unreal for us. The only thing helping is that our usual low humidity levels are even lower---single digits. If we had to endure high heat AND high humidity. . .well, that would be awful. I remember how unbearably hot summers in the humid East and Midwest were, and temps were in the high 90s then.
No wonder the wildfires are still burning here in Colorado. In fact, those horrible high temps were responsible along with wind gusts for stirring up that fire dragon on Friday and Saturday in Northern Colorado. And now, there are even MORE wildfires burning all over Colorado. Dry tinder igniting. The photo is my daughter Serena when she was on a research trip in the South Pole, camping on the ice, searching for meteorites. It makes me cooler to look at all that snow.
So, everyone. . .tell us how hot YOU are? What are your temperatures? [image error]
I just returned Monday evening from a three-day writing business trip to Anaheim in Southern California, where it was a lovely early summer temperature of 81 degrees. I returned to land Monday evening in Denver, Colorado’s airport to temperatures of 102 degrees. Yep. We were hotter than Southern Clifornia, even at 5000+ feet of altitude. Phone calls home to friends in Fort Collins to check on the wildfire’s progress brought more surprises. Fort Collins had temps of 101 on Saturday and---ready for this? ---103 degrees on Sunday---in the SHADE! Another friend told me that neighboring Loveland, Colorado recorded 106 degrees in the shade. Yikes!
What is up with these temperatures? We’ve broken all sorts of heat records in Colorado during this dreadful Drought. We NEVER had temps like that in June before. Only in July in drought years did we go into triple digits, and then only for a couple of days in Fort Collins. This totally unreal for us. The only thing helping is that our usual low humidity levels are even lower---single digits. If we had to endure high heat AND high humidity. . .well, that would be awful. I remember how unbearably hot summers in the humid East and Midwest were, and temps were in the high 90s then. No wonder the wildfires are still burning here in Colorado. In fact, those horrible high temps were responsible along with wind gusts for stirring up that fire dragon on Friday and Saturday in Northern Colorado. And now, there are even MORE wildfires burning all over Colorado. Dry tinder igniting. The photo is my daughter Serena when she was on a research trip in the South Pole, camping on the ice, searching for meteorites. It makes me cooler to look at all that snow.
So, everyone. . .tell us how hot YOU are? What are your temperatures? [image error]
June 24, 2012
Journey Into Singlehood
by Kate Collins
I’ve heard it said that widowhood is being a member of a club nobody wants to belong to. Boy, will I second that. I’m not happy being alone, having to navigate the waters of life by myself. One of the most difficult parts has been trying to find a new group of friends. Oh, it’s not that I’ve abandoned my old ones, it’s just that they’re halves of a couple, and couples do things together on weekends, like garden and shop and visit relatives and have children and/or grandchildren over for dinners.
And it’s not that these women don’t want to do things without their husbands – they do – but usually not on weekends, which tend to be like black holes of nothingness for me.
For a year I’ve been wondering how to find single friends, especially in an age group in which the majority of women still have husbands. I checked online for singles groups in my area and found none. Zilch. I checked with my church. None there, either. Not knowing where else to turn, I finally set up a meeting with my minister and explained my situation. This took a lot of courage because I’ve never been much of a joiner at church, and he didn’t even know more than my first name. To my amazement, he said there was a need for a singles social group in the middle age range and he’d look into it.
A few weeks later I got an invitation to a luncheon for businesswomen, put together by the minister. A small group of us met with him at a restaurant for lunch, where I learned that every woman there was single, either through widowhood or divorce. He had me explain my mission, and to my delight, the women were excited about having friends to socialize with, especially on those long, lonely weekends.
The point of my blog is that sometimes, instead of sitting around feeling sorry for your situation, you have to reach outside your comfort zone for help. It took me awhile to do it – I actually cancelled the first meeting I’d set up -- but now I’m so glad I pushed through my initial reluctance. I have a feeling there are seven other women who are glad, too.
Have you ever had to reach outside your comfort zone for help? Have you ever included a single person into your plans – or maybe you are that single person and have found ways to keep from being alone. Please share your thoughts.
I’ve heard it said that widowhood is being a member of a club nobody wants to belong to. Boy, will I second that. I’m not happy being alone, having to navigate the waters of life by myself. One of the most difficult parts has been trying to find a new group of friends. Oh, it’s not that I’ve abandoned my old ones, it’s just that they’re halves of a couple, and couples do things together on weekends, like garden and shop and visit relatives and have children and/or grandchildren over for dinners. And it’s not that these women don’t want to do things without their husbands – they do – but usually not on weekends, which tend to be like black holes of nothingness for me.
For a year I’ve been wondering how to find single friends, especially in an age group in which the majority of women still have husbands. I checked online for singles groups in my area and found none. Zilch. I checked with my church. None there, either. Not knowing where else to turn, I finally set up a meeting with my minister and explained my situation. This took a lot of courage because I’ve never been much of a joiner at church, and he didn’t even know more than my first name. To my amazement, he said there was a need for a singles social group in the middle age range and he’d look into it.
A few weeks later I got an invitation to a luncheon for businesswomen, put together by the minister. A small group of us met with him at a restaurant for lunch, where I learned that every woman there was single, either through widowhood or divorce. He had me explain my mission, and to my delight, the women were excited about having friends to socialize with, especially on those long, lonely weekends.
The point of my blog is that sometimes, instead of sitting around feeling sorry for your situation, you have to reach outside your comfort zone for help. It took me awhile to do it – I actually cancelled the first meeting I’d set up -- but now I’m so glad I pushed through my initial reluctance. I have a feeling there are seven other women who are glad, too.
Have you ever had to reach outside your comfort zone for help? Have you ever included a single person into your plans – or maybe you are that single person and have found ways to keep from being alone. Please share your thoughts.
June 23, 2012
Selling a House Causes Weight Gain!
by Leann
We finally put our house on the market this week. Big hurdle jumped! Yay! But the Realtor suggested when she calls to tell us someone wants to see the house, that we take the dog and the cat with us for the hour of the showing. Take the litter box, hide the food, and the dog bed. Oh, and the scratching post. Friday was pure chaos with barking dog and screeching cat wondering why I thought I could disrupt their world. They do have a schedule and why didn't I know this?
We made it through the turmoil and Saturday did the whole routine again. My husband took the dog, this time. Whew. Less chaos. Just an angry cat to deal with. Friday, I'd gone to Sonic and had tater tots and a carmel-coffee milkshake. Or should I say, the dog and I had tater tots and a carmel-coffee milkshake. Saturday I stopped at Dunn Brothers Coffee and treated myself to a "Real Raspberry LaCrema." Talk about yummy!!! Then I joined my husband at Sonic and enjoyed mozzarella sticks. Not only is this costing me money, I probably gained 5 pounds for just two showings!
I have been ill since 2005 and have lost a lot of weight, so I do need those milkshakes (or so I am telling myself), but I don't think a coffee milkshake everyday is exactly what I need. Next showing? I think a yogurt smoothie at Mickey D's is in order. It is the only thing on their menu I will drink. Very Berry. Yup. Got it all planned out. And perhaps a cheeseburger for the dog. Wexford the cat? He wants NOTHING to do with any of this. In fact, he'll probably hide from me until we sell the house.
How about you? Any house selling stories to tell? I'd love to hear them! :-)
We finally put our house on the market this week. Big hurdle jumped! Yay! But the Realtor suggested when she calls to tell us someone wants to see the house, that we take the dog and the cat with us for the hour of the showing. Take the litter box, hide the food, and the dog bed. Oh, and the scratching post. Friday was pure chaos with barking dog and screeching cat wondering why I thought I could disrupt their world. They do have a schedule and why didn't I know this?We made it through the turmoil and Saturday did the whole routine again. My husband took the dog, this time. Whew. Less chaos. Just an angry cat to deal with. Friday, I'd gone to Sonic and had tater tots and a carmel-coffee milkshake. Or should I say, the dog and I had tater tots and a carmel-coffee milkshake. Saturday I stopped at Dunn Brothers Coffee and treated myself to a "Real Raspberry LaCrema." Talk about yummy!!! Then I joined my husband at Sonic and enjoyed mozzarella sticks. Not only is this costing me money, I probably gained 5 pounds for just two showings!
I have been ill since 2005 and have lost a lot of weight, so I do need those milkshakes (or so I am telling myself), but I don't think a coffee milkshake everyday is exactly what I need. Next showing? I think a yogurt smoothie at Mickey D's is in order. It is the only thing on their menu I will drink. Very Berry. Yup. Got it all planned out. And perhaps a cheeseburger for the dog. Wexford the cat? He wants NOTHING to do with any of this. In fact, he'll probably hide from me until we sell the house.How about you? Any house selling stories to tell? I'd love to hear them! :-)
June 22, 2012
And One to Grow On
By Heather
It’s birthday season in our house. Just in my immediate family, there is a b-day in May, June, July and two in August (soon to be three with the addition of our future daughter-in-law).
We’re not a big party family, and our birthdays are usually low-key, but there are traditions.
The kids always get helium balloons tied to their chair at the kitchen table.
We all get to pick what we want for dinner, whether it’s a fancy restaurant, junk food, or simply our favorite foods. Baby Girl this year wanted hot dogs and mac and cheese! I usually get Chinese food or pizza. Anything goes.
And, of course, we all pick our cakes (or pies as the case may be sometimes).
Son # 1 likes strawberry pie.Son # 2 likes Boston Creme Pie (which is actually a cake)Baby Girl likes Boston Creme PieMr. W likes Boston Creme Pie or spice cake with vanilla frostingAnd me? I like pumpkin pie or banana cream pie.
Really, I could eat pie all day and skip the special dinner. :)
And of course, there’s always a hitchhiker on the cakes. Grover. He’s another tradition and has been part of every birthday cake since the kids were little.
Isn’t he cute?
Do you have a favorite birthday cake? Or a special birthday dinner?
June 21, 2012
Spread the Word and Win a Cookbook!
The Cozy Chicks need you, friends! Well, two of us at any rate. Lorna Barrett and Ellery Adams would like to recruit you to spread the word about our July 3rd releases:
Murder on the Half Shelf: A Booktown Mystery - Lorna Barrett
Pies and Prejudice: A Charmed Pie Shoppe Mystery - Ellery Adams
And as our recruits, we want you to have a little fun. Here's how:
If you tweet, blog, write a Facebook post, or mention our books on any website, Amazon's Listmania, or anywhere else on the Internet and send us the URL, and include YOUR FULL NAME and email address at cozychicks@gmail.com, then you'll be entered in a drawing to win one of eight Cozy Chick Kitchen cookbooks (See the pink book on the bottom right with the cute girl holding the chocolate cake? Lots of yummy recipes are waiting for you).
Why
do we need help spreading the word? Because this is Lorna's first time in hardcover and Ellery's first in an all-new series. Sometimes, these "firsts" could benefit from a little help. Help in getting pre-orders, help in going viral, help in creating that necessary buzz.
So many of you do this for us on a regular basis and we're super grateful, but why not win a prize while you're helping out this time?
Can't think of what to say? Here's a sample tweet--just copy and past. (But you can be as creative as you want!)
Spread the word @LornaBarrett & Murder on the Half Shelf / @ElleryAdams and Pies and Prejudice & win a cookbook! http://tinyurl.com/mj2uk4
The contest ends on July 10th and you can enter multiple times as long as you submit a fresh entry each time.
Go on, start talking!
Murder on the Half Shelf: A Booktown Mystery - Lorna BarrettPies and Prejudice: A Charmed Pie Shoppe Mystery - Ellery Adams
And as our recruits, we want you to have a little fun. Here's how:
If you tweet, blog, write a Facebook post, or mention our books on any website, Amazon's Listmania, or anywhere else on the Internet and send us the URL, and include YOUR FULL NAME and email address at cozychicks@gmail.com, then you'll be entered in a drawing to win one of eight Cozy Chick Kitchen cookbooks (See the pink book on the bottom right with the cute girl holding the chocolate cake? Lots of yummy recipes are waiting for you).
Why
do we need help spreading the word? Because this is Lorna's first time in hardcover and Ellery's first in an all-new series. Sometimes, these "firsts" could benefit from a little help. Help in getting pre-orders, help in going viral, help in creating that necessary buzz.
So many of you do this for us on a regular basis and we're super grateful, but why not win a prize while you're helping out this time?Can't think of what to say? Here's a sample tweet--just copy and past. (But you can be as creative as you want!)
Spread the word @LornaBarrett & Murder on the Half Shelf / @ElleryAdams and Pies and Prejudice & win a cookbook! http://tinyurl.com/mj2uk4
The contest ends on July 10th and you can enter multiple times as long as you submit a fresh entry each time.
Go on, start talking!
June 20, 2012
Fighting my fears on Lake Shore Drive
by Julie Hyzy
I love writing characters who are adventurous, brave, and daring. The reason I like writing for them so much is probably because I'm just the opposite. Although I've faced a fair share of terrifying circumstances, I do my best to avoid danger when I can. I won't bungee jump, I won't parachute. I'm sort of tempted by parasailing, but I have a feeling I might chicken out at the last minute.
For Christmas these past few years, my husband and I have decided to minimize giving our kids "stuff" and maximize family experiences. We've seen theater productions, gone on serial killer bus tours, and gone skiing as a family. We all prefer hanging together over cluttering up rooms and apartments with tchotchkes.
This year, my husband suggested we take them on a Segway tour. Back in December the idea sounded fabulous. That is, until the weather cleared and we made our way to Lake Shore Drive in Chicago and I realized I would have to navigate on one of these devices through hordes of bicyclists, joggers, strollers, dog-walkers, and more. Way more.
I'm not very coordinated. I bump into walls, chairs, tables, etc. every day. But we'd promised the kids (including two boyfriends) so I put on my game face. The instructors pulled out a slew of two-wheeled buggers from the Segway parking area, fitted us with helmets, and warned us about this, that, and whatever. There were far more warnings than I'd hoped for. The one point of pride the instructors shared was that this particular operation was the only one in the city that hadn't lost a Segway in the lake.
Yet.
Our guide, Adam, taught us all one-on-one how to operate the monsters. As he held tight to the handle and impressed upon me how very important it was to NEVER step off without his help, I said, "I'm really nervous." I actually think that was pretty obvious. He assured me I'd be fine. When he finally sent me to the nearby park to practice before the tour, I moved about an inch a minute. Pathetic. Want to move forward? Lean forward. Want to stop? Lean back, but never allow yourself to roll backward. Got that? Never. And you don't turn it like a bike. You just lean the handle sideways if you want to turn.
Gak.
Look, no hands!
The family including the boyfriends:
L-R, Curt, Luke, Sara, me,
Biz, Robyn, AndrewI finally made it to the park and... whaddya know... within about five minutes I had the hang of the thing. I was able to stop, start, navigate, and feel comfortable while doing so. Woo-hoo!! Fabulous!! My youngest daughter joked that Segways made her feel like a Jedi. You don't actually do anything -- you just think it -- and the Segway responds. We were having lots of Star Wars fun out there, until it was time to depart. And navigate through all those people. Was it hairy at times? Oh, yeah. Did I have to bite the insides of my cheeks from yelping a few times? Yep.
But you know what? I survived. We all did. Marvelously. We rode south along the lakefront to the museum campus and then back, taking in the city skyline and the sparkling lake. It was a gorgeous, sunny, warm day. Wonderful, awesome experience.
I'm so glad I did this! I was scared... more than a little. But pushing past my fears brought me an experience I truly enjoyed.
Have you ever faced a fear and had it turn out well? Or just the opposite? Are you more or less likely to push yourself these days?
I love writing characters who are adventurous, brave, and daring. The reason I like writing for them so much is probably because I'm just the opposite. Although I've faced a fair share of terrifying circumstances, I do my best to avoid danger when I can. I won't bungee jump, I won't parachute. I'm sort of tempted by parasailing, but I have a feeling I might chicken out at the last minute.
For Christmas these past few years, my husband and I have decided to minimize giving our kids "stuff" and maximize family experiences. We've seen theater productions, gone on serial killer bus tours, and gone skiing as a family. We all prefer hanging together over cluttering up rooms and apartments with tchotchkes.
This year, my husband suggested we take them on a Segway tour. Back in December the idea sounded fabulous. That is, until the weather cleared and we made our way to Lake Shore Drive in Chicago and I realized I would have to navigate on one of these devices through hordes of bicyclists, joggers, strollers, dog-walkers, and more. Way more.
I'm not very coordinated. I bump into walls, chairs, tables, etc. every day. But we'd promised the kids (including two boyfriends) so I put on my game face. The instructors pulled out a slew of two-wheeled buggers from the Segway parking area, fitted us with helmets, and warned us about this, that, and whatever. There were far more warnings than I'd hoped for. The one point of pride the instructors shared was that this particular operation was the only one in the city that hadn't lost a Segway in the lake.Yet.
Our guide, Adam, taught us all one-on-one how to operate the monsters. As he held tight to the handle and impressed upon me how very important it was to NEVER step off without his help, I said, "I'm really nervous." I actually think that was pretty obvious. He assured me I'd be fine. When he finally sent me to the nearby park to practice before the tour, I moved about an inch a minute. Pathetic. Want to move forward? Lean forward. Want to stop? Lean back, but never allow yourself to roll backward. Got that? Never. And you don't turn it like a bike. You just lean the handle sideways if you want to turn.
Gak.
Look, no hands!The family including the boyfriends:
L-R, Curt, Luke, Sara, me,
Biz, Robyn, AndrewI finally made it to the park and... whaddya know... within about five minutes I had the hang of the thing. I was able to stop, start, navigate, and feel comfortable while doing so. Woo-hoo!! Fabulous!! My youngest daughter joked that Segways made her feel like a Jedi. You don't actually do anything -- you just think it -- and the Segway responds. We were having lots of Star Wars fun out there, until it was time to depart. And navigate through all those people. Was it hairy at times? Oh, yeah. Did I have to bite the insides of my cheeks from yelping a few times? Yep.
But you know what? I survived. We all did. Marvelously. We rode south along the lakefront to the museum campus and then back, taking in the city skyline and the sparkling lake. It was a gorgeous, sunny, warm day. Wonderful, awesome experience.
I'm so glad I did this! I was scared... more than a little. But pushing past my fears brought me an experience I truly enjoyed.
Have you ever faced a fear and had it turn out well? Or just the opposite? Are you more or less likely to push yourself these days?
June 19, 2012
Queen of the Jungle
by Deb Baker/Hannah Reed
She walks among them, fearless, confident in her reigning power.
She lives in Shangri-La. Nine glorious acres of hardwoods with the lower creatures - raccoons, opossums, deer, squirrels, chippies, and turkeys.
The Queen treats them well, considers them part of her royal court.
But just let the ruling cat from a neighboring fiefdom show up. He has ten pounds on the Queen and has a full set of retractable claws, which she doesn't, considering the palace has certain requirements. But that doesn't stop her from defending her turf.
She's incredible fierce.
And effective.
He quickly retreats.
Sigh.
Just another day in the life of the Queen of the Jungle. Inside the palace, a feast awaits the magnificent victoress.
Who, pray tell, rules your kingdom?
She walks among them, fearless, confident in her reigning power.She lives in Shangri-La. Nine glorious acres of hardwoods with the lower creatures - raccoons, opossums, deer, squirrels, chippies, and turkeys.
The Queen treats them well, considers them part of her royal court.
But just let the ruling cat from a neighboring fiefdom show up. He has ten pounds on the Queen and has a full set of retractable claws, which she doesn't, considering the palace has certain requirements. But that doesn't stop her from defending her turf.
She's incredible fierce.
And effective.
He quickly retreats.
Sigh.
Just another day in the life of the Queen of the Jungle. Inside the palace, a feast awaits the magnificent victoress.
Who, pray tell, rules your kingdom?
