Anastasia Abboud's Blog, page 12

The Cool Season Begins

So…. I still have eight flats of cool season annuals to set into the ground. I know where they are to go, at least. It’s just been rather busy lately and the back took a lot of work. We keep things organic and I don’t like mulch, so sometimes a lot of weeding is necessary. We also whacked back some giant plants and did a general cleaning. Now, it looks great back there. Nice little rows of pansies, sweet allysum, and snapdragons are here, there, everywhere, and cool season vegetable seeds have been sown. We also have lots of green fall tomatoes -- so exciting!​ I do love spending time out there, especially during this time of year. And I’m downright gleeful about the tomatoes. We struggle with them every summer. By mid-July, they all but go up in flames. But now, in November, they’re healthy as can be. And the bird life is beautiful. That’s why it’s important to note the seasons, to understand and appreciate what’s best in each one, and to never take anything for granted

Medieval Monday Week 8

Welcome to Medieval Monday, Week 8, and another round of bite-sized excerpts. Check out the Medieval Romance Lovers FB page and allow yourself to be drawn into a delectable, medieval romance! We can also be found on Twitter, #MedMonFall20.

In this snippet from Tremors, my time-travel romance, Deidre and Lachlann are parked on the side of the road, in the middle of a pine forest. He is hedging, wondering where he stands with her and if he dare tell her the truth about himself. 


She stared at him a moment longer. Everything about him spoke of honor, of goodness. He wasn’t a criminal.

She shook her head. “You haven’t.”  (done something wrong)

He tilted his head slightly, watching her carefully. “You’re sure about that?”

“As sure as I can be. I trust you.”

He drew a deep breath. “I trust you, too.”

She laid a hand on his arm. “Lachlann, if you’ve made a mistake, I’ll help you. We’ll fix it together. If necessary, we’ll fight together.”

“You’d fight for me?”

“Of course.”

Available at Amazon. Free with Kindle Unlimited.

Dukes Up! In Defense of Ereaders!

The following is a reprint (very slightly updated) from a Crossing Cultures post from January, 2017. Lately, I’ve noted or participated in discussions on the topic with surprising frequency. I hope you enjoy it. I've had fun revisiting it. 
 
For me, 2017 has started off with a purge. I realize that that’s not exactly unique, but at our house it has been rather extreme this year. We moved my husband’s office to home and it has wonderfully resulted in a lot of tossing out, donating, and rearranging.
 
In moving so much “stuff”, I had to relocate some paperback books from a cabinet to a bookshelf, creating a double row. Yes, it is unfortunate that there were books in a cabinet in the first place, but having more books than shelf space is not an uncommon situation among bookworms.
 
It is, however, an uncomfortable situation for a “less is more” person like me (with the notable exception of books and plants) and thus we have arrived at the topic of this post: ereaders. I find myself astonished, exasperated, and sometimes amused when otherwise sensible individuals insist that they just can’t read on them, that they ruin the reading experience. Often, they carry it further, proceeding to question my reading habits and my approach to life in general.
 
Finally, I protest. Enough of this nonsense! I don’t know how all ereaders work, but I love my Kindle. If you have a different favorite, please feel free to substitute your preferred choice where appropriate. Most ereaders share similar conveniences. Let’s talk about those as opposed to “traditional” or “physical” books. I honestly don’t know which term I like less. There are new traditions as well as old, after all, and I’m not entirely convinced that a digital book is any less physical than a non-digital one (see what I did there).
 
Multi-device accessibility is awesome. I love that I can read a book on my phone while in line at the grocery store, enjoy a reading break on my iPad when it’s convenient, and pick up right where I left off with my Kindle while relaxing in my garden, at the beach, or tucked in bed at night.
 
Not all ebooks have an efficient table of contents, but these days, most of them do. Granted, there’s nothing really hard about using a table of contents, but the touch screen makes it easier than ever, especially with big books. Take the Bible, for instance. I confess that I still have to flip pages a bit at times. The book of Hosea is between…? With my e-version of The New American Bible, I merely tap and I’m there. Lazy? Nope, not if my goal is to read. In answer to any lofty observations about the search being good for me (“the journey”), that I might stumble upon more than I was looking for by flipping pages, I say that my Kindle’s ease of use is just as encouraging.
 
That goes for the built-in dictionary as well; it’s encouraging. Stumble across a word you’re not familiar with? Press on it and the definition pops up. My Kindle offers a great variety of free dictionaries to choose from. I can also highlight passages, bookmark pages, flip back and forth – by touch. Other favorite options are font size, style, and screen brightness.
 
But what about the tactile aspect? Of feeling the book in your hands? The smell of paper? Okay, so while I’m definitely not as nostalgic as the next guy, I get it to some degree. There’s something particularly magical about old, cherished books. There’s also something particularly dusty about them, not to mention flat-out musty. Achoo! And – oh – the mellow, yellowed pages! Since when is yellowed anything remotely appealing? Personally, I’m not a fan.
 
And how about the feel of a heavy book collapsing on your face when you fall asleep reading? That’s a tactile experience worth remembering. Consider how nice and light an ereader is. It’s also a lot less awkward and physically more comfortable to hold while reading in bed. That’s not an opinion; it’s an inarguable fact. How about holding an entire library while reading in bed? Why not give that a go?
 
But you have to charge an ereader! Oh, no! Imagine that, using electricity or a battery for convenience! If you are going someplace where that might not be an option, by all means take a hard copy and read in the light of a lantern or candle and enjoy your time travel.
 
And back to that purging, that space-saving option. I have over a thousand books on my Kindle with plenty of space left for more. It’s just so easy and convenient. While I probably have about the same number of hardbacks and paperbacks in my home library, space is really tight. But even if I had one of those spectacular, multi-storied libraries requiring a rolling ladder or two, isn’t it easier to just tap my Kindle? Yes, it is! Can’t fall off a Kindle, now can I? What about purses, briefcases, backpacks? An ereader is usually lighter than a single volume and I carry a library wherever I go.
 
Not only can I buy more books for my Kindle, from my Kindle, I can borrow digital books from the local library as well as other sources. I can read magazines, periodicals, documents --- all on that one wonderfully light, thin device. I can read with all the lights out at night and without worrying about glare during the day.
 
Disclaimer time, just to be clear. I do know that there are still books as yet unavailable in digital form. There are also some places and situations where electricity really isn’t an option. Obviously, that’s not what I’m talking about. You know what I’m talking about. Yes, you do.
 
I should also admit that even to me there are some books that are simply better the old-fashioned way. Kindles don’t make for great coffee table books. Books with photos are more easily appreciated in paper or hardback. For me, these would include cookbooks with mouth-watering photos, how-to books, gardening, and travel books. Also books with maps, charts, and/or graphs may or may not be easier to study in a larger format.
 
But for general reading purposes? For novels? My ereader wins every time.
 
You could always have both, of course. For example, I’m fond of small, leather-bound prayer books. But even with this dear little exception, I like to have a backup Kindle version if it’s available.
 
So, all you romantics, old-fashioned hardliners, and under-informed, wake up, lighten up (literally), stop being snobby – or don’t. Go ahead and lug some heavy tome through two or three airports and back because you’re stubborn. Good for you that books and reading mean so much to you. I mean that sincerely. Just don’t try to convince me that it’s a superior, more soulful option. I might heartily agree that you’re a better person than I am, but let’s leave my Kindle out of it.
 
Thank you.

MEDIEVAL MONDAY WEEK 7

Happy November and Welcome to Medieval Monday, Week 7!

It’s the perfect time of year to cozy up with a new book! For some wonderful romances, check out the Medieval Romance Lovers FB page. We can also be found at #MedMonFall20.

I’ve been sharing snippets from Lachlann and Deidre’s drive to a Christmas tree farm. In the last excerpt, he asked Deidre what she would do if he were a fugitive.

She’s not sure.

Lachlann didn’t speak. He only looked at her. He was waiting for an answer. What was her answer? Moments ticked by. She needed more information.

She looked him straight in the eye. “You’ve done something wrong?”

“What if I have?”

Available at Amazon. Free with Kindle Unlimited.

Series Review: Nocturne Falls Mysteries

The Nocturne Falls books -- both the romances and mysteries -- are so fun and funny! We're talking lightest of light, but with so much humour and imagination. Kristen Painter has created a town where vampires, witches, gargoyles, reapers, hobbits, elves, Santa, the Sandman, werewolves, dragons, yetis, and many other mythical/ legendary, um, people mix and mingle. Of course, she puts her own particular twist on all of the legends and makes everything so much fun.

In the Nocturne Falls Mystery series, Jayne, Winter Princess, daughter of Jack Frost and niece of Santa Claus -- I am laughing as I write this -- is sent to Nocturne Falls to look into a problem in one of Santa's workshop toystores. Jayne is great. She's a good person with an elven metabolism, which means she thrives on sweets. The way she eats will have you wanting to dash to the nearest donut shop or bakery. I've been listening to the series and narrator employs a sort of East coast accent -- New Jersey light. It's really cute and makes all of her tart little observations even funnier. But the books are just as enjoyable to read.

Jayne also ends up with a talking cat.
​
The mysteries aren't hugely mysterious, but they are enough to keep the hilarity going. If you want to take a break and just laugh at the familiar in unfamiliar territory, by all means, try this series.

A Walk in the Woods

Someone recently asked me what sparks my creativity. Two major sources of inspiration for me are being with people I love and nature.

Last week, I enjoyed a hike through some woods and a day at the coast. I loved it.

The hike was fun mostly because I was with our son Bashir, who also writes. We decided that a day in nature would be good for our writing. We headed to a state park.

Ridiculously, I hadn’t taken hiking into consideration, although I love it and we were going to a park. Interesting, right? Bashir, of course, hadn't considered not hiking. Of course, he wouldn't. 

Neither one of us are exactly famous for our sense of direction. We struck off down a path with notebooks, pens, and our phones. No water -- I, genius, didn't think we would spend much time along that particular path. Again, what? 

I was a little bit of a wreck, to be honest. I was wearing crop pants and no-show socks. Everywhere I looked, I saw poison ivy and poison oak. What had I been thinking? Probably not so much about hiking as sitting beside the river, under the old, live oaks, writing and nibbling on snacks.

​I have an unreasonable fear of poisonous plants. Bashir wasn’t bothered in the least. He marched confidently down paths lined with poison ivy while I held my breath. He made his way to scenic overlooks while I hung back doubtfully. He surprised me, too. He knew exactly how to return to the parking lot. He was paying attention to the trails and not focusing solely on groundcover!

We finally did get to my lovely setting by the river. A cool breeze blew over the water, leaves drifted from the trees, and we soaked it all in. We talked. We snacked.

We wrote.

It was beautiful. ​

MEDIEVAL MONDAY WEEK 6

Happy Medieval Monday! It’s the last week of Daylight Savings – did you know?

We have an exciting round of snippets this week from some wonderful books and authors. Check out the Medieval Romance Lovers FB page and enjoy! You can also find us on Twitter, #MedMonFall20.

For my nature-themed snipped this week, Deidre and Lachlann are still driving down a pine tree-lined road towards a Christmas tree farm.
 
“Why would I think you’re crazy?”

“Sometimes, I think I am. Sometimes, it even seems the better option.”

She felt her tension ease. He was going to tell her about his PTSD.

“You mean clinically?” she asked gently, keeping her focus on the road ahead.

“Yes.”

She shook her head. “You’re not.”

“But what if I am?” he persisted.

“I’ll take care of you.”

There was a moment’s silence.

“What if I were a fugitive?”

She almost hit the brake in the middle of the road.

“Are you?”

“I’m not sure.”

“Excuse me?”

“Let’s say I am.”

“That’s sort of huge.” She decided to pull off the road before she drove into a pine tree. She parked on the shoulder and turned towards him. He could never lose her. In the infinite vastness of time – past, present, future, past – he wouldn’t lose her.

Love was eternal.

Lachlann had lost his entire family to the plague. He’d lost himself by falling through time. He had to go back, to return to the fourteenth century and try to save his family, save his son. But how could he leave Deidre? He needed her like he needed air. And she needed him.

Would she believe him if he told her the truth about himself? Would she reject him since he couldn't stay?

Deidre had become a medieval history professor because of a family heirloom -- a medieval drawing of a farmer that she'd loved since childhood. Too bad she couldn't have married him instead of the lying, vicious cheat who had almost ruined her life. Despite the fact that he'd cost her her job, her home, and her relationship with her family, he had failed to destroy her. With a new life in a new city, she'd moved forward. She didn't need anyone, especially another man. But it was impossible to ignore her new neighbor, a gorgeous giant with a strange accent, haunted eyes, and a striking resemblance to her medieval farmer.

She wanted to erase the tormented look in his eyes, to make him as happy as he made her. She wished he would confide in her. But was she ready to confide in him? To explain how she’d lost everything – her life, her family, her self-respect – because of her own poor choices?

​Why did she have the feeling she could lose it all again?

​Available at Amazon.

Medieval Monday Week 5

Happy Medieval Monday!

Better late than never, I hope? This was one of my best Mondays ever, and I've experienced, um... let's just say, "quite a few". 

But it's never too late to enjoy a little romance, especially medieval romance! Be sure to check out the Medieval Romance Lover's FB page to discover some wonderful books and authors. You can also find us on Twitter, #MedMonFall20.

Until last week, I was sharing snippets of conversation as Deidre and Lachlann drove to a Christmas tree farm. We're back on that country road once again. He's trying to prepare her -- and himself -- for the talk they will have in the near future. 

“We agreed that we both have a lot to tell each other,” she said.

“But what I’m going to tell you, what I have to say…” He faltered. “You won’t like it.”

Deidre drew a deep breath, her thoughts racing to the DEA agent. Last night, she hadn’t told Lachlann about the strange interview. They’d both been tired, and she hadn’t wanted to ruin the evening. Was he going to confess?

“Is it that bad?” she asked.

“You might think so. You might think I’m crazy.”

Drug smuggling was certainly crazy. Was now the time to tell him about the agent?

Slow down, Deidre.

First, she should be sure where this was going.

Available at Amazon.

October Musings

“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” Anne of Green Gables
 
I agree with Anne! I’ve never tried to grow “fall tomatoes” before and so far, I’m astounded. They’re looking happier than any tomatoes I’ve ever grown. We only have four plants, but they are all bearing fruit.

If the harvest is good and the plants continue to do well, I will have to seriously rethink my planting next summer. Vegetables usually die painful deaths by mid-July. I might have to try a new approach. Maybe I'll make the beds cutting gardens filled with heat-tolerant annuals and seasonal herbs.

Speaking of weather, we’re looking forward to a cool front this weekend. Daytime temps might be in the 70s. That kind of weather, especially first of the season, is pretty much a major event around here. It definitely is for yours truly.

I hope to spend at least one day in the garden. We have a new bed to build and fill with good, organic soil. I hope to also top a few of the beds with the same. Next week, someone is coming out to check and tweak our sprinkler system. Hopefully, by the end of October, I will be free to sow seeds for our cool season garden.
​
And then there are always situations like this: A gardener's work is never done -- thank goodness!

Medieval Monday Week 4

Happy Monday? I used to wince at the greeting that was surely an oxymoron.
 
But with Medieval Monday, I know there will be new snippets from wonderful books that will immerse me in romance, history, and fantasy. As if that's not awesome enough, the theme this fall is nature. If you enjoy any of these things, be sure to check out the Medieval Romance Lovers page on Facebook. There you will find authors of medieval romance sharing links to their websites – their beautiful, creative websites -- where they share snippets of their work every Monday.

You can also find us on Twitter, #MedMonFall20.
 
This week, I’ve switched from a drive to a Christmas tree farm to a medieval setting. My hero Lachlann has fallen forward in time, but he is every bit a medieval man with a medieval past. 

Lachlann sat at his desk, seeing not his computer but a broad, empty field, the loch sparkling in the distance. His best friend’s lyrical brogue sounded crystal clear in his memory.

‘“The sun hung midway between heaven and earth, the great loch silver beneath it, as Lachlann An Damh plowed his field.’ That sounds good, don’t you think? Must you do that?”

Lachlann stopped in his tracks to glare at Rónán, who sat on a rock, sketching and watching him work.

“Must I do what?”

“It would be much more picturesque, and my drawing would look a lot better, if you would guide your oxen like any normal tuathanach. But no, you can’t be like other farmers. You have to pull the plow yourself, like one of your beasts.”
​
“At the moment, I have more land than beasts,” grunted Lachlann, straining as he pulled the heavy, wooden plow over a deep rut. “One day, I’ll have more oxen." 

Available at Amazon.