Dani Jace's Blog
December 3, 2019
Holiday decor: lasting memories
This week on Romance Writers Weekly, we ask, “How do you decorate for the holidays? Do you have a theme?” I also ask them to show a picture of their favorite decoration and share the history.
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Growing up, my Dad’s Lionell train was always around the base of the tree.
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Although I don’t have my father’s train, I revere the vintage Shiny Bright ornaments handed down from my mother. They seem to transcend time.
My only theme is on the fireplace mantle. The ceramic Santas my mother-in-law painted are the main attraction in our den. Each holiday season, I am transported to yesteryear and reminder of a simpler life. Hopefully my son will feel the same nostalgia when these decorations are handed down to him. Holiday Blessing to all and Merry Christmas!
Now on to Brenda Margriet. She has a new release you should check out, Crossroads Corner! If you missed Jenna Da Sie on the hop, please stop back by.
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October 29, 2019
Halloween
This week on RWW, A.S. Fenichel asks, “It’ s almost Halloween… do you like to dress up? Did you ever? What’s the most fun part of Halloween for you and how do you celebrate?”
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Me decades ago with face painted like the album cover “Eat’Em and Smile.”
It was the only time I dressed in costume as an adult. Since then, I’ve had the greatest fun helping my son with his costumes over the years!
[image error]“Come with me…”[image error]Just a trim off the top[image error]The Beast[image error]Zoro[image error]Call of Duty[image error]Taz
We usually carve a pumpkin to put on the front porch. Now I just help design and leave the rest to our son and the Dremel.
[image error][image error][image error]A new carver
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Halloween is pretty subdued around our house. We put on our favorite movies: Hocus Pocus, Fright Night and Lost Boys. There might be a cocktail or two served while giving out candy.
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Now on to the lovey Leslie Hachtel. Her Dance Series is on sale.
September 24, 2019
A Writer’s Quantum Quandary
This week on Romance Writers Weekly, A.S. Fenichel admits to doing an abundant amount of research for her books and wants to know any fun/interesting things other RWW authors have learned recently learned while researching.
These days it feels like my muse has wondered off into the quantum realm. There’s no research going on unless bingeing on the Science, History and Animal Planet channels or falling down the YouTube rabbit hole is considered research.
While I might not be writing, I tell myself that at least
I’m feeding my gray matter more than reality TV show dribble or the endless
self-absorbed social media fodder and the cesspool of political rhetoric, but I
digress…
Back to researching or in my case “wandering.” While trying to locate my muse, I recently discovered that in the quantum realm subatomic particles behave differently when being observed.
‘Zeno effect’ verified—atoms won’t move while you watch by Bill Steele
“One of the oddest predictions of quantum theory – that a system can’t
change while you’re watching it – has been confirmed in an experiment by
Cornell physicists. Their work opens the door to a fundamentally new method to
control and manipulate the quantum states of atoms and could lead to new kinds
of sensors…
The popular press has drawn a parallel of this work with the “weeping angels” depicted in the Dr. Who television series – alien creatures who look like statues and can’t move as long as you’re looking at them. There may be some sense to that. In the quantum world, the folk wisdom really is true: “A watched pot never boils.”
See, Science Fiction is right again! Some take this a step further and feel that one may control destiny.
How Can Quantum Physics Give You a Better Life? by Imran Uddin
“The most
simplified version of the answer is that you attract into your life what you
think about. This can include conscious and subconscious thoughts. By training
yourself to think in the proper way, you can bring certain things or events
into your reality.
Dr Eric Amidi
adds that our observations impact the reality being observed, allowing
our thoughts and perceptions to affect that reality.
To bring more
positive things into your life, you must train yourself to expect them to
occur. Alternatively, some choose to think as though their desired outcome has
already occurred, as this promotes the necessary mind-set. The shift in mindset
would impact how you see the world, allowing your observations to shift your
reality into a more favourable state.”…
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If this is reality or what I presume to make my reality, then I should be able to summon my muse back from Ant Man’s subatomic plane. Sorry if you don’t get the Marvel reference. At any rate, I must believe it for it to be so.
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Now on to A.S. Fenichel to see what she has recently learned from her abundant research on A Lady’s Past which is available for Preorder and on NetGalley and Amazon PreOrder.
Hope you had a chance to visit and welcome one of our new members, Christina Alexandra.
August 20, 2019
Favorite Summer Pics
We’ve been asked by Brenda Margriet to share our favorite summer photos on this week’s Romance Writers Weekly hop. I have decades of photos print and digital. All but one of these are my favorites taken on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
[image error]My favorite summer pic! Sunrise in Nags Head, NC – USA
[image error]The landing to the ocean on the street that we stay on every summer. Copyright Dani Jace.
[image error]Bodie Island Lighthouse
[image error]An unintentional double exposure taken back in the days of “film.”
[image error]Dune Burger – an OBX icon.
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Hope you’ll hop on over to Jenna Da Sie’s blog and see her favorite summer pics.
August 6, 2019
Dog Days Throughout the Years
Since we’re entering the “dog days” of summer, I posed the question to our our Romance Writers Weekly authors, “Do you have pets? What type and how many? Do you write pets into your stories? “
Hubs and I both grew up with a dog as a part of the family. Over the years, we’ve adopted both dogs and cats. My husband has always been a lover of Basset Hounds. When we met, he had Beau, a large Hush Puppy with a mind of his own. After we married, a long-haired, gray tabby cat showed up where I worked. Jasper and Beau became buddies. Once we bought a house, we added a chocolate lab who didn’t even know his name. We renamed him Jake after Mollie Ringwald’s heartthrob in Sixteen Candles.
A couple of years later, I came home to find a tiny, yellow tabby wrapped in a blanket. My husband had found him while working at a job site. The kitten had ears as big as Gizmo the sweet gremlin the movie. Gizmo joined the rest of the crew.
The first Halloween after Beau had passed, a friend of ours who worked at our city’s animal control called about a Bassett who’d been surrendered that morning. My husband picked him up that evening as I gave out candy. Jake greeted Clyde and they ran off in the backyard together, besties from day one. The “gangsters” had a great run. When Jake passed buried him in the backyard and Clyde lay on his grave for days.
Down to one dog and two cats we held that number until our animal control called once again. We adopted Luc, a beautiful black flat coated retriever who was the sweetest boy. He became my dog.
After our son, Hunter, was born, we lost Clyde and got a Basset puppy. Sophie was a beautiful girl who grew up with our son and lived a long life. After the cats and Luc and Sophie passed over the rainbow bridge we went without pets for a while.
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When Hunter was in his last year of middle school, we adopted Tucker. Hunter immediately bonded with the little, black lab who continued to look like a puppy throughout his life. His coat looked and felt like black velvet. Of all the dogs we’d had, “Boo” as I nicknamed him, stole all of our hearts. Then he splintered them into a million pieces when he died at only five from a tumor around his heart. My first novel was released within a week of his death and all I could do was cry. I’ve never grieved so long over a pet.
My husband pushed for another dog well before Hunter and I were ready. A few months later my sister-in-law posted a picture of a lab mix on Hunter’s Facebook timeline. He didn’t see it but I did.
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They told us “Roscoe” was in the shelter for a second time. When they brought him out, he stood with his head nearly to my waist. I bent slightly to give him a pet and he extend his long muzzle and licked my face. I handed the leash to my son, sure that the pony-sized dog would drag me through the walking area. To my surprise, Leo (as we would rename him) meandered happily with his nose to the ground. We were told he is Plott Hound (state dog of NC) and Lab but with his stature, we believe he has Blood Hound in his genes. We’ve had Leo for four years now and pray he has a long life with us. At 103 pounds, he’s our baby!
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Thus far, my current work is progress is the only story with a pet as a character. The story is about a former military canine handler who is trying to find his dog when he meets a woman who’s training a puppy for service work. It is a bit challenging trying to incorporate a pet into a story that isn’t solely about them but I’m about two thirds done and hope to finish it this year. Now let’s hear from Jenna Da Sie who’s next on the Romance Writers Weekly hop.
July 30, 2019
Flash Fiction
It’s
Flash Fiction this week on Romance Writers Weekly. Five hundred words using
Coffee, Blue and Waterfall with bonus points if kiss is used.
Jo dug her toes into the sand beneath the lounge chair. Sky
and water stretched to infinity. Drinking coffee on a beach wasn’t odd. She did
so nearly every morning back home on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Having
coffee seaside in Hawaii with palm trees reaching skyward seemed right out of a
dream.
A relaxing cascade from a nearby waterfall, exclusive to the
resort, made it a perfect honeymoon destination for two water lovers like she
and Ray. Two years ago, as she was
fingerprinted in California, she never imagined being free again, much less
married the man she’d been in love with as a teen.
His hearty chuckle brought her back as he chatted with the
surfside bartender. A few seconds later, he sat down beside her and handed her
a plate. “He gave us some fruit and croissants.”
“Thanks babe.” She nabbed a piece of sliced kiwi. The large
blue sapphire sparkled on her finger.
How did she get so lucky?
He raised his wrap-a-round shades to the top of his head. Ice blue eyes that
always read her soul asked, “So surfing or hiking today?”
Her belly warmed inside as she remembered this morning in
bed. While she wanted to ask for another round, she tamped down her attempt at
a sexual innuendo. “How about that helicopter tour?”
“You think the pilot will let us have some fun in the back
seat, if we pay extra?” He winked.
So his mind was on the same track. She grinned. “You could
barely get those shoulders of yours though the door of the airplane bathroom.”
He nodded with a smirk and picked up his phone. “Let’s see
what times they have open.” The man could have played pro football but decided
firefighting was his calling and her dad probably has something to do with his
choice of careers.
She was living the trope of falling for her brother’s best
friend and it was absolutely fantastic.
Two hours later, a lush, green tropical canopy skimmed below
them as they crested another volcanic cliff and then zoomed out over the sea.
From the outcropping a towering waterfall projected a rainbow in its mist.
Ray snugged her hand in his.
“Paradise, huh.”
“Yep, almost as good as sleeping next to you.” She bumped
his shoulder.
The chopper dipped suddenly as the engine died. The pilot
punched the start over and over working the controls as he tried to control
their rapid descent.
“Shit.” Jo’s heart rose to her throat. No! They couldn’t die like this. Not after
all they’d been through.
The terror in Ray’s eyes said yes they would. “I love you baby.”
He met her lips with a lingering kiss.
The chopper slammed into the water then blackness.
“Get up!” a harsh female voice echoed in Jo’s ears. I don’t have all day!”
Jo wiped her eyes, wet with tears.
The guard yelled again.
“Your bail has been posted. Get you blonde ass moving.
At least she wasn’t dead…now to somehow get back home. She ached to see Ray. Would even have anything to do with her now?
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Want to find out if Jo makes it home and finds Ray? I wrote this as a prequel to Hot as Blazes. It’s available on Kindle Unlimited and all major e-book sellers and in paperback. Now check out the lovely Leslie Hachtel for her flash fiction.
July 2, 2019
4th Of July Cocktails “Merica” Style
We’re on our beach vacation this week. I’m asking Romance Writers Weekly Authors to post their favorite summer cocktail or thirst quencher and your favorite place to drink it. A few years ago on vacation, we made cherry bombs. Soak Maraschino cherries in Fireball and Vanilla Vodka then rolled in blue sugar and dunked in melted white chocolate. Watch it, they’ll sneak up on you.
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2019 Cocktail “Merica” Style
This stars and stripes themed cocktail concocted by my son starts with Red White & Berry Vodka.
Add the new Liberty Brew Mountain Dew. Over ice, as a snow cone or put in blender for a smoothie, tastes like a firecracker Popsicle. It’s also easy to take down on the beach.
Usually, I just like whiskey on the rocks when it’s time for a cocktail, but in the summer, I like a Margarita or two. Chi Chi’s Gold mix and a cap full of 1800 Silver Tequila kicks it up a notch! Spinning around on a float in our pool is my favorite place to drink this thirst quencher. What’s your favorite summer drink?
Now on to Brenda Margriet If you missed the lovely Leslie Hachtel, please take a step back on the hop.
June 25, 2019
TALES OF SUMMER
The official start of summer has begun and romance is in the air. What tales of summer love do any of your characters have to share? Leslie Hachtel asks this question of our Romance Writers Weekly authors.
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My brand is Seaside Heat, so most of my novels are based on summer love. Hot as Blazes is a friends to lovers story about a down and out a surfer who returns to home at the beginning of the summer season.
In Sand and Sin, a SEAL returns to his home base and falls for a local bar owner who’s ex can kill his career.
In Game On! a semi pro football player rents a beach house during the summer practice season and meets a fellow beach lover. The teacher he falls in love with has a past that intermingles with his new team.
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So if you’re in to literal beach reads, check out my books which are available from all major e-book sellers. Next on the hop is A.S. Fenichel.
June 4, 2019
MantraS
This week on Romance Writers Weekly the question is: “I love daily mantras, they get me through the day and almost always gets me through tough times. What gets you over the hump of a really bad day?”
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Interesting topic this week as I’ve recently taken up meditating in the morning. I don’t have a chant per say while I’m meditating, however, I made up a little pray or mantra years ago. Not long after my son was born. whenever I’d start to obsess and worry, I’d say to my self, “Safe, healthy, happy family.” I still revert to this when I’m worried or stressed.
I’m You-Tube browser and recently stumbled upon a video by Joe Dispenza. I went on to buy his book, Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself. It talks about all the negative mind speak most of us do and how it only short-circuits the bounty of what the universe is capable of sending our way. In other words, you receive what you’re sending out.
These days, I’m in serious need of changing my inner voice. Thinking healthier to be healthier as well a navigate the unpredictable upcoming changes at work.
Now on the the next RWW author on today’s blog hop Jenna Da Sie. In case you missed A.S. Fenichel please drop back to see her mantra.
February 26, 2019
Flash Fiction
This week authors of RWW are asked to write a flash fiction of 500 words containing the words carousal, mud and wine. The words immediately took me back to a spring festival held in city each year. During the mid to late eighties, hubs and I worked the beer tent his company sponsored.
Held during the spring rainy season, our annual jubilee more often than not turned into a mud festival. Beneath my high-top Reebok clad feet, peanut hulls mashed into the boggy ground. My permed frizzed in the evening humidity.
Tonight, a favorite band from my youth will grace the main stage. While I am by no means old, however, the sixties band, popular over twenty years reminds me how quickly early adulthood is passing.
As I head to the stage, a carousal of painted ponies pauses as kids clamor to mount their favorite horse. Sadly, I already realize at this point in my life, I’ll probably never have the finances to own a horse. Another dream dashed along with becoming a photographer. Small mirrors atop All rights one, the merry-go-round spins with the small mirrors gleaming amid the lights of the arcades and Farris Wheel.
Colorful mini-flags decorate white tents where beverage vendors peddle wine coolers of various fruity flavors and domestic beer. They’re not my favorite. I’ve become a whiskey girl since meeting my husband. I have a sippy mug loaded with and my favorite brand and stake a claim on a grassy spot in front of the stage while my husband serves at his company’s tent. This yearly pastime have become a tradition. Stars twinkle on the clear night which will be filled with fireworks after the show.
The crowd thickens while the roadies sound check instruments, included the electric keyboard which will sound the first chords of my favorite Three Dog night song, Chest Fever. The tune was playing on a mixed tape from a cassette player when I received my first and sweetest kiss ever.
Dusk claims the stage and lights swivel and the band appears. Guitar chords fill the air backed by a pounding bass drum to begin the first song. Sounds of youth and rock fill the night. Although Chest Fever was the opening song at the sixties mega concert, Woodstock, they begin with another favorite, Mama Told Me Not to Come. The lyrics are about attending a wild party of which I’ve been to a few. The set continues with other golden oldie hits.
Three songs later, the infamous opening chords emanate from the keyboardist’s fingertips. I’m swept away in memories and flooded with the same passion felt that night.
The darkening of caramel color of his eyes when his face neared mine. The soft strands of his near black hair tangling in my fingers as his lips met mine, amid the spring night that was much like tonight.
Would we have made it, if not separated by distance? I’ll never know, but a vivid memory enhanced by a song will never to be forgotten.
Hope you’ve already visited
Leslie Hachtel http://lesliehachtelwriter.wordpress.com
and now on to
Jenna Da Sie http://jennadasie.com
Have a great week!
