D.G. Kaye's Blog, page 131
April 15, 2017
Sunday Book Review – Poggibonsi by Dan Alatorre – An Italian Adventure
Happy Easter all! Today’s book review is a little different, because it’s Easter Sunday today and because the book I’m reviewing has not yet been launched to the world yet, but it is on special pre-order price now off just .99 cents!
Friend and author Dan Alatorre had invited me to beta read for his newest book, Poggibonsi, and because the book is on pre-order right now, I highly recommend that if you’re looking for a fun escape with plenty of laugh out loud moments, to grab yourself a copy.
Get this book on Amazon!
Blurb:
When family man Mike Torino lands a project in Italy, home of naked art, Valentino, and taxi-crashing yoga pants, he brings along his wife, hoping to rekindle their marriage. But romance gets derailed by head colds, constant bickering, and assaults from ankle-breaking cobblestone streets. Their daughter develops a gelato addiction. Mike’s Italian partner has a coronary. And as for amore . . . Mattie tells Mike to handle things himself—and storms back to America.
Mike is trapped. Leaving Italy will blow a promotion; staying might cost him his wife and family.
While reeling from Mattie’s frantic departure, a replacement liaison is assigned—a top-notch, beautiful young Italian woman who is instantly smitten with Mike and determined to reveal the passions of her homeland—whether he wants to see them or not! Normally immune, Mike is tempted—but is headstrong, voluptuous Julietta worth the risk?
Here are a few early editorial reviews:
“Funny, Sexy, Heartbreaking, Hilarious”
In Poggibonsi, Dan Alatorre tells a compelling and hilarious story while giving its serious and heartfelt themes fair treatment. Protagonist Mike Torino is a hard-working family man who is struggling in his marriage, and when temptation looms on a business trip in Italy, he can’t help but indulge. His winding and sometimes bumbling misadventure leads him on a journey that ends only when he discovers what is truly important to him.
Funny, sexy, and at times heartbreaking, Poggibonsi is much more than a riotous romp. It’s an exploration into what makes us human and drives us through life.
– Allison Maruska, The Fourth Descendant and Project Renovatio trilogy
“Outrageously funny”
Poggibonsi is disarmingly charming; a laugh-out-loud, bumbling romp through lust and love in central Italy. Alatorre captures the breathtaking romance of the novel’s namesake perfectly, peeling back each layer of story until all that remains is genuine, raw emotion. An outrageously funny, guilty pleasure of a read.
My 5 Star Review
A laugh out loud, sexy, humorous book with heart!
Alatorre has a gift for great storytelling. Poggibonsi is a richly woven story with humor, and hilarious sexual connotations with smoldering sex scenes done with class, but more than that!
The heart of the story centers around business and family man, Mike Torino, who is excited at the prospect to advance his career by taking a job opportunity jaunt to Poggibonsi, Italy. As Mike strives to be the perfect family man he’s deflated by his failure to please his standoffish wife and becomes vulnerable prey to a beautiful woman who brings new excitement to his humdrum manhood and ego.
Besides the shenanigans (plenty of them) going on in Italy, Mike’s confidante and personal assistant Sam, back at home, is trying to the run ship for him in his absence, encountering some crafty shenanigans herself while she tries to defend her boss’s position when things begin to go awry with the project, at the same time while trying to help him mend fences with his angry wife, who just happens to be Sam’s best friend.
Each character in the story holds a strong identity of his own and helps to round off this entertaining, fast paced, sexy. yet, family oriented story that will have you both laughing, and stifling back heartfelt tears with compassion right to the end.
Smorgasbord Short Stories – The Easter Eggs by Sally Cronin | Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life
A Sunday Easter special extra feature today.
I want to wish everyone a Happy Easter and thought I’d share Sally Cronin’s most beautiful short story of an Easter tale.
Smorgasbord Short Stories – The Easter Eggs by Sally Cronin
Posted on April 14, 2017 by Smorgasbord – Variety is the Spice of Life.
The Easter Eggs by Sally Cronin
Lily dusted off her hands. They had been covered in soil from planting the three little primulas that she and her mother had picked up at the nursery today. Her mother always let Lily pick the colours and this year the purple petals with their golden centres danced in the soft evening breeze. She picked up her small watering can and gently moistened around the base of the plants like her mum had shown her.
“There you go Daddy, I promise to look after them all summer, watering them every day and picking off the dead flowers to let others grow like mum showed me.”
It was Easter and tomorrow, Lily and her little brother Michael would race around the house looking for the small cream eggs that her mother had bought at the supermarket yesterday. Both of them were very excited and it was really the first year that her brother understood what the egg hunt was all about. Mum said that three each was more than enough especially as they were going to the dentist soon for a check-up.
However, the real prize was the two large chocolate eggs that were hidden in very special places. In her father’s wardrobe perhaps, or his study where he would read them a story before they went up to bed, or even the garden shed that her mum laughingly called his man cave.
The next day Lily and Michael got up early and began searching the house. It took them an hour to find the six small creamy eggs and by the time they had rushed into the kitchen to show off their finds, two of them had already been eaten. Their mother looked at the smeared evidence of their successful hunt around their mouths and took the remainder off them for later. . . Continue Reading
April 14, 2017
Writing Chapter One – Tips | Myths of the Mirror
Today’s share is a fantastic reblog from Diana Peach of Mythsofthemirror . Diana is sharing with us about the importance of the first chapter of our books, writing tips about what elements should be part of those first chapters, and her take on when the rules can be broken.
Writing Chapter One – Tips
I’ve wanted to write about first chapters for a while, primarily because they’re so important. After all, they’re the gateway to Chapter 2 and getting a reader to Chapter 2 is a fantastic idea.
I did some research and almost instantly the rule-resistant rebel in me kicked in. She’s the writer who scowls at formulas, who insists that form has to fit the story, not the other way around. She’s the reader who doesn’t want to read the same story over and over with different titles.
Well, I suppressed the first-born smarty-pants part of my personality and learned a few things.
First, I learned that there are actually a number of perfectly legitimate types of first chapters. Writer’s Digest has a great article by Jeff Gerke that describes 4 approaches with examples (summarized here):
The Prolog – A prolog is an episode that pertains to your story but does not include the hero (or includes the hero at a time well before the story proper begins, when he’s a child). It might not be “Chapter 1” per se, but it can serve as a legitimate opening—if it works.
The Hero Action Beginning – In a hero action beginning, the hero is onstage, doing something active and interesting related to the launching of the core story (it need not involve explosions and car chases, but it certainly can).
The In Medias Res Beginning (in the middle of things ) – With in medias res, you start at a point deep in the story, show a bit of activity to intrigue the reader, and then you hit the rewind button and spend some or all of the rest of the book catching up to that moment.
The Frame Device – The final major way of beginning your first chapter is to use a frame device. In this, your story is bookended on the front and back (and usually a few instances in the middle) by a story that is outside the main story. The primary tale is framed by this other story.
With that out of the way, I went in search of tips that apply to Chapter 1’s regardless of the book, tips that I could apply as I conceive of, write, and edit my stories. As usual, there are exceptions to these tips, and the list is not exhaustive. Continue Reading . . .
April 13, 2017
Who Has a New Book? – The Swamp Fairy – Colleen Cheseboro
Today’s featured guest with her debut book, The Swamp Fairy, is Colleen Chesebro.
Colleen has been a blogger and a contributer to Litworldinterviews for some time, where she shares her reviews on books she has read. On one of her two blogs, The Fairy Whisperer, she offers interesting writing prompts and challenges, and on her blog, Mindful Journeys you will find insightful posts on life, diet and health, weight loss and mindfulness. She labels herself as s a visual word artist and poet, and she recently published her first book, The Swamp Fairy , Book 1 in her Heart Stone Chronicles series.
Today we’re going to learn more about Colleen’s writing and her book, and about a fascinating tidbit of a real occurrence that led Colleen to the idea of writing this book!
About Colleen:
Colleen M. Chesebro is a writer of cross-genre fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction. Her debut novel, a YA fantasy series called, “The Heart Stone Chronicles – The Swamp Fairy,” was published January 2017.
Colleen’s writing explores ecological situations in the multicultural world of today. She combines real-life historical events into her writing to create experiences that will continue in the hearts and heads of her readers.
A veteran of the United States Air Force, Colleen is also a retired bookkeeper. She has an Associates Degree in Business Administration, and another Associates Degree in the Arts, which she uses to combine her love of writing with her passion for all things creative.
When she is not writing, Colleen enjoys spending time with her husband, dogs, children, and grandchildren. When time permits, she also loves gardening, cooking, and crocheting old fashioned doilies into works of artistry. She lives in the United States with her husband and her two Pomeranians, Sugar, and Spice. You can learn more about Colleen and her writing on her website colleenchesebro.com.
Get This Book on Amazon!
Blurb:
Fourteen-year-old Abigale Forester, recently orphaned and a ward of the State of Illinois moves from Chicago to Florida to live with her aunt, her last living relative. Magnolia Forester becomes her legal Guardian, and together they claim an ancient inheritance; land that belonged to Abby’s mother’s family for generations.
Holding onto the only piece of her mother Abby has left, a calcite pendant and her mother’s most sacred possession, she discovers the truth of her legacy. The pendant is more significant than she could possibly imagine. Forged from a giant mystical heart-shaped stone found on the very swamp land Abby now owns, it holds the power of her ancestors.
But with that power comes greater responsibility, one that pits her against Rafe Cobb, a greedy land developer, who will stop at nothing to own Abby’s swamp land.
As Abby learns to be part of a family again and explores her love of horses with friends, Savanna, and Blake, the swamp slowly gives up some of its secrets. She is summoned by a primeval nymph, who teaches Abby that her true destiny is to protect the nymphs from evil in an ever-changing modern world.
Can Abby save the swamp and the Naiad Nymph Clan from certain destruction before it is too late?
Let’s get to know more about Colleen!
“Thank you, Debby, for the opportunity to visit with you about my debut novel. It is a great pleasure to spend some time with you on your blog.”
I’m thrilled to have you over and share all your wonderful information about your knowledge and experience in the fairy world!
When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
I must have been about six years old when I found out I had a high propensity for reading. Writing came next, and I wrote silly little stories in first grade that my grandmother loved. That was all it took. In high school, I took every English course and business course I could get my hands on. After high school, I volunteered and served in the U. S. Air Force. Initially, I went in as a chaplain’s assistant and ended up writing an archival paper each year about the chapel and activities that became part of the archived records on the base. It was my first “paid” writing job. In college, I knew I wanted to be a writer but also knew it didn’t put food on the table. After many years of working in the accounting field as a bookkeeper, I retired and decided to find my writing voice again.
Can you tell us a little about your blog and the challenges you put up for your readers?
I started my blog three years ago. In the beginning, I called it Silver Threading because I felt it was a liberation of sorts to grow my hair out and let the silver shine through. It was much the same with my writing. It was all about finding my voice. I started writing blog posts and the next thing I knew… I wanted to write a novel! I changed the name to colleenchesebro.com, (which has become my author blog) when I became an author to make it easier for people to find me.
Currently, I offer a weekly poetry challenge, called Tanka Tuesday. I suggest two prompt words to use (synonyms always welcome) and a photo if the poet needs more visual inspiration. The participants have a week to week to write their Tanka poetry.
I have had a keen interest in this poetry form for a long while. It is written in five lines, of which the syllables of each line are as such: 5/7/5/7/7. A Tanka poem is like writing a Haiku with two extra lines at the end for the poet to give their opinions or thoughts.
Here is an example of one of my Tanka poems where the words were fog and change. It is also a sneak peek into Book 2 of The Heart Stone Chronicles, called The Meadow Fairy.
A meadow nymph –
fragile and lissome of wing,
the lark bunting flies.
Change is coming to the fields
after the mountain fogs clear.
©2017 Colleen M. Chesebro
I understand that you came across a real fairy. Please tell us about that experience. And what about that experience inspired you to write your book, The Swamp Fairy?
While on a walk during a warm, foggy morning in November 2014, I had a close encounter of the fairy kind. At the time, we were living in Pensacola, Florida. I still remember the day, as if it has been carved into my memory; something I will never forget.
The road I took on my morning walk
As I walked along the road, I heard a sound that instantly caught my attention. At first, I considered the possibility that the sound might be an injured bird rustling in the thick underbrush. I peered into the foliage and drew back in surprise. At first glance, I thought I saw a ruby-throated hummingbird with brilliant green feathers. However, that was not so.
Instead, appearing in front of my eyes was a tiny green swamp fairy fluttering on delicate wings that looked like transparent leaves. She had hair the color and consistency of corn silk. Bottle green leaves adorned her small body. The heady fragrance of lavender, patchouli, and sandalwood wafted on the air.
I stood there at the edge of the road transfixed by the vision. I realized then, I had witnessed a miracle. I had been given the gift of fairy vision.
The spot where I saw the swamp fairy
The petite winged-being stared at me with eyes as green as the leaves she was hiding in. I must tell you, this meeting felt something akin to a spiritual encounter. An overwhelming feeling of peace and love surrounded me and held me within its grasp. In an instant, she was gone. The swamp fairy vanished into the fog that swirled around me.
I shook my head and continued my walk. But, you know what? My feet felt lighter that day. I knew something had changed. The swamp fairy had ignited my imagination. I knew what this fairy encounter meant. I had been granted the ability to become a fairy whisperer.
Soon after, I started to write stories about the swamp fairies which I posted to my blog. The stories came in quick succession. Next, the dreams started. I began to channel the stories of the fairy nymphs that had inspired me that day long ago. Each day on my walks, I observed the real swamp as it was crowded out by the building of new homes. The natural wetlands were disappearing at a rapid rate. Slowly, a story began to form in my mind.
Fairy Swamp is found behind this development site in Pensacola, Florida
By fall of 2015, we moved to Colorado. The dreams continued and grew even stronger. The stories changed. The fairy nymphs wanted me to tell their stories. And, that is exactly what I have done. The Heart Stone Chronicles: The Swamp Fairy is that story, which I published this year.
From what I’ve read, the book offers some wonderful positive messages. It includes family relationships and ecological good practice. Can you elaborate on the why you chose to focus on including these issues in the book?
I grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and I remember my first introduction to conservation and ecology occurred when I was in sixth grade. Lake Michigan and the rest of the Great Lakes were polluted, and in the 1970’s, environmental issues were everywhere in the news. Through the years those issues have always been dear to my heart.
What I saw in Florida, was the encroachment of housing areas built on land near native swamps and wetlands. It occurred to me that these native environments would soon disappear, placing many of the plants and animals on the endangered species list. I have always felt the fairy nymphs wanted me to write these stories to bring attention to the issues. What a better place to start than with our young people. I am planting the seeds of action for the kids of today to handle the problems of tomorrow.
I chose to write about family relationships because I grew up in a dysfunctional family. My mother died when I was young, and I have no memories of her. In many ways, Abby’s story features many of the hardships I experienced. I became a foster child at sixteen when my father gave me up to the State of Wisconsin. Just like Abby, I had to figure out my way into the world. Family and acceptance of who you are as a person is a core premise of my book. I did this for several reasons.
Firstly, the book is written for children and teens. Children in this age group still identify with their family unit. Second, they understand what family stands for, and they also comprehend how it would feel to not have a mother or father to take care of them. In this way, they are able to empathize with my protagonist, Abby Forester.
The story centers around Fourteen-year-old Abby, whose mother is dead, and whose father has disappeared from her life due to drug addiction. Abby experiences the pain of separation as she becomes a ward of the State of Illinois. Her mother’s best friend, Maxine, steps in for a time and looks after her until Abby’s Aunt Magnolia can become her legal guardian.
Abby and her aunt bond immediately, and they establish a new family unit. Eventually, Abby realizes that family is more than just the love from a mother and father. She finds family can also be the love of friends based on loyalty and trust.
Even with her horse, Sand Dollar, she finds a universal acceptance because she is clairaudient and has the ability to communicate with the creatures, birds, and insects. In this way, Abby and the animals share a mutual understanding of their world and become part of a family unit because of it.
I also use the fairy nymphs to reinforce the concept of family. I envision the realm of the swamp fairies to be a benevolent collective unit of beings that connect on a higher plane much like bees in a hive. Everyone has a place in their reality. Abby is welcomed into the fairy community because of her family inheritance and the responsibility that comes with her duties to protect the fairy nymphs.
Children learn the lessons of life from their family unit. In this way, family teaches us how to respond to interpersonal conflicts and how to get along with others. When you incorporate a family theme in your novels, it gives the reader something to identify with and provides a learning opportunity of how other families deal with life. It also gives your reader a way to remember and connect with your novel.
How many more books do you anticipate there will be in The Heart Stone Chronicles series?
I plan on writing three novels in the book series. But, who knows? Like I’ve said, the fairies whisper their tales to me. I am not sure where this path or journey will take me. I do know there are many more stories to be told.
Please tell us a bit about the book and share an excerpt with us.
Cover Design by graphic artist, Wendy Anne Darling of Bookxeedo Book Covers
An excerpt from The Heart Stone Stone Chronicles: The Swamp Fairy
The swamp fairy hovered, her delicate wings fanning the air, making soft swooshing noises. She waited for the amber-haired girl to approach. A mixture of the scents of lavender, patchouli, and sandalwood, wafted through the glade. The disturbances in the swamp hushed as if to recognize the girl’s stealthy footsteps. The child crept nearer to the half-submerged remains of a massive live oak tree.
The stump was hollow in the center, a lone sentinel to the age of the watery depths beneath its roots. Green lichen and moss covered the remaining bark like a second skin. At the verge of the water rested a green stone weathered by the elements. It resembled a rough-hewn heart.
The girl reached the end of the slough where the black water sunk to a murky depth. She was deliberate not to tread near the water’s edge. She spun herself around, scanning the area.
“Eleionomae, are you here? Where are you?”
Eleionomae, the swamp fairy, materialized in a swirling mist before the girl, shiny droplets of water suspended in the air surrounding her. She smiled as she watched the child clapping her hands in glee.
“There you are, Eleionomae. Do you want to play our game? I will stop talking, and you can speak in my head.”
The fairy fluttered above the green heart stone and perched on the jagged edge. She made herself comfortable and crossed her legs. Her corn silk-colored hair drifted about her shoulders. She smiled and began to speak in the language of the Naiad fairy nymphs, silent words meant only for the amber-haired girl.
The child cocked her head listening as she settled on the ground where a carpet of dead leaves made a comfortable seat. She sat still, her eyes focused on a remote area of the watery slough. A look of pure delight shimmered in her eyes.
I understand you have tended the Pink Sundew plants. They have grown in abundance.
The girl smiled, pride shining in her hazel eyes. I did everything you told me, Eleionomae. Every day I have taken care of the plants. I also have herbs growing nearby that mama said I must tend. I have been careful to add the leaves of the Pink Sundew to our tea, just as you said.
You have become an adept pupil. Before long, it will be time for you to receive your mother’s heart stone pendant.
The girl scrunched up her face, puzzlement showing in her pursed lips. Mama’s pendant? Why would I wear her heart stone? You’ve both taught me the ways of the fairy nymphs who live here in the swamp. I know the necklace belongs to her. She nodded her head in the direction of the fairy.
The fairy stretched her long legs and stood on the heart stone. She turned her tiny body to face toward the girl. A bright light glittered in her eyes. She crouched and placed her hand on the rock.
Your mother’s pendant is a piece of this sacred calcite heart stone. These stones lay in specific locations around the earth guarding the gifts the gods have bestowed on humankind. Each heart stone is powerful and surrounded by a fairy Rath, a circular wall of magical protection. That is why the Pink Sundew grows here protected from harm on your land.
The girl listened to Eleionomae’s words. She stared at the green calcite stone resting in the swamp’s watery depths.
So, mama’s pendant is unique. I always knew that. When do I get my heart stone pendant?
The fairy hovered with wings resembling the seeds of the giant oak trees, translucent and taupe in color. They fluttered, beating in a gentle rhythm. The child spread her hands open, and Eleionomae flew forward, her tiny feet tickling her palms as she landed. A look of rapture appeared on the child’s face, her eye’s crinkling at the corners with joy.
Your mother knows her fate. She chose her path. She lived to bring you into this world and to teach you the ways of the fairy nymphs. Each generation brings forth empathic people who are trained to preserve the gifts from the gods. When the time is right, you will unite the collective awareness of the Naiad nymph clan. You will inherit your mother’s calcite pendant, just as the firstborn women in your family have done since the beginning of time.
The child pondered the words and shook her head. And so, it will be up to me to protect the swamp and the Pink Sundew plants? But, I don’t want Mama to leave. She rubbed her eyes with a fist as tears streaked down her cheeks. Eleionomae stood erect and took flight. She alighted on her shoulder and brushed her feathery wings against the young girl’s face.
She is never gone, child. She will always stay in your heart. The gods have promised that you will also be a mother one day. You too will choose your life path and will serve the fairy nymphs. Remember this is your destiny.
The girl’s tears continued to fall while her small shoulders shook with emotion. A twig snapped startling her with the unexpected interruption. She glanced both ways searching for the source of the sound. There before her, walking out of the bushes, appeared many species of animals. There were deer, squirrels, possums, armadillos, too many breeds to consider.
Overhead, birds clustered in the trees and snakes hung suspended from thick branches. Frogs hopped toward the girl as they escaped from the depths of the turbid water. In the bushes, giant spiders clung to their webs and dangled from silk threads. The entire living world from the swamp had gathered to witness the wonder of the new prodigy of the Naiad fairy clan.
Eleionomae flew back to the calcite heart stone. She raised her arms and sang the song of the swamp fairies. Butterflies of every shape and color ascended from the interior of the stump. Next, dragonflies flew into the breeze, their wings, and bodies bejeweled in the colors of the rainbow.
The girl smiled, her tears glistening on her cheeks. She held out her hands, and the butterflies and dragonflies fluttered near her form. A feeling of overwhelming love and compassion filled her soul. Her communion was complete.
Here is Colleen’s book trailer: https://youtu.be/o8LIRSWbVf8
Anything else you want to find about the book you can find here: https://colleenchesebro.com/about-the-heart-stone-chronicles-the-swamp-fairy/
Many thanks to you Debby for the great visit. ❤
READ MORE ON COLLEEN’S FAIRY WHISPERS
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April 12, 2017
I’ve Been Musically Challenged – Songs bringing back Memories
There’s a new blog challenge going on in town and Sue Vincent invited Sally Cronin to this challenge, then Sally invited me to participate, and then Sue invited me too on Day 3 of her challenge! It’s a musical challenge. Do visit both Sally and Sue’s musical challenge posts and have a look at their beautiful song choices.
Today’s song choice from Sue was Stairway to Heaven
Today’s song choice from Sally was A Woman in Love
The challenge is titled: Music that Means Something to you
The challenge rules are: to post a song (video) a day for five days and what the songs means to you, name of the song, and to challenge one or two other bloggers each day.
Well, as time is short for me these days, I choose not to post for five days, but to post two songs here today one for each challenge I’ve been invited to participate in.
These two songs hold great meaning for me. And as always, I invite any of you here to join in this challenge and post your own songs which have deep meaning for you. And if you do, please leave me a link in comments here, or ping me back so I can visit!
I’m a romantic at heart and since I was a child, always loved all the ‘mushy’ love songs. When I was in my twenties I fell in love with the beautiful, voice of Luther Vandross. I had many favorite songs sung by him, but one in particular always resonated with me, So Amazing, because not only his smooth, romantic, passionate voice moved me, but the lyrics are about a love song that speaks about finally finding a true love. At that time in my life, I had yet to find my true love but the song had me dreaming of that one day that I might.
When I finally did get married, I chose this song as my ‘untraditional’ song to walk down the aisle to, The lyrics begin:
Lyrics can be read here: http://songmeanings.com/songs/view/118330/
The second song that holds a treasured place in my heart is What a Wonderful World , sung by Louis Armstrong.
This song takes me back to my childhood. I’m not quite sure of why this particular song out of so many always reminds me of when I was a little girl riding in the car with my dad. I’m not sure if it was the melody or the lyrics, but I do know that whenever I’d hear the song it brought me fond memories of the special times I’d spent with my father.
Fast forward to 2006, the day I found out the devastating news that I had a tumor on my heart, I had just returned home after having the echo cardiagram on my heart and receiving the diagnosis. I was petrified, still in shock, trying to figure out how I would tell my husband, while wondering at the same conflicting moment, if I was going to die.
Instinctively, I’d turned on the radio to help sooth my jangled nerves and the song that played was What a Wonderful World. Something within me just knew in that moment that my father was around to comfort me and I knew I was going to be alright. Many more times through the years, particularly in difficult times, I will hear that song come on at a most needed moment. For me, it’s a visit from my dad, always letting me know he’s still around.
Lyrics can be read here:
https://genius.com/Louis-armstrong-what-a-wonderful-world-lyrics
Don’t forget to share your links here if you want to jump in and share some of your own favorite songs holding great meaning to you.
April 11, 2017
A List of Blogging Goals for My Hobby Blog – Marsha Ingrao
Author, friend and prolific blogger, Marsha Ingrao, of all things travel and blogging is looking for help. Marsha’s two informative blogs are: Always Write and TC History Gal. Marsha is also starting up what I think will be a most informative and entertaining newsletter and is asking fellow bloggers to help her come up with a name for this newsletter and one of her blogs. She has also generously offered to pick a few favorite suggestions and offer a copy of MY little travel book, Have Bags, Will Travel to some lucky winners. She also offers a FREE PDF list of influential bloggers with suggestions of what you can expect to find from those blogs.
Read Marsha’s post below and visit some of her posts while you’re there. I promise there is something for everyone.
I Need a New Name
Ok, I want a new name for my blog. I don’t need a new URL. That remains tchistorygal.net because I was the Tulare County History Gal for a long time, and I love that identity.
Vincie picked out the name for my other blog, Always Write. I thought it was cute considering how bossy he thinks I am. 
Trainstorming for Writer’s Block – #BlogChallenge
I’m sure we’ve all read many great ideas by other writers who occasionally become stumped by writer’s block. We can take a break, work on another project, go for walk or do a myriad of other things to stimulate our creative juices, but my favorite thing to do is to use writing prompts to get the creative juices flowing.
I’ve written a few posts over the years about overcoming writer’s block and shared one of the books I use for writing prompt exercises, Natalie Goldberg’s – Old Friend From Far Away, where I used her prompts to create my ‘I am‘ series. But recently, I was reading a blog post over at Lana Broussard’s blog and I got this idea from her post there called the ‘Chatty Blitz’ to open up the creative channels.
I’m renaming my word prompt idea ‘Trainstorming’. The word is comprised of a brainstorming of words and thoughts followed like a train by the next sentence. What to do:
Start by choosing the first random sentence that comes to mind
Continue the next sentence (thought) beginning with the last word from the previous sentence
Keep on writing more sentences in same manner until you feel you’re done
Don’t think too hard what you’re going to write, just write the first thing that pops in your head
Now take a look at what you’ve written and you may just find a story to write about
After you’ve created your own trainstorm, you’ve exercised your mind and given yourself more words and/or ideas to prompt your writing and created a process that has the potential for a new story idea.
Here’s my example, done in 30 seconds: (On the airplane where I wrote this)
I will miss you beautiful Arizona.
Arizona desert heat and cacti flourish.
Flourish all of you beautiful flowers of spring.
Spring forward, don’t stay stagnant.
Stagnant thoughts don’t allow growth.
Growth is measured by . . .
I challenge any of you to continue on by using my last sentence above to begin your trainstorm and please feel free to share what you come up with below in comments or by leaving a link to your post.
April 9, 2017
#Book Review – #Meno-What? by D.G. Kaye | TINA FRISCO
How delighted I was to come across this wonderful and humorous review of my book Menowhat? A Memoir , by author Tina Frisco.
I wrote that book as a memoir of my overwhelming journey through menopause. As I wrote about my trials and tribulations through that rocky ride, I offered some helpful tips which worked for me, many observations of the symptoms I encountered, and how I chose to deal with them. I like to think of myself as a girl with the ‘glass half full’ and often use the tagline ‘You gotta Laugh’ when life throws curve balls, naturally sense of humor emanates through the book and I was thrilled to see that Tina had identified with the humor of it all. It’s an informative book for those who’ve yet to enter the world of the ‘menodragons’ and a book you can laugh at if you’ve already passed ‘Go’ on the subject. Please read Tina’s review below:
5 Stars
Navigating Menopause with Poise and Humor
I wish I’d had this book when I was going through menopause! It would have validated all I was feeling and given me some inventive ways of coping with the inevitable changes looming on the threshold of female maturity.
In her memoir, Meno-What? D.G. Kaye speaks frankly about the hormonal changes that launch a war against our physical, emotional, and behavioral stability. She humorously refers to them as the “meno dragons,” a term that will be appreciated by any woman who has reached this stage in life.
Kaye outlines, chapter by chapter, the various changes that challenge our bodies as well as our sanity and self-image. With candor and humor, she tells us how each change affected her body, threatened her vanity, and braced her determination to face each one with an eye toward melioration.
She coins some pretty hilarious terms in describing these changes. “Circumference expansion” and “meno muffin” refer to our broadening midsections. “Fatback” and “muffin tops” describe the love handles bestowed to our bra lines. “Bottoms down” laments the loss of firmness in our posteriors. “Fred Flintstone feet” bemoans the abhorrent increase in shoe size. And “the Sahara effect” aptly portrays those dreaded, uncomfortable hot flashes. . Continue Reading
Source: #Book Review – #Meno-What? by D.G. Kaye | TINA FRISCO
The Wonder of You Blog Party – yadadarcyyada
Donna Parker of Vague Meanderings of the Broke and Obscure (Yadadarcyyada,com) is hosting one of her fabulous blog parties. In her introduction to the party she is talking about: What if there was no more . . . blogs, books to read, chocolate, kisses, etc., you get the picture, or erm, at least you will if you are used to her hilarious blog posts and matching memes to go with her thoughts. Head on over to Donna’s blog to enjoy her humor and to add a link to yourself or one of your own blog links to join the party.
The Wonder of You Blog Party
Sometimes, trying to write, or trying to blog, I think, it’s all been done? Is there anything new under this sun or any other? This world is old, ancient, instead of getting discouraged that it’s all been done, why not be inspired? What piece can we add to the puzzle of flesh and blood? Why not add to the delicious soup of humanity?
2. Remember the first song you heard? Did you think, no need to hear any more music.
3. First joke? You laughed and thought, did that, no need to laugh anymore.
4. Can there ever be enough smiles? Enough laughter? Enough joy?
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9. What if no one wrote more books because, what else could they possibly add? No more books that make you: smile, cry, cringe, laugh, ponder, hope, fear, flinch, surrender, suffer, wallow, leap for joy, Breakfast Club fist pump, stay up late (just one more page, one more chapter…). Please continue reading
April 8, 2017
Sunday Book Review – Waiting in the Wings – Stevie Turner
Today’s book review is on friend and author Stevie Turner’s book – Waiting in the Wings, a memoir.
I’ve read a few books of Stevie’s now and I’m am quite fond of her writing style. Stevie doesn’t hold back with her thoughts and as a memoir writer myself, I couldn’t wait to sink my eyes into this book.
Get this Book on Amazon!
Blurb:
At the grand old age of 92, my mother Dot suddenly starts telling me that she loves me. I am quite dumbstruck at these outbursts of emotion, as she has never mentioned the fact before in all of my 58 years. Over the entire course of my lifetime we have often argued bitterly, and have never really seen eye-to-eye over anything. I squirm with the inner knowledge that she wants me to reply in a similar vein, but try as I might, I cannot.
The guilt I feel at being unable to grant Dot her wish is overwhelming. As Dot’s health deteriorates more towards the final chapters of her life, I take on the role of carer. I find the only way to bring her out of her perpetual misery is to reminisce on past events by showing her old family photographs, and by helping her to remember holidays and happier times. We look back without anger and sometimes with a lot of laughter, getting to know each other better, raking over the past, and talking more than we have ever done. The process helps me, a middle-aged woman, understand the perils of ageing that I might one day face, and also the struggles that elderly people suffer on a day-to-day basis while stoically attempting to maintain their independence.
This is a true story, told in flashbacks and in modern-day often humorous conversations with my mother.
My 5 Star Review:
Turner’s memoir is an insightful story about a mother and daughter relationship that has moved to a new dimension. Throughout the author’s life she struggled with her relationship with her mother. Dot was set in her ways and always seemed to be trying to conform Stevie to what she wanted her to be. The angst Stevie felt growing up with Dot is documented through this touching and heartfelt memoir as Dot is now old and being an only child, Stevie has taken on the roll to care for her aging invalid mother.
Dot struggles to maintain her independence, making Stevie’s job somewhat more difficult to tend to Dot with her whims and antics, but it seems that the two find a common bond while exchanging stories from the past where Dot can be happy reliving her younger days, and where Turner establishes a common ground with memories they can bond over.
Many stories are shared from Turner’s childhood, about living under the eagle eye of Dot. We learn to understand that as much as Dot loved her daughter, she didn’t know how to show her love, which became a difficult burden for Turner to give her mother love in return.
As a child, Turner was tired of Dot’s OCD ways of life, and as a result, rebelled as many a child will do, with vowing not to be like her mother. Through this story, Dot’s anal ways could drive a sane person mad at times. Dot didn’t know how to show love and emotion and her methods of thinking she was doing so as a good mother were to nag at and not encourage her daughter for the attributes she possessed, but rather harped on how she thought her daughter should dress, and live her life, driving Turner batty, resulting in her wanting to keep in her own comfort zone, much as a loner.
As a memoirist myself, I know the angst of feeling sorry for an aging mother who never fulfilled me emotionally, and similar to Turner’s life, I understand the position she was in, finding it difficult to be able to tell her own mother that she loved her when the words were foreign to her all of her life. It brings a heart-crushing feeling when you can’t bring yourself to respond with those words, ‘I love you’, as I sensed the pathetic non-verbal pleading in my own mother too, wanting to hear me say those difficult words.
I highly recommend this book, not only for the manner in which it was written with entertainment value, but for anyone who has or is struggling with an aging parent, finding it difficult to forgive the past and to learn that there is always a way to make amends.
Visit Stevie Turners Amazon author page to check out more of her wonderful books.
