S.K. Derban's Blog, page 10
February 20, 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE S.K. Derban’s third novel Circumvent acquired by TouchPoint Press
“Life is too perfect, until perfection turns to panic.”
SAN DIEGO, CA (February 9, 2017) No stranger to the TouchPoint Press family of authors, S.K. Derban’s third novel is the second to be acquired by the growing indie publisher.
When French-born Nikki Sabine Moueix travels to Hawaii for a work assignment, writing an article about a famous Swiss pastry chef Ruggiero Delemont generates more than a magazine piece when Nikki becomes Mrs. Delemont. Another assignment sends Nikki to France where she is catapulted into a threatening confrontation leaving her in a French hospital with no knowledge of her past.
Circumvent allows readers to form a bond with Nikki as they yearn for her to remember. They will cheer for Ruggiero, the Swiss pastry chef, and his relentless determination to locate his beloved wife. This is a story about two people who never lose their faith in God and find amazing friends to help them along the way.
Derban’s third novel is slated for a Fall 2017 release and will be available through major retailers and direct from the publisher.
Advance media and review requests may be submitted to media@touchpointpress.com.
February 11, 2017
January 24, 2017
For No Apparent Reason – Second Edition
TouchPoint Press is pleased to announce the rerelease of For No Apparent Reason:
November 9, 2016
My brain is officially full!
There are too many story ideas clogging my brain. Therefore, I need to take a blogging break in order to spend more time writing. It has been fun, and I hope you enjoyed reading about the helpful household advice, the natural alternatives, and the simple solutions. The blog will remain posted on my website for those needing a recipe or a reminder. There should be something for everyone as I shared household cleaning tips, how to control ants (both inside and out) and how to get rid of gnats. There are all natural recipes for homemade disinfectant cleaner, four thieves oil, a cold buster cocktail, dishwasher detergent, mosquito repellent, deodorant, toothpaste, whipped skin moisturizer, dryer sheets, and lavender hand scrub. I also explained how to organize all of your new wonderful products!
My current novel Circumvent is completed and ready for editing. I am working on a fun, new cozy mystery series set in the Little Italy community of San Diego. If you would like to stay informed, be sure and sign up for my author newsletter! Blessings!
September 4, 2016
Author of the Month
S.K. Derban is honored to be selected as Author Shout’s Author of the Month. http://authorshout.com/
August 29, 2016
S.K. Derban Author Newsletter
Stay informed. Keep in touch. Subscribe to S.K. Derban’s Author Newsletter today. The sign up form is now active!
http://www.myauthorbiz.com/ENewsletter.php?acct=SD4323016301560
August 12, 2016
All Natural Gift – Homemade Lavender Hand Scrub
Sharon, from the Herb Factory has agreed to share the recipe for her amazing Lavender Hand Scrub. What a treat! Thank you Sharon!
Hello from the Herb Factory! Can you believe Christmas is only 19 Sundays away? Personally, I always try planning ahead to avoid the hustle and bustle of the season. I imagine entering December in calm and peace, enjoying the joy and wonder of the True Reason for the Season… Then life gets busy, and I somehow get caught up with regrets of not planning ahead.
Since I am positive we all would like to get a head start, I invite you to join me this year by hand crafting an all-natural gift. It is thoughtful, classy, and quite simply delightful! Better yet, is easy to make and the cost per gift is under five dollars.
I know it is hard to imagine planning for the Holidays in August, but I promise you will not be disappointed. Below is my recipe for an all-natural Lavender hand scrub gift I absolutely love making. Make sure to purchase your supplies soon, and order enough to make plenty. I guarantee you will find someone to bless with these special gifts.
Recipe for one, eight ounce jar of Lavender Hand Scrub.
(Simply multiply the recipe by the number of eight ounce jars you will be making.)
1 cup White Sugar
½ cup Grape Seed Oil
½ tablespoon dried Lavender Flower Seeds
15 drops Lavender Essential Oil
Combine all ingredients in an appropriate size bowl and stir well. If you make a larger batch, stir the mixture before filling each jar. I use eight ounce Mason jars with lids. Simply choose the style you like as there are many different types.
Leave approximately ½ inch of air space at the top of each jar. Fill your jars, wipe away any drippings, and close the lid. That’s it!
It is best to make a card with the product name and the ingredients. The instructions for use can be written on the reverse side of the card. (Instructions for use: Place a small scoop of scrub into your hands and rub well for 1 minute. Rinse with warm water and pat dry.) You can attach the card to the jar with a ribbon or twine!
Enjoy!
Until next time,
Live, Laugh, and Love… Naturally! Sharon
June 22, 2016
Pest Free Plants by Doing Nothing!
When we moved from a condominium into a row home, I was excited about having a small garden. My husband and I designed the look of our tiny yard, and then selected and planted a beautiful assortment. Within weeks, the bugs arrived. We then made the big mistake of trying to control them. When one bug was destroyed, another took its place. Gardening quickly became an unwanted chore.
Shortly thereafter we visited the San Diego Zoo on one of their early morning openings. To our good fortune, we saw one of their horticulturists at work. I looked at the beautiful bug free plants and asked how the Zoo controlled the insects. They do nothing! The horticulturist explained how it is best to do nothing, and let nature take care of nature. If one type of pest is eradicated, the insects that eat the eradicated pest will move to another plant. When the food source is gone, so are the insects that consume the food source. This will leave the poor plant open for another pest to invade, and the cycle begins again.
We tried the Zoo’s method, and what a difference! We have bugs galore, but none are destroying our plants. Every so often there is a white fly infestation on one part of a specific plant. We simply cut off the infected leaf as suggested by the Zoo’s horticulturist, and the plant is pest free for another year.
A recent tweet by the San Diego Zoo read, “Our plant collection is worth more monetarily than our animals.” Their animals are amazing, so you can only imagine the beauty of their gardens! Please come for a visit.
Be sure and follow me on Pinterest. I have created a board for most of the products mentioned in this blog. There are also boards for organizing, cleaning, home repair, gardening and more. Also, follow me on Twitter for updates, and on Goodreads. Remember, it is all about the #books!
May 8, 2016
Stop Using Toxic Dryer Sheets AND Save Money!
It is not difficult to discover the many problems associated with dryer sheets. One quick Internet search provides alarming information. In my “Ants in the Pantry” blog posting, I even explain how to use dryer sheets as an ant repellent. (A toxic red flag!) There are wonderful natural alternatives, and not all are homemade.
The most economical dryer sheet is one you make yourself, but I know many who do not want to take the time. Trader Joes sells a pack of four Lavender Dryer Bags for $3.99. Since each bag is typically good for 15 to 20 loads, the price calculates to 80 loads for $3.99. This is a great alternative!
If you are ready to make your own dryer sheets, there is a simple, inexpensive and effective way. First, you will need a wide mouth quart glass jar with a good sealing lid. In that jar, pour two cups of distilled white vinegar and fifty drops of lavender essential oil. Shake it well, label, and set aside.
Next, I have four, white inexpensive facecloths reserved just for dryer sheets. They are super easy to find for a great price.
When it is time to dry your clothes, shake the drying solution well, open the lid and lower half of a facecloth into the solution. Then, wring it out over the jar so none is wasted. You want the facecloth wet, but not soaking. If you lower only half of the facecloth into the solution, by the time you wring it out, the entire facecloth is usually perfect for use. If there is a dry part, simply wet that portion, and wring it out a second time. It really helps to have a wide mouth jar. That is it! Your clothes will smell clean and fresh, naturally, and any vinegar smell dissipates in the dryer.
You really only need one facecloth, but I like to have several on hand. Extra facecloths make it easier when drying more than one load. Plus, if you want your clothes to dry more quickly, toss two of the dry facecloths in with your wet clothes. They will help soak up the moisture as your clothes tumble.
Be sure and follow me on Pinterest. I have created a board for most of the products mentioned in this blog. There are also boards for organizing, cleaning, home repair, gardening and more. Also, follow me on Twitter for updates, and on Goodreads. Remember, it is all about the #books!
April 4, 2016
Uneven Exchange Tour
Join the Uneven Exchange Tour! S.K. Derban’s recently released book, Uneven Exchange, will be on tour from April 4, 2016 through April 22, 2016. All those who enter will have a chance to win signed book copies, and a $25.00 Amazon Gift Card. Best of luck!
http://www.ireadbooktours.com/blog—current-tours/book-tour-uneven-exchange-by-sk-derban
