Helen B. Henderson's Blog, page 86
May 1, 2016
Like History? Save the Date. Spirit of the Jerseys 2016
Looking for family-friendly fun? Come on out and enjoy the Fair!
Learn about history at the 12th Spirit of the Jerseys History Fair, May 14th, 2016, at Monmouth Battlefield State Park, Manalapan, NJ, Rain or Shine.
The 2016 Fair will feature some familiar faces from the past like Clara Barton, George Washington and Walt Whitman as well as such favorite activities as 19th baseball, horse-drawn plowing demonstrations, Phydeaux’s flying flea circus and period music.
New to the Fair will be will be a fictional U.S. Army radio and live show, “SPAM Time”, which is modeled on actual entertainment presented to U.S. military personnel from WWII to the Viet Nam War era. A full day of pre-recorded and live musical entertainment will be presented. From a different era, several Civil War themed programs related to President Abraham Lincoln will also be presented. A replica of the president's casket will be on display in the park’s Visitor Center. A local Civil War reenactment unit, the 14th NJ Volunteers, Co. H, will provide an honor guard for the casket and the Fort Delaware Cornet Band will perform music of the era on period instruments. Darrel Ford, portraying Walt Whitman, will read his poem, “Oh Captain, My Captain”, a tribute to President Lincoln. Kenneth Serfass, who will portray General Ulysses S. Grant, will reflect on his relationship and career with the late Commander in Chief.
If you haven't been to the park before,be sure to go through the visitor's center with its history museum.
More information available at http://www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/historic/centennial/fairindex.htm.
Pictures and comments on last year's event as seen from the booth of the Matawan Historical Society are in this post. Spirit of the Jerseys 2015.
Learn about history at the 12th Spirit of the Jerseys History Fair, May 14th, 2016, at Monmouth Battlefield State Park, Manalapan, NJ, Rain or Shine.
The 2016 Fair will feature some familiar faces from the past like Clara Barton, George Washington and Walt Whitman as well as such favorite activities as 19th baseball, horse-drawn plowing demonstrations, Phydeaux’s flying flea circus and period music.
New to the Fair will be will be a fictional U.S. Army radio and live show, “SPAM Time”, which is modeled on actual entertainment presented to U.S. military personnel from WWII to the Viet Nam War era. A full day of pre-recorded and live musical entertainment will be presented. From a different era, several Civil War themed programs related to President Abraham Lincoln will also be presented. A replica of the president's casket will be on display in the park’s Visitor Center. A local Civil War reenactment unit, the 14th NJ Volunteers, Co. H, will provide an honor guard for the casket and the Fort Delaware Cornet Band will perform music of the era on period instruments. Darrel Ford, portraying Walt Whitman, will read his poem, “Oh Captain, My Captain”, a tribute to President Lincoln. Kenneth Serfass, who will portray General Ulysses S. Grant, will reflect on his relationship and career with the late Commander in Chief.
If you haven't been to the park before,be sure to go through the visitor's center with its history museum.
More information available at http://www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/historic/centennial/fairindex.htm.
Pictures and comments on last year's event as seen from the booth of the Matawan Historical Society are in this post. Spirit of the Jerseys 2015.
April 29, 2016
I'm a Perfectionst... And I'm a Writer
Calling all perfectionists. Just because you're a writer doesn't mean you're doomed to fail or that you have to change yourself. Use it to your advantage.
For those who can't help finding the detail, a must-read What Does It Mean To Be A Writer AND A Perfectionist? by Colleen Story on the blog, Writers In The Storm.
Among the questions answered
Why Do We Pick on Perfectionists?5 Positive Traits of Perfectionist Writers5 Challenges Facing Perfectionist Writers7 Tips to Help You Become the Best Perfectionist Writer You Can BeRead the full story at http://writersinthestormblog.com/2016/04/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-writer-and-a-perfectionist.
Colleen M. Story writes imaginative fiction and is also a freelance writer, instructor, and motivational speaker specializing in creativity, productivity, and personal wellness. Her latest novel, Loreena’s Gift, was released with Dzanc Books April 12 2016. Her fantasy novel, Rise of the Sidenah, is a North American Book Awards winner, and New Apple Book Awards Official Selection (Young Adult). She is the founder of Writing and Wellness, a motivational site for writers and other creatives. Find more at her website, or follow her on Twitter.
For those who can't help finding the detail, a must-read What Does It Mean To Be A Writer AND A Perfectionist? by Colleen Story on the blog, Writers In The Storm.
Among the questions answered
Why Do We Pick on Perfectionists?5 Positive Traits of Perfectionist Writers5 Challenges Facing Perfectionist Writers7 Tips to Help You Become the Best Perfectionist Writer You Can BeRead the full story at http://writersinthestormblog.com/2016/04/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-writer-and-a-perfectionist.
Colleen M. Story writes imaginative fiction and is also a freelance writer, instructor, and motivational speaker specializing in creativity, productivity, and personal wellness. Her latest novel, Loreena’s Gift, was released with Dzanc Books April 12 2016. Her fantasy novel, Rise of the Sidenah, is a North American Book Awards winner, and New Apple Book Awards Official Selection (Young Adult). She is the founder of Writing and Wellness, a motivational site for writers and other creatives. Find more at her website, or follow her on Twitter.
April 14, 2016
Cover Reveal - A Hunter's Demon and A Hunter's Angel
Coming in May in both Ebook and Print fromSara Walter Ellwood
Blurb for A Hunter’s Demon (prequel novella of A Hunter’s Angel):
See where it all began….
With people disappearing from Philadelphia’s night streets, the Vampire Council fears they have a rogue on their hands. Special Agent Ian McHenry isn’t all that he seems. Not only is he the FBI’s expert on serial killers, he’s also the Council’s go-to vampire hunter. Detective Grace Wallace is tired of the FBI not believing her theory they have a serial killer on the loose—until Ian shows up on the case. Nothing prepared her for the instant attraction to the darkly handsome Irishman. As they close in on the killer, Ian’s desire for Grace grows stronger. But if he can’t control his inner demon, this true nature will destroy his only chance at love.
Blurb for A Hunter’s Angel (book 1 of The Hunter’s Dagger Series):
The serial killer stalking Clayton, Pennsylvania, isn’t all that has Chief of Police Grace Wallace worried. For a year, she’s tried to forget Special Agent Ian McHenry and now he’s the expert the FBI sent to catch the killer. She can’t stay away from him, but something primal is telling her to run to save much more than her heart.
Despite the laws of the immortal council Ian vowed to follow as a vampire hunter, he fears Grace is his life mate which puts her humanity in peril. If he gives into the desire again to make her his forever, Ian will become one of the vampires his master destroys. But if he leaves Grace unprotected from the evil he’s hunted for over a century, she is in danger of losing her life…
*** A Hunter’s Angel had previously been published by The Wild Rose Press under the pen name Cera duBois***
Bio:Although Sara Walter Ellwood has long ago left the farm for the glamour of the big town, she draws on her experiences growing up on a small hobby farm in West Central Pennsylvania to write her contemporary westerns. Her country upbringing even influences her paranormal suspense romances. She’s been married to her college sweetheart for over 20 years, and they have two teenagers and one very spoiled rescue cat named Penny. She longs to visit the places she writes about and jokes she’s a cowgirl at heart stuck in Pennsylvania suburbia. Sara Walter Ellwood is a multi-published and international Amazon bestselling author of the anthology set Cowboy Up.
Author Links:Website: http://www.sarawalterellwood.comBlog: http://www.sarawalterellwood.com/blog/Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sarawalterellwood.ceradubois/Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/sara_w_ellwoodGoodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6869635.Sara_Walter_Ellwood
Website Links:Website: http://www.ceradubois.comFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/sarawalterellwood.ceradubois/Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/sara_w_ellwoodTo Sign up for Ellwood's newsletter: http://eepurl.com/mVxXf
Blurb for A Hunter’s Demon (prequel novella of A Hunter’s Angel):See where it all began….
With people disappearing from Philadelphia’s night streets, the Vampire Council fears they have a rogue on their hands. Special Agent Ian McHenry isn’t all that he seems. Not only is he the FBI’s expert on serial killers, he’s also the Council’s go-to vampire hunter. Detective Grace Wallace is tired of the FBI not believing her theory they have a serial killer on the loose—until Ian shows up on the case. Nothing prepared her for the instant attraction to the darkly handsome Irishman. As they close in on the killer, Ian’s desire for Grace grows stronger. But if he can’t control his inner demon, this true nature will destroy his only chance at love.
Blurb for A Hunter’s Angel (book 1 of The Hunter’s Dagger Series):The serial killer stalking Clayton, Pennsylvania, isn’t all that has Chief of Police Grace Wallace worried. For a year, she’s tried to forget Special Agent Ian McHenry and now he’s the expert the FBI sent to catch the killer. She can’t stay away from him, but something primal is telling her to run to save much more than her heart.
Despite the laws of the immortal council Ian vowed to follow as a vampire hunter, he fears Grace is his life mate which puts her humanity in peril. If he gives into the desire again to make her his forever, Ian will become one of the vampires his master destroys. But if he leaves Grace unprotected from the evil he’s hunted for over a century, she is in danger of losing her life…
*** A Hunter’s Angel had previously been published by The Wild Rose Press under the pen name Cera duBois***
Bio:Although Sara Walter Ellwood has long ago left the farm for the glamour of the big town, she draws on her experiences growing up on a small hobby farm in West Central Pennsylvania to write her contemporary westerns. Her country upbringing even influences her paranormal suspense romances. She’s been married to her college sweetheart for over 20 years, and they have two teenagers and one very spoiled rescue cat named Penny. She longs to visit the places she writes about and jokes she’s a cowgirl at heart stuck in Pennsylvania suburbia. Sara Walter Ellwood is a multi-published and international Amazon bestselling author of the anthology set Cowboy Up.
Author Links:Website: http://www.sarawalterellwood.comBlog: http://www.sarawalterellwood.com/blog/Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sarawalterellwood.ceradubois/Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/sara_w_ellwoodGoodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6869635.Sara_Walter_Ellwood
Website Links:Website: http://www.ceradubois.comFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/sarawalterellwood.ceradubois/Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/sara_w_ellwoodTo Sign up for Ellwood's newsletter: http://eepurl.com/mVxXf
April 12, 2016
Out and About with Colleen Myers
I'm out and about visiting with Colleen Myers. And the special visitor? Talann of Cloud Eyrie. He'll introduce an excerpt from Hatchling's Mate.
~Till next time, Helen
April 7, 2016
Thirteen lines from the Dragshi Chronicles
Visiting the Marketing for Romance Writers blog where I dish 13 lines from the Dragshi Chronicles. Stop by to see them and a teaser from Hatchling's Mate.
~till next time, Helen
~till next time, Helen
March 23, 2016
Tuesday's Title - Lost Roses of Ganymede House
A painting of a beautiful woman…the scent of summer roses…a magnificent home by the sea…and mortal danger
Title: Lost Roses of Ganymede House
Author: Constance Walker
Genre: Gothic mystery
Date of Release: 03-11-2016
Publisher: Winter's Eve Books
Buy Links: Amazon
Blurb:
"There, Miss, that be Ganymede House in the distance," says the driver of her carriage as newly impoverished Sarah Scott gets her first glimpse of the magnificent house in Yorkshire, England, where she will live as tutor for the two children of widower Oliver Grayson. But, unknown to the young woman, she is about to venture into a bleak home where the children are silent, the master morose, the servants suspicious and the family history forbidding.
And, as she begins to take on the responsibility for the children’s education, Sarah finds herself caught up in the hostile spirit that permeates Ganymede-- the portrait of Oliver's wife, Rosamunda, that is locked away in an unused bedroom; the mysterious scent of roses in rooms where no one has entered; the mystery surrounding Rosamunda's death and the banishment of the mother's imprint on the children and the manor. Slowly Sarah comes to realize that evil inhabits the house and that she no longer is an outsider to the family--what stalks and touches Ganymede now touches her.
Behind the Scene: I like playing the "what if?" game and so, a few years ago when I was driving over a bridge and saw an old stone mansion on a cliff I thought, "What if that house was in Victorian England and what if a mysterious family lived in it? And what if it was haunted and had a ghost? And those questions became the beginnings of my Gothic mystery, Lost Roses Of Ganymede House.
Author Bio:Constance Walker is the author of Gothic mysteries, paranormal and contemporary romance fiction, and is currently working on a novel about senior citizens. You can contact her at her in-the-process-of revising-her web site, WWW.CONSTANCEWALKER.COM, or at her goodreads page, https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2090408.Constance_Walker.
Title: Lost Roses of Ganymede House
Author: Constance WalkerGenre: Gothic mystery
Date of Release: 03-11-2016
Publisher: Winter's Eve Books
Buy Links: Amazon
Blurb:
"There, Miss, that be Ganymede House in the distance," says the driver of her carriage as newly impoverished Sarah Scott gets her first glimpse of the magnificent house in Yorkshire, England, where she will live as tutor for the two children of widower Oliver Grayson. But, unknown to the young woman, she is about to venture into a bleak home where the children are silent, the master morose, the servants suspicious and the family history forbidding.
And, as she begins to take on the responsibility for the children’s education, Sarah finds herself caught up in the hostile spirit that permeates Ganymede-- the portrait of Oliver's wife, Rosamunda, that is locked away in an unused bedroom; the mysterious scent of roses in rooms where no one has entered; the mystery surrounding Rosamunda's death and the banishment of the mother's imprint on the children and the manor. Slowly Sarah comes to realize that evil inhabits the house and that she no longer is an outsider to the family--what stalks and touches Ganymede now touches her.
Behind the Scene: I like playing the "what if?" game and so, a few years ago when I was driving over a bridge and saw an old stone mansion on a cliff I thought, "What if that house was in Victorian England and what if a mysterious family lived in it? And what if it was haunted and had a ghost? And those questions became the beginnings of my Gothic mystery, Lost Roses Of Ganymede House.
Author Bio:Constance Walker is the author of Gothic mysteries, paranormal and contemporary romance fiction, and is currently working on a novel about senior citizens. You can contact her at her in-the-process-of revising-her web site, WWW.CONSTANCEWALKER.COM, or at her goodreads page, https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2090408.Constance_Walker.
March 16, 2016
Get to Know... Me
I'm interviewed at @AnnaMarkland 's. Stop by http://wp.me/p4mO2z-tE to see what I dished or ask a question.
Teaser: A four-footed guest who used to rule the household made a special appearance.
Till next time ~Helen
February 24, 2016
Readers Want to Know
Before I jump over to J. Q. Rose's spot to answering readers questions, a teaser.
A few items from the playlist for Hatchling's Mate
Celtic flute and harp always send my mind to a fantasy world where magic rules and dragon fly. On the player now is Celtic Twighlight by Gabrielle Angelique.You've heard of "Laura's Theme" from Doctor Zhivago? Well, Glynn's theme was the tune, "Lonely Man," that was used as the theme for the television series, The Incredible Hulk.
"Desperado" from the Eagles set the character Talann firmly in my mind
For writing the night before a battle? Roger Whitaker's "The Last Farewell" That's all the teaser for now. Hop on over to J. Q. Rose's blog to see what questions readers wanted answered. And don't forget to ask your own. Just leave it in the comments. I'll be popping in during the day to answer them.
And one lucky winner will recevie a special giveaway. You'll have to stop by J. Q. Rose's blog to see what it is.
~Till next time. Helen
A few items from the playlist for Hatchling's Mate
Celtic flute and harp always send my mind to a fantasy world where magic rules and dragon fly. On the player now is Celtic Twighlight by Gabrielle Angelique.You've heard of "Laura's Theme" from Doctor Zhivago? Well, Glynn's theme was the tune, "Lonely Man," that was used as the theme for the television series, The Incredible Hulk.
"Desperado" from the Eagles set the character Talann firmly in my mind
For writing the night before a battle? Roger Whitaker's "The Last Farewell" That's all the teaser for now. Hop on over to J. Q. Rose's blog to see what questions readers wanted answered. And don't forget to ask your own. Just leave it in the comments. I'll be popping in during the day to answer them.
And one lucky winner will recevie a special giveaway. You'll have to stop by J. Q. Rose's blog to see what it is.
~Till next time. Helen
Five Roses Smell Sweet
Although the daffodils are up in the yards, it's not quite time for roses. Except for Hatchling's Curse which has five. Here's a snippit from the review.
"... a five-rose thriller/fantasy/romance."
Read the full review at Roses & Thorns.
Click on the cover in the top banner for a blurb and free read of the first chapter.
I'm off flying with the dragshi.
~Till next time. Helen
February 22, 2016
Tuesday's Title - Creating A Joyful Life
Powerful words, a great motivator for getting on track spiritually, mentally and physically
Title: Creating A Joyful Life: The Lessons I Learned From Yoga and My Mom
Author: Jennifer Williams-Fields
Date of Release: June 9, 2015Genre: self-help, personal growth
Buy Links: Amazon
Blurb:
This book is for every woman trying to figure out her way in an overly busy, over scheduled life - no previous yoga experience required! Are you trying to find your passion? Do you have joy in the midst of daily chaos? These things are possible for each of us!
It took me many years, many tears and falling down repeatedly before I realized true happiness was available to me. My hope is all women - regardless of background or experience, will find this book helpful in creating their own joyful life.
Behind the Scene:
As a single mom of six kids, with an alcoholic ex-husband, everyone always asks me "how do you do it, how do you manage it all and not fall apart?" This book is my attempt to answer that question. Most days I do it one day at a time, one breath at a time. In the book I lay out the practical ways women can take care of themselves, take back control of their life, and do it all with a sense of joy and happiness.
Author Bio:
Jennifer Williams-Fields is passionate about writing, yoga, traveling, public speaking and being a fabulous single momma to six super kids. Doing it all at one time, however, is her great struggle. She has been teaching yoga since 2005 and writing since she first picked up a crayon. Although her life is a sort of organized chaos, she loves every minute of the craziness and is grateful for all she’s learned along the way.
Jennifer was a featured speaker at the 2015 inaugural CourageMakers Conference and is a regular guest speaker for local media outlets. Her motivational talks on gratitude, addiction and self care have been called “inspiring and life changing.”
She has had her essays featured on Yahoo!, Dr. Oz The Good Life and Scary Mommy. She is a regular writer for Elephant Journal Magazine, YourTango and YogaUOnline.
See more from Jennifer at jenniferwilliamsfields.com.
Title: Creating A Joyful Life: The Lessons I Learned From Yoga and My Mom
Author: Jennifer Williams-Fields
Date of Release: June 9, 2015Genre: self-help, personal growth
Buy Links: Amazon Blurb:
This book is for every woman trying to figure out her way in an overly busy, over scheduled life - no previous yoga experience required! Are you trying to find your passion? Do you have joy in the midst of daily chaos? These things are possible for each of us!
It took me many years, many tears and falling down repeatedly before I realized true happiness was available to me. My hope is all women - regardless of background or experience, will find this book helpful in creating their own joyful life.
Behind the Scene:
As a single mom of six kids, with an alcoholic ex-husband, everyone always asks me "how do you do it, how do you manage it all and not fall apart?" This book is my attempt to answer that question. Most days I do it one day at a time, one breath at a time. In the book I lay out the practical ways women can take care of themselves, take back control of their life, and do it all with a sense of joy and happiness.
Author Bio:
Jennifer Williams-Fields is passionate about writing, yoga, traveling, public speaking and being a fabulous single momma to six super kids. Doing it all at one time, however, is her great struggle. She has been teaching yoga since 2005 and writing since she first picked up a crayon. Although her life is a sort of organized chaos, she loves every minute of the craziness and is grateful for all she’s learned along the way.
Jennifer was a featured speaker at the 2015 inaugural CourageMakers Conference and is a regular guest speaker for local media outlets. Her motivational talks on gratitude, addiction and self care have been called “inspiring and life changing.”
She has had her essays featured on Yahoo!, Dr. Oz The Good Life and Scary Mommy. She is a regular writer for Elephant Journal Magazine, YourTango and YogaUOnline.
See more from Jennifer at jenniferwilliamsfields.com.
