'Winston, if you were my husband, I'd poison your tea.' 'Nancy, if I were your husband, I 'd drink it.' Lady Nancy Astor and Sir Winston Churchill How deliciously droll, I adore this quote! As a cozy mystery writer, I'm always on the hunt for unique ways to commit 'mur-dahs most foul'. Poisons are used quite often in cozy tales, hence my interest in what's the best one to use?; how does it work?; what are the symptom's? I guess on the surface it sounds a bit ghoulish but a wr

Part deux of our escape from the family room #roadtrip took us to the shores and hills of Lake Tahoe in northern California. It has been almost thirty years since I last saw this natural wonder. I have to say it is probably the most beautiful lake I have ever seen. Crystal, clear waters, a proliferation of pine trees and majestic mountain views took my breath away. The air smelled of pine, turning crisp and cool in the evening. We stayed at the lovely Ritz Carlton in Tahoe. I

Happy Almost-New Year friends--welcome 2021! Counting down the final hours of 2020--this is one year I think the world will collectively give a 'BIG' kiss good-bye (Raspberries most likely)! It's time to move on in this new world order and I am determined to do it with gusto and a smile. My biggest lesson learned from this apocalyptical year is to not take anything for granted. We all witnessed life changes and diminished freedoms--our lives changed in a cosmic instant. I've

Merry Christmas! The most wonderful time of the year is here and it's time to announce my Top 3 #Books for 2020! This year has been a banner year for great #reads in all genres. I've been privileged to read at least one book per week this year and the #WritingCommunity did not disappoint! In this year like no other, I'm pleased to announce these #authors and their works as my Top 3 Books for 2020 (HUGE APPLAUSE!): U.K. author, Colin Powell--The Last Days of Purgatory; U.K. au

This week and next, I want to share with you once again one of my favorite things to do as a #reader and fellow #writer--highlight some exceptionally, talented people whose written works excelled beyond the norm, IMO. I take my #reading responsibility very seriously as each week I read and review a new work from writers I follow on Twitter and Facebook. It's a personal goal I've set for myself and my small way of giving back to a community of people I admire very much. Last y

Well, it is what it is here in southern California...Once again we are told to stay inside, businesses are closed, essential travel only for the next three weeks. I was one of the lucky ones--I was able to squeeze in the final pedicure of 2020 at the lovely Spa Gregories before their doors locked--at least my toes will be twinkling for Christmas! This wasn't totally unexpected, but none the less disappointing. I think all of us are more than a bit fatigued with #QuarantineLif

#HoHoHo December! No, I'm not in Jackson (that Moet 🍾igloo tent was a-ma-zing) but I have Elle King's tune, Ex's & Oh's on my mind (modified to #Ribbons and #Bows for this post🎀😁) It's that most wonderful time of the year once again--bring on the #holidays! The weather has been pretty delightful these past few days (except for the Santa Ana winds that blew everything everywhere). The house is lit, the stockings hung, and the cats are napping under the #Christmas tree (thei

Happy almost Thanksgiving🦃! It's the day before the big eat-a-thon here in the U.S., a time to loosen those belts and enjoy the bounty of the kick-off of the holiday season with family and friends...OR NOT. Welcome to #Thanksgiving2020! Since lockdown/quarantine life began in March, I haven't worn a belt thanks to my constant wardrobe of fringed T-Party yoga pants as my go-to attire ( this girl from the 70s will never give up her fringe!). This year the big dinner will be a

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven...Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 The pictures today were taken in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. In January, I remember as I stood and stared at the regal valleys, in awe of their rugged beauty. I had titled the pic ◀, Veronica's Ridge, because it reminded me of a fav scene where Jaime and Claire stare out at their Fraser's Ridge land in the Outlander series. The air was crisp and cool, giving no hint of th

'From sea to shining sea...' from the song America the Beautiful has been stuck in my mind these last few days. I've pulled a few of my fav coastal pics to include today---the beautiful blues of the ocean and jagged shorelines get me every time. #Halloween came and went, ushering in #November with a quiet, calm resolve. As the rest of the world goes into yet another COVID lockdown, here in the U.S. we're sheltering in place, preparing for the outcome of an election that has d

I thought I'd throw out a #challenge to the #WritingCommunity this week since we're about to head into #NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) and the busiest (at least it used to be) #book buying season of the year with the upcoming #holidays. For this challenge, I'm going to assume you have a product to sell (and quality is in the eyes of the beholders, er, reader/spenders). I've taken many sales classes and tutorials during my previous career selling software. After thir

Happy Fall y'all, bring on the cool temps! Being back in the #writing zone for book 6 has had its ups and downs this past week. The good news is that I have loads of inspiring photographs to whisk me mentally to the streets and locales of London, the primary setting for my latest cozy mystery tale (BTW, does the scaffolding still surround Big Ben or are the repairs completed? Anyone, anyone?). I've been able to virtually traverse the locations with just enough detail as Gemma