"One benefit of summer was that each day we had more light to read by..." Jeanette Walls Continuing with my quest for great #SummerReads, this month I'm excited to feature #Writer A.C. 'Drew' Merkel! He is the author of the Lady Dreamscapes, time traveling/sci-fi series. These imaginative tales feature a MC by the name of 'Murder'...and what an exciting, literary journey she will take you on! Without further adieu, let's chat with Drew: Q1. I really enjoyed the first book in

What better way to close out #IndieApril than a chat with one of my favorite #Holiday mystery writers, the fabulous Amy Reade! I've read many of Amy's tales and am a huge fan of her Juniper Junction Holiday Mystery Series. Without further adieu, Ladies & Gents, #Author Amy Reade: Q1: Amy, I thoroughly enjoy reading your Juniper Junction Holiday Mystery Series--what inspired you to write it? Pssst..love the #Holiday theme! Thank you! I have grown to love these characters and t

Tick-tock...A short post this week--it's crunch time for me! I always have mixed emotions heading into the final stretch of a new book production. I really enjoy the time spent with my characters--figuring out what they're going to say and how they'll react to the situations I put them in. After the editing is completed and final changes made, I give them a final salute, until we meet again. I tend to get a bit teary eyed, but I know they're in good hands and hopefully provid

January has always been a fun month for us to travel--the #holidays are over, a #NewYear started, and it's a perfect time for me to enjoy a few weeks of cold weather. I thought I'd share some of our January pics from prior year travels since we're all kinda stuck in #lockdown mode these days. The feature picture⏫ is the Silfra Fissure in Iceland where I spent my 60th bday. We snorkeled in the 34 degree, ancient, iceberg waters that narrowly separate the North American and Eur

How's your #NewYear2021 going? I'm still basking in the #holiday lights for a few more moments. Today's post is a blast to the past...1958 to be exact... "(MCMLVIII)...the 958th year of the 2nd millennium, the 58th year of the 20th century, and the 9th year of the 1950s decade". Impressive! The feature pic⏫ this week intrigued me. It's a 3 cent postage stamp depiction of the 1957-1958 International Geophysical Year (IGY), when scientists from sixty-seven countries launched ma

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

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

Oh baby, it's a #bookcover reveal ⏫(turn up the sound)! It's that most wonderful time of year (to #promote and #sell those books) and what better way to celebrate for a #writer than a new title to reveal!? (plus I get to use an interrobang, how cool is that?!😁) I decided it was time to show the world my latest creation and give myself a #writing, um, incentive (ie if you #reveal it you must #write it🤪). Let's give Twins in the City: Playtime at Castlewood Manor a big #HearH

The scariest day of the year is almost here---Election Day, oops, I mean #Halloween is this coming weekend! Here at the Rusty Pig aka our front yard pub, we only have memories of Halloweens past this Covid year since trick or treating house-to-house is currently banned. We decided not to put up our outdoor Spooktacular lights and décor this season so as to not tempt any tricksters. This is the first time in my 62 years that Halloween has been cancelled---I think the great pum