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. It was nestled in the mountains about twenty miles from the lake. For skiers and snowboarders, there's a lift right at the hotel to take you up to the Northstar Resort & Ski slopes (closed now, opening in November). We soaked in their 'hot pool' each day to get a our daily dose of Vitamin D from the sun.đ
Got some great writing in during our stay. I finished Hviske for the Tangled Webs collection with Bibiana and started the Christmas Bizarre tales featuring Rikkhe St. Claire. My writing nook was in in this seating area next to the huge stone chimney in the center of the Ritz lobby. It had four different fireplace seating areas on three levels and was the perfect place to sit and type away...
I totally loved our trip to the 'hills' of northeastern California (enjoy the slideshowâŤ). The terrains were stunning and the cool air and crisp evening temps refreshed this girl's chi and her remaining, little, gray cells. Summertime has arrived and I can't wait for the next road trip. If you get the chance, this mountain tour is highly recommended! It's Wednesday, time for #DearDiary:
May I present...a Sneak Peek of the Christmas Bizarre #BookCover!
How excited am I---kind of like a kid who sees the presents under the Christmas tree and can't help but unwrap the corners of the package for peek inside, LOL?! Huge kudos once again to my step-daughter, Danielle Gregorio for the stunning cover design. Snaps also to the fabulous Morgan Wright and Gee Gee Music Productions for the cover animation and jingle (#SoundUp, think the amazing Lindsey Stirling/Masterpiece Mystery with a slightly, eerie Christmas-ish tune)!
Rikkhe St. Claire, the interior designer with an eye for clues, is a copper haired beauty of Danish and French descent. I wanted to give her a unique identifier and I think the long, flowing hair is the perfect #brand for her and the Hygge & Bisous Holiday Mysteries. I'm also loving the cooler blue's and ivory's in the design--kind of Scandinavian #Noel in the woods. Morgan's addition of the empty swing swinging in the cover animation is delightfully mysterious.
It's all about the 'hygge' design ( kind of pronounced 'hoo-gah') in Rikkhe's designs--focusing only on the things you prize most, with a touch of cozy glam, of course (I've been around Gemma and the Cherrywood Hall gang for too long, LOL)! Ornaments, stockings, angels and sleigh bells will be amongst the 'favorite things' as Rikkhe and her designer clique sit around the fire and reminisce about some of their more, ahem, bizarre decorating assignments. We'll do more of a splash on this holiday collection to celebrate #Christmas in July--stay tuned!
A glimpse of the what the future holds this week from the writers of Twitter...
Author Bibiana Krall, THE HIVE, 5â
Fast forward to 2070--humankind has survived yet another war. The have and have-not gaps have widened, leaving most desperate to even survive and all wanting anything to ease the despair of a dismal existence. One young woman grasped at the chance to escape a dire end by joining the seductive Hive, where promises of a nirvanic essence and blissful way of life lured many to give up everything.
In her new environs, Melissa 21 begins to realize the exuberant cost of attaining The Hive status. Individualism, creativity and freedom become a thing of the past. Servitude, deception and envy are the new morals. A simplistic error offers new possibilities for Melissa 21--will she choose wisely? Will others sabotage her move?
Author Bibiana Krall takes us on a futuristic journey where humankind again, faces harsh choices of survival. Shadowy honey for the masses is alive and well---will a bond of hope and molecular resistance finally make a stand against an evil existence? You have one choice--which Hive will you choose?
Next up in the #reading queue:
It's Show #49, Fresh Air & Sharp Books with Amy Reade!
We're closing in on a year's worth of #BOOKEM shows--can you believe it? Join us later today for Amy's last show before our #Summer break. See you soon!
Crowns and Kisses,
Veronica
P.S. The Ritz Carlton was a stunning place to stay in the hills--but one always needs to remember you are in the woods! During one of our afternoon outings, repairmen were fixing this door into the lobby. A bear had pulled a couple of these quarter inch steel panels away from the door in the early morning hours in an attempt to enter the hotel and enjoy the inside goodies! I was amazed at how strong they must be, yikes! Gemma and Rikkhe don't quite approve this one, LOL!đłđđ
