January: My “go to” Activity When I Want to Relax and Take Time Out of My Real Life ............................. by Delsora Lowe

Hallmark movies and romance stories take me away from the bad world news. They give me a positive, albeit maybe an unrealistic spin on life, versus the craziness, that seems to get crazier every day in our “off-kilter” world. 

The movies are educational…as in from the perspective of an author, they help me with writing romance. They "show" versus "tell" me by providing visual examples of style, topics, relationship types (good and bad,) lifestyle, various scenery, and locations, etc. 

Watching romantic shows and movies, and reading romance in any form, whether a full novel or a 5-minute short story, are positive reinforcement that show our world has the potential to be able to learn to work together, live in harmony, and help us individually and collectively to see the positive side of life. 

They show us how to be polite and thoughtful toward our neighbors, friends, and those who are strangers to us. For example, holding the door for the person entering behind us. Or, letting the mom with the fussy kid go in front of you in the grocery store line. 

Simple acts of kindness. 

These types of stories and movies let me escape from personal, national, and international woes. It is like burying my head in the sand.

Or like the infamous three monkeys—see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil. Of course, this scenario is for the pure romance stories. 

Suspenseful romance does have a dose of evil, but in the end, all is rosy. Love and positivity reign. All turns out well for the heroes of the story. And the reader is left satisfied that all is well in the world—or at least the world of romantic fiction. 

 

Unrealistic, sometimes? Oh Yeah! Escapism? Absolutely! A chance to feel safe and “normal?” Yes, for those hours you are immersed in a fantasy of the way life should be—ALL THE TIME! 

 Letting your imagination run with the good things in life, is like a palette cleanser. On a bad day is watching or reading romance like a reset? On a good day, does fictional romance, confirm positivity and your perspective of what life should be—hopeful and kind and full of love? 

 What more can one ask from a few hours of reading or watching a feel-good movie? 

What’s Your Palette Cleanser on a Bad Day? 

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY

all about love!

Moonlighting

(e-reader only) 

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Come-Dance-Me-Serenity-Starlight-ebook/dp/B074N95RGK/

Books2Read

books2read.com/u/bMrQva

 

Moonlighting

(also e-reader or in paperback as a collection: Starlight Grille) 

Amazon

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Moonlighting-Serenity-Harbor-Novella-Starlight-ebook/dp/B075TK7KYS/ 

Books2Read

Books2Read books2read.com/u/mZ5eop 

 ~ cottages to cabins ~ keep the home fires burning ~ 

Delsora Lowe writes small town sweet and spicy romances and contemporary westerns, from the mountains of Colorado to the shores of Maine. 

Author of the Starlight Grille series, Serenity Harbor Maine novellas, and the Cowboys of Mineral Springs series, Lowe has also authored short romances for Woman’s World magazine (most recently, an Easter romance in the April 1, 2024 edition.) The Love Left Behind is a Hartford Estates, R.I. wedding novella with Book 2 on the way. A Christmas novel (The Inn at Gooseneck Lane) and novella (Holiday Hitchhiker – the youngest brother of the Mineral Spring’s ranching family) were the most recent releases. Look for book 3 of the cowboy’s series, as well as book 2 of the Hartford Estates series, to be released in 2025. 

Social Media Links:
Facebook Author page: https://www.facebook.com/delsoraloweauthor/community/
Amazon Author page: https://www.amazon.com/Delsora-Lowe/e/B01M61OM39/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0 

Books2Read Author page: https://www.books2read.com/ap/8GWm98/Delsora-Lowe 

BookBub Author Page: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/delsora-lowe-93c6987f-129d-483d-9f5a-abe603876518 

Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16045986.Delsora_Lowe 

Photo Credits: 

Cash Register: fee clip art - cash register - Search Images / https://www.vecteezy,com 

Ostrich: free clip art - burying head in sand - Search / clipartmax.com

STILLNESS IN THE STORM by Maggie Lynch

 

Photo by Johannes Plenio on Unsplash

Change is such a huge topic. It is scary for some and can be transformational for others. For most people it is some combination of the two. Change is sometimes forced upon us by outside events—this pandemic is one of those. Other times we initiate change because whatever is going on in our life is not how we want it to be. In both cases, we need time to be still. Time to be cognizant of the change, evaluate its impact, and then to take steps to adapt if we can.

I am a person who is what they call an “early adopter.” Usually that phrase is used for technology changes, but it can also be applied to other change. Early adopter means that I look for the positive in the change and I’m willing to try it out and see what makes sense to me. In technology, I’ve often tried out new software before most people. I love the idea of things being made more efficient for me. In trying out software, I also often find ways to use it that was never conceived by the developer. Where the software was developed for one purpose, I find a way to use it to solve a different problem that’s been nagging at me.

I’m willing to make larger leaps in technology because I’ve seen the usefulness of starting from scratch rather than trying to “fix” old code. Technology marches forward so quickly with new invention that one must embrace the new to make the next large jump.

In a non-technological context, I try to see change as an opportunity for learning, gaining more understanding, and sometimes for personal transformation. Even when the change involves tragedy, like the death of my brother as a child or the deaths of my father and several uncles as an adult, I’ve found a way to adapt. To move from the loss to the honoring of their lives through changes in the way I live my life to reflect the best of them.

But I’ve Struggled with Change for Two Years Now

But the last two years have provided too much change—change that was built on four years previous to that where I found the world to be unrecognizable. Politics have always been divisive. I’ve lived through the 1960s and 1970s—Civil Rights, Watergate and Vietnam. Yet, it seems even more so now that the lessons of the past are forgotten.  

Photo by
Tran Toen on Unsplash

Floods, fires, tornadoes, hurricanes have always been a part of the news cycle and I’ve lived in parts of the country where those are to be expected. But it was never as large, as widespread, and consistently happening more often than in the past two years. Furthermore, these ongoing climate events have made me more aware of the growing economic divide between the rich, the middle-class, and the poor.

Add the pandemic and it is too much change, even for someone like me who is normally able to move through it and learn from it. It’s not that I’m unable to get out of bed. It is that I have been unable to find a way to understand, evaluate, adapt and find ways to make my life and the life of others better. Though I’ve made a promise to step forward every month for the past six months, I haven’t been able to do that. I think about it and then retreat because I feel that central truths of my belief system, around the inherent dignity and worth of every being and the general goodness in humanity, are being proven wrong. Yet, I’m not willing or able to give them up. Instead, I’ve kept going to a place of denial instead of dealing with it. I scramble to the safety of logic and technology and that keeps me from stepping again into creativity and feeling.

An Opportunity for Transformation I Hadn’t Seen

Friends I know have been sharing with me the work of another writer—someone I didn’t know existed. His name is John Roedele. He is a comedian, a prose writer, and a poet. He publishes his work on Facebook and often reads it in videos. He is very good at observing the human condition and shares his insights by providing the impact on his own life. He has become one of those points of light in my inbox.

August 28^th, he posted a short prose recap of his 47 years of life and what he’s learned. There were many brief insights, but this one really spoke to me and shined a light on this particular time in my life.

 

We treat grief like it’s a summer storm

-as if it’s a temporary event that will

quickly pass. It won’t. Grief is a comet.

It terraforms our world.

Grief doesn’t always destroy us - but it

changes the shape of our continents.

–John Roedele

For me, the reason the past two years is so difficult is that the changes have come in such rapid succession, without breaks, that I see now we’ve been hit by multiple comets and each one is trying to “terraform” our world. I haven’t been able to absorb even one and look for lessons, nevertheless four or five or ten.

I’ve read articles and heard reporting on the extended grieving this pandemic has caused, but I didn’t accept it for myself. I now realize that is what has been happening to me. To take the terraforming metaphor into my heart, I have a way forward not by wholesale transformation but my incremental alterations. In effect, terraforming the human landscape.

I’ve been pummeled by the storms because I was filling the times of stillness with counting the seconds between the thunder and lightning. With some practice I’ve learned that, if I take time to dwell in those moments of stillness, I will see others there with me in the quiet. Others who still believe in the goodness and dignity of every person. Others who are quietly reaching out and building on that foundation of trust and common good, while at the same time engaging in terraforming the human landscape by altering those foundational elements that are hostile to living and working together while striving to thrive in peace.

Now I can return to writing and building those stories and characters where they also survive the storm and find a way thrive and love and scratch out a life of possibilities.

MAGGIE LYNCH

Bio:

Maggie Lynch is the author of 27 published books, as well as numerous short stories and non-fiction articles. Her non-fiction focuses on guiding authors to business success in their career. Her fiction spans romance, suspense, fantasy and science fiction telling stories of men and women making heroic choices one messy moment at a time. You can learn more about Maggie and her books at https://maggielynch.com   

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A Holiday For Each Season

by Diana Mccollum

Diana is a paranormal and fantasy author. For a free story sign up for her newsletter on her website.

Ah, the seasons! There are so many different kinds of seasons. There are weather, growing, personal, life etc. seasons. And many have been touched upon here on this blog.

 

I’m going to share some of my favorite holidays that come with each season.  

 

Favorite Holidays

 

The first season, winter, from December 21^st  to March 20^th my favorite holiday is New Years! Not because so many get dressed up, and go to parties for the countdown to midnight, but for a time of reflection, and a time of setting new goals for myself. It’s a new beginning! Twelve whole months to achieve my goals. Sometimes those goals may change along the way, and that’s okay. I have my road map, I feel confident, and hopeful.

 

The second season, spring, March 21^st till June 20^th my favorite holiday is Easter. Another time of renewal. Easter has always been a time of family gatherings. Although, we live far away from our family, this year we will be celebrating with them. I have such fond memories of the kids and grandkids hunting for eggs. When my kids were little I hid their Easter baskets, I always made red-beet eggs, a family tradition, and of course all the messy fun dying Easter eggs. And the promise of daffodils peaking up out of the ground to announce Spring is on the way!

 

The third season, summer, June 21^st till September 22^nd my favorite holiday would have to be July 4^th! The tradition of celebrating America makes me so proud. We are a nation of mixed nationalities, a pot of different cultures and traditions. My ancestors were from Ireland, Germany, Scotland, France to name a few. They came to a new land with hopes and dreams. They fought for our rights and freedoms. Every July 4^th I love to watch the parades, hear the music and feel the pride of being American.

 

The fourth season, fall September 23 till December 20^th my favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. Another holiday for reflection. It’s a time to give thanks for all the goodness in my life. Things that mean the most to me like family, friends, and Zoom!

 

Whatever your favorite holidays are I hope you enjoy each and every one of them this year. After the pandemic year of 2020, and with the vaccine on the horizon, 2021 is shaping up to be a great year!

 

Do you have a favorite holiday?

One Characteristic of Light Paranormal

By Diana McCollum

 

Light Paranormal

 

In light paranormal one might find fanciful or funny characters. Perhaps the sidekick of the vampire is a dentist best friend. Or a teenage mermaid who when coming on to land loves watching the Disney movie The Little Mermaid.

I chose two in my book The Witch with the Trident Tattoo.

A few weeks ago  I wrote about James who was cursed to live for a few years as an octopus. He never lost his love of shoes, and collected them even though he couldn’t wear them.

Today I’d like to introduce you to Mischell. She is a teenage mermaid. Cursed to live and learn some manners as a mermaid till she turns 20. 

Mischell is a typical teenager, when on land. When in mermaid form in the ocean she is subject to her pod of 3 mermaids who are raising her and teaching her right from wrong.

Ella my heroine, a sea witch, can also swim under water or be on land. In this scene Ella is about to leave in her truck.

 

 

“She opened the door to her truck to find a teenage girl, short shocking-pink hair sticking out every which way, sleeping on the seat. Ella shook the girl till she rolled over. Mischell, youngest of four mermaids roaming the waters off the shoreline lay on the front seat, sound asleep. Her hair would turn lime-green when she reached adulthood.

“Mischell, wake up.” She shook her harder.

“Hey, watch the shoulder. Aren’t you pleased to see me?” Mischell pushed herself up to sitting, stifling a yawn. Her crown of short pink hair stuck out every which way. In human form, she preferred steampunk clothes. Today she sported a black leather bustier decorated with chains, gears and a zipper, black tights and a short black skirt.

“Nice clothes,” Ella said, holding in a giggle. Mischell was a typical teenager even if she was a mermaid; she dressed to please herself and no one else.

“Do you like my shoes? James found them for me.” Mischell pointed her foot in front of her. Bright sunshine gleamed on silver ballet flats.

“Oh, my, they…are lovely.” Her shoes didn’t really match her outfit, but Mischell seemed pleased with them. “Why are you here? Your training isn’t over for two more years.”

“I’ve evolved enough I can come on land for longer periods of time. James helped me get here.” She slid out of the truck. “I’m here to give you a message. James was called away by his lordship, and I’m to check clothing bins at the thrift shop, clothes for me and shoes for James. He is extremely specific on what colors he wants.” She counted them off on her fingers. “First he wants purple shoes, preferably sequin, second, black riding boots, third, brown work boots, and yellow shoes, if I can find any. Oh, and only matching pairs.” She rolled her eyes.

The odd odor of too many people mixed together reached Ella’s nose. “Did you get your clothes from the thrift shop donation bin?”

“No one wanted them, so I took them.”

“Mischell, you need to go back in the ocean. You’re not through growing. When you stay out of the water there’s always a chance you’ll change back and die on land.”

Silver bracelets jangled against a steampunk gear bracelet as Mischell crossed her arms. “It’s not fair. You can come and go whenever you please.”

“I’m not a mermaid like you, I’m a sea witch. Do you understand?” Ella squeezed Mischell’s shoulder. She’d always had a special spot in her heart for the young mermaid. 

Mischell had been banished from Atlantis because she had a desire for shiny pretty things. Unfortunately, some of those things belonged to others. So she was sent here to learn some manners and rules of the ocean. Her training was put in the hands of three other mermaids, who were not thrilled being held responsible for the child. Ella could still remember cries of protest from Mischell when she was taken from the only home she’d ever known, and at such a young age. “How long can you stay?”

“I’ve only been here a short time, so maybe five hours?” She clasped her hands under her chin, her face glowing with expectation. “Can I stay today, please, please? I won’t be any trouble, I promise.”

“Okay, for a couple of hours. Now, what message do you have for me from James?”

 

I hope you enjoyed this scene from The Witch with the Trident Tattoo.

 

Do you like it when the author springs an unexpected character in the book?

 

Five Things that Melt My Heart #scifi #supernatural #fantasy #romance

Hi, I'm Pippa Jay, author of scifi and supernatural stories with a romantic soul. And since we're just past the supposedly most romantic day of the year, I thought I'd share some of my top heartwarming scenes and songs.

My favourite comfort watch film is probably surprising considering my dislike for horror: a zombie romance. Here are two of my favourite scenes from the film.

First up, some zombie heartbreak: the moment he discovers his newfound love has left him...

To be followed by a heartwarming hug at their reunion at about 1:50 (sorry, spoilers)...

My current fave band Starset have a song with lyrics that, to me, capture the essence of scifi romance (or at least the kind I lean toward). This is the acoustic version for some easy listening.

"I don't know what to say, but I'm going to want you 'til the stars evaporate.

We're only here for a moment in the light.

One day it shines for us,

the next we're in the night

So say the word and I'll be running back to find you.

A thousand armies won't stop me, I'll break through

I'll soar the endless skies for only one sight

Of your starlight..."

My favourite scene in Hunger Games, where Katniss finally admits what she's really feeling (at 1:30):

And lastly a song with a scene, As The World Falls Down by David Bowie from Labyrinth...

"In search of new dreams

A love that will last

Within your heart

I'll place the moon

Within your heart

As the pain sweeps through,

Makes no sense for you

Every thrill is gone

Wasn't too much fun at all,

But I'll be there for you

As the world falls down

Falling

Falling down

Falling in love..."

Tell me your most heartbreaking or heartwarming scene or song...

Reading Outside The Square

By Cassandra O'Leary 
A couple of months ago I found myself in a reading rut. I had plenty of ebooks to read on my Kindle app, paperbacks I bought ages ago taking up space on my to be read pile, but nothing appealed to me. This was not cool. I'm a big reader...normally I love it for relaxation and enjoyment. But nothing was tickling my proverbial fancy.

As a contemporary romance and romantic comedy author, I'd found myself buying books in those genres almost automatically. I was reading them with a critical eye, working out whether I liked the balance of humour and more subtle character elements, whether the plot was interesting or how they snuck up on me with twists or surprises. Long story short, I was reading with the analytical mind of a writer and it was hurting my head.

I set myself a vague goal of reading some different books, outside my usual sub-genres. Guess what? I found some gems that not only impressed me from a writerly standpoint, but drew me into the story world unlike some of my other recent reads. I think the difference is the step back from my own work. Sometimes it's good to reinvigorate your love of reading just for the love of it.

Here's a short list of some of those books I've enjoyed most.

1. Psy Changling series by Nalini Singh

I'm currently reading Kiss of Snow, book 10 in this expansive paranormal romance/fantasy/sci fi series. So many people had recommended these books to me, knowing that I'm a Star Trek and science fiction fan from way back when. They were right! I should listen to my clever bookish friends.

I love the complexity of the world building in this series, with its contingent of alpha heroes from werewolf and leopard characters, strong heroines and an undercurrent of impending war. The strangely Silent Psy race who have contained their emotions and live almost entirely online, is an interesting take on our society's current reliance on technology. It's also a super sexy series filled with sexual tension...if you like that sort of thing. Hint: I do!

Psy Changling series info - nalinisingh.com/books/psychangeling-series

2. A Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J Maas

This is an addictive new adult fantasy series with mythological and romantic elements. Powerful fae and demons rule a number of kingdoms, and our heroine (a human who later becomes immortal after she dies and is resurrected) must navigate a complex political landscape of rival courts.

This series sucked me right in, and I did not expect the changes the heroine brought about in her world through her actions in choosing, then leaving, a fairy mate. She's strong and relentless, weilds a sword and isn't afraid of monsters. Or if she is afraid, she goes out there and deals with them anyway. Now I'm about to start reading Maas's other series, Throne of Glass. I can't wait!

A Court of Thorns and Roses series info - sarahjmaas.com/court-of-thorns-and-roses

3. The Merridew Sisters series by Anne Gracie

This series is pure Regency fun, with a light touch of humour that I thoroughly enjoyed. Anne is an Aussie author I've had the pleasure of learning from, as I've attended a couple of her writing seminars. I just knew I would adore her books, from the moment I heard her speak about imbuing characters with depth, humour and heart but not forgetting to show their faults and flaws.



I started with The Perfect Rake, the first book in the series, and it's now a firm favourite. Highly recommended read for all the historical fans, or anyone who likes a well constructed story with a dishy hero.

The Merridew Sisters series info - www.annegracie.com/books/the-merridew-sisters


Anyway, I hope I've inspired others to read outside their usual box and grab a good read that sings in a completely different key.

About Cassandra O'Leary

Cassandra O'Leary is a romance and women's fiction author, communications specialist, avid reader, film and TV fangirl and admirer of pretty, shiny things. In 2015, Cassandra won the We Heart New Talent contest run by Avon Books/HarperCollins UK. Her debut novel, Girl on a Plane, was published in July 2016. Cassandra is a mother of two gorgeous, high-energy mini ninjas and wife to a spunky superhero. Living in Melbourne, Australia, she's also travelled the world. If you want to send her to Italy or Spain on any food or wine tasting 'research' trips, that would be splendiferous.

Read more at cassandraolearyauthor.com

Baby It's Cold Out

I'll be honest, I've never written a story sit in during the winter. While I find it beautiful....

I look at them and think baby, it's cold out. I want doughnuts and something hot...but not anything that involves another person. Why? I think because setting is a major part of my writing. I love to incorporate it. And winter... well winter is cold. I got nothing else. And I doubt the reader wants...they stepped outside into the cold. They walked to the car in the cold. The cold sucking the air from their lungs. You get the idea.

So while I love to photograph it...I'm not sure I'll ever write a story that features winter.

BUT let's talk about a story I did write ;-)  And it's coming out this month!!!!! The 'nice' me wrote it. The 'nice' me does sweet romances and fantasy.

Because it's being released in February... the month of  paczki's, Valentine doughnuts, and Chinese doughnuts, I'm having a give away over at my blog...https://lynceeshillard.wordpress.com

I'm giving away...journal kits...gift cards...and free copies of the story that goes with this amazing cover.

The Hollow King

Thought by most to be a simple child’s chant…

A king of no kingdom
Who walks among the living yet is void of all but breathe
He will be known as the Hollow King and will yield the Spector.
The Warrior Queen with compassion will fuel the Hope
The one who walks on two legs but has the soul of an animal will guide the Spector’s magic.
Together they will use the Spector of Hope to rid the land of evil.

Until creatures most thought to be make-believe start to hunt at night… Freed by Ovezara, a sorceress of what seems to be unlimited power.

Queen Taraly dying father’s command is to visit Grandmother June and learn what must be done to stop them.

King Crenshaw has lost his kingdom to the Ovezara and vows to have revenge.

Sancha returns from a hunting trip to find his father’s body torn to shreds by an evil so dark people refuse to acknowledge it.

The three unite to find the fabled Spector of Hope. As their quest starts to unfold, they realize that the line between good and evil is often blurred. What they believed to good is twisted. Can they locate the Spector of Hope in time to restore good and save all from the evil Ovezara unleashes?

Writing is my Therapy by Paty Jager

Writing is hard. I hear that a lot from people who don't write and people who have published several books.

I don't find writing hard. Writing has always been my outlet for inner struggles, entertainment, and finding my way. Since learning how to read, words have opened doors to me through books I've read and stories I've written. It's true when they say every story or book that has been written has a piece of the writer in it. You can't write and not put your ideas and struggles into the story.

That is why writing is therapy for me. Whether I'm writing a funny character who makes me laugh or a dark subject that many wouldn't touch, it all has a way of healing and making me see things in a new light.

There were some years, when I was first married, we had a baby, and my husband would be gone for days at a time truck driving that I thought I'd go crazy. I read a lot, but I also fantasized all kinds of horrible things that had happened to him if he didn't call when he said he'd call. I did the same thing when my parents would call and say they were coming to visit. If they were late, I had them crashing the car or being hit by a train. All unfounded worries.

But the day I picked up a notebook and started writing fictional stories, those thoughts and fantasies ceased.

Writing my fictional stories gives my over active imagination an outlet and I can live a less stress filled life. My imagination, even when I am not physically able to write due to company, traveling, or illness, still conjures up characters and story ideas. I make enough time to jot down those thoughts to have when I am looking for another story or character.  

Writing the story, as I said earlier, comes easy for me. It's the revisions, editing, publishing, and marketing that cause me grief.

But I'll put up with all of those to be able to write and let the demons that used to haunt me go free.

Paty Jager is an award-winning author of 32 novels, 6 novellas, and numerous anthologies of murder mystery, western romance, and action adventure. All her work has Western or Native American elements in them along with hints of humor and engaging characters. This is what Mysteries Etc says about her Shandra Higheagle mystery series: “Mystery, romance, small town, and Native American heritage combine to make a compelling read.”



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