I stopped by and took a good look around. Spied the cobwebs and the dust bunnies and realized it was high past time to get back to my blog. Have no idea if I’ve got any readers or followers left, but I’m going to give it a go anyway!
I have not been active on this blog in a long time. I took over the care of an aging aunt and I found I had less time and less energy, and, well, more to do. So this seemed an easy thing to give up. Seems I was right, but now I am going to try to revive it. So, I swept away the cobwebs and the dust bunnies, removed the coverings from the virtual furniture, restocked the fridge, and opened the windows to let the spring sunshine in and a little breeze.
The place looks cozy and warm and bright again. Please take up a seat and have a read and leave me your thoughts! If you’re still out there, that is!!
I have also made the decision to get back to my writing. If you’re still around–or if you’re new and have taken a look around–you’ll see I used to be a busy writer. Haven’t written a thing since 2011 due to love obligations. Well, other than my guest appearances on Over the Backyard Fence, a blog I contribute to once a month.
I blew off the dust on a manuscript I wrote in 2011. Solicited a couple friends to read the first chapter, and then used their honest opinions to go through the entire manuscript several times. I’m working on it currently, and I’m not all that certain I will ever do anything with it other than using it to regain my writing chops, hone my skills, and begin anew with new work.
You know how people crave chocolate or sugar or caffeine? I crave book releases and signings and guest appearances and speaking engagements! Haven’t done a speaking engagement in a l-o-n-g time!
I hope to regularly add blog articles regarding my progress on a new manuscript, plus any other topic that snags my interest. Hope to see some comments from anyone still “listening”.
Until next time, may the spring sunshine not just warm your face, but also your heart.
Hey everyone! I’m guest blogging over at “Over the Backyard Fence” today. Join me. It’s my first post and I hope it’s well received. Let me know what you think! The link is to the left. See ya there!
I’ve been sent an advance review copy of a new book by acclaimed journalist and fellow writer, Patricia Lieb. When I received the book I thought, “I’ll just take a peek and read it tomorrow.” Well, I couldn’t put it down!
The Adventures of A Squirrel Named Peanut is a photo book about the cutest little squirrel whose name is Peanut. The photographs–taken by the author herself–are excellent and add so much detail to this book that the prose comes to life because of them.
Peanut is a chubby, baby squirrel whose bravery allows him to befriend the author, who happens to provide at least one square meal a day for Peanut.
Peanut narrates this charming story, which is broken into eleven little adventures. Peanut is a delight…from his scratching at the screen for food to eating out of the author’s hand to eating a potted avocado plant…he’s as irresistible to the reader as he is to his benefactor!
Children will love the photographs of this chubby little squirrel. Adults will like the little lessons woven into some of the adventures such as learning that being rude is not a nice trait to have.
All in all, I enjoyed this little squirrel’s narrative.
Patricia Lieb is an accomplished journalist and a talented writer. I’ve enjoyed her work and I wish her the very best success with The Adventures of A Squirrel Named Peanut.
When the book is released, I’ll post purchasing information. To learn more about Patricia, visit her website at: http://writerswriteon.com/
It’s been way too long since I last posted to my blog. Way too long! Well, I’m back and I’m going to try to post at least once a week. We’ll see how that goes! I’m not supposed to be typing, but that’s a long story. So I’ll keep this short and sweet and hope you all find your way back here just like I did!
This review for That Taste of Orangeappeared on December 17, 2009 on Dark Diva Reviews. I’ve been waiting for a review by this site ever since my first release, Her Last, came out in July ’09. Her Last–not being a romance–did not qualify for a review from this popular review site. 😦 But I got my wish when my Christmas-themed romance was released. 🙂
So…here it is!
Kathy’s Review: This Christmas tale goes a long way to dispelling the myth that Christmas is always a time of joyful celebration. What happens when a couple, married a number of years, has let other concerns take over their lives?
This is the basis behind Sabrina and Chas’s story. Valerie J. Patterson has, in That Taste of Orange, given us a timely reminder that we need to consciously appreciate what we have and the people in our lives. And that a marriage, regardless of the love between the couple, needs a lot of TLC, especially when stress levels are high. This is a lesson that both Bri and Chas have to learn and we are treated to a wonderful story about the magic of love, family and Christmas.
I am always amazed at what I’ll find on the ‘Net if I look long enough! I was scouring the ‘Net looking for reviews of That Taste of Orange to continue posting them here when I found a link for ny.insiderfood.com with my title beside it. Curious as to why a New York City food website would be interested in my book, I clicked the link. To my surprise and delight there beside a list of foods that are orange, have orange in them, or are flavored orange was the cover to my book along with a buy link! How cool is that?
What I liked: What more could you want with a Christmas story! Ms. Patterson, gets it right with her exceptional story. A story of love. Something we all need during the holidays.
It’s short and sweet and to the point…and I love it! 😀
Howdy! Happy 2010 to everyone! It’s a new year already, and it’s time I get back to thinking about writing. The holiday season always takes me away from my writing schedule. This year it had a lot of help with some crises. First, I nearly lost my sister (there’s a post here all about her battle). She’s regaining her health, but it is taking a long time, which is what she was told to expect. Second, I have a very dear aunt–my dad’s sister–and she had her own health emergency. She went in for a routine biopsy and when they took her into the operating room, her heart went bonkers! Her heart beat decided to accelerate to 180 beats per minute and wouldn’t slow down. Immediately, they took her down to the cardiac intensive care unit where they literally flatlined her, waited a few seconds, and restarted her heart. She spent two more days in the hospital and was sent home. We’re a) very glad she’s still with us and b) hoping the problem can be stabilized with meds instead of a pacemaker. Lastly, I had my own bout of illness. A teenie tiny minor bout–just to put it in perspective with everything else. I got an infection in my jaw. Who knew that could happen? Not me. The entire left side of my face was in pain and I couldn’t eat–not that that’s necessarily a bad thing!–but the sensitivity was not good at all. Once they cleared up the infection, I went in for the dreaded root canal! Oh well, I can eat and talk and drink and touch the left side of my face again so all is definitely well!
So there you have it…the holiday season of 2009 was packed with more than just celebrations. And all of it lent itself to tossing out my writing schedule completely.
I don’t make new year resolutions. Why make a promise to yourself you know you can’t/won’t keep? Isn’t that setting yourself up for additional disappointment–this time doled out by yourself to yourself? No thank you!
I have a writing friend–Jay–who’s put it all in plain words for me. In a recent email he said–and I quote–“We both know that after the new year you need to get back to it!” He’s right, of course. I do need to get back to it.
I have a lot to be thankful for from 2009:
I had 4 releases…two novels and 2 shorts, all of which were released in e-format as well as paperback.
I still have a sister and an aunt.
I have my health.
I have my husband.
I have my family.
I received rave professional reviews on all of my releases.
I received 1 less than stellar, but still positive review on one of my releases.
I took a couple fabulous trips this year, which aided in building wonderful memories.
See? I have a lot to be thankful for…and I could have listed many more, but I figured mostly you all would be interested in the writing blessings, with a few personal blessings thrown in. With regards to bullet no. 2, I have my very own personal miracles for which I will be eternally grateful.
Okay, so I hope everyone had a fantastic holiday season. May your Christmas have been blessed with love and great joy. May 2010 be the best of the best and loaded with blessings of all kinds.
I’m a little late in getting the reviews added here, but stick with me. I’m getting them up now this week. That said, here’s the second official review for my November Eternal Press release: That Taste of Orange.
Night Owl Reviews‘ Silvermage made That Taste of Orange a Reviewer Top Pick! It scored 4.5 stars out of 5! The review appeared on November 23, 2009.
Sabrina and Chas Montgomery are pastry chefs and have been married for four years. A while back they opened up Sabrina’s Sweet Sensations, a specialty dessert shop. They both enjoy chocolate and orange together and even have a chocolate orange cake. But not everything is sweet at the shop. They have lately been fighting. Christmastime is not turning out to be as inspiring as it should be.
They are working on their marriage, but are just so tired from all the long hours. After a good family get together and being passionate again will these two turn things around? Will Chas’s angel be the perfect gift?
I enjoyed That Taste of Orange and the characters. The relationship between Chas and Sabrina was touching and their romantic gestures inspiring. It was an enjoyable, feel good story. The family and Christmas aspects were just the icing on the cake. And the food references had me salivating and craving desert.
Yeah, it’s been a while since I was last here with anything personal. Thanksgiving and Christmas have kept me fairly busy, but mostly I was away on family emergencies.
My older sister, Shelley, nearly died from the H1N1. She spent some time in ICU on a ventilator struggling for her life. That was 2 weeks ago. She’s home, but still dealing with health issues, which I pray end very soon so that she is well for Christmas. She’s got a new grandson, and I want her to be healthy so she can experience this first Christmas with him.
Having her survive is a miracle, and I am eternally thankful for answered prayers and a healing touch from God.
Yesterday, my younger sister and her girls–and their friends–came for a visit. We spent the day doing the Christmas baking. Several hundred cookies later, we collapsed exhausted all around the living room to watch a holiday movie. I love having family at my home. It’s just such a blessing to be surrounded by people you love, knowing they love you back!
I’ve been scouring the ‘net for items I’ve missed regarding my work…reviews and such…which I’ll be posting throughout the week.
Another year has come and practically gone. 2010 will be here before we know it. I’m hopeful for fresh beginnings on some works I have in progress. I’m trying to get book one in a new series revised and completed and submitted to a publisher. I have a couple short fiction pieces I want to submit to Eternal Press, too. I keep saying I’m waiting for things to slow down, but I can’t wait on that…need to embrace the new year with gusto!
The Write Time & Place is pleased to welcome back Stacey Coverstone to Cover Corner. Stacey is launching a new book today, so pull up a chair and get cozy while you read about Outlaw Trail released by Champagne Books! When you’ve reached the bottom, please leave Stacey a comment and let her know you liked what you read! Thanks~~Valerie.
Blurb:
At nineteen, Josie Hart has lived a hard life on her New Mexican farm. A cryptic letter gives her a chance to change all that and guides her on a perilous journey toward freedom. But, there are others who want what she’s after, and will stop at nothing to get it.
Grey Paladin seeks justice after having had his fortune stolen out from under him. He’ll do whatever it takes to retrieve what’s rightfully his and reunite with the only family he has left. That is, until a feisty girl stands in his way.
When Josie and Grey form an uncertain partnership, they must battle outlaws, nature, and each other while riding two hundred miles of dangerous trail to reach their destination. What they discover at the end is something that’s been sorely lacking in both their lives–leading them each to rethink what the future holds.
Excerpt:
Josie let her weary eyes skim over the parchment once more. The trail will be long, her pa had said. Will I have the courage and strength to follow it? Will I be able to fulfill his last wish and make my own dreams come true?
For the first time in her life, she felt hopeful about the future as she clutched the map tightly in her fist. Though excited, she was dog-tired, both mentally and physically. Her eyes started to drift shut.
She had barely nodded off when the sound of snapping branches roused her. Her head jerked and her eyes flew open. Her spine went rigid when a low voice addressed her. “I’ll take that map now.”
She fished around in her pants pocket for the Derringer. Her hand touched the cold metal, and she squeezed her finger around the trigger of the gun and stumbled to her feet.
“Stay right where you are, and take your hand out of your pockets,” the voice ordered. “You won’t get hurt if you do as you’re told. Do it!”
She squinted at the tall figure standing in the shadows at the mouth of the cave and heard the click of a revolver. Ragged breaths escaped her throat. “Are you going to kill me?” she asked in a throaty whisper, as she showed him one empty hand.
“That depends on how much trouble you decide to cause. Just hand over that map and I’ll be on my way.”
Inhaling deeply, her eyes roamed over the parchment still clutched in her fist. The trail will be long. Don’t give up. Her pa’s words rang in her ears. Nothing was going to stop her from going after whatever lay at the end of that trail. Her pa had died so she could have a better life. No one was going to take that from her.
“If you want it, you’ll have to pry it from my cold dead fingers,” she replied with bravado.
The man said nothing.
“Show yourself,” she challenged. Josie’s fingers twitched as she let her hand creep back into her pocket. She gripped the pearl handle of her Derringer again. “How do you know about this map? Who are you?”
The man took one step forward, but she still couldn’t see his face. When he spoke again, she sensed he was someone of little patience.
“I don’t have to explain anything to a girl,” he snapped. “Walk around that fire and lay the paper on this rock over here.” His gloved hand pointed to a stone ledge, which jutted out from the cave wall.
“I’m not a girl,” she snapped back. “I’m nineteen and this map belongs to me. I’m not about to give it to some coward who won’t even show his face.”
Apparently striking a nerve, the man swiftly strode forward out of the darkness, with his gun raised and leveled at her. The fire danced upon his features. She gasped. It was the stranger who rode the white stallion—the one all in black who’d been watching her in Dry Gulch. Her heart lurched. He tilted his dusty hat up with a finger to show her eyes the color of dark molasses. She could feel the heat radiating from those fiery pupils as they bore into her.
“Is that better?” he asked.
“It’s you!” she exclaimed. “Why are you following me?”
“I think I already explained. I’ve come for the map. Now, hand it over.”
Quick as a snake striking, she jammed the map in her back pocket and thrust the double-barreled Derringer into his rib. Just as speedy, he shoved his revolver against her temple.
“You’re fast, but not fast enough,” he drawled. “Put down the gun.”
“You put yours down first,” she countered.
Neither one moved. Josie’s chest rose and fell in erratic rhythm. The pistol felt cold as it pushed against her skin.
“Are we going to have a Mexican standoff?” he wondered aloud.
She felt his warm breath on her face. He stood so close, his musky smell, mixed with sweat and the faint scent of lavender made her woozy. “I know how to use this gun,” she managed. “I’ll shoot you. Don’t think I won’t.” She cocked the Derringer to show him she meant what she promised.
The tall, dark stranger looked down into her eyes. A muscle ticked along his jaw. After several long moments, she felt the release of pressure from her temple.
“Toss the gun down on the ground,” she commanded, as she kept her gun pointed at his ribcage.
“I’ll toss mine when you toss yours.”
Josie searched his face. “Are you crazy, or just stupid? You stalk me, want to rob me of my personal possession, and you think I’m just going to throw down my gun? Why should I trust you?”
“Because I’ve never killed a woman before,” he said without skipping a beat. “And I don’t intend to start now.”
His response surprised her. After considering his words carefully, she removed the gun from his rib. “On the count of three, we’ll both throw our guns onto the ground. Do I have your word as a gentleman?” she asked.
The man in black threw his head back and laughed. “Whatever gave you the idea I’m a gentleman?”
She rammed the Derringer into his gut again and narrowed her eyes. The gun pressed into taut, rigid muscle. She realized he could probably break her in half with one hand tied behind his back, but she was not going to be intimidated. She had too much to lose to let him scare her out of what was rightfully hers.
“I’ll kill you right now, mister. And it won’t bother me none. Believe me. I’ll take my map and high-tail it outta here, leaving you dead as a stone.”
The man grinned, baring a perfect row of sparkling teeth. “You’re a tough little half-breed, aren’t you?”
“Half-breed!” she shrieked, lunging at him. She pounded on his chest with her fists and clawed at his shirt. He grabbed her wrists and both the pistol and Derringer flew out of their hands and clattered to the hard ground.
The Book Trailer:
All About Stacey:
Stacey Coverstone lives in Maryland with her husband, horses, German Shepherds and a bunch of barn cats. She has a Master’s degree in Human Resources Development and works at a private liberal arts college. She’s been writing all her life and is the published author of five romances, with two more novels coming in 2010. Having fallen in love with cowboys at an early age, her favorite genre to write is the western romance, both contemporary and historical. She’s currently working on a ghost story set in the Black Hills of South Dakota. When she’s not writing, Stacey enjoys horseback riding, photography, scrapbooking, and traveling—especially the American West where most of her stories take place.
To buy this or any of Stacey’s other wonderful books be sure to visit Stacey’s website.
Kathy’s Review: This Christmas tale goes a long way to dispelling the myth that Christmas is always a time of joyful celebration. What happens when a couple, married a number of years, has let other concerns take over their lives?
Rating: 4 stars
The Write Time & Place! 