Today is the day they say beware of
Because poor Caesar
lost his life this day
It may have been for him,
a day to beware
But today, is truly a day
for counting blessings
Tomorrow is the day for wariness
DEFENDING THE PEN It’s all about murder . . . romance – writing it! I post flash fiction, book announcements, interviews, and the things I love. Careful . . . you may end up the victim . . . of fun!
Wednesday, March 15, 2017
Friday, March 10, 2017
HE GAVE ME BARN CATS
Author Maria Santomasso-Hyde
is visiting today as part of her
HE GAVE ME BARN CATS
Her book is scheduled to be
Introduction
Charlotte,
6-1-09
Apparently, my name is
Charlotte now. The woman keeps saying it in my direction―and I like it. The way
she says it makes it sound like I’m something special, “Charrrr-lit.” It’s like
she’s trying to purr; maybe I can teach her how.
I’m B.C.―Barn Cat. The
woman’s friend told her to name me “Charlotte” because I was living in the barn
and that’s the setting of the book Charlotte’s Web. The women laughed and
thought they were so clever. Whatever. All I know is I like the way the woman
says my name, so I tend to perk up and listen when she says it. Also, it sounds
classy. Perhaps Queen Charlotte would be better, since I am regal, especially
for a B.C. I have large, golden eyes and a silky
all-black coat that looks like something humans would pay a lot of money to
wear. I’m sensually slim,
and humans find me quite
attractive and want to touch me all the time.
Since I’m the voice of
this book (for now), I need to take a minute to warn you. If you got this book
because you saw the title and thought this would be about cute, little kitties, then
you’re only partly right. As a cat, I know deep, mysterious things. If a person
wants to spend time with me, then he or she will learn to be quiet and still,
to listen, to be calm. Then the human will think more deeply, and they, too, will know the mysterious
things. That’s why we cats were worshipped in the ancient days (the good old
days).
*****
If you’re looking for a story that will touch your heart, you’ve found it in this tender story of love, loss, and inspiration. You could win your own copy, just check out the giveaway details.
◊ He Gave Me BARN CATS
◊ by Maria Santomass0-Hyde
◊ by Maria Santomass0-Hyde
◊ Published by Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C.
◊ Available March 14, 2017
◊ $10.95, 6x9 Trade paperback, 134 pages
◊ Genres: Christian Fiction / Christian Life-Death, Grief, Bereavement
◊ Print ISBN 978-1-939844-21-7 eBook ISBN 978-1-939844-22-4
◊ Order through Ingram, Follett Library Resources, or from the publisher
◊ $3.99 eBook available in all formats
Inspired by true events...
Maria has cared for her very ill mother for many years. Her burdens are heavy, causing a sadness bordering on darkness. When she discovers her historic barn is now home to a mother cat and kittens, she feels lighter than she has in years. As the kittens grow, they teach her as only animals can do.
Then tragedy strikes. As Maria loses her family, the darkness envelopes her like the heavy fog that blankets her Blue Ridge Mountain home each morning. She creates a scorecard: God: 9, Maria: 0. Her questions turn into anger at God. She searches to find answers as to why her loving God would take away so much in such a short time.
How will she learn to trust again? Can the kittens in her barn help her heal?
HE GAVE ME BARN CATS is available for pre-order in print format at following sites: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books A Million, Everything Cats, Foyles, and Chapters-Indigo.
HE GAVE ME BARN CATS is available for order in eBook format at the following sites: Barnes and Noble, Kobo, iTunes, and Amazon.
Formerly a newspaper reporter, Maria Santomasso-Hyde now owns Alta Vista Fine Art Gallery.She lives in Valle Crucis, North Carolina, with her husband, Lee, and The Queen of the Universe (Roma, their Black Cat) … and other Black Cats who decide to move in.
Come join the blog tour and learn more about Maria and HE GAVE ME BARN CATS by visiting the following blog:
March 15 - Open
Giveaway Details:
This is a tour-wide giveaway for two (2) print copies (U.S only) and two (2) eBooks (international). To enter just click on the Rafflecopter widget below and follow the instructions.
Monday, March 6, 2017
NATURE'S ARTISTRY
Yolanda Renee © 2017
From
a palate like no other
the Artist creates
beauty without description.
*****
Introducing:
the cover of the Snowman
is organizing the Blog Tour for
or leave a comment with your email address.
I'd love to send you a review copy or do a guest post or interview!
Thank you, in advance!
Excerpt:
Her face
froze in a silent scream. The glass dropped from
her hand, and red wine stained the virgin snow. Shattered into small
chunks, the angel statues dripped blood.
Several spotlights glowed red.
Three grotesquely staged female torsos were draped across the frozen creek. Their heads hung from the ornate bridge, tied in place by their hair. A red stream trailed from each body. Their grisly end caught in deaths final scream.
Gigi reeled backward. He eyes widened as she read the crude message: Welcome Home, My Love.
Several spotlights glowed red.
Three grotesquely staged female torsos were draped across the frozen creek. Their heads hung from the ornate bridge, tied in place by their hair. A red stream trailed from each body. Their grisly end caught in deaths final scream.
Gigi reeled backward. He eyes widened as she read the crude message: Welcome Home, My Love.
*****
Thursday, March 2, 2017
EARLY MORNING FIREWORKS
I was privileged to watch a storm,
miles from shore.
So lovely!
Lightening flashes above the clouds,
and in the clouds,
they lit up the morning sky.
Yet,
so far away
I couldn't hear the cracks of thunder.
My own private fireworks show.
Such a beautiful sunrise.
I am blessed!
~~*****~~
In case you missed the IWSG post I've added the sign up information for the Blog Tour for the Snowman!
Please consider helping a girl out! :)
Introducing:
the cover of the Snowman
is organizing the Blog Tour for
or leave a comment with your email address.
I'd love to send you a review copy or do a guest post or interview!
Thank you, in advance!
Excerpt:
Maggy struggled against the restraints. “Please don’t do this.” her voice wavered in her throat.
Stone tilted the autopsy table and locked it in place. The old relic, now refurbished, worked like new.
Stone’s heart raced. “Oh, but I do.” he said silkily. “I need your blood to create the new colors for my latest masterpiece."
"I'll give you my blood. As much as you like.”
"I know, sweetheart. I know." Stone smoothed the sweat soaked hair back from her face. "Sweet little Maggy. So lovely of you to offer."
*****
Wednesday, March 1, 2017
IWSG - OLD STORIES / NEW PROJECTS
First, I have to say thank you, to everyone who’s supported me these last few months while I work to achieve a goal – the completion of my novelette the Snowman.
My appreciation is 10-fold, truly, as I’ve been horribly absent from the social side of blogging due to this deadline, but your support has meant the world.
I’d initially thought I’d be announcing the completion of Motive for Murder, and while I gave it everything I had, I couldn’t seem to get it to gel. Not yet – maybe later – maybe never.
But, the Snowman has gelled. Stowy Jenkins, aka Stone (his artistic pseudonym) aka the Snowman, demanded my attention, and I gave it to him.
Therefore, he granted me two books. Well, a novelette, sans the Snowman, and the next novel in the Detective Quaid series, Murder, Just Because.
I don’t think of my time writing Motive for Murder a complete loss, it's just NOT this books time.
Which leads me to this month’s IWSG Question, very apropos by the way!
Because when you consider the time and effort that I’ve put into Motive for Murder, it does sting a bit that I can’t make it happen as a novel right now. Still, I don’t count it out .. not yet!
IWSG Question: Have you ever pulled out a really old story and reworked it? Did it work out?
Many times, I have a storehouse of short story ideas that I go back to, especially when I need something in a pinch, or if a prompt reminds me of something I’ve already penned.
Many a time, I’ve sat down and written something inspired by something seen or done that day. You never know when an idea will grow into a full-fledged book.
So, there’s hope for Motive for Murder, right?
What about you?
Have you ever shelved an entire novel?
Have you ever shelved an entire novel?
Be sure to stop by and thank the co-Hosts:
Tamara Narayan
Patsy Collins
M.J. Fifield
Nicohle Christopherson
Tamara Narayan
Patsy Collins
M.J. Fifield
Nicohle Christopherson
Introducing:
the cover of the Snowman
is organizing the Blog Tour for
or leave a comment with your email address.
I'd love to send you a review copy or do a guest post or interview!
Thank you, in advance!
Excerpt:
Maggy struggled against the restraints. “Please don’t do this.” her voice wavered in her throat.
Stone tilted the autopsy table and locked it in place. The old relic, now refurbished, worked like new.
Stone’s heart raced. “Oh, but I do.” he said silkily. “I need your blood to create the new colors for my latest masterpiece."
"I'll give you my blood. As much as you like.”
"I know, sweetheart. I know." Stone smoothed the sweat soaked hair back from her face. "Sweet little Maggy. So lovely of you to offer."
*****
Monday, February 27, 2017
MONDAY
Yolanda Renée © 2017
“When you
start to do the things that you truly love, it wouldn't matter whether it is
Monday or Friday; you would be so excited to wake up each morning to work on
your passions.”
― Edmond
Mbiaka
Thursday, February 23, 2017
TOPSY-TURVY
Yolanda Renée © 2017
Sometimes, no matter what you do,
you can’t keep the world
from going topsy-turvy!
**
LEAD, KINDLY LIGHT
Lead, kindly Light, amid the encircling gloom,
Lead thou me on!
The night is dark, and I am far from home,--
Lead thou me on!
Keep thou my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene,--one step enough for me.
I was not ever thus, nor prayed that thou
Shouldst lead me on:
I loved to choose and see my path, but now
Lead thou me on!
I loved the garish days, and, spite of fears,
Pride ruled my will: remember not past years.
So long thy power hath blessed me, sure it still
Will lead me on;
O'er moor and fen, o'er crag and torrent, till
The night is gone;
And with the morn those angel faces smile
Which I have loved long since, and lost awhile.
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