Share the love this Valentine's Day with A Cup of Love

Buy on Kindle for $2.99 

 

 

I've been missing but I've been busy!

There's a new anthology on Kindle - A Cup of Love: Stories From the Heart. 30 authors writing on love and life in this charming anthology in time for Valentine's Day. It is my latest project and I am darn proud of it. Thirty author friends (some personal friends and some those Facebook kind you love) contributed their work for charity. All proceeds from this book go to First Book, a non-profit that helps bring new books and educational opportunities to children in need. They are a wonderful organization and we are thrilled to do a little to raise money to contribute to them.

We did this before. November 2014 with A Cup of Christmas. 31 authors for First Book then, too.

It is amazing and heartwarming to share this adventure with so many wonderful writers. Some of the stories are by award winning authors and some by those published for the first time. It is a coming together of folks sharing love to give back.

As in real life, these stories run the gamut from first kiss, first love to last love. And like love in real life - some of the stories are bright with happiness and a few sad with loss. Memoirs, fiction, and a few tasty recipes for a smashing dessert, the common bond with each - LOVE!

And my story? Of course, it has a dog in it.

I hope you find this sweet book and buy it, send it to a friend, or, if you are so inclined, you can make a donation straight to First Book by clicking here.

My projects are lining up. I will be back soon!

 

Critique From Writer's Digest Judge

The Unfaithful Widow was entered in the Writer's Digest 20th Annual Self-Published Book Awards this year. My book did not place, but it was critiqued by a Judge. Below are the judge's comments. Since this was my first attempt at writing, I am thrilled with my critique. Working hard on my next book of memoirs, so stay tuned!

I haven't posted on this site in some time, but if you look under my blog title photo, a new page has been added: view my other blogs. While I haven't been writing here - I have been writing all over the place! Cheaper than therapy and fun. I am my own best audience. Chances are if I have to talk, and no one answers their phone when I call, I sit down and clear my head by writing!

And now:

Judge's Comments:

Books were evaluated on a scale of 1 to 5. This scale is strictly to provide a point of reference, it is not a cumulative score and does not reflect ranking.

Structure and Organization: 5
Grammar: 5

Production Quality and Cover Design: 5

(Woo Hoo on my high fives!)

What did you like best about this book?
Unfailingly candid, and often heartfelt as well as humorous, the author recounts her diverse experiences and mixed feelings during her first year as a widow after many years of being with the same man. The various essays show an engaging personality who copes, with varying degrees of success, in the difficult process of reshaping her life. The book is divided on a seasonal basis. Friendships, new and old relationships, and the factor of habit and memory, all play a meaningful role. The rigors of dating are vividly described, often bringing a chuckle or two, especially with computer-borne images of prospective dates. The adventures and misadventures of a spunky sixty-year old widow display a rich assortment of encounters, acceptances and rejections, that compose a busy life. You're able to enter and share the writer's world which is a test of a good book. Her other interests, as an antique dealer and raising several dogs, also show other aspects of her persona. Her life could easily be an inspiration to other women who have lost a spouse after many years.

And because I love some good advice, I will share the information below. I am taking it all to heart when I design my new book. Thank you Judge No. 55 for your kind words.

How can the author improve this book?
The book could use a greater graphic dimension than just a few shots of the author's dogs and chapter opening photos. Shots might include a bigger one of her than on the rear cover, one of or with her husband, some with friends, and some with her dogs. Shots of the individual dogs identified in the text would certainly be a good idea. A shot of her antique store would also be useful, all contributing to key activities in her life story. There might be some illustrations, humorous and otherwise, and cartoons in the public domain which relate to widowhood, etc. These might be of the dating scene including restaurants, etc. A print-out of some dating material from computers might work well. While the chapters or essays are relatively short, some could use subheads which can pinpoint specific happenings and also enable readers to better absorb and appreciate what follows. The dating blues poem is a solid addition. More poems on the widowhood situation would be apropos. Taking stock of the present at the end was fine, and expectations about what the future might bring would also serve to round the out the book.

The Unfaithful Widow, available on Amazon and Kindle. You can peek inside on Amazon!

Check out my latest interview with Morgen Bailey in England on

Morgen Bailey's Writing Blog.

The Sleep Better And Win! Sweepstakes. A Win-Win For All!

I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead! You’ve heard that from me before. I love that phrase! It makes me feel fearless. I stay up so late at night, it is sometimes morning by the time I crawl into bed. Not that bright sunshiny morning, but that early morning when the rest of the world is still sleeping (except for those on the night shift) and I am just pulling the quilt over my head.

I don’t sleep alone. I sleep with five dogs. Four sleep on the bed, the fifth, my only male, stays in the doorway protecting us from whatever demons he still sees. Of all my rescue dogs, Bray is the one who still looks up in fear if there is a loud noise or a quick movement. He is a mixed breed Afghan. His fur is long and black and he looks disheveled most of the time. The fur spikes at the top of his ears, make him appear like the Rod Stewart of dog world.

I can watch my dogs most nights as they sleep and stretch, because so much light comes through the mini-blinds on my windows. Moonlight, streetlights, and sometimes the outside night light flashes on when a critter runs by the motion detector. Too much light coming into the room at night, does not allow for total rest. I am learning more about how sleep affects my health, and I need to get better sleep habits.

The way you feel during the day, hinges on how you sleep at night. One of the key components to a better night’s sleep is darkness. My bedroom is well lit from the outside most every night. Turning off my bedside lamp darkens my room for a minute, then my eyes adjust, and the light shining in allows me to see the outline of everything in the room. There is no rest for me! No wonder I am tired most days. I can accomplish much with little sleep, but the quality of my sleep is poor.

Thanks to my friends at The Balancing Act, Lifetime TV’s morning show for women, I have found a solution and a great contest to enter.

Let me tell you about it.

The Official Curtain of the National Sleep Foundation, SoundAsleep ™ Room Darkening Curtains, will be appearing on The Balancing Act on October 24th and November 21st. (7 AM Weekdays). These curtains marry fashion, function, and design to create the perfect sleep environment for everyone. Their room darkening technology reduces penetrating light, which allows for a key factor for a good night’s sleep…darkness. They are available in 10 colors and 4 lengths, with 2 valance style options. Prices range from $19.99 to $34.99 depending on the curtains length. They are made out of washable textured chenille fabric and easy to purchase on Amazon.

The Sleep Better and Win! Sweepstakes will award a $500 Amazon Gift Card on November 23rd and the grand winner, to be announced on December 9th, will get a $1500 Amazon Gift Card.

The contest has already begun, but you can enter now! Just go the Sound Asleep Curtains Facebook Page and Like them. You will receive one entry for the sweepstakes, and may receive additional entries for sharing their page with your friends. Complete details on Facebook.

Just think, you could win an Amazon gift card, buy your curtains, and still have a big holiday spending spree.

A good night’s sleep is essential for a healthy day. It can be as simple as buying a lovely pair of room darkening curtains. Now that is a winning situation.

Follow on Twitter too!

We'd like some sleep too. Get those curtains!

Book Signing At The Little Shop Of Arts And Antiques

I am really excited! My shop will have its first book signing on Saturday, Feb. 5th. Not just any book, but a Steampunk novel. For those who aren't sure what Steampunk is, check out the author's web coalcitysteam! You will get excited too. This is going to be the most fun afternoon!

Emilie P. Bush was a former host of Georgia Public Television's Georgia Gazette. This is her debut novel, "Chenda and The Airship Brofman". She was a 2010 Amazon Breathrough award finalist.

We are going to have fun, fun, fun!

I am posting here my invite to the event and then the You Tube video of her book trailer.

Have fun. Wish you were here to join me! If you are in town, you don't want to miss meeting Emilie P. Bush!

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The Unfaithful Widow Now Available At Amazon

My book is now available at Amazon. Wanted to share the link with those of you who have been asking about buying the book. Follow this link and you will have all the information. http://amzn.com/1432750755 

You can take a peek inside at Amazon and scroll down for an overview of the book. If you read my book let me know and please be sure to leave comments on Amazon.
My box of books came yesterday and I am still holding one close. Paperback with a cover so slick and smooth you'll want to hold it to your cheek it feels that good. Thanks to Jill Applegate for a super cover and to my sis, Pam King, for her altered art photo illustrations.
You've met some of the main characters here already, my dogs. Nothing mends a broken heart quicker than the love of a rescue dog, or two, or three, or in my case the list of dogs goes on.
My book is a collection of candid essays on finding joy again after the loss of a mate. I hope you will feel like I do when you read it, that you've spent time with a dear friend and shared stories as only the best of girlfriends can.
And don't forget to enter the rescue dog story giveaway posted below.