Merry Christmas!

I'm almost late, but I can't let the holidays slip by without wishing you all a very merry Christmas! Hope your day was lovely and touched by all those things which make this day as special as it is.

Celebrate The Small Things

Another week has gone by, but I'm not chalking it off yet. First, it's time to look back and see what wonderful things went on this last week. It's time to. . .

CELEBRATE THE SMALL THINGS!!!

This is a weekly blog hop sponsored by the amazing Lexa Cain, and co-hosted by L.G. Keltner from Writing Off the Edge and myself. Every week, wonderful things happen, tiny things, which make us smile. But as time grabs us up, we forget all about those moments. This is the chance for us to reflect back on those and remember that there are tons of things worth celebrating.

 If you'd like to join in and add a little more joy to your week, then go ahead and sign-up on the linky below!


This week, I'm celebrating. . .

1) Christmas Vacation! This is the last day of school for the kids. . .well, if you could call today school. They were already watching Christmas movies yesterday. So I doubt they'll have much learning to do today either. But then it's home for the holidays!

2) My tractor has a cute trailer! I wanted to show you a picture, but I can't find my hub's camera....so, I'll have to post this next week. But I found a little trailer to pull behind my tractor, and it makes hauling hay to the cows and firewood to the house SO much easier. Believe it or not, I was doing it with a wheel barrow before (up and down a hill). It burnt those calories, I guess, but pushing that thing around got old fast.

3) Scented Wax! I've been burning this more the last couple days and am enjoying the lovely odors.

4) Love notes from my daughter! My little eight-year-old has been writing mini-letters every night and placing them on the bed--always with hearts and how much she loves me. *sigh* If only these wonderful thoughts would hold all the way through those up-coming teenage years.


And since I didn't get a picture of our Christmas tree yet, here's one.

It's nothing special, a collection of whatever ornaments have survived the last twenty years...a mish-mash. But it's ten feet tall (now, that we have elevated ceilings I insisted on one that goes to the tippy top). So my husband tried for a panorama shot, which explains why the picture is so long.

And what about you? What wonderful things are you celebrating this week? Sit on Santa's lap? Eat a candy cane? Build up your secret spy cameras to get a shot of that sneaky sleigh when Christmas comes??? (Hmmm...now, I'm wondering why my kids haven't thought of this yet.)


What put a smile on your face this last week?

Celebrate the Small Things

It's Friday again!!! Yep, it really, really is.
And that means it's time for another edition of. . .

CELEBRATE THE SMALL THINGS!

This is a weekly blog hop sponsored by the amazing Lexa Cain, and co-hosted by L.G. Keltner from Writing Off the Edge and myself. Every week, wonderful things happen, tiny things, which make us smile. But as time grabs us up, we forget all about those moments. This is the chance for us to reflect back on those and remember that there are tons of things worth celebrating.

 If you'd like to join in and add a little more joy to your week, then go ahead and sign-up on the linky below!


This week, I'm celebrating (and quickly this week. . .sorry if it feels hasty)

1)  Cookies! I don't think that one needs any explanation.

2) Christmas Trees! Ours is finally up.

3) Fog.  This isn't something I always celebrate, but there is a beauty. . .mystery to it that is wonderful.


And what about you? What are you celebrating this week?

Cover Reveal - The Carnelian Destiny, Through the Vortex by Cheryl Koevoet

I'm SO excited to help a friend of mine (blogger, writer, and simply an awesome woman) give the world the first peek at the last book in her trilogy, THE CARNELIAN LEGACY.

I really wish I had some sound effects here, but imagine an amazing drum roll. . .

Here, it is. . .

Cheryl Koevoet's upcoming release. . .

On the eve of the royal wedding, a mysterious missive arrives at the castle, threatening to cast a shadow over Darian and Marisa’s joyful celebration. And as they prepare to embark on the honeymoon trip of a lifetime, dark forces of the Apollyon Order are mustering in the east; calling upon an ancient, evil beast with the power to destroy the stronghold of Crocetta. In danger of losing everything, Marisa and Darian must enlist the help of the Crimson Knights from all over the Carnelian world to defend their kingdom. But this time, it might not be enough.


This beautiful cover was designed by Najla Qamber of Najla Qamber Designs.
She's over at  http://www.najlaqamberdesigns.com  or  https://www.facebook.com/Najla-Qamber-Designs-152137158206447/?fref=ts



You can find out more about this wonderful book, Cheryl or the rest of the trilogy at:

 Carnelian Legacy Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/carnelianlegacy

Author Cheryl Koevoet Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorCherylKoevoet

 Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28118294-the-carnelian-destiny

 http://www.carnelianlegacy.com

 http://www.CherylKoevoet.com

Twitter: @CherylKoevoet

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/carnelianlegacy/the-carnelian-legacy/

If you haven't read the first two yet (and you really should because this series is packed full of it all--portals, realms, monsters, knights, princesses, hot princes, romance, battles...), it's your lucky day because the first one has just come out as audiobook and is running at a special, low price. To take a peek, simply click on the image.

Celebrate Those Small Things!

It's Friday again!!! Yep, it really, really is.
And that means it's time for another edition of. . .

CELEBRATE THE SMALL THINGS!

This is a weekly blog hop sponsored by the amazing Lexa Cain, and co-hosted by L.G. Keltner from Writing Off the Edge and myself. Every week, wonderful things happen, tiny things, which make us smile. But as time grabs us up, we forget all about those moments. This is the chance for us to reflect back on those and remember that there are tons of things worth celebrating.

 If you'd like to join in and add a little more joy to your week, then go ahead and sign-up on the linky below!


This week, I'm celebrating. . .

1) Weihnachtsstollen! This is a delicious German bread . . .a bit like fruitcake but I so much better. . .which is traditionally baked this time of year. I wanted to give some to our neighbors (such wonderful people!), so I baked four. Then hubs came home wanting two more. So it was six. Hey, but my parents need one, the mail woman is so sweet and needs one too, and. . .
As you can see, this quickly took on new meaning. Momentarily, there are ten breads sitting on my counter. Most will be given away this weekend already (a little early) because I just can't fit them all in my fridge. I'm betting that I'm not done yet.

2) A great book! I got the chance to review a middle grade book this week, one I wasn't so sure about. And it was AMAZING! It's WEIRD by Theresa Jones. You'll see it on my sidebar today (Friday), but head on over if you know some middle grade reading rats because this one deserves a huge shout-out and I doubt it's getting it.

3) Frost. Okay, this one is pretty chilly in the morning. But when I gaze out my window over the valley and see the lovely coat of white. . .*sigh* So pretty.

4) Parades! This one is still coming. Tomorrow. But the entire week has been buzzing around this fun, small town experience. My hub's company is building their last minute float (three rugged men, scrambling to get something together, welding like crazy. . ) but they usually win second or third prize. Needless to say, he's been coming home really late at night. Then, my daughter was voted to Miss Christmas of the Junior Class (75%! vote) She's not in the popular crowd, but she's loved by all misfits, nerds and geeks (which falls close to my heart, since I always knew the power really lies with this crowd--*fistbump*). Anyway, she had to organize a convertible, an escort, a driver. . .I hope she doesn't freeze her tail off in that dress.


And that's the crazy week here.

What about you? What put a smile on your face this last week?
Catch a snowflake on your tongue? Get some Christmas shopping done? See a beautifully decorated tree? Get a glimpse of Santa's reindeer?


What are you celebrating this week?

Guest post: L.G. Keltner and Self-Help 101 or: How I Learned to Take Over the World Through Tolerating My Family

I’d like to start by thanking Tonja Drecker for letting me stop by to promote my Christmas novella Self-Help 101 or: How I Learned to Take Over the World Through Tolerating My Family.

In order to celebrate the holiday that inspired this latest book, I’d like to talk a little about eggnog.  I’ve been drinking eggnog since I could hold a cup (the non-alcoholic version, of course), and Christmas isn’t Christmas unless I’ve had some.  It seems to be one of those drinks people either love or hate.  I can’t think of anyone I know who has a neutral opinion of it.

Now, the narrator of my novella is seventeen, so clearly she’s not supposed to be having any alcohol in her eggnog, but if you decide to have the harder version (whether it’s because you want to kick back and relax after a hard day of cooking or your family is driving you up the wall), what kind should you have?  A lot of recipes I’ve seen have called for bourbon or spiced rum, and I heard from someone I know that peppermint schnapps is good in eggnog.  I haven’t tried that one personally, but it sounds like a bold choice.

Are you a fan of eggnog?  If so, how do you prefer to drink yours?

Now I hope you’ll enjoy a brief snippet from Self-Help 101 or: How I Learned to Take Over the World Through Tolerating My Family.

*     *     *

Then she turned her attention to my dad, who looked like he was trying to shoot tranquilizer darts at me with his eyes.

Yeah, he might have asked me beforehand to play nice and not stir anything up.  In my defense, he should have known that would’ve been impossible.

*     *     *

Title: Self-Help 101 or: How I Learned to Take Over the World Through Tolerating My Family

Author: L.G. Keltner

Genre: Holiday/Humor

Length: 27,000

Cover Art: L.G. Keltner

Release Date: December 1, 2015

Dani Finklemeier has decided to write a self-help book about how to take over the world, but she’s not sure where to start.  After all, she’s only seventeen and looking for a better way to make money than babysitting.  She buys a self-help book that promises to teach her how to write a self-help book in the hope of getting the job done.

Not that it’ll be easy to get any work done this holiday season.  Her family is staying at the house for Christmas, and fights break out almost immediately.  Dani also has to deal with the fallout from an unexpected kiss with her best friend Seth and the feelings that go along with it.  On edge around her family and unsure how to interact with the one person she’s trusted with everything in the past, she can only take what inspiration she can from the crazy circumstances surrounding her and see what happens.

One way or another, it should be an interesting holiday.

Bio:

L.G. Keltner spends most of her time trying to write while also cleaning up after her crazy but wonderful kids and hanging out with her husband.  Her favorite genre of all time is science fiction, and she’s been trying to write novels since the age of six.  Needless to say, those earliest attempts weren’t all that good.  

Her non-writing hobbies include astronomy and playing Trivial Pursuit.

You can typically find L.G. lurking around her blog, on Twitter, or on her Facebook page.

Purchase Links:

Amazon-http://www.amazon.com/dp/B017NADK4C

Amazon UK-http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B017NADK4C

Barnes & Noble-http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/self-help-101-or-lg-keltner/1122797603?ean=2940152405781

Kobo-https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/self-help-101-or-how-i-learned-to-take-over-the-world-through-tolerating-my-family

CreateSpace-https://www.createspace.com/5650324

Add it on Goodreads-https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27243175-self-help-101-or

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IWSG - Writing? What's that?

Happy first Wednesday of the month! That also means it's time for another session of IWSG. This is a support group for writers, which gives us a chance to express our fears, insecurities, thoughts or what-nots AND offer encouragement to others. Thanks, Alex J. Cavanaugh, and all of this month's helpers!

Sandra Hoover, Mark Koopmans, Doreen McGettigan, Megan Morgan, and Melodie Campbell!


With Christmas now charging with a full battle call right at us, I'd be lying if I'd say that I expected to get much writing done. So, I'm going to make this a reflection of this last writing year.

No worries. It's going to be a super fast one.

Writing this year. . .was LAME! I did not get much done and inspiration did not abound. I spent the first half of the year on revisions. Okay, it was a total rewrite. And these last months, I've been fumbling through words but not getting much out. Part of that is due to my snail writing speed. (Yep, I'm not a 'jet out a book every two months' kind of person). Part of it is simply that I'm trying to decide where I want to go from here--what my goals are and where I really want to be. And part of it is the realization that life. . .that thing outside of this computer. . .requires a lot of attention, and I can't ignore that. Not yet. Not ever.

In other words, this year did not bring all I'd hoped--a big contract, a huge advance, writing success beyond my wildest expectations. . . *cough*    Hey, a girl can dream!

But I did get an entire MS rewritten, polished and out the door. I have another one still out. And I have one short in the final stages, and another MS half-way written. (Shhht! It's a secret that this last one is something I pulled off my 'two-year-old' shelf).

So, I'll call it a year, dive into cookies, sing a few carols and let my writer dreams already head toward next year's goals.


And what about you? How did your year go?