2020 is Here!

Curie & Me!

Since January is my month to take off and refelect on the coming year, I thought it'd be nice to recap the past couple of months. I'll keep it short—I promise.

The holiday season was great because Ronnie had time to burn with vacation and literally took off every Friday in November and December, with a few other days in-between. I have to say, I loved having him home for the extra day. We were able to attend to the chores that we normally take care of on the weekend, leaving us two free days together. I think I'm gonna like when he retires.

Thanksgiving and Christmas was smaller with our family this year. Some of them gone, I miss my mom so much. And others because of the flu or other illness. But we managed to have a great time with our downsized group and both holidays were lovely. It's funny how you miss someone more during the holidays. I'm not sure what triggers the heightened emotions, but I know most of us feel them. 

It was also hard without Cooper, our first Christmas our boy wasn't here to open presents. But Curie decided she'd make up for it and that was sheer joy. She had so much fun opening the wrapping paper and running around the house with new toys and fashion wear. Our little girl has taken a big chunk of our hearts.

The Coffee House Tours is getting ready to start another new year of signings and appearances, and that means I need to get going on the schedule. Not fun...but worth it for all the talented authors we have participating. They truly are a great bunch. We'll be having a few special events this year, the first is a partnership with Ethel M Chocolates on February 29th from 1 - 3 p.m. Please mark your calendars and come down to say hi. This is a charity event for a poverty level school, Ira J. Earl Elementary. We'll be collecting supply donations for the full month of February and you'll see our receptacles at Skimos Coffee, Pour Coffeehouse, and Bad Owl Coffee. We'll update any additions on our Facebook page, and also post the list of the supplies the teachers need. In addition, we'll be accepting donations at the event. Another fun activity at the event will be the authors dressed as Kings and Queens, and posing for pictures with the kids.

In closing, I wanted to say thank you to everyone on Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram, who I had exchanges with throughout the year. There were some dark times in 2019, and I got through them with you by my side. The world can be a harsh reality, thank you again, for making it a sweet dream.

Vicki-Ann Bush

Marketing in the Author World

Where do I start? I know we've discussed this mountain more times than I care to count and still it remains the Everest for most of us to tackle. An important and necssary component to our writing career, marketing is our twins in the terrible two's. I find for me, there's no happy medium. It's either a complete success or a rocket exploding, mega burst of failure. And yet, we must be diligent and creative and keep going.

What's worse, in today's society, most of our promo is on social media platforms. I'm an in person kind of girl. As an empath, I read people and gauge how to approach, respond and yes, walk away when necessary. For me, the beast of social media is one I've yet to slay. It's as if my brain goes numb when trying to concoct the winning combination that will get readers to notice my books. My Everest is steep, treacherous, and I never quite reach the summit.

 I did have a little schooling a few weeks ago, and it helped. Maybe not is sales yet, but it certainly expanded my interaction and followers on Instagram. The lovely Jessica, from the marketing department of my publisher Parliament House, intervened and gave me a few suggestions. They worked. She is a brilliant and kind person who helped this lost writer find a sliver of light. The funny part was, they weren't difficult, they just eluded me. Undertstanding the digital world has always been a challenge for me and her guidiance made it a bit clearer.

What's the point of this rambling you ask? It's simple, if you're an author without King status and your frustrated and clawing your way to the next good marketing scheme, don't get discouraged, you're not alone. Help is out there and in this career we've chosen, patience is a virtue we need a double helping of.

So if you find a successful combo, share it with other authors. If you see a successful marketing idea, ask how it works and apply it to your own brand. As authors we can be our best and loudest voice to help each other be successful and achieve our goals. Remember, as I've said many times, there's a reader for everyone and we should be in harmony, not competition.

On Saturday, me and a few of  my friends will be conducting a workshop and sharing what we've learned about the marketing world. It's free, we'll have treats and refreshments, so please join us at the Paseo Verde Library this Saturday Dec. 7th, 280 S. Green Valley Pkwy in Green Valley from 1 - 4 p.m. We'll discuss various stragedies, what's worked for us and what hasn't, and how you can apply this to your brand.
Hope to see you there!

It's a Gnomes Life

I was standing at the back door peering through the glass at Curie. She's recently discovered the benefits of green grass over desert rock and getting her to come in after frolicking amongst the crunchy leavess and alluring plethora of scents, has proven to be difficult. Normally, I'd let her roam and investigate the terrain to her hearts content. The yard is sufficiently fenced, no chance of digging her way out, Ronnie made sure of that on our last visit. But the other night I was disappointed to hear they have a coyote issue just like we do in Vegas. My heart sank. I thought we were in the clear and I could breath a sigh of relief but it's just not to be.

You're probably wondering what this has to do with the life of a garden gnome, well, let me tell you. As I said, I was standing at the door waiting for my girl to come in when it hit me. Standing tall in their little corner of the world the quirky little creatures have the best view every day. Never bothered by the temperment of mother nature, they remain planted in their patch of dirt witness to  beautiful sunrises, glorious lightning displays, breathtaking sunsets, white puffs dangling from blue skies, the ominious hum of fog across a grey canvas, the brillant cascades of Autumn, and the quiet calm of an untouched white blanket on a crisp day. Never stressed over bills, the power outage of cable, or the funky click the engine on your 2005 Toyota makes everytime you throw it into reverse. Nope, their life is simply to be. So before you go to sleep tonight, if you have one of these little guys in your backyard or on the front lawn, give him a wave and let him know you know, he's there.

KateMarie Collins stunning new tale!

Inversion of Magic is a brilliantly written fantasy that kept me interested until the end. The relationship twist between Arine and Logan knocked me back and when I realized the application of this to the society they live in, I was intrigued by Ms. Collins execution of a realm that is out of the ordinary to that we've sadly grown accustomed to. Seeing it perpetrated from the other side of the fence left me feeling equally frustrated as with reality. I love how she used her words of description to show us the damp side of this issue no matter the gender. Equally as satisfying was the qualities of sacrifice, belief, and love, for others above ourselves. I'd recommend this book to anyone wanting a face paced, fascinating story of fantasy, community, and love.

Catch it on Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/47974198-inversion-of-magic?from_search=true#other_reviews

Buy it on Amazon  https://www.amazon.com/Inversion-Magic-KateMarie-Collins-ebook/dp/B07WSGCQPF

Release day for Alex McKenna & The Geranium Deaths

Thank you, from the Coffee House Tours!

I know everyone sees the logo and the posters for our signings, but I thought it would nice to give you a little more information and to introduce you to some new authors that have recently joined the tours.

First of all, I'd like to address the question of the plural, tours. When the brand was first created the reason I used tours instead of tour was simply—ambition. I'd hoped to branch out one day and opted to think positive.

Several years ago, my then cohort in crime and fellow author, Linda Stiles Fox, and I, started signing together at various coffee shops. We thought it would be a great addition to our book store signings and a way to reach the community. Before you know it, we started seeing the opportunity to add authors and we began asking who'd like to join us. From two to now thirty-five and the addition of New York and Oregon Chapters, our vision for the future has started to come true.

Sadly, my dear friend Linda, wouldn't live to see the explosion we'd had once talked about and hoped for. But I like to think she's standing by my side through all of it and nudging me in the right direction like only she could do.

Our mantra is simple...authors helping authors and the community. You see, the Coffee House Tours is more than just book sales and signings. It's about paying back to others who help you, support you, and strive to see you be the best you can be. As authors, we shine only because of the spotlight that you hold. And we are so very grateful for having all of you on our side. Whether it's Nevada, New York, or Oregon, we are your local authors. A part of your community...our community, and with your support, we continue to grow. That's why I thought it would be a good idea to let you know a little more about us and to simply say—thank you.

Please join the authors from CHT in welcoming our newest members.

Nevada:

M.A.R. Unger - Mystery/Thriller             

Alba Arango - Middle Grade/Mystery

J.S. Peck - Multi-Genre

Oregon:

SC Alban - Paranormal

August Happenings

I wanted to talk a little bit about some of the upcoming author events around town. Local authors are part of the Las Vegas culture that gets lost in a sea of entertainment not directly connected to the casinos. But we're here and there's nothing we love more than meeting with the community. A single adult or child can make our day so special, so please, if you have time come check out what we're doing in our latest adventure.

  

The Social Media Addiction

 I know most of us have a love/hate relationship with the Big Three; Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. I for one have thoughts I assume will make brilliant, witty posts and share them on all three platforms. Then I'd sit back, and wait for the notoriety—not. As it was pointed out to me by the very intuitive Melissa Miller with Solstice publishing, your post is merely a blip in the airwaves after it's been released. Up until then, I'd always assumed my whimsical words would be greeted with admiration and a certain amount of awe. But she was right. As soon as the last letter slipped through my fingers and I hit post, another member of the social media frenzy had plastered a posting of their own, knocking mine into the graveyard of forgotten ideas.

I soon learned that I needed to be diligent if I was going to compete with the ever changing stream of thoughts, memes, and latest polls to see if  Buffy the Vampire Slayer should of chosen Angel over Spike. This new found knowledge came with a plethora of responsibility. No longer was my digital life carefree, I needed to stay connected—all the time. I started turning my phone on first thing in the morning, and then when that wasn't enough, I stopped shutting it at night. I'd get in the trilogy routine;  Facebook, Twitter and then Instagram. Always in that order. It didn't matter what time of day it was, the line-up never changed. I found myself spending more time looking at my phone then at my husband or the movie he'd just put on. I was obsessed. God forbid I'd get lost and forgotten in the midst of the million selfies and quirky comebacks. My integration into social promotion had to be stellar, spectacular, an explosion of the finest thoughts, words, pictures and cleverness, I could plaster in an hour—in hours of each day. After all, I'm an author. In charge of my destiny through saturation. Get noticed, get heard, get sales.

But then something happened. It was unexpected, unwanted, and undeserving. My mom had an accident. The world as we know it was turned upside down and inside out. The focus needed to shift; not only for me but for my entire family. Mornings spent with coffee and a few thousand friends on Facebook became trips to the hospital. Keeping up with the latest Twitter trend became hours of sitting by mom's bedside watching reruns of Murder She Wrote. And Instagram had fallen into the forgotten file of, I don't give a f---. I began to realize that the disconnect  was not the worse thing in the world. I knew this because one of the worst things was unraveling before my eyes with my moms health. What I had begun to learn, was balance. Remaining vital in the social community is part of what I do, who I am. But I came to see that I can do both. I just needed to let go a little. And being with mom, caring for her and enjoying my time with her, showed me that. The advice Melissa gave was right, it was my execution that needed a little toning. I doubt when she made that post that she thought I'd jump head first off the deep end and somehow land in the shallowest of water. I misinterpreted her words, forming a literal idea and running with it.

Now, I've learned to stay connected when I need be and set the phone down when I don't. The new rule I've created for myself is to put the phone away after 7 pm. It's difficult at times, old habits die hard. But then I remind myself of all the moments I might have missed with mom and all the ones I could miss now. Besides, everyone knows Buffy belongs with Angel. I don't need a poll to tell me that.

A New Release by K.C. Sprayberry, Crèche Terrenium

A galaxy under attack… youth out of control… extreme measures are called for… until the citizens are faced with impossible choices.

Good day and welcome to the release of Crèche Terrenium. This book was written many years ago, when I was first starting out in my writing career. I submitted it to Millennial Science Fiction and Fantasy Magazine as a 5,000 word short story. This was during the days of snail mail submissions and waiting months on end to hear back from the editor in chief. To my surprise, I heard back rather quickly, about six weeks. Figuring they’d laughed and sent me a letter telling me that I should quit writing, I waited a couple of days before reading the bad news. Well, it wasn’t a contract to have the short story published in their magazine. What I did get was a letter telling me that the then editor in chief loved the concept of my short story and wanted me to develop it into a full book before resubmitting.

The full book was written, critiqued, edited, rewritten, etc. over a period of six months of sleepless nights and fingernail chewing days. I finally resubmitted the new story to the editor in chief per her request, only to hear back nearly immediately. The thin envelope pretty much told the story before I opened it.

Turns out while I was breathing life into this novel, the editor in chief had been replaced with someone else. That individual bluntly informed me that they were no longer interested in teen sci-fi books, as “teens didn’t read.” Who was I to argue? I knew the book was good. All I had to do was wait for the right time and place to present it to the world.

The time is now. The place is here. Enjoy!

Crèche Terrenium on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/61rFrEsxp3wgKiuatfzzDy

The Melane Galaxy has a problem, one that threatens their very existence. Led by a reporter, Susannah Tilotsen, the citizens demand a solution to their children terrorizing people. Yet, when Chairman Marcus Sterling institutes the Crèche system, Susannah feels deep shock and dismay.

The children will be taken from their parents and raised by a computer designed to educate and monitor them. No adults will have interaction with the youth of the galaxy. The overall goal is to create good citizens of the youths rather than out of control hooligans.

Is this solution good intentions by the leadership? What if a parent protests the loss of their child? What choice do they have?

Blurb

Youth out of control… Citizens demand a solution.

The Edict…

A law enacted to deal with recalcitrant children lays the blame on their parents. Only a computer can properly change The Melane Galaxy’s youth and turn them into good citizens. Chairman Sterling must force people to realize that parents aren’t right for raising children.

The Reporter…

Susannah Tilotsen discovers she’s being used by a government attempting to parent children. She soon realizes no one is safe from this new law. The loss of her beloved husband and her daughter being forcibly taken to Crèche Terrenium drives her to organize a group determined to stop this madness

The Boy…

Ripped from his loving home, Joey Dinaldo is taken to Crèche Terrenium after government troops find him living with his parents. He works hard to be a good citizen and obey the rules but soon discovers he can’t support a system designed to turn children into uncaring robots.

The Computer…

Master, the computer system that will raise these children, controls every second of their lives. Yet, there is no one to maintain the machine. The computer never thinks it needs to be repaired, even as the control it exerts slowly erodes. It is perfect, and fights to keep from being destroyed.

Rebels refuse to stop fighting until they have closed down the Crèche system and returned the children to their parents. Or find them a guardian. All of them are willing to do whatever it takes to end this madness… but at what cost?

Amazon eBook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SJTGPX1/

Amazon print book: https://amzn.to/2XowPcp

Excerpt

Black words on the creamy parchment in her hand numbed Susannah Tilotsen. Shivers racked her spine; fear deadened her fingertips. Her grip loosened and the document fluttered to her feet. The forty-something man in front of her caressed his silver-shot sable hair before spreading his hands. She watched the public façade take over as the benevolent leader of a fractious, crumbling galaxy smiled. She knew better. His duplicitous expression sent chills up her spine.

She looked at the settlement she was reporting on to a galaxy awaiting a solution for a growing problem. The gray on gray buildings depressed her. The same hue was repeated in the walkways and latticed worked fences enclosing the twelve living areas. The children who soon call this place home would have no relief from the depressing shades of grey.

https://youtu.be/8x0CFWcSn0o

About K.C. Sprayberry

Living a dream she’s had since she first discovered the magic of books. K.C. Sprayberry traveled the U.S. and Europe before finally settling in the mountains of Northwest Georgia. She’s been married to her soulmate for nearly a quarter of a century and they enjoy spoiling their grandchildren along with many other activities.

A multi-genre author, K.C. Sprayberry is always on the hunt for new stories. Inspiration strikes at the weirdest times and drives her to grab notebook and pen to jot down her ideas. Those close to her swear nothing or no one is safe if she’s smiling gently in a corner and watching those in the same room interact. Her observations have often given her ideas for her next story, set not only in the South but wherever the characters demand they settle.

Find out more about my books at these social media sites:

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/pg/AuthorKCSprayberry/

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/kcsowriter

Blog:

http://outofcontrolcharacters.blogspot.com/

Goodreads:

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5011219.K_C_Sprayberry

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005DI1YOU

MeWe: https://mewe.com/group/5c668604d7749276f0a8689a

Pinterest:

http://pinterest.com/kcsprayberry/boards/

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/collection/playlists

Manic Readers:

http://www.manicreaders.com/KCSprayberry/

AUTHORSdB:

http://authorsdb.com/authors-directory/5230-k-c-sprayberry

Authorgraph:

https://www.authorgraph.com/authors/kcsowriter

Email:

kcspray01@gmail.com

Amazon—the trickster

By the title of this blog, you might think this is a bitch session directed toward Amazon, it's not. This is more of a question I'm sending out to the universe with the hope my voice carries to the ears of our beautiful lady, and she has time to bestow a little wisdom. Because in the grand scheme of things that the world is facing, my is merely a blip within a blip within a blip. A non-issue to most everyone on this planet, with exception of a few authors, who like me scour their author page daily, hourly, minute to minute—you get the picture.

For non-author friends, when your books are established on Amazon, you can create an author page on Author Central. This is the place you can track your sales, see your rankings, and drown in tears most of the time. But on those days where the planets align and your ranking shines, it makes up for the misery. Anyway, I'm getting off point. The question...

Dear lovely, gracious, wondrous Universe,

Could you please, if you have a free moment, explain to me why Amazon insists on continuing its game of teasing me with a day of climbing the rungs of the author ranking, only to leave me dangling? For days I revel in the glory of seeing that little line nearly reach the #1, only to be equally crushed because I have no idea which book...books, are the reason for my spot light of glory. And, by the time Amazon catches up and updates, the books have begun to fall in ranking again, and my brief light of the sun has darkened with black of a new moon—no stars. This is a daunting occurrence that has continued to plague me over the last several months. So, if there is a morsel of time, and you possess the answer to unlock my treasure chest filled with frustration, I'd greatly appreciate it.

Your humble follower,

Vicki-Ann Bush

LGBT Community Center, The Parliament House, & Alex McKenna

     
https://www.lgbtcenters.org/LGBTCenters/Center/6669/Gay-and-Lesbian-Community-Center-of-Southern-Nevada

Everyone and anyone who knows me, heard of me, or crossed paths with me, has heard of Alex McKenna & The Geranium Deaths. How do I know this? Because I've been shouting about this character, and the first book in the collection to any warm body I can find.

Alex was born from a special place in my heart, and the idea that everyone belongs. This blog is to thank the Las Vegas branch of the LGBT Community Center, for their gracious agreement to host the launch of Alex McKenna, and to The Parliament House Press, for making it a reality.

Although Alex doesn't officially come into the world until October 01 2019, and the Community launch isn't until Oct. 12th, preparations are underway. It's a crazy, busy time for me, my family and friends, and I want everyone involved to know that none of this would be possible without you. This dream is becoming reality, and I couldn't be happier. When The Parliament House offered me the contract, my insides flipped, and when the Community Center agreed to host, my heart burst! Add family and friends flying in for the day of the launch, and the icing was sweeter than any other.

So from the bottom of my heart please accept my gratitude, love, support when YOU need it, and hugs!!! Many hugs!!!   

http://www.parliamenthousepress.com

                                     

Valentine's Day Expectations

I'm not going to lie, I'm a sappy romantic at heart. I'm the girl who melts for white roses, chocolates from Ethel M, and little boxes filled with treasure. I want the candle lit intimate dinner, a glass of red, and a stroll through a garden holding hands, and dreaming about about our life yet to come.
Sounds perfect...

But with our busy lives, and raising kids, we're usually lucky if we can rush out and buy his or her fave scent, the one their almost out of and we crossed our fingers that they could stretch out every drop until February 14th. A dinner picked up from a park and carry-out, like Olive Garden, or if you're really lucky, Cheesecake Factory. A quick stop at the grocery store for a whatever's left bouquet, a card on the fly, and maybe the last box of descent chocolate you can buy for $8.99. After all, we have a budget.
Sounds Perfect...

Two very different ways to celebrate, two very different times in our lives, and yet...both will eventually be locked away in our memory vaults for us to bring forth on those dark days we need a smile. Because as different as they are, they are both representations of our lives and love.

Some of my most cherished Valentine memories are when the kids were young and my husband would bring home flowers for each of us, little heart shaped boxes of chocolate for the kids, and a beautiful, ornate one for me. Of course dad got his chocolate too. Usually, back in those days it was the larger box of Whitman's Sampler. Romance on a budget...it worked.

I'm not blind, I realize the commercial value of the day. And I know those who choose not to celebrate it. And that's what suites them. But I still feel a little magic when I see those beautifully wrapped red boxes filled with delectable chocolate, white roses and babies breath, and a romantic dinner for two, or three or four...whatever stage you are in your life, you're together.

Signed Book Giveaway!

My interview with the Authors Show will be running all day. Listen to the show and answer the question, who is the character Walter is loosely based on? It's that simple. Your name will go into the drawing for a signed copy of my new release, Saving A Life.
Click on the link https://wnbnetworkwest.com and then find my name and next to it, Saving a Life. Click the book title and the interview will begin.

Leave your answer on my author page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/2290257097853331

GOOD LUCK!!!

The Marketing Mountain

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season, and you're all focused and ready to tackle 2019. I know, but it's what I'm supposed to say, right? Just like our social interaction with family and friends, there are exchanges as authors that are expected of us. Whether we're sharing a cute pic of our pets on Instagram, Tweeting our latest release on Twitter, or playing games on the Book of Faces...what will our future be if your name starts with the letter L? We as authors, are expected to present ourselves in a certain way. Smile, be happy, engage, be supportive of other authors, and first and foremost, keep yourself in the public eye. Because if you're out of sight, you are definitely out of mind.

Theses are all tools we use to promote our books and ignite sales. But what if you're not the extrovert you need to be? What if engaging is difficult, and sometimes even excruciatingly painful? Finding a way to communicate with the public can be daunting. You're smiling on the outside, and crying on the inside. I know, because I was like this. When I first became a published author, I needed, by contract, to become a social media force to be seen and noticed. Navigating the various on line social media was difficult for me. Yes, I was removed, but I often found myself struggling to keep up with too much information, and this often resulted in an overload of feelings of inadequacy. Then there were the public appearances.

Meeting with the public and speaking about my book left me in a hurricane of angst, and quite often, burning stomach pain from anxiety. I needed to find a way to tackle the marketing mountain without plummeting to the bottom. I could cut out the face to face, and choose to rely on the internet. There are authors who have mastered the use of the keyboard to boost their sales and gain the exposure they need, and I wish I had a better handle on this gift that seems to escape me, but I don't. Come to find out, that as difficult as it was to engage in person, it was also my best form of promo.

I started to think of everyone like friends and family. They came to see me, talk to me, and learn about my latest release. All the things that brought fear to me, began to dissolve and reshape into opportunity. Now, I know this sounds simple. Believe me it wasn't. It took years of persevering and pushing myself. Forcing myself to face my fear. Increasing my public appearances and leaping out of my comfort zone. The more signings I booked, the more at ease I became. My once sense of dread actually started to change into excitement.

It's been almost eleven years since since my first signing, and I can't believe the who I am today. Learning to deal with and overcome my fear has changed so many other things for me. I'm no longer the quiet person at the party who blends in with the wallpaper. I feel at ease engaging and socializing. I no longer feel judged, or weird. Heck, I know I'm weird, I just go with it now. A few weeks ago I had a radio interview. For the first half hour, the host spoke with me, joked with me, laughed with me. She explained  this was the time she used to put the guests at ease. Loosen them up and gain a level of comfort. She then said to me words that probably meant nothing to her, but had a huge impact on me. She told me, that she guessed there was no need for that with me. She didn't detect any nerves or hesitation. I chuckled and responded, telling her I was just sharing a cup of coffee with her.

The words resonated in my brain, and I smiled all day. I really had conquered my fear and the one thing that I thought impossible became my biggest tool. I could use what I knew the most about to help me in my author career. I could use...me. I'll never be proficient to the point of total comfort with social media, but I found my skill. The cup of coffee, chatting about life, and finding a common ground that I could walk on with my readers.

This is my marketing mountain that I conquered. I'm not saying you will ever be comfortable with public appearances, but what I am saying is keep trying to find yours. Look for the one thing you can build on, even if it's volcanic explosion in your stomach hard, if you think you understand it in your head, then that's probably the direction you need to explore.

I'm here if you need to reach out, author to author, person to person. We really are all in this together, we just need to be reminded from time to time.

vickiannbush@gmail.com

December...

As I sit here getting ready to write my blog, because the universe knows...you must write blogs, it occurred to me I really don't have much to say. I lost a dear, close friend, and fellow author last week, and the words have been less than forthcoming. So, instead of hearing from me, I thought I'd share a little bit of her with you.

Linda Stiles Fox
Memories 

Good morning world! Happy Thursday! Can you believe that in just two weeks from today, it will be Thanksgiving Day in the U.S.? This year has flown by, and I'm dizzy from the wind whizzing by me as it goes.

It's been a year of strangeness, both good, and not so good. But there is still much for me to be thankful for, and I choose to focus on the positive. With that out of the way, I'm thrilled to talk about an upcoming event that I'm so happy to be a part of.

On Saturday November 17th, and Sunday November 18th, the Coffee House Tours will be appearing at the Galleria Mall in Henderson, 1300 W. Sunset Rd. The Art Guild has graciously let us be a part of their monthly event, and the Galleria has welcomed us with open arms. We are all so proud and happy to be joining such a talented group of artists.

We will be there all day, both days, rotating our lovely authors, so come out for a chat and meet your local talent. It's so wonderful when the community supports their arts, it really does impact future generations. Some of us will be unveiling new books, as well as old favorites. A book is a vacation everyone can afford. So please, join us, you may get some spectacular holiday gifts, and maybe one just for you!

Blackout Cake by Ebinger's

Although Fall in Las Vegas looks nothing like this, the desert holds it's own beauty. But, I do remember beautiful Autumn moments like this growing up, and I must admit, I still miss them. Fall is by far my most favorite Season. One of the fondest memories of the Fall/ Winter months was Ebinger's Blackout cake. A delectable, rich chocolate dessert that tantalized the taste buds and delivered a fork full of perfection with each bite.

Ebinger's is long since closed, and Entenmann's, whose recipe was a very close second, no longer manufacturers this culinary classic. I've yearned for this dessert for years, a childhood favorite, it remained locked away in my most fondest memories of New York.

A few weeks ago, my brother Joe, surprised me. He had tracked down the recipe from Ebinger's and emailed it to me. To say I was elated could not to begin to describe my joy. I know what you're thinking... it's just a cake, Vicki-Ann. There are numerous recipe's for scrumptious chocolate cakes. I know, I've made a few. But the Blackout cake from Ebinger's and Entenmann's was more than just chocolaty goodness. It was countless hours at the kitchen table with my family growing up in New York. My grandmother's boisterous half Italian, half English comments of advice to my mom, my grandfather's quiet calm, my uncles and aunts, cousins, friends, and anyone else who just dropped by our house. It was nights watching television with my mom, insisting on murder mysteries, while my dad tried to vie for a half hour of comedy shows. My brother and I downstairs playing in the basement, my dad tickling the keys on the piano, my mom cooking dinner... the Blackout cake saw life pass by from it's perch on the kitchen counter.

After forty plus years, my heart warms with the thought that once again, a Blackout cake will be enjoyed. And although I've grown into an adult, and most of my loved ones who shared this treat many years ago are gone, the tradition will go on. It'll be waiting on my counter for whoever drops by.

Here's the link my brother sent me, please let me know what you think if you bake it.
https://www.geniuskitchen.com/recipe/all-chocolate-blackout-cake-from-ebingers-50115

Susie Johnson and her Bipolar Memoir

I'd like to introduce you to my friend and fellow author, Susan Johnson. Susie suffers with a lifelong battle of Bipolar disorder. She is an inspirational speaker and tireless advocate, spreading hope and strength to others who suffer along side her.

Below is a quick note from Susie for an event this Friday evening Sept. 28th, at Lake Las Vegas. Susie will be selling and signing the second edition of her bipolar memoir, Some Dreams are Worth Keeping. It takes the reader into the upside down world of bipolar disorder. Susie has bravely shared the good and sometimes, the very bad episodes in her life. I have personally seen her compassion and drive to help others. Quite often when she is approached during one of our signings together, the person inquiring about her book leaves with a smile. She is making a difference. So please, if you are looking for a fun evening, go check out the event and stop by Susie's table. I promise, you will be greeted by one of the kindest souls you'll ever met.

P.S. If you can't make it over to Lake Las Vegas Friday night, here's the link to Susie's book on Amazon. She often does signings around town and I know she'd be more than thrilled to sign you your book. So follow her on Facebook and see where she'll be next. Chances are, she 'll be in your neck of the woods some time soon!
https://www.amazon.com/Some-Dreams-Are-Worth-Keeping-ebook/dp/B07DXBPV9J
https://www.facebook.com/susie.a.johnson

A note from Susie...

Some of you might remember I was featured 3 times on "The Journey" a Christian radio program hosted by my friend Annie Meadows. If you have never heard of Annie Meadows she is a very talented local Christian singer. On Friday, September 28th from 7-10pm Lake Las Vegas and Faithrunner Ministries presents a concert "Walking On Water". Annie will be singing along with several of her friends. I am incredibly honored  to be a part of this event and will be there for a  book signing. Please help spread the word.

Thanks.

Best,

Susie

Introducing Author Jim Cronin!

Happy Friday everyone! Today on my blog I have a guest author, the wonderfully talented, Jim Cronin. He's here to tell us about his new book Aeon Rises, and share some insight into the author himself! But first, let's have a peek into the world of Aeon Rises...

Blurb:

Justin Madrid always considered himself an average nerdy freshman in high school, and an outcast because intense migraines prevent him from playing video games or watching television. Even looking at a phone screen hurts. But when the aliens, disguised as local librarians, started trying to kill him, everything changed. And now it is up to Justin and his cool new power to save the earth from invasion.

Chapter One

“Okay Mom,” he yelled, yanking the blankets over his head. “Okay, I’m up already! Gimme a break! I don’t know why I have to get up before the sun. It only takes a minute to get ready.” Struggling through the fog in his head, Justin rubbed his eyes and shook his head trying to clear it.

“Man, that dream was so real.” The dream, so vivid only minutes ago, faded quickly as he awoke fully. Only a vague memory of his father, long dead now, spoke to him as they stood together among the stars. While most of the conversation was gone now, there was something about it being time. Time for what? That was so fricking weird.

As the dream faded completely, Justin gave in to the inevitable, sat up, and tossed the covers to one side.

Today began as every other day began…unfortunately for Justin. Still having homework with only a week left in the school year, his ever growing and never-ending mountain of chores, his ancient cell phone, and, most important of all, the lack of privacy in his own home were chief among his gripes.

“Don’t give me that tone of yours, young man. Just get yourself up here with a smile on your face and get your breakfast before you miss your bus.”

Mumbling through his hands as he scrubbed his face, Justin argued back. “Maybe if you would drive me to school I wouldn’t have to get up so fricking early just to catch the bus.” He made that mistake once before of saying this sort of thing loud enough for his mother to hear and did not want a repeat of that long lecture again, so he was more careful to not let her actually hear his response. The twice-daily torment on the rolling yellow prison was unbearable. Did she really need to remind me about the bus? As he brushed his teeth, a new strategy came to him and his mood brightened. His mind searched through dozens of ways to open the conversation once again before settling on what he considered the most irrefutable, and logical argument. Putting on his best Mom-pleasing smile and one last check in the mirror, he bounded up the stairs. The meadowlarks sang sweetly in the field behind the house as he entered the kitchen.

“So Mom, I heard they’re going to start charging extra to ride the bus next year…”

“Hurry and finish breakfast so you can fix your lunch, young man. The bus will be here before you know it.” Justin poured a bowl of Apple Jacks and chugged his orange juice, then went to examine the fridge. PB and J on whole grain bread, an apple and an organic juice box. “Don’t forget to take one of those packs of carrots too,” his mom called out as he stuffed everything into a reusable bag.

“And another thing. I’m not going to be your personal chauffer, mister. We are perfectly able to afford any sort of bus fee. It won’t kill you to take the bus. You could even do some homework or extra studying on the ride if you put your mind to it. Your grades aren’t so perfect you couldn’t put more effort into them, you know…” Her soapbox speech lasted for a good three minutes, rambling from one pointless reason to the next. Justin zoned her out—a skill perfected by most teenagers. He only caught the edges of her diatribe and forgot the details.

He sat back at the table and added some milk to his cereal, but did not lift the spoon to eat any of it. Two fingers of his left hand scratched nervously at the table. “I don’t like the bus. They bully me on the bus and nobody does anything about it.”

She moved to empty the dishwasher, but cocked her head, carefully measuring her son’s mood. “Have you reported it to the dean at school?”

Realizing he had made the comment too loudly, Justin shrugged his shoulders, sighed, and decided his best course of action was to finish his complaint before the “I am your mother and you can tell me anything,” speech started up. He gobbled up a mouthful of cereal while he organized his thoughts. “I tried once, but that only made it worse. Nobody would be a witness so all they got was a warning. Everyone except Kevin looks at me like I’m some sort of freak. I try to fit in, but I don’t know anything about the benefits of Xbox versus PlayStation. I can’t text them, or go on Snapchat to talk with them. They all laugh at me in the lunchroom. I don’t fit in with them, so I’m a target. You don’t understand. The school can’t do anything about it so I just try to ignore it. Besides, they’re right. I’m weird.”

Justin’s mom stood up with a handful of plates and turned to face him. Her eyes narrowed as she tilted her head. “What do you mean weird? What makes you say such a thing?”

Justin swallowed another spoonful of his breakfast, sat back, and leaned on one elbow as he faced his mom. “You know… just weird. I don’t like the same things other kids my age like. Those video games they play all the time give me headaches. The glasses you got me help some, but they’re trash. Can’t I get contacts like everyone else? I don’t get what they see in all those dumb You Tube videos. I mean, like really, what’s so hilarious about cats playing the piano after the first eighty-three times you’ve seen it? And I enjoy reading real books, not Audible or Overdrive everyone has. I mean, like real paper books. Real books never give me migraines. Those books just don’t feel right to me. You see? I’m just weird.”

His mother sighed and placed a gentle hand on Justin’s shoulder. “All that means is you have better things to occupy your brain and your time with than all the nonsense those other kids are filling their brains with. You’re not weird, honey, you’re more mature than they are. You’ll see. In a few years they’ll all catch up with you and things won’t seem so bad.”

Justin rolled his eyes at her well-meant remark, knowing she simply did not understand the problem. “So, in the meantime, can you like give me a ride in to school instead of making me ride the bus?” Her look instantly told him the answer had not changed. “Well then, can I get a real phone instead of this piece of crap? At least they won’t be able to mess with me about having a junk phone.” That last statement escaped his lips before he even realized it. He knew it was a mistake, but just couldn’t help himself again. Oh crap!

“Justin Madrid, we’ve been over this before.” His mother’s voices suddenly became a lot less motherly as she continued her efforts to clean up the kitchen. “You said it yourself: going on the internet gives you headaches, and you know how I feel about kids your age being able to text anyone at any time. You don’t need that sort of distraction. You know I don’t even have one of those idiotic smart phones myself. A phone should just be a phone. Now let’s not have any more of this nonsense. I have work to do. Finish your breakfast. If you want, I’ll go in and have a talk with the principal about the bullying.”

“No!” he shouted, spewing cereal from his mouth. “Don’t talk to anybody about anything, Mom.” He turned to face her. His hands gripped the table so hard his knuckles turned white. “You’ll only make things worse. I can deal with it on my own. School is just about over anyway. Maybe next year I won’t feel like such an alien.”

She turned to face him, her eyes wide as if in shock. The muscles in her forearms knotted as her grip on the dish towel tightened. The morning sun coming through the window caught Justin at the perfect angle. For a mere second, his eyes reflected golden the soft light, the way a dog or cat’s eyes reflect a car’s headlights at night.

His mother’s face paled and she dropped the plate she was drying. It shattered loudly all over the floor. She grabbed the counter top to steady herself before kneeling down to recover the shards.

“Mom! Are you okay?” He jumped up to help her pick up the pieces off the floor.

“I’m fine. It just slipped. Must have still been wet, I guess. What was it you said?”

“Nothing.”

“No, I’m serious.” Her voice trembled slightly despite her effort to control the fear. “What did you say about being an alien?”

Justin sighed, rolled his eyes again, and reached for another piece of broken plate, forcing up a few tears for added effect. “I just said that sometimes I feel like I’m so different from everyone else my age I must be from another planet or something. Don’t go all crazy over it, okay? You have enough to worry about taking care of us on your own and all. It’s just… like a kid thing, Okay? Let’s not turn it into a big deal. Don’t worry about me, I’ll figure it out.”

His mom sat up onto her knees and took Justin’s hands in hers, capturing his attention with her gentleness. “Justin, I know things have been tough for you lately. I’ve tried to be both parents to you, but you’re getting older now and I’m not sure how to handle some of the things you’re going through. I’m sorry your dad can’t be here for you.”

He felt her hands shaking as he saw the worry on her face. “I’m fine, Mom. You’re the best mom ever and I love you. The only way I even know anything at all about him is because of all the stories you tell me. Are you sure you’re okay?”

She tousled his hair and placed one hand on his cheek. “Just go get yourself changed before you miss the bus. I’ll finish up here.”

Now let's get to know Jim...

Your latest/current work: Aeon Rises

Date: 9/10/2018

Publisher: Solstice Publishing

1.Tell us about your Latest Book/Book about to be released? Release Date? And can you give us a teaser?

My latest book, Aeon Rises, is my first attempt at writing a Young Adult science fiction novel.

2.What other books/short stories have you written?

My previous works include the science fiction trilogy: The Brin Archives: Hegira, Recusant, and Empyrean. I have also had two short stories published by Solstice as part of an annual anthology they produce.

3.Are they available in e-book, print, or both?

All of my novels are available in both print and ebook formats on Amazon

4.Where can readers find your books?

All of my books are available on Amazon.com, or through the following social media links:

My Webpage: http://jimcroninscienceedutainer.weebly.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JimCroninScienceEdutainer/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/authorjimcronin

5.What do you think are the biggest challenges for the type of writing that you do?

For me, the biggest challenge in writing is the basics of the English language: spelling, grammar, punctuation, and the like. I am a retired science teacher, not language arts, so the English language is a bit of a challenge. Otherwise, I think trying to make my work believable, and yet other-worldly is a real challenge. How do I make my aliens live in a believable world with actual laws of physics restraining them, yet fantastic enough to be beyond our abilities today.

6.How did you get started in writing?

I started writing by accident, if the truth be told. My brother was writing a book and asked for my help proofing it. It turned out to be fun, so we brainstormed ideas for me to write about, and the result was the Brin Archive trilogy. Who would have guessed? I know some of my former Language Arts teacher partners were in total shock when I told them what I was doing.

7.Where and How can readers get in touch with you?

I can be reached through any of the media links listed above. I would love to hear from some of my readers.

8.So with your latest work released/or being released, what comes next? What can we expect from you in the future?

My next project involves continuing to write a series of short stories to use science fiction and fantasy tales to explain actual scientific concepts. My goal is to have something science teachers, or anyone, can use to provide a fun and engaging introduction to a scientific topic which avoids textbooks, at least at first.

9.How much of your personality and life experiences are in your writing?

I think Aeon Rises is a story with the most of me in it. I strongly identify with Justin and Kevin as outcasts in high school, and their nerdy nature. It also takes place in the community where I lived and worked for many years. The library in the book is actually the place my wife works. The librarians there love the idea of me turning them into evil aliens invading the earth. Even Justin’s house is based on one I lived in there. All of my books show, I hope, my awe and love of science and nature.

10.What about you in general? What is it that makes you tick? Makes you you? Things you like to do and what prompted you into writing?

I am a teacher. Even in retirement, I work part-time as an educator/performer at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. I love telling stories and making science accessible to others. I love my family. My wife (married 40 years), two sons and daughter-in laws, and soon to be four grandchildren are my life and heart. Aside from that, I enjoy reading almost anything, baseball (Go Rockies!), going for walks and bike rides. Writing turned out to be a fun, and rewarding, but accidental part of my life.

11.Among your own books, have you a favorite book? Favorite Hero or Heroine?

I guess Hegira, my first published work, will always be my favourite. It was a work that took about three years to get right since writing was a lot harder than I ever expected. The effort and determination it took to complete the story and have it published was incredibly rewarding. I can be very stubborn when I set my mind to learning something.

12.What kind of research do you when writing one of your works?

I will research different scientific theories to learn what ideas might be best adapted to solve the conflicts in my stories. For Aeon Rises, I also researched a number of UFO conspiracy theory locations to include in the book. I had never heard of Hooper, Colorado as a prime UFO site here, but it proved to be the perfect location to use in addition to DIA and Area 51. I even got to visit the UFO Watchtower in Hooper recently and was amazed at how well a nearby house fit the description I made up for a house in the story. Can you say psychic connection?

13.Do you ever ask friends/family for advice or ideas to go into your works?

My brother and I always toss ideas around and problem solve sticking points in all my books. For Aeon Rises, I was fortunate enough to have access to an incredible group of 8^th graders at my old school who helped me make the teen protagonists more believable.

14.Lastly do you have any words of encouragement for unpublished writers?

Stick to it! It took three years, and over a hundred rejections before I figured out how to get my first book into shape for a publisher. Find some good proof readers and editors to critique your work, and listen to their advice. When my first editor ripped apart Hegira’s first version and rearranged all the chapters, I was shocked. Turns out he was right. The story made much more sense with the new order of things. Don’t let your ego get in the way of making your story the best it can be.

Author Bio:

I am a retired middle school science teacher, working part-time as an educator at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. I have been married for forty years to the love of my life. We raised two incredible sons, and now have four amazing grandchildren to spoil rotten.

I was born in Kansas City, Missouri and lived in Arlington, Virginia before moving to Denver where I attended High School and eventually college at Colorado State University, graduating with a degree in Zoology and a teacher certification. My wife and I currently live near Denver in the small town of Parker.

After writing The Brin Archives trilogy, I wanted to try my hand at reaching a new audience. The idea of a nerdy teenager with few friends suddenly learning the fate of all earth depends on him struck me as a fun scifi adventure.

Other titles available by Jim