tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20449140183442882712024-03-13T13:07:39.324-07:00The Solitary WriterUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2044914018344288271.post-72191288385885045352017-01-24T05:17:00.000-08:002017-01-24T06:02:22.693-08:00When they go low, we go high<div align="justify" style="line-height: 108%; margin-bottom: 2.82mm;">
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">I’ve had a challenging few months. My writing has taken a back seat to some major changes in my life. I haven’t had time to do much of anything except be moved along by the momentum. But now, finally, my world has transitioned from some crazy, nausea producing roller coaster to a slightly more comfortable marginally seasick kind of reality. But I can work with that and I’m committed to getting back to what I love doing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">However, before I start writing and settle back into my happy little imaginary world, there’s something on the reality front lines that I need to just say. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Yeah. I’m as sick of all this political stuff as you are so lets get it over with. I’ll just lay it on the line. I didn’t vote for Trump. I truly wasn’t crazy about voting for Hillary, but I would have voted for a dead mouse on a stick before voting for Trump. It has nothing to do with politics It has everything to do with the person. I have always had a respect for the presidency, even when the politics were not aligned with my beliefs, and I’ve never voted for a party, I’ve always voted for the person I felt was best for the job. I could go into all of my personal reasons like; I think Trump is a liar and a master manipulator, that he is a danger to the United States, women's rights (reproductive and otherwise), the LGBT community, people with pre-existing health conditions, our worldwide allies, the economy and the planet itself (just to name a few) but I won’t. Its all been said and done by so many others. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">What I will say is this. I am quite sure Meliana and her son Barron didn’t sign on for this. When I look at Meliana, I don’t see a happy woman with a loving husband. And Barron? Well he’s just a kid. He has nothing at all to do with this. I hold no malice towards them and I think that people who are bashing them are proving themselves to be no less a bully than Trump. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">I haven’t heard enough from Meliana to know what, if anything she will have to offer as First Lady, but she deserves the chance to make her mark. I did read somewhere that she wants to fight cyber bullying! That’s kind of like turning the screws to the hubby- especially given he has such a nasty Twitter finger... I’d like to be a fly on the wall when she tells Trump to put down his weapon! She just may be a lot smarter than people are giving her credit for.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">And yes, I’m well aware she posed naked. So what? It was like 1995. Pre-internet. Is she still doing it? Maybe it isn’t something she’s proud of now, or, maybe it is (and quite frankly, if I looked like her, instead of having a sorry resemblance to Fred Flintstone in drag, maybe I would have done the same thing!) Didn’t we all do things years ago that we wouldn’t do now? That we might regret? That we grew out of? C’mon folks. No one ever streaked the capital, or threw up out of their nose, or got caught having high school sex in the backseat of a Volkswagen? (yes, it can be done, but watch the shifter knob...) Give her the benefit of the doubt. She seems like a very dedicated mom, and probably isn’t a bad person. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">And Barron? He should be off limits. He’s ten for crying out loud. Leave him be. Unfortunately the children of presidents have always been targets The Obama's girls were, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">and I remember terrible things being said about Chelsea Clinton. It’s not the right thing to do. It wasn’t right then, and it isn’t right now. So don’t do it! It doesn’t get simpler than that. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">So, if you are angry that Trump is the president, please stick with the issues. Because it weakens us all to be plain old mean. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Be bigger and better. Always. I’ve never wanted that type of behavior to define me and on the occasions I have not been the better person, I have never once felt like I did the right thing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">That doesn’t mean don’t fight for whats right, just do it well. Be angry. With class. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Back to Michelle Obama. </span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">She is an amazing and intelligent woman. Her words... </span></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> “<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "open sans";">When someone is cruel or acts like a bully, you don’t stoop to their level. No, our motto is, when they go low, we go high."</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Don’t become what you despise. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Ok. I’m off my soapbox! </span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2044914018344288271.post-18647018703902576662015-10-06T13:58:00.002-07:002015-10-06T14:04:57.792-07:00It's a Screenplay!<div class="MsoNormal">
Many people, after having read “Death Is A Relative Thing”
have written, or come up to me personally and said that they think the book would make a great movie. Of course, I agree, but where does one begin on that
journey? I’m still navigating the choppy
waters of novel writing and promotion- and I’m barely finding time for
that. Screenplays, well, those are a
totally different type of writing, and not one I feel I could be successful at.
Or have the time to learn.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Enter Annette Barbera. Earlier in the year I learned that Annette writes
screenplays. She read my book, laughed, (whew!) saw potential, and committed to investing her time and knowledge. A partnership was born.</div>
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And now it's so close to being finished. I've just read it through one
last time and I have to say, I love it. She obviously
has talent, because the screenplay can
make me laugh, and I know all the punchlines.</div>
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So it’s going back to Annette for a few more tweaks and then,
well, I’ll be following her lead. She
has ideas about where to send it and knows protocol. I’m just so happy that this
opportunity is presenting itself and I guess
we'll see where this journey takes us.
It’s exciting to know that the novel now at least has a shot at getting
in front of a producer who could take it to a whole other level. It’s sort of
like having a bought a lottery ticket vs. not having purchased one. It’s a longshot, certainly, but we need to be
in it to win it.<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
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So I wanted to say a long overdue 'Thank You' to Annette
for her perserverence, and for keeping the story as true as possible given the
switch in mediums.<br />
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And may we one day be watching April run a little heavenly interference on a big screen! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2044914018344288271.post-66208248385017698962015-08-07T17:30:00.002-07:002016-07-30T06:06:26.974-07:00Blink<br />
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I sat across from her grey haired, tiny frame. She watched me as I
centered the sifter over a bowl and squeezed the handle with
abandon, a white plume applauding my efforts.<o:p></o:p></div>
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One cup…two cups…three cups.</div>
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.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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“See how I take the knife and level off the flour? That’s why my cakes are perfect.” She would laugh A little sound really, for she wasn’t known
to ever do anything in a big way. We cooked together some Sunday mornings. Pancakes, biscuits. Cookies. <o:p></o:p></div>
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And then I blinked and she couldn’t remember how much flour
she had already poured...<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Always use pinking shears for cutting fabric. It keeps the edges from unraveling and NEVER
EVER use them to cut paper.” Her bright blue eyes were sober...scissors were serious business. Her tiny
fingers cut around the pattern, then sewed perfect seams- She made me clothes
until I was about ten. <o:p></o:p></div>
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It’s then that I blinked. Her eyesight was fading and
her hands would shake and she just couldn’t thread a needle any longer...<o:p></o:p></div>
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“You know, It is just as easy to marry a rich man as a poor
man, and short stubby toes are the sign of royalty.” She would talk to me as I threaded buttons stored in an old cookie tin while she moved a yellow stepstool across the linoleum kitchen
floor, cleaning, pulling out a spaghetti bowl, making sure the plastic wrapped sofa was clean. </div>
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<o:p></o:p>I blinked and then she couldn’t walk without the help of my arm<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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And when I blinked again, she was gone <o:p></o:p></div>
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My daughter was born on what would have been her 90<sup>th</sup>
birthday. A final gift that keeps her with me. <o:p></o:p></div>
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And now, my sons who were once my babies, have their
own. Watching them, I know they will never be the same people
they once were. It happened in a
moment, during that tiny sliver of time
between not being a parent and falling in love for the rest of your
life with a squalling, squirming, messy, noisy little thing. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I find myself in the space my grandmother once held and I can only hope my grandchildren will remember...smiles, hugs, crochet hooks and silly songs, paints and pianos...</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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When they blink. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2044914018344288271.post-85073589578020354032015-01-01T14:47:00.000-08:002015-01-01T14:47:08.089-08:00Happy New Year!!<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s a NEW YEAR-and so many wonderful things are happening in my life. The biggest news is that I'm going to be a grandmother! I'm so excited- and crocheting...a lot! I quit smoking cold turkey a week ago and I'm feeling wonderful about that and I curbed my caffeine addiction recently also. </div>
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Because I'm so darned happy, I'm going to kickstart it
with a 25% off coupon for my e-books at Smashwords. It’s available in all of these formats: <span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></span><abbr style="background-color: white; border-bottom-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; cursor: help; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;" title="Nook, Kobo, Sony Reader, and tablets">epub<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></span></abbr><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"> </span><abbr style="background-color: white; border-bottom-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; cursor: help; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;" title="Kindle">mobi<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></span></abbr><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"> </span><abbr style="background-color: white; border-bottom-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; cursor: help; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;" title="Desktop; best for technical, illustrated, or photographic works">pdf<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></span></abbr><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"> </span><abbr style="background-color: white; border-bottom-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; cursor: help; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;" title="BeBook">rtf<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></span></abbr><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"> </span><abbr style="background-color: white; border-bottom-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; cursor: help; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;" title="Older Sony readers">lrf<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></span></abbr><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"> </span><abbr style="background-color: white; border-bottom-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; cursor: help; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;" title="Older Palm devices">pdb<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></span></abbr><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"> </span><abbr style="background-color: white; border-bottom-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; cursor: help; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;" title="Archival; contains no formatting">txt<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></span></abbr><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"> </span><abbr style="background-color: white; border-bottom-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; cursor: help; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;" title="Available for reading online">html</abbr>,
so you can use it with all those new Kindles, computers and iPads you all got
over the holidays! The link to the first
book “Death Is A Relative Thing” is right here <a href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/469520">http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/469520</a>
and the coupon code is <span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">YZ25L</span>. The
sequel, “Relative Identity” is also discounted.
Find it here, <a href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/476254">http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/476254</a>
and use coupon code XA53L. That’s
a lot of laughter for only $3.74 each e-book. The coupon is good until Feb 01, 2015. </div>
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Wishing you all the best for 2015. </div>
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Holly <o:p></o:p></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2044914018344288271.post-2029150056385829902014-09-14T06:24:00.003-07:002014-09-14T06:24:43.241-07:00Relative Identity is now available!<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"> Quick update. My second book, Relative Identity is now republished! You can get it on Smashwords.com right here </span><a href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/476254" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/476254</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"> and it's also at the Kindle Store. Apple. Barnes and Noble and Kobo versions will be distributed within a week. Use the coupon at Smashwords for 20% off. Coupon code is FJ27T. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">You can still order Death Is A Relative Thing on Smashwords with coupon code </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.4444446563721px; line-height: 22.2222232818604px;">XP35F until 9/22/14. Only $3.99 right now! </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.2222232818604px;">https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/469520. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.2222232818604px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.2222232818604px;">Enjoy and have a great day!</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2044914018344288271.post-72177747843651519652014-08-22T19:25:00.001-07:002014-08-22T19:42:17.706-07:00What A Long Strange Trip It's BeenIt's been a horrifically long time since I've updated my blog. I can only say that for months now I have been vacillating, soul searching and trying to make some decisions about the future of my writing. I'm happy to say, I'm finally where I need to be. <br />
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Back in 2010, my first book "Death Is A Relative Thing" won first prize and the Editors Choice award in the Great American Novel Contest. I was thrilled, but even more happy when TAG Publishing told me they wanted to publish the book. They also published my second book, "Relative Identity", which was also an award winner. They are a small print on demand publisher. They helped me a lot, they got my feet wet in the industry, created fun cover art and did all of the million tasks I didn't want to be bothered with and truly was ignorant about like obtaining ISBN numbers, editing, formatting for print and e-pub versions, etc. For that I paid a price. I signed over my rights to the books, shared my earnings and lost editorial and pricing control. Of course, everyone gets a piece of the action and they did their share of work, so I never thought it was unfair. </div>
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I started wondering though, if there was a better way. Print on demand books are print on demand whether they are through a publisher or self published. I started to realize that having a middleman wasn't really getting me any additional marketing exposure, in fact it was probably hurting because I couldn't call the shots, determine the platforms or decide on changes. Having a publisher didn't change the fact that the books were not mainstream and they were always going to be a tough sell to libraries and brick and mortar bookstores. The print on demand format just doesn't fit conventional return policies or discount offerings the way large print runs do. </div>
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I started considering self publishing before the second book came out, but I was scared. I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to pull it all together, that my book would look amateurish and, worst of all, I didn't want to say that I was 'self published'. In my world I felt that if the only person who feels I should be published was me, well then, I probably shouldn't go there.</div>
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So like I said, I've been soul searching. I want my books to be the best they can be and I thought with a publisher that would happen, but that's wasn't my reality. There were spelling and grammatical errors that I found embarrassing. Some were introduced during professional editing, some were my own, but getting them fixed was difficult. I couldn't access the files to make changes. I couldn't decide when and if I wanted to run a promotion. I couldn't see how many copies I had sold until months and months after the fact. Something needed to change. </div>
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The people at TAG and I had a discussion and I got released from my contract. Rights are now reverted back to me. I was happy that I also received the cover art files from them, as I really didn't want to alter the look of the books now that they have been somewhat established. But this left me with a real problem. For all intents and purposes, the books have been off market since March. Yes, Amazon still is selling the print versions because they have some copies on hand, but the place where I have gotten the most exposure and sales has always been the e-book versions. So I have combed through the book and made small changes that were necessary. I've added the first chapter of the second book so readers can get a little taste of what's to come. And I'm excited again. Very. </div>
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So that all being said, I am very pleased to announce that 'Death Is A Relative Thing' is back in e-format! And now it's not just on Amazon for Kindle. It's for Apple and Kobo, and Barnes and Noble's Nook and Smashwords and well, really just about any reader can be utilized. </div>
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"Relative Identity' is next. It's almost ready to go to the wonderful people at <a href="http://www.polgarusstudio.com/" target="_blank">Polgarus Studio</a> who formatted "Death Is A Relative Thing". I'm anticipating about two weeks before it's online. And I'm working on the third book in the series which is now officially dubbed "The Ghosts, Guilt and Tweezers Chronicles." I'm working towards a January 2015 release. I hope you spread the word and if you haven't read the first book yet, please do. </div>
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'Death Is A Relative Thing' will be available directly from Amazon, Apple and B&N within a few days as it does take time for everyone to update their book lists, however the files for any of the readers can be purchased immediately (Yes right now!) from Smashwords. </div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Sample or purchase Death Is A Relative Thing here: </span><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/469520" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">https://www.smashwords.com/<wbr></wbr>books/view/469520</a><br />
And as a thank you for managing to read this blog in its entirety, ... I am including a 20% off coupon. It's good for a limited time. Order from Smashwords and use code <strong style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 21px; line-height: 30px;">XP35F </strong><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; line-height: 30px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">for your discount.</span></span><br />
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After the e-book version of 'Relative Identity' comes available, I'll focus on pulling together the print versions. As much as the market is changing, I am still always going to want my books to be..well...books. I don't think I'll ever love e-reading as much as I love holding a book and turning a page, but I am becoming one of a minority. </div>
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I'll update again when "Relative Identity" is online and now that my initial foray into the world of self publishing is behind me, I hope to find time to update this blog more regularly. </div>
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Thanks to all- Holly </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2044914018344288271.post-9971617443755845902014-04-02T03:41:00.000-07:002014-04-02T03:41:02.630-07:00Book RevampOh NO! If you look for my books 'Death Is A Relative Thing', or "Relative Identity' over the next few months, you won't find them for purchase in either print or e-format. But they WILL be coming back, soon!<br />
<br />
I'm currently working with another publishing company. The downside is that the books will be off the market for a little bit. The upside is that they will be back with new distribution channels- bookstores, libraries and e-formats other than Kindle- I'm excited about this.<br />
<br />
Additionally, book three in the April Serao series is slated to come out sometime in the fall! Watch for it! <br />
<br />
We have about twelve weeks left in the process. I'll have a better date after I've seen the galleys. I'll keep you posted! <br />
<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2044914018344288271.post-68624854719003836002013-10-11T05:46:00.001-07:002013-10-11T05:46:02.772-07:00Shelly Beans Book ReviewRelative Identity Memorable Quote:<br />
<br />
It was Saturday night and people were jammed so closely that it would take a crowbar and a vat of petroleum jelly to navigate the crowd, and from the looks of it, half of them would have enjoyed the combo way too much.” (pg. 63)<br />
<br />
Read the rest of her review here : <a href="http://shellybeansbookreviews.blogspot.com/">http://shellybeansbookreviews.blogspot.com/</a><br />
<br />
Have a great Friday!<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2044914018344288271.post-88647760607435773672013-10-08T15:14:00.002-07:002013-10-08T15:14:49.312-07:00Virtual Tour and Giveaway!<span class="userContent">I'm, doing a Virtual Book Tour and on the first stop we are giving away both of my books, 'Death Is a Relative Thing' and 'Relative Identity'. Enter to win! Great holiday gift if you have them, and if you don't have them, fun to read! <a href="http://lynnettesbookworld.blogspot.com/2013/10/we-talk-to-holly-patrone-author-of.html" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank"><span>http://</span><wbr></wbr><span class="word_break"></span><span>lynnettesbookworld.blogspot.com</span><wbr></wbr><span class="word_break"></span><span>/2013/10/</span><wbr></wbr><span class="word_break"></span><span>we-talk-to-holly-patrone-author</span><wbr></wbr><span class="word_break"></span>-of.html</a></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2044914018344288271.post-46754282815117393882013-10-05T13:15:00.003-07:002013-10-08T06:05:18.610-07:00<iframe frameborder="1" height="600" src="http://www.prlog.org/12220145-author-holly-patrone-says-she-writes-because-shes-lousy-dancer.html?embed" width="700"></iframe><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2044914018344288271.post-16604657547186030032013-09-28T21:01:00.001-07:002013-10-08T06:03:59.155-07:00A Marshmallow Autumn<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I went to the grocery store last week and grabbed the usual, milk, bread, and eggs. As I was about to check out, on an endcap...were MALLOMARS!</div>
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Check out the post reprint:</div>
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The weather is getting cooler.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For some people it is a sad signal that
summer is over, for others it is a sign to head upstate and watch the leaves
turn brilliant shades of scarlet, yellow and orange.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For yet another subset of people it is a time
of introspection, the fall equinox, the natural order of things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For me, well, the fall means celebration, a
time of joy for once again, it is Mallomar season.<o:p> </o:p></div>
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I'm sure you're familiar with these cookies, but just in case...a Mallomar is a gently domed marshmallow enthroned
on a round graham cracker that is then covered entirely in pure dark
chocolate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eating one is exotic and
dangerous- a little retro- kind of like having sex with a biker dude on the
roof of a VW van...(Just heresay mind you, no first hand knowledge!) but it is
THAT good.<o:p> </o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
When I was pregnant with my daughter, I developed sudden
cravings for Mallomars somewhere around my sixth month. It was June. I went to
Waldbaums, money gripped tightly in my fist- ready to pay whatever price. </div>
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Anticipating my first luxurious chocolate covered bite- I
searched the shelves, walked up and down the aisles, but there were none.
Undaunted, I headed down the road to King Kullen were alas, also, not one box
was to be found. <o:p> </o:p></div>
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A store employee was stocking shelves with animal crackers a
little further down the aisle so I approached him and asked ...<o:p> </o:p></div>
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"Where would I find the Mallomars?"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By this time my best guess was that they were
enshrined in some special area of the store, probably in a goldtone case with
MALLOMARS spelled out in Diva lights. I just needed him to point me in the right
direction.<o:p></o:p></div>
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"Mallomars?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh
well, you won't see them until the end of September."<o:p> </o:p></div>
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"Huh?"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
felt a wave of faintness as a few pregnancy hormones did a full head rotation.
"Ok look, that is unacceptable, you need to order them and get them in
NOW!" My voice dropped a few octaves and the "N-O-W<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>came out sounding much like Darth Vader. <o:p> </o:p></div>
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He backed up a few steps, shrugged nervously and said
"Look Lady, they don't ship them all summer. They melt. You won't find
them anywhere."<o:p> </o:p></div>
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I went home and immediately called Nabisco headquarters in <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">New Jersey</st1:place></st1:state> where I asked
for the president of the company. When they refused to put me through I asked
for the vice president.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When that didn't
work, I asked for Willy Wonka. <o:p> </o:p></div>
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CLICK! Somehow we got disconnected. Figures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><st1:place w:st="on">Jersey</st1:place>!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p> </o:p></div>
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I tried again, pushing various option buttons until I got
connected to a saleswoman who introduced herself as Pat. "Pat! Hey!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need some Mallomars- the stores here don't
have them- can you please send me a few dozen boxes direct please?"<o:p> </o:p></div>
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"Uh, no.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lady,
we don't ship Mallomars from April to September. They melt"<o:p> </o:p></div>
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"I've heard that- But look Pat...I am right here in <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">New York</st1:place></st1:state>...we're
neighbors- They won't have TIME to melt."<o:p> </o:p></div>
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"Sorry- we don't even have any to send. We've stopped
production<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>for the summer"</div>
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My voice took on the same low deep timbre as it did with the
man in the store. I spoke slowly and carefully into the phone.<o:p> </o:p></div>
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"Pat...Pat...look, I'm six months pregnant and
desperate. I KNOW there are a few boxes kicking around there, maybe under your
desk even. Pat....Pat...Are you holding out on me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keeping all of that rich gooey chocoate
goodness to yourself?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know where you
live Pat....I'm even sure your desk is on the first floor...are you sure you
don't want to send me a few little cookies? Pat...I have ways...." <o:p> </o:p></div>
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CLICK!<o:p> </o:p></div>
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I sighed and rubbed my belly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My poor daughter would never experience a
Mallomar in utero.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had introduced her
to a number of the finer gastric pleasures like hot naked buffalo wings, White
Castle Hamburgers and dirty water dogs from a roadside truck, but this delight
would have to wait.<o:p> </o:p></div>
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I took a graham cracker, a slab of dark chocolate and a
marshmallow, stacked them and threw the pile into the microwave for 10 seconds.
It would have to do. </div>
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Then I made 4 more...<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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and waited.<o:p></o:p></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2044914018344288271.post-80019652735790283022013-09-05T22:20:00.000-07:002013-09-05T22:20:23.975-07:00NaNoWriMo 2013<br />
I've joined NaNoWriMo this year. A month of literary abandon. An idea that in 1999 had 21 participants and has grown to being something of a movement. In 2011 over 250,000 aspiring novelists signed up and over 30,000 of them completed the challenge. <br />
<br />
I've committed to writing a 50,000 word novel in 30 days. That's almost 1700 words a day. Not an easy task. Especially difficult for a perfectionist.<br />
<br />
Friends for years have asked me if I was going to 'do' NaNoWriMo. Personally, I've never seen the point. My feelings? How good can any writing possibly be if the author is only concerned with churning out words? Quantity over context? Never!<br />
<br />
Yet here I am. All signed up and steeling myself for November 1. Why? Well I am probably my own worst enemy when it comes to writing. I love it and I do it every day but I find myself making little progress. I read, re-read, edit and re-edit my work as I go along. I slow to a snails pace because I can't move forward until what I've written is the best I can make it. <br />
<br />
I'm looking to break free and learn to just write. Let the words flow and allow my writing to be flawed. Trust that it will come together in edits, and re-edits.<br />
<br />
I think NaNoWriMo may help me grow as a writer. I'm not sure that I will create something that is publishable (even after numerous edits) in that thirty day time, but I am hoping to break free of my writing OCD, and that in itself would be a win for me. <br />
<br />
The rules also state that it needs to be started from scratch, so I won't be finishing up I'm working on currently or dragging out something I have had shelved. I'm going to do this by the book. <br />
<br />
It should be interesting. And a lot of work. And very gratifying. Wait... did I say terrifying or gratifying?<br />
<br />
If anyone wants to check it out and/or join up, head over to <a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/">http://www.nanowrimo.org</a> <br />
<br />
Look me up. My NaNoWriMo name is Shakeabop. <br />
<br />
Counter starts November 1.<br />
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tick<br />
toc<br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Cimg%20src=%22http://www.nanowrimo.org/widget/LiveParticipant/shakeabop.png%22%20/%3E">NaNoWriMo Word Count </a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2044914018344288271.post-58958525216562393802013-06-09T20:16:00.000-07:002013-06-09T20:16:36.264-07:00The Merciful Thing To Do
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My son Joe gave me a beautiful hanging planter on Mother’s
day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pink and white blossoms in a huge
basket, long flowery tendrils hanging over the side, robust dark green
leaves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He walked into the house, kissed
me and handed it over.<o:p> </o:p></div>
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“Happy Mothers Day!”<o:p> </o:p></div>
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“Thanks Joe”<o:p> </o:p></div>
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Then, chiming in from the corner of the room, another voice.<o:p> </o:p></div>
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“So, Joe what did that plant ever do to you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did it indicate in any way that it had a
death wish or were you just being sadistic?”<o:p> </o:p></div>
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Rob.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My second
child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How well he knows me!<o:p> </o:p></div>
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Enter my mother.<o:p> </o:p></div>
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She said to Joe, “Nice plant!” Then turning to me she added,
“Maybe you should just give it to me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p> </o:p></div>
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Everyone’s a comedian.<o:p> </o:p></div>
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I decided it was high time I grew something… and had it
survive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
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How hard could it really be?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I mean, it’s spring and the whole neighborhood is brimming with people
tending little plants. If they could do it, why can’t I? Most are growing
vegetables, a booming business in this economic downturn. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because of it, walking around my neighborhood
has become a lot more fun than it used to be!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I get guys talking to me about their jumbo cucumbers-and they are quite
forthcoming with details related to how big they will get with some tender
loving care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lady down the road told
me that she traded in her Small Fry tomatoes for Supersonic VF Hybrid grafted ones-
explaining that they will keep their firmness when everyone else’s have
shriveled and were hanging on the ground. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was able to learn a number of fertilization
techniques from the couple next door, but I digress….<o:p> </o:p></div>
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I created my own little garden, a small piece of heaven and
cost effective nutrition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
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Growing <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>tiny
seedlings and transplanting them to the tilled and fertilized outdoor garden
went better than expected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made sure
they would have enough sun and made certain they were close to a water source
as insufficient quantities of both have derailed my gardens in previous years. I
planted them tenderly, with little stakes at the beginning of each row
indicating what vegetable my family would be enjoying in a few months and
watered my little bambinos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I put
up a little fence so the area was cordoned off- a necessary visual barrier for
the kids as verbal instructions are rarely successful without reinforcement.<o:p> </o:p></div>
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All was going very well for close to 18 hours. <o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
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Just so you know, that’s probably a record for me. <o:p> </o:p></div>
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As I was letting my puppy in from outside, I noticed she had
a sprig of green in her mouth. I stood there, not quite comprehending for a few
very long moments, knowing it looked a lot like one of the carrot plants I had
sown, but not understanding how it possibly could be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Reality slowly dawned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I eased my head toward the garden, terrified
to look. Glancing out of the corner of my eye, my worst fears were confirmed. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was met with a vast, nuclear wasteland here
my garden should have been….grey, flat…..dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were partial plant
carcasses<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>strewn about haphazardly,
holes were dug, and a little pile of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>puppy dung sat in the center where my one pumpkin plant should have been.
My fence had been breached, violated by an overzealous ten pound Boston Terrier.<o:p> </o:p></div>
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I have concluded that I will serve our economy best by
purchasing vegetables at our local farm stand…<o:p> </o:p></div>
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I stopped in front of my Mother’s house, knowing that what I
was about to do was the right thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
tenderly placed the basket Joe gave me in a blanket, nestled a bottle of plant
food between its blossoms and placed the bundle on her stoop. I rang the
doorbell, then ran and hid until I was sure mom answered and watched as she
brought it in the house. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Under the circumstances, it was the merciful thing to
do. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2044914018344288271.post-35601617674698270822012-12-26T06:30:00.002-08:002012-12-26T06:30:55.832-08:00Relative IdentityIt's been crazy, these past few months, trying to pull together the finishing touches on my new book. I was so excited when my publisher was able to post the Kindle version ahead of schedule, just in time for the holidays. Here's the upshot of what April is up to now!<br />
<br />
Relative Identity by Holly Patrone <a href="http://www.hpatrone.com/">http://www.hpatrone.com</a><br />
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Six years ago, April Serao’s husband Sal died by way of
birthday sex gone terribly wrong. Now he’s back, possessing the heavenly version
of a temporary visa and an uncanny knack for showing up at the most inopportune
times. </div>
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Finding some ‘alone’ time with new boyfriend Jack proves almost
impossible with husband Sal popping up unexpectedly in outfits that make his
legs look better than Aprils, not to mention the constant intrusion of her
mother – the original Sicilian Guilt Trip Queen. Though a ghostly husband can be
a bit trying, April has even bigger problems right now. </div>
<div>
<br />Shocked to find her
mailbox unexpectedly stuffed with collection notices for things she never
bought, April is beginning to suspect she’s the victim of identity theft. Before
she can even being to get things straightened out, her son Chris’ car is
repossessed, her house is vandalized and she’s arrested for assault with deadly
tweezers. Frustrated with the lack of help through official channels and angry
that her life has been turned upside down by someone she doesn’t even know,
April decides to track down the perpetrator herself. </div>
<div>
<br />What ensues is a wacky
madcap adventure as April tries to unravel the truth and still juggle her
chaotic life which includes answering questions such as:<br />Is there ever a good
reason to purchase a feather trimmed bustier and a meat grinder at the same
time? Is Jack as horrifically under endowed as Sal claims he is? Can voodoo
dolls cause collateral damage? What do Cherry Cola Red #17 hair dye and the
paint for April’s car have in common ? <br /><br />Find out in this, the new novel
and sequel to the bestselling book Death Is a Relative Thing by Holly
Patrone!</div>
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<span class="swSprite s_expandChevron"></span><a class="showMore" href="http://www.amazon.com/Relative-Identity-ebook/dp/B00AQQDNXO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1356532085&sr=8-1&keywords=relative+identity#">Show More</a> </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2044914018344288271.post-74719637186361217612012-09-21T20:31:00.005-07:002012-09-21T20:31:46.308-07:00Free Kindle Promo!<span class="userContent">Hey! </span><br />
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<span class="userContent">There will be a free Kindle promo of my book "Death Is A Relative Thing" running from Sept 22 through the 26th! If you haven't read it yet- here's the chance to do it for free! The sequel is completed and being reviewed by the publisher- so hopefully that will come out soon. When it does- you'll be ready!</span><br />
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<span class="userContent">Thanks so much!</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2044914018344288271.post-70371590200041531632012-04-25T20:39:00.000-07:002012-04-25T20:41:17.818-07:00Martha Clara and the Planting Fields<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Just finished the Martha Clara Vineyard Book Singing and Sale and it was WoNDerfUL! The weather was horrendous, so it was just great to be indoors with a lot of other people who were trying to escape the rain and have a good time.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidhSwqKWXRMN8uT9f9lrihrSfAAhk5AQ5zWgIKyiMdd0Femlcjn8AR31W1yAcnT2kiobCKZkatnZ-Jw8jMppb9DDkPnjgW13tNqQ-cmDQkyw9iVHC8jVfULdQWJkt60g1j_XovE4NznJ8/s1600/Martha+Clara+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidhSwqKWXRMN8uT9f9lrihrSfAAhk5AQ5zWgIKyiMdd0Femlcjn8AR31W1yAcnT2kiobCKZkatnZ-Jw8jMppb9DDkPnjgW13tNqQ-cmDQkyw9iVHC8jVfULdQWJkt60g1j_XovE4NznJ8/s320/Martha+Clara+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I had my favorite helper, Marisa with me. She hands out bookmarks and tells everyone what a wonderful writer I am, right after she discloses my age. (sigh)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOVB3fsSh0NBS9-gPIY_zqUdt8cNtMYkXvKsLWEUZJahswxmuh0ixOY1SVspZFDL_XX4kFYm4szlTacRzX3LbsXHxACJ5RNrmPSObkHCSnprW1l6qteKG9BYExCiWtkCmnVI2ywb-dfaE/s1600/Martha+Clara+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOVB3fsSh0NBS9-gPIY_zqUdt8cNtMYkXvKsLWEUZJahswxmuh0ixOY1SVspZFDL_XX4kFYm4szlTacRzX3LbsXHxACJ5RNrmPSObkHCSnprW1l6qteKG9BYExCiWtkCmnVI2ywb-dfaE/s320/Martha+Clara+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Anyway, I had fun, met some great people and am gearing up for the next event which happens to be coming up May 20. From 12-4pm I will be at the Periwinkles Garden Cafe in the Historic Hay Barn at the Planting Fields in Oyster Bay! 'Combining Books and Brunch' is the tagline. Love it!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwIesKqjdXYz9NTGVQK_S10AMeF9lUPsiEOEFAXmZU717IpQ9FG6lEsrm3UeL02kWG6lGH8vbw74TCefFRA_sRlp7YK9LXwwjIa3W3UqOL6Pvu5gioCuyWtB6U4EhhjIKim5ABm7QExho/s1600/jpeg_plantingFieldsMay2012-page-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwIesKqjdXYz9NTGVQK_S10AMeF9lUPsiEOEFAXmZU717IpQ9FG6lEsrm3UeL02kWG6lGH8vbw74TCefFRA_sRlp7YK9LXwwjIa3W3UqOL6Pvu5gioCuyWtB6U4EhhjIKim5ABm7QExho/s320/jpeg_plantingFieldsMay2012-page-001.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
C'mon down if you can!<br />
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Peace and hugs...Holly<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2044914018344288271.post-37585001586122650502012-03-03T18:50:00.001-08:002012-03-03T18:50:19.678-08:00Free Kindle PromoIn an effort to acquaint as many readers as possible my book before the sequel comes out, we are running a free Kindle promotion for the next four days only. Get your free Kindle copy here and remember, you can download the app if you don't own a Kindle. Please feel free to share this out! http://www.amazon.com/Death-Relative-Thing-ebook/dp/B00558VJ5M/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1330828029&sr=1-1Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2044914018344288271.post-84319503375110916152012-02-14T18:14:00.000-08:002012-02-14T18:14:12.296-08:00Martha Clara Vineyards Info<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Martha Clara Vineyard Book Fair Information</div>
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Hope to see you there!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2g9JZyU5YLqIoxLxkcqKFlcKzyyGLkPadUm4p5UoZ42KQQV_8DM11rLUQK-vcrERMOi44C18p4uqk79BPWYfAYAw4N52p6Xgg-Aj-24cbLxshmSOn_6QQsN3nt147HMOxBr6UA9GxJGQ/s1600/Marthaclara2012+revised+poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2g9JZyU5YLqIoxLxkcqKFlcKzyyGLkPadUm4p5UoZ42KQQV_8DM11rLUQK-vcrERMOi44C18p4uqk79BPWYfAYAw4N52p6Xgg-Aj-24cbLxshmSOn_6QQsN3nt147HMOxBr6UA9GxJGQ/s320/Marthaclara2012+revised+poster.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Long Island Authors Group to Hold Vineyard
Book Fair<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">More than 20 of Long Island’s best
authors will be at Martha Clara Vineyards on Sunday, April 22 from Noon until 4
PM.</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b>Media Contact:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Long Island Authors
Group<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: right;">
Dorothy McPartland<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: right;">
516-941-8825<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: right;">
littlelightpress@yahoo.com<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Riverhead, NY </span> </b><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">February 8, 2012<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Long Island
Authors Group </span><a href="http://www.longislandauthorsgroup.org/"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">www.longislandauthorsgroup.org</span></a><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">, will have an array of authors whose works
include fiction and non-fiction Adult, Young Adult, and Children’s Books at
Martha Clara Vineyards in Riverhead, Long Island, NY.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Admission to
the book signing event is free and open to the public. It will feature live
entertainment by “<i>Hart & Soul</i>”. Everyone who attends the book fair will be
eligible to enter a free drawing for an Amazon Kindle e-Reader, courtesy of the
Long Island Authors Group. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">"Martha
Clara Vineyards has been the perfect venue to host our annual book fair. What a
great way to spend the afternoon, sipping wine, meeting new and exciting
authors, and relaxing with a really good book," said LIAG’s president
Kerriann Flanagan Brosky. "Our authors consist of commercially published,
small press published and self-published. They bring a unique diversity to the
world of literature, and we're happy to showcase them at such a beautiful
location." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Authors
attending include: Loraine Alderman, PhD, Kerriann Flanagan Brosky,
Yvonne Capitelli, J.P. Cardone, Ian
Fydell, Tom Gahan, Gloria Golden, Christine Guardiano, Philip Keith, C.P.
Knadle, Meg Harper-Lawrence, Sandy Lanton, Suzanne Litrel, Dorothy McPartland, Matt Pasca, Holly Patrone,
Grace Protano, Linda Reid-Bryce, Jeff Rimland, Jim Roth, Richard Scheinberg.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">The Long Island Authors
Group is a not-for-profit corporation, 501c pending.</span><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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WHO: Long Island Authors Group. <o:p></o:p></div>
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WHAT: Book Fair, book signings, entertainment, wine
tasting, free drawing for an Amazon Kindle.<o:p></o:p></div>
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WHEN: Sunday,
April 22, Noon – 4 PM<o:p></o:p></div>
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WHERE: Martha Clara Vineyard, 6025 Sound Avenue,
Riverhead NY 11901<o:p></o:p></div>
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WHY: The public is invited to meet and chat with authors
from across Long Island. <o:p></o:p></div>
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More info about LIAG: <a href="http://www.longislandauthorsgroup.org/"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">www.longislandauthorsgroup.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2044914018344288271.post-65798062068192719412012-02-07T13:54:00.000-08:002012-02-07T13:57:44.673-08:00Update To My Last Update!<br />
Hey! I hope this finds you all well. I'm loving this Long Island weather- anxiously awaiting spring, but not complaining about how mild it's been.<br />
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I'm also looking forward to spring for a few other reasons- I wanted to give a little notice on a few events coming soon. <br />
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<b>Saturday March 31</b> at 2:00 I will be at the Riverhead Free Library. I'll talk about the book and answer questions. I hope I'll see some old friends there and meet some new ones. Registration is opening February 19 on the Riverhead Library website http://www.riverheadlibrary.org/ It should be fun! <br />
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I will be at at the Spring Book Fair with the LIAG (Long Island Authors Group) at Martha Clara Vineyards on <b>Sunday April 22, 2012</b>. Come on down and you'll have a chance to meet 20 or so other local authors as well as visit with me. More details are coming soon- but I am so excited about this! Martha Clara is located in Riverhead, NY. http://www.marthaclaravineyards.com/ <br />
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The highlight, I'm sure, will be to watch me sign books after a glass or two of wine! It'll be fun !<br />
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I know some people haven't signed up for notifies on this blog (and my other at http://www.homeschoolerbyaccident.blogspot.com ) because the process is limited to a few profiles, but now you can sign up with an email address! Yeah! So please do so (don't be shy!) and if you would, please forward this email to other people you think would enjoy this or my homeschooling blog.<br />
<br />
Also if you missed the Blogtalk radio show- you can catch it here- <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/jennifer-walker/2012/01/04/a-cup-of-coffee-and-a-good-book" style="background-color: #882222; color: #ddbb99; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;">http://www.blogtalkradio.com/jennifer-walker/2012/01/04/a-cup-of-coffee-and-a-good-book</a> See if you can count how many times I say 'ummmmmm' especially in the first 5 minutes! After the initial terror, I think the rest went ok. Let me know what you think.<br />
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I'm trying really hard to get the sequel to 'Death Is A Relative Thing' out- so I apolgize for not updating more regularly. I will though as soon as I can. Hope to see some of you at the events. Thanks so much Holly<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2044914018344288271.post-46658840071192389512012-01-03T08:35:00.000-08:002012-01-05T12:52:03.708-08:00Blogtalk Radio CorrectionIt is at 6:30 Eastern/3:30 Pacific January 4th. Sorry! I made the assumption it was eastern and it wasn't. Whew! Glad I looked! Thanks! The link again is <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/jennifer-walker/2012/01/04/a-cup-of-coffee-and-a-good-book"><span style="color: #ddbb99;">http://www.blogtalkradio.com/jennifer-walker/2012/01/04/a-cup-of-coffee-and-a-good-book</span></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2044914018344288271.post-74299471011928921812012-01-02T12:04:00.000-08:002012-01-02T12:06:52.200-08:00Ok, Now Take A Deep Breath!Wow. The holidays are over. Its been crazy and so much has been happening. I hope each and every one of you had a wonderful holiday. <br />
<br />
I want to share some exciting things that are happening in my world:<br />
<br />
First, I started homeschooling my daughter. Of course, I've created a blog to chronicle this adventure! You'll find it at <a href="http://homeschoolerbyaccident.blogspot.com/">http://homeschoolerbyaccident.blogspot.com/</a> It will be a fun ride I think.<br />
<br />
SHORT NOTICE ! Sorry for that, but if you can, please tune in to <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/jennifer-walker/2012/01/04/a-cup-of-coffee-and-a-good-book">http://www.blogtalkradio.com/jennifer-walker/2012/01/04/a-cup-of-coffee-and-a-good-book</a> I will be interviewed Wednesday January 4th between 3:30 and 4:00. I'm excited as this is my first live show! Think I'll be too nervous to talk? LOL NAH!<br />
<br />
This is also great- Right before Christmas, I found out I'd won first place in class in TAG Publishings Great American Novel Contest. I had entered the first 7,000 words of the sequel to my book "Death Is A Relative Thing" It's tentatively titled "Identity Is A Death Defying Thing" and they have asked to see the entire manuscript for possible publication. Of course, now I have to finish it! I love pressure! <a href="http://www.tagpublishers.com/uploads/2011_GAN_Contest_winners.pdf">http://www.tagpublishers.com/uploads/2011_GAN_Contest_winners.pdf</a> <br />
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Additionally, I will be speaking about my book on March 31 at the Riverhead Free Library from 2-4 pm. 330 Court Street Riverhead, NY 11901 You can call 727-3228, Ext 0 to register.<br />
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WHEW Enough! How about something fun. Here is a little holiday blast from the past- Something I'm recycling from my old blog. May everyone have love and luck in 2012 and a few lotto winnings wouldn't hurt either ! <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">THE OLDEN DAYS</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“Mom?” asked my seven year old daughter from the back seat of the car, “can we talk about the ‘olden days’?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like when you tell me about them.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“Sure honey, let me just turn up the volume on my hearing aid, ok?” Jeez!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“Ok.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hey mommy, did they have cars like this when you were a kid?”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“No baby, not like this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have you ever seen “The Flintstones? No I guess not, they aren’t even in reruns. Well we had to stop our cars with our feet, roll down our windows manually and there were no portable DVD players for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had to rough it by watching the scenery as it went by.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“Oh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Booooring!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She sat quietly for a bit.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“Mom?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“What?”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“Was there TV when you were a kid?”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“Yes honey, but not like you are used to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was no 24 hour children’s programming. We had only 7 channels and no do-overs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you missed a show, you were out of luck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If my room was clean, I was allowed a few hours of TV on a Saturday morning. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it wasn’t clean, grandma made me weed the flower beds. We watched black and white ‘follow the bouncing ball’ cartoons, Captain Kangaroo and Lassie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were no “on screen guitars”, belly buttons or talking back to teachers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh! And we had to take turns holding the rabbit ears on top of the TV to keep the picture viewable.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“Oh”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She thought for a moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Why did you keep a rabbit on the TV?”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“It was the 60’s version of cable”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“Oh. Mom?”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“What baby?”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Did you have stoves in the olden days?”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“No hon, we rubbed two sticks together and the whole family did a dance while sacrificing small woodland creatures to fire gods. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of COURSE we had stoves!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ask your grandmother about the stick rubbing thing though, she may have some insight for you.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Mom? Was I in your belly in the olden days?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Egads!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No hon, not until much much later. After marriage- but we will discuss all of that after you get out of the monastery daddy wants to send you to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And even though mommy looks like she still has you in her belly, we all know that you aren’t there because you sitting right here in the back seat asking me all these wonderful insightful questions!”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“Everything was so different then.” She looked a little sad. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I felt badly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe my answers hadn’t been what she was looking for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">An acute case of ‘Mother guilt’ set in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because of it, when she asked “Mom, can you help me build a snowman?” I said “Sure”, instead of “Uhhhh, well, I think sticking a fork in my eye would be a preferable activity.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">We got home, and set to work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made a small snowball and started rolling it around, watching it grow as it collected more snow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soon it was large enough that we were both pushing it around the front lawn, laughing, huffing and puffing. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We made two others and stacked them all up, shoring them with more snow where they met, making them bigger and rounder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My nose was running and we were both red faced and frostbitten.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I sat down in the snow because my legs were killing me. I called out “Hey Marisa, do you know how we built snowmen in the olden days?”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“No”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“Exactly the same way we do it now.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">She looked at me, grinned from ear to ear, ran over and gave me a hug.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ll go get a carrot, ok mom?”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“Ok baby, you go get a carrot.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">My butt was frozen to the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I laughed and waited for the spring thaw. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">***</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">May the New Year bring you much joy</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Here’s to embracing change</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">And to touching lives around us</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Looking ahead to the future</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">But may we never move forward so fast however, </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">That we forget from whence we came</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Simple pleasures and tradition</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Or how to make a snowman with a child.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2044914018344288271.post-63354592824943222982011-12-03T17:36:00.000-08:002011-12-03T17:39:08.992-08:00<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><strong>Side Street Books</strong> on N. Ocean Ave in Patchogue now sells 'Death Is A Relative Thing' Check it out- Diane the owner is very knowledgeable and nice- the store is very quaint and stocks both new and used books.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">The books can also be found on Rt 25 in Calverton at <strong>Something Creative</strong> and don't forget- I will be at the Cradle of Aviation on Saturday December 10. Fourteen writers from The Long Island Writers Group will be there to sell and sign books! </span><br />
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<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">Have a great day! Holly</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2044914018344288271.post-37238621469850871312011-10-19T17:21:00.000-07:002011-10-19T17:21:05.879-07:00Alaskan Book Cafe Review<a href="http://www.alaskanbookcafe.com/2011/10/review-death-is-relative-thing-by-holly.html">http://www.alaskanbookcafe.com/2011/10/review-death-is-relative-thing-by-holly.html</a><br />
Check out this review from Cristina at the Alaskan Book Cafe! Yeah- I love it Thanks so much!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2044914018344288271.post-64882883388334570952011-10-17T19:42:00.000-07:002011-10-17T19:45:02.109-07:00Pennies from HeavenOne year ago today, my friend, Penny Lindenberg died. She had leukemia. She left a husband and two young daughters. <br />
<br />
She was only 37 years old.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHLl5AL3k_OWshe8iMRR4plbZdYKU-sxBn1mzDz49KjggblmbmIscXEK6VNzplZPVvf7Y33vI8IHv86NY-7U5HvIPO1UTSJrxcd-Zh5istqDdjyam2AHCDD8FJXCtJtknkcF7eVle8M5o/s1600/penny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHLl5AL3k_OWshe8iMRR4plbZdYKU-sxBn1mzDz49KjggblmbmIscXEK6VNzplZPVvf7Y33vI8IHv86NY-7U5HvIPO1UTSJrxcd-Zh5istqDdjyam2AHCDD8FJXCtJtknkcF7eVle8M5o/s320/penny.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>A few potential bone marrow donors were found, but for reasons we don't know, they backed out. She didn't get what she needed in time to give her a chance.<br />
<br />
Please talk to people from DKMS about how to become a dedicated marrow donor. FAQ's are here- <a href="http://www.dkmsamericas.org/faq">http://www.dkmsamericas.org/faq</a>. The process of being a donor, if you are ever called, is not as difficult as movies make it out to be, or as scary. 70-80 percent of the time, donors are NOT asked to have any surgery- the transplant team uses a blood transfer system that is a lot like donating platelets. DKMS will ship you a test kit- it is a simple cheek swab.<br />
<br />
For more information on that, contact <a href="http://www.dkmsamericas.org/">http://www.dkmsamericas.org/</a>. <br />
<br />
Bone marrow donors are not like blood donors- there has to be almost an exact match on many levels for bone marrow- therefore ancestry and ethnicity matter. YOU could be someone's only chance for a chance. <br />
<br />
Thank you- HollyUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2044914018344288271.post-54111098578761962922011-10-13T13:15:00.000-07:002011-10-13T13:15:48.730-07:00A Toxic Plume & A Serial Killer Thriller<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hello all!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today is a banner day!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Long Island based author Robert Banfelder agreed to a contribute a piece he had written to post on my blog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you don’t know Mr. Banfelder, he is a man of considerable knowledge and writing skill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s an avid fisherman and outdoorsman as well as a businessman. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A renowned author who has written innumerable articles on fishing and boating, he’s also created writing courses and has penned novels. You can find out more about him at his website </span><a href="http://www.robertbanfelder.com/"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://www.robertbanfelder.com/</span></span></a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">KNOTS<span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">His latest full <span style="color: white;">length</span> book was published in September 2011 and is his first e-book edition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="color: white;">It’s called<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">KNOTS</span></i><span style="color: #ff0066; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">and it’s the<b> </b></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: white;">third novel in the award-winning Justin Barnes series</span><span style="color: white;">.</span> </span></span></span><a href="http://amzn.to/qZbF9Q"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://amzn.to/qZbF9Q</span></span></a><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <span style="color: white;">is the link to the book on Amazons site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Enjoy!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><div class="panel-pane pane-node-title" jquery1318534588815="13"><div class="pane-inside"><div class="pane-content"><span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A Toxic Plume & A Serial Killer Thriller </span></div><div class="pane-content"><span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span> </div><div class="pane-content"><span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Written by Robert Banfelder</span></div><div class="pane-content"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div></div><!-- end .pane-inside --></div></span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back in 1991, I was very fortunate to find a slice of heaven. I purchased a home situated on the Peconic River in Riverhead, Long Island. A recent article titled <em>Toxic Plume Threatens Peconic River</em>, published in our local newspaper, <em>The News~Review</em>, caught my eye. I live on and fish the Peconic River and the bays beyond, so this story certainly grabbed my attention. It is quite evident that the defunct Grumman airfield in Calverton, where aircraft for the United States Navy were built, commencing in April of 1954, has significantly contributed to polluting the upper reaches of the Peconic River. The culprits were chemicals used to clean the airplanes. I’ve been addressing this matter for years. Senator Charles Schumer has called for the Navy to commence a clean-up operation of the site to prevent further damage to the waterways. </span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI4t6J7dkCosxuMo5Tm8mDFEhteHT7a8Q6XiFm-JHn7fImCf7ZQr0x96ECtHWWk3fPJeb_nD8Xz5rpSgmfveNSQrfqghlmMcyaHGCue4AW5sbOPN952evSy5nLttLlTL6PzYY9g2HViPc/s1600/Bob_0.preview%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI4t6J7dkCosxuMo5Tm8mDFEhteHT7a8Q6XiFm-JHn7fImCf7ZQr0x96ECtHWWk3fPJeb_nD8Xz5rpSgmfveNSQrfqghlmMcyaHGCue4AW5sbOPN952evSy5nLttLlTL6PzYY9g2HViPc/s320/Bob_0.preview%255B1%255D.jpg" width="213" /></span></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As all my novels focus on serial killers, I research and delve into the slick, sick mind of the serial murderer. In order to build verisimilitude into my works, I attend trials; for example, the Robert Shulman serial killer proceedings. I have lectured at Kirby Forensic Psychiatric Center on Ward’s Island, New York, regarding that trial. I had made it my business to interview heads of law enforcement such as Detective Lieutenant John Gierasch, head of Suffolk County Homicide (now retired). Too, I sought out many peripheral players. You may be asking yourself, “But what does a toxic plume have to do with serial killers?” My two-volume thriller titled <em>The Author</em> explores an apparent psychopath who is ostensibly obsessed with the pollution of our environment and brutally murders the loved ones of those he deems <em>guilty</em>, while those responsible suffer interminably. Initially, the police believe they have an eco-terrorist on their hands, but authorities, along with my protagonist Justin Barnes—a covert operative for Suffolk County homicide—soon discover that they are dealing with a prolific serial killer.</span></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Peconic River has been in the news many times concerning heavy metals that are harbored in its depths. That is what motivated me to write <em>The Author</em>. Malcolm Columba (my antagonist), is the author and architect of an operation that surreptitiously and safely places federal agents within the ranks of extremist groups around the globe. But is a faction within the Bureau looking the other way? I write to entertain, but I also write to educate the reader.</span></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Suffolk County, Long Island is a magnet for cancer. That is a fact. I delve into the issue with devastating documentation. <em>The Author </em>is an award winner. Too many losers to this dreaded disease made <em>The Author</em> possible. The United States Navy, in its naiveté and neglect, deserves, to a large degree, blatant blame and the shame in polluting the upper reaches of the Peconic River. This is but a facet of cause and effect concerning the culminating point.</span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0