Happy New Year!

and everyone else! I hope 2020 is a year of happiness, peace, and love for all. See you in January!

December Scribbler Box: Setting - AGAIN

I received my ninth box from Scribbler this month. Alas, another theme repeat. Don't get me wrong - there is still plenty to learn about this topic. I just don't understand why a company still in its infancy is repeating AGAIN. There are still so many themes/genres they have not covered yet.

As always, the first thing you see upon opening the box is a writing exercise/contest postcard. Each month provides a new challenge for writers to practice. 

The "Curated Writerly Gifts" this month include a bag of caramel popcorn, am "I turn coffee into books" pin, 2 metallic gel ink pens, and a Creative Writing Journal book meant to inspire you to "become the writer you want to be".

As usual, this box also came with an inside look at the publishing process for this months author, and an exclusive invitation to chat with a publishing professional: Chris Werner, Senior Editor at Lake Union Publishing, as well as the collectible 'Writing Passport' with the author discussing this months theme of SETTING.

This months new release novel is ONE FOR THE BLACKBIRD, ONE FOR THE CROW by Olivia Hawker.

Wyoming, 1876. For as long as they have lived on the frontier, the Bemis and Webber families have relied on each other. With no other settlers for miles, it is a matter of survival. But when Ernest Bemis finds his wife, Cora, in a compromising situation with their neighbor, he doesn’t think of survival. In one impulsive moment, a man is dead, Ernest is off to prison, and the women left behind are divided by rage and remorse.

Losing her husband to Cora’s indiscretion is another hardship for stoic Nettie Mae. But as a brutal Wyoming winter bears down, Cora and Nettie Mae have no choice but to come together as one family—to share the duties of working the land and raising their children. There’s Nettie Mae’s son, Clyde—no longer a boy, but not yet a man—who must navigate the road to adulthood without a father to guide him, and Cora’s daughter, Beulah, who is as wild and untamable as her prairie home.

Bound by the uncommon threads in their lives and the challenges that lie ahead, Cora and Nettie Mae begin to forge an unexpected sisterhood. But when a love blossoms between Clyde and Beulah, bonds are once again tested, and these two resilient women must finally decide whether they can learn to trust each other—or else risk losing everything they hold dear.

To learn more about this monthly box service: https://www.goscribbler.com/

Do you subscribe to any boxing services? Have you heard of SCRIBBLER? Are you tempted to join?

Merry Christmas!

This picture was taken in my front yard a couple of years ago. So far this year, we've had a few freezes, but no snow. It hasn't slowed down our celebrating though (for more info, or pics, check out my facebook or instagram pages). 

We've stayed busy enjoying time with friends and family. I hope you are able to as well. Wherever you are, whatever your situation, I pray you all enjoy a beautiful holiday season. Merry Christmas!

8 Christmas Freebies and Traditions

1) FOR KIDS - If you have the Amazon app, you can download some children's Christmas books for FREE. To learn more: http://www.amazon.com/iMarvel-Christmas-Story-Books-Free/dp/B0062NFLBM

2) FOR KIDS - Interested in more free books for kids? This site offers both holiday and other popular reads for free: http://www.kcedventures.com/blog/free-kids-holiday-and-christmas-books-online

3) FOR MUSIC LOVERS - iHeartChristmas Classics offers a free variety of traditional and contemprary tunes to get you in the holiday spirit: https://www.iheart.com/live/iheartchristmas-classics-6137/

4) MOVIES FOR ALL AGES - 28 of the best Christmas movies on Youtube in time for the 2018 season:  https://www.lifewire.com/watch-christmas-movies-on-youtube-3486071

5) 10 SHORT CLASSICS - some of my favorites are in this list: https://ebookfriendly.com/christmas-stories-free-download/

6) 31 BEST CHRISTMAS READS - Classics most everyone will recognize and love:  https://www.bookbub.com/blog/2017/11/21/classic-christmas-books-to-read

7) CHRISTMAS RECIPES - nothing puts me in the Christmas spirit faster than some of my favorite holiday foods. Check out these free recipes: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipes/187/holidays-and-events/christmas/

8) MORE MISCELLANEOUS - https://www.thefreesite.com/Seasonal_Freebies/Christmas/

What are some of your favorite holiday traditions?

Dead in the Dinghy

If you're still looking for a good read for Christmas, Dead in the Dinghy, the fourth book in the Ellen Jacobson "Mollie McGhie Sailing Mystery" series, will be released on Friday, December 13th.

What would you do if your husband became obsessed with turning your cat into an internet sensation?

Mollie McGhie is excited about the Coconut Cove regatta. She’s looking forward to sailing to Destiny Key, enjoying the Fourth of July festivities, and dressing her cat, Mrs. Moto, up in adorable costumes for her hubby’s crazy new YouTube channel. Instead, they lose the race, get caught in a dangerous storm, and find a dead body in their dinghy.

The local chief of police claims that it was an accidental death, but Mollie is convinced that a murder took place. During her investigation, Mollie gets drawn into the local art community, worries that her cat is going to turn into a diva, learns more about the mysterious Destiny Key, and even does a waitressing gig in exchange for bacon.

Can Mollie prove that someone was murdered in her dinghy or will this heinous crime be covered up?

Dead in the Dinghy is the fourth book in the light, humorous, and original Mollie McGhie cozy sailing mystery series. If you like kooky characters, adorable cats, and plenty of chocolate, you’ll love this cozy mystery. Grab Dead in the Dinghy today and laugh out loud from the first page to the last.

Spoiler Alert: You’ll want to binge watch cute cat videos after reading this book!

The Mollie McGhie Cozy Sailing Mysteries

Robbery at the Roller Derby - Book #0 (Prequel Novella)

Murder at the Marina - Book #1

Bodies in the Boatyard - Book #2

Poisoned by the Pier - Book #3

Dead in the Dinghy - Book #4

To learn more about about this author, or her books: https://ellenjacobsonauthor.com/

What great reads do you recommend for the holidays?

IWSG: Future Writer Self

It’s time for another group posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. Time to release our fears to the world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. If you’d like to join us, click on the tab above and sign up. We post the first Wednesday of every month. Your words might be the encouragement someone needs. You can also join us on twitter using the hashtag #IWSG, or on the Facebook page.

Now, IWSG hosts have changed up the format in an effort to make it more fun and interactive.Every month, they will announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG Day post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. 

Don’t forget to visit others that day to see their answers. Want to join, or learn more? Visit our - Sign-up List.

DECEMBER QUESTION:  Let's play a game. Imagine. Role-play. How would you describe your future writer self, your life, and what it looks and feels like if you were living the dream? Or if you are already there, what does it look and feel like? Tell the rest of us. What would you change or improve?

MY ANSWER: My future writer self should be more diligent about writing time. She wouldn't be afraid to tell people "no" in order to hoard a set amount of time for writing and submitting. She would have more publications, attend and even speak at more conferences/workshops.

What about you? How does your future writer self live?

Cyber Monday Deals: Book Sales

Good day readers and writers!

Cyber Monday is upon us, and this can be a great time to take advantage of deals on great books.

Many publishers, including Dancing Lemur, are running a special this weekend and Cyber Monday.

Do you know of any great deals on books right now? What books would you recommend gifting this holiday season?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.

              -Psalm 107:1 NIV

It’s the week of Thanksgiving in the United States. I’ll be spending time with family and friends, and hopefully doing very little actual work :-). I also plan to enjoy some of my favorite foods! 

I feel so very blessed. I'm in a particularly reflective mood and my heart is full of gratitude for the many things for which I am grateful: family, friends, home, food, health, travel, and so much more. 

For some fun reading, here are ten reasons I'm thankful to be a writer.

I'm also extremely thankful for my online family. As a thank-you to my readers and fellow bloggers, I wanted to share a short Thanksgiving romantic fiction piece I wrote (about 800 words). I hope you enjoy! http://writinginwonderland.blogspot.com/2017/11/thankful-every-day.html

I also hope you all enjoy a wonderful week full of good times. In case I don't make it online again this week - Happy Thanksgiving!

What are you thankful for having in your life?

November Scribbler Box: Science Fiction

I just received my eighth box from Scribbler. You can learn about previous boxes, and why I subscribed by clicking the "Scribbler" link in the labels below.

I was surprised it came a week early this month - I suppose in anticipation of the holiday rush. This month's theme is science fiction. As always, the first thing you see upon opening the box is a writing exercise/contest postcard. Each month provides a new challenge for writers to practice. However, the deadline for this month says 11/14 which was before they shipped the November boxes. I'm assuming this is a typo which should say 12/14, but I have not heard back from the company yet for a clarification of this. I will try to update this post when/if they clarify.

The "Curated Writerly Gifts" this month include A Writing Map to Fabulous Stories text and writing prompts with ALICE IN WONDERLAND themed artwork (and absolutely beautiful illustrations), a SPICE HOUSE packet of hot cocoa (yum), an "I make stuff up" sticker, a tablet of "Chapter Planner" pages, and a couple of cards of art inspired prompts/suggestions from writingmaps.com.

As usual, this box also came with an inside look at the publishing process for this months author, and an exclusive invitation to chat with a publishing professional: Grace Doyle, editorial director at Thomas & Mercer, as well as the collectible 'Writing Passport' with the authors discussing this months theme of SCIENCE FICTION.

This months new release novel is AFTERSHOCKS by Marko Kloos:

Across the six-planet expanse of the Gaia system, the Earthlike Gretia struggles to stabilize in the wake of an interplanetary war. Amid an uneasy alliance to maintain economies, resources, and populations, Aden Robertson reemerges. After devoting twelve years of his life to the reviled losing side, with the blood of half a million casualties on his hands, Aden is looking for a way to move on. He’s not the only one.

A naval officer has borne witness to inconceivable attacks on a salvaged fleet. A sergeant with the occupation forces is treading increasingly hostile ground. And a young woman, thrust into responsibility as vice president of her family’s raw materials empire, faces a threat she never anticipated.

Now, on the cusp of an explosive and wide-reaching insurrection, Aden plunges once again into the brutal life he longed to forget. He’s been on the wrong side of war before. But this time, the new enemy has yet to reveal themselves…or their dangerous endgame.

To learn more about this monthly box service: https://www.goscribbler.com/

Do you subscribe to any boxing services? Have you heard of SCRIBBLER? Are you tempted to join?