The Woe of a Woman Traveler—and Writer By Andrea Downing

I’ve had several road trips and other vacations with my darling daughter and one thing we’ve found along the way is that women travelers are not treated particularly well.  On one road trip we were increasingly upset by the fact we seemed to be invisible, as if some magic spell had been cast on us.  Servers ignored us constantly and things came to a head in Santa Fe, NM.  We had a reservation at what was supposedly an excellent restaurant with good reviews; it sounded particularly interesting because an art gallery was attached and I love looking at paintings—and, on occasion, buying them.  When we got to the restaurant we were told our table wasn’t quite ready and maybe we would like to walk around the gallery.  I could see almost immediately that the art there wasn’t our thing.  The gallery was arranged so that you walked through from one end back to the reception desk.  At that point, I was asked if there was anything I was interested in purchasing.  My negative reply, as sweetly put as it was, was greeted with disgruntlement, and we were shown to our table…and there we sat.  Dinner took over two hours, we closed the place down, and were completely ignored on departure despite the fact staff were gathered in the entry. Somehow we doubted that treatment would have been applied to men.

 This episode brought things to a head for us.  Nursing our aggravation, we put our woes to the female bartender at our hotel. ‘It’s because they think you won’t tip well,’ she informed us. ‘Women on their own don’t tip as well as men.’ Okkkk, but in actual fact, despite the lousy service I foolishly left a good tip.  Won’t do that again!  I’ve learned my lesson. But then, you see, it becomes self-perpetuating.  They think women are lousy tippers, give bad service and….  You get my point.

  Now my daughter is married and I venture off, on occasion, alone. Since I’m that much older, I seem to get help more often and even have the odd waiter (odd indeed) flirting with me—maybe in search of that better tip.  But I’ve also come across a new problem of the solitary woman traveler.  Last week I had to sleep with the lights on as mice ran around my lovely national park cabin.  I saw at least two, high speed little critters they were.  I figure a man would most likely have just gone back to sleep.

The difference between men and women has been playing out in the news as never before, but as romance writers we’re faced with it even as our fingers hit the keyboard.  While I’d like to think men were reading romance in numbers equal to women, it’s doubtful.  And then there’s even a genre called ‘Women’s Lit.’  I don’t see one called ‘Men’s Lit.’  Mysteries and thrillers? Westerns?  All right, I get it. Shelving in bookstores or divisions in the internet stores.  

What would we call Women’s Lit. if we took the woman out of it? and why should servers think women are lousy tippers?

As I leave these questions float out in the ether of cyberspace, let me also bring your attention to the  paranormal of From the Files of Nat Tremayne:  Two Tales of Hauntings in the Old West. If you’re looking forward to Halloween as I am, float on over to https://www.amazon.com/Files-Nat-Tremayne-Tales-Hauntings-ebook/dp/B0767HWT6S/ for a spooky read.

The Wild West gets even wilder when Nat Tremayne sends out his agents from Psychic Specters Investigations offices in St. Louis and Denver. Across country and across time, these agents will stop at nothing to unravel the mysteries that beset poor unsuspecting ranchers and cowboys who have no idea what they’re seeing . . .or not, as the case may be.
In The Ghost and The Bridegroom, P.S.I. Agent Healy Harrison is sent to Tucson to rid a rancher of the ghost in the bedroom interfering in his marriage to a mail-order bride. Healy doesn’t think she’s destined for romance—until she meets Pinkerton detective Aaron Turrell. But when their two cases dovetail, will their newfound love survive the ultimate showdown the between mortal and immortal.
In Long A Ghost and Far Away, agent Dudley Worksop aims to unravel the mystery of Colby Gates’ dead wife. Lizzie not only seems to have reappeared as a ghost, but has time traveled from 2016 to the 1800s. Can revenge be had for her murder? And can the couple be reunited across country and across time?

#New release: By Reservation Only by Barbara Edwards

Please join me in celebrating the release of By Reservation Only Book 1 in the Deerbourne Series from The Wild Rose Press on October 8. Buy Link: http://a.co/d/atQwzPx
Available for pre-order.

By Reservation Only from The Wild Rose Press

The Deerbourne Inn. New kitchen, new owner, new future--all rooted in three hundred years of history.

Blurb:

It's the grand opening of The Deerbourne Inn! Award-winning Chef Nathan Harte has worked long and hard to restore this historic property in Willow Spring, Vermont. He’s ready to greet his guests with fine cuisine, comfortable rooms, and maybe even a ghost or two. 

He's escaping the rat-race of the city for a slower more rewarding life, but is he ready to deal with a broken arm, a quirky arsonist, and a long-ago mystery? And what might he find up in the 300-yr-old attics?

Buy Link: http://a.co/d/atQwzPx

Excerpt: 

Since the inn was quiet, Emily pulled on a long t-shirt and opened the door. Her heart fluttered. She was disappointed Nate wasn’t waiting for her in the dark passage. She blew out a frustrated breath and opened one of the bedroom windows to let the fresh breeze blow in. A whip-poor-will called from the hill.

The comfortable bed beckoned her. Flowery potpourri scented the bedroom air. She lay on top of the handmade quilt and stared at the ceiling. Sleep eluded her. She lost count of the times she turned over, punched the pillow, yawned.

An owl hooted from the nearby woods. The call of the whip-poor-will sounded closer. The curtain flapped and the scent of smoke tainted the air. Her watch claimed it was only twelve thirty, not nearing dawn. She swore and rolled over again.

Someone knocked on Nate’s door and called his name. Emily pulled on her pants and sneakers before she opened her door.

“What’s happening?” Her pulse raced. Smoke, she smelled smoke.

Buy Link: http://a.co/d/atQwzPx

Bio:  I’m Barbara Edwards, a native New Englander, and a graduate of the University of Hartford with a Master’s degree in Public Administration. I write poetry for myself and novels when I need to tell a longer tale. I’m fascinated by the past so naturally turned to writing historical romance. The dark paranormal stories evolve from nightmares. The romance comes from my belief in people’s basic goodness and longing for love. 

  I lived in Florida for several years and am past president of the Central Florida Romance Writers and a member of Romance Writers of America.

When I returned to Connecticut, I founded the Charter Oak Romance Writers, a Chapter of Romance Writers of America, along with several close friends.

My husband is a retired Police Sergeant. We share an interest Civil War re-enacting and travel the Eastern states to participate in events. I love visiting museums, galleries and battle sites, gathering information for my stories.

I taught Romance Writing at Manchester Community college for three years.

I’m fond of gardening and growing antique roses with limited success. 

Most of my exercise is when my Belgian Shepherd, Keeno, demands a walk. 

Please follow, friend or like me. I love to hear from my readers.

 blog: http://barbaraedwardscomments.wordpress.com/

Website http://barbaraedwards.net

Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/BarbaraEdwards.Author

Twitter  https://www.twitter.com/Barb_ed

Amazon Author’s Page http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B003F6ZK1A

GoodReads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/496095.Barbara_Edwards

A "Plan B" Vacation Paradise by Leah St. James

You might recall that a few weeks back I wrote how my plans to vacation with my oldest/best friend in the Wrightsville Beach area of North Carolina went terribly awry when Hurricane Florence zeroed in on the area. My friend and I quickly switched to Plan B – North Carolina’s Outer Banks and Virginia Beach for the last few days. 

I knew then it was not exactly a shabby Plan B! But now, back home, I can officially report that it was  fabulous.

From food to friends to fun, our week away went without a hitch until an ornery ATM machine on our last night gave my friend a case of agita and me a near coronary. (I’m a BIT more neurotic than she is.) Luckily all ended up fine. (I still can’t find my house keys, but presumably they’ll turn up ... somewhere. I think the cat hid them.)
 
Here are a few highlights:

While my beach-deprived friend’s major goal was some serious beach-combing and swimming in the ocean, she’s always game for adventure, and we found it (well...our version of adventure).  Despite some rainy weather, we got two full days at beachside and spent a good chunk of time searching for shells and laughing at the tiny sand crabs scurrying across the beach as we walked.

This little guy was about three-quarters of an inch long, side to side.

 

The shell in the foreground is called a "lion's paw."
Hopefully you can make it out.

We spent a day on Roanoke Island on the Outer Banks and learned about the Lost Colony of Roanoke. (Since I'm an HEA person, my version of the mystery is that they went to live --happily, of course--with the natives.)

We caught the first day of Virginia Beach’s Neptune Festival and strolled the vendor fair where we discovered woodworking expert Larry Ringgold and his remarkable driftwood sculptures.

"Cat's Meow" by Larry Ringgold. The image doesn't do it justice.

We blabbed until after midnight, slept in and ate when we felt like it (a major departure for my normally regimented work-time schedule). We had a blast.

Here are my favorites from the week.

Wild Horses of Corolla 
Since reading about these horses, brought to the Americas by Spanish explorers, I've wanted to see them. We booked the last two seats from one of the tour companies, climbed aboard the 12-person beach-going Jeep and held on as we bounced our way down the beach. 

Luckily, it wasn't long before we spotted a "harem" (a stallion with three of his lady friends) hanging out by the water. At first they just stood there like a bunch of storefront mannequins. Then the stallion lifted his head and his ears went on alert. We followed his gaze down the beach and spotted another group of mustangs ambling in our direction. The tour guide warned of possible friction between two stallions, but luckily all were friendly. After sniffing around each other a bit, they went their separate ways. 

 

I call this the "parlay" shot. :-)

Another interesting part of the tour:  two areas of development right in the dunes. I mean modern houses built among dunes themselves, with no paved roadways, no street names, just houses plopped in the middle of dunes. Underground wiring provides all the comforts of home, but four-wheel drive or ATV is a necessity for living there...not to mention an exceptional sense of direction. (All I could think was how would Amazon even deliver!)

Dolphins!
My eagle-eyed friend spotted dolphins frolicking not far off the Virginia Beach shoreline on our last day for a perfect ending. We watched about six or seven swim up and down, with some flips and leaps, for about 30 minutes. Later that day, two dolphin-watching boats cruised by and I had to wonder if they  were able to spot any!

Sunset cruise along the Albermarle Sound
We got a surprise treat on our second day, courtesy of a friend from my job who has a home with her husband near where we were staying. We were going to meet up at her office, but she said, "Leah, come on by for some dinner and a cruise." (How lucky were we??) It was lovely and special.  Many thanks to our gracious, generous hosts!

They gave us a list of recommendations of things to do and see, including some good restaurants. (My ears perked up, of course.)

A big part of vacation for me is getting to try different foods. At home, normally TPM/hubby and I are pretty routine—due to both time and budget constraints. But you have to live it up a little on vacation, don’t you? Here are my top three picks for best food of the week:

Breakfast
Pocahontas Pancake and Waffle House, Virginia Beach
I had a garden veggie omelet with asparagus, tomatoes and roasted mushrooms and a  croissant, and my friend got a sampler platter. Naturally we shared. We agreed--the Belgian waffle was the best either of us has ever had. Huge portions, every bite delicious.

Lunch
Hungry Pelican Deli, Manteo, OBX
I had something called a “wheatberry veggie.”  I just remember my taste buds registering fresh, fresh, fresh with a delicious, savory dressing. I’m certain I ate every morsel and even lugged home a peanut butter-topped brownie for dessert later that evening.

Dinner
Slice Pizza, Kill Devil Hills, OBX
I had a slice of veggie. I can’t recall the toppings exactly (I was too busy inhaling the darn thing), but I do remember a perfect crust and fabulous flavor. Yum... one of the best slices I’ve ever had, including even in Brooklyn!  I told the guy working there they should expand...like to my neighborhood! :-)

(Sorry, seafood lovers. I don't like seafood so can't give you any ratings or recommendations. My friend, however, indulged in shrimp and she crab soup and I forget what else, and there was plenty to be found.)

It was a lot of fun trying different foods and seeing new places, but the best part of the week by far was spending time with my vacation buddy.

She and I have been BFFs for a loooong time. We met in sixth grade, quickly became inseparable through middle school and the first year of high school. Then her father was transferred and the family moved about seven hours away. That's nothing today, but back then, it might as well have been across country. There was no such thing as email or texting. Even long-distance phone calls cost money...more than we had. So we lost touch for a few years during our late teens/college years, but when we reconnected (thanks to her diligent investigative work when she returned to our hometown area!), it was as if a day hadn’t passed.

Since then, we’ve been there for each other for both joys and sorrows and everything in between. We’ve watched our families grow and form families of their own. And now, as we head into our senior-ish years, what a joy it was to spend a whole week together to catch up, share in such neat experiences and laugh at ourselves, together.

I miss her already. Luckily, we've started planning next year’s beach destination vacation. 

<><><><><><><><><>

Leah writes stories of mystery and romance, good and evil and the power of love. One of these days she’s going to tackle a “buddy” story to memorialize this lifetime of friendship. Learn more about her work at leahstjames.com, or visit her on Facebook where she occasionally posts about the writing life.

When I'm Sixty-Four by Alison Henderson

I'm sure you remember the old Beatles song, When I'm Sixty-Four. When that song was released, sixty-four seemed like a long way off for most of us. Well, it's much closer for me now. In fact, it's tomorrow.

I don't know how I managed to get so old in such a short time, but rather than bemoan it, I've decided to own it. Thanks to good genes, excellent make-up, and a top-notch hairdresser, I don't think most people would guess my true age upon meeting me. The very best part of turning sixty-four is that it's only one more year until sixty-five and MEDICARE! Let me tell you, as someone who has to pay $1,438 a month for bare-bones health insurance, Medicare is the shining light upon the hill.

Another good thing about turning sixty-four is I don't really need, or want, much of anything. OG is taking me out to dinner at my favorite restaurant, and that's about it. I did, however, give myself a present this year that I thought I'd share with you.

You may remember how much I love fairy gardens. Every year I build two new ones for my garden club's silent auction fundraiser. I also have my own, but after several years, it had grown tired-looking. For my birthday, I decided to replant it. OG also refurbished all the accessories that had been bleached nearly white in our strong sun.

Here's the planter before I started. It's really cute--looks like an old wicker suitcase.

Here are the plants in place. The little tree is a Monterey Cypress seedling from my yard. I'm going to try bonsai with it.

And here is the finished product. Isn't it cute? If I take care of it, I should get several years of pleasure before I have to start over again.

Alison
https://www.alisonhenderson.com 

A Halloween Treat #1 by Christine DePetrillo

Happy October, ghouls and goblins!

You've been good, right? You deserve a treat, don't you?

Of course you do. 

This month, I'm highlighting two of my more Halloween-appropriate stories. First up in this post is More Than Candy Corn, a Maple Leaf Series Halloween novella. 

Blurb:

Sienna Faye makes her living designing toys for her father's Boston company, Faye Toys. Working for her father brings many pressures, some in the form of a video gaming heir he wants her to marry because it would be "good for business." Attending Super Con in St. Martin right before Halloween is just the escape she needs to hide and avoid telling her father she won't use marriage as a merger. The conference also gives her an excuse to have some fun in a fairy costume. 

Max Devon writes and illustrates graphic novels for his rabid teen readers. He loves his work, but every woman he's been with so far has trashed his career, telling him he'll never grow up if he always surrounds himself with superhero figurines and other nonsense. They just don't understand where inspiration comes from. Super Con is his chance to take a break from women or, if he takes his brother's advice, it could be a place to "just get laid," no strings attached. 

When Sienna stops at Max's booth at Super Con, the connection is instant. But if Sienna brings Max home, her father will flip. If Max lets Sienna into his heart, she could stomp all over it. Is a magical time in St. Martin enough to change everything for them both?

Mini-Excerpt:

“You and Christie are good friends, right?” Max asked.

“The best. Since kindergarten. But what made you conclude that?”

Sienna turned to face Max. He’d taken his hood off when they’d gone to meet Phil, and that chin-length blond hair gave him a rock star flavor that had her imagining things again.

“She said she liked me.” He made the statement as if that explained everything.

“So?”

“So, that was her giving you the okay to like me.” Max stood and held a hand out to Sienna.

She took his hand and let him pull her to the dance floor. “I don’t need her okay to like you.”

Max drew her in close, one arm wrapping around her back, the other bent and holding her hand between their bodies. “Oh, so you do like me?”

Pick up More Than Candy Corn for only $1.99 and enjoy a treat in the form of Max Devon, a new book boyfriend for you.

What's your favorite Halloween candy? Mine is Reese's Peanut Butter Cups!

Toodles,
Chris
www.christinedepetrillo.weebly.com

Life Is Expensive...Books Aren't by Jannine Gallant

Life is expensive. Just getting through the month in the black can sometimes be a challenge. For that reason, we all gravitate toward sales and feel like we've scored a victory when we get a great deal. I, for one, am a deal shopper in everything from clothes to groceries. Or maybe I'm just cheap...

Let's take a look at the price of life. It certainly varies from location to location. Homes are a prime example. In the United States, the median cost of a home is $217,000 (I looked it up in case you were wondering). In Tahoe City, the median price is $720,00. No wonder my husband says we have to move if we ever want to retire! Our gas prices here are also ridiculous. Currently, $4.29 per gallon for the cheap stuff. If you live in the South, you pay $2.55 per gallon. I can't even imagine such a windfall at the pump! But, average wages are higher in CA than in a lot of other places. In Tahoe, there is very little unemployment, although work tends to be seasonal. We all have our own set of challenges.

BUT, people everywhere seem to be willing to shell out $3 to $4 for a cup of coffee at Starbucks without batting an eye. And how about greeting cards. I spend 20 minutes scrounging through the shelves for a card that costs $3.50 because I REFUSE to spend $6 on a freaking birthday card!

Then there are books. No matter where you live, books cost the same. And, in general, they're a damn sight cheaper than a birthday card! I honestly get why no one is going to pay $15 for a Print On Demand book by an unknown author. But they'll pay $15 for a digital book by Nora Roberts! FIFTEEN DOLLARS!! I just checked and nearly fainted when I saw the price. And that book, her latest, is currently ranked #18 in romance! But when we price our digital books at $3.99, readers think they're too expensive. FOUR DOLLARS for hours of enjoyment!! A price they routinely shell out for a cup of coffee that will last fifteen minutes, or a birthday card someone will look at for fifteen seconds and then throw away. Yet the book, which will probably take a reader 6ish hours to finish, is too expensive? I just don't get it.

However, I'm game when my publisher puts one of my books on sale. Because if you can't spend 99 cents on a book, you're even cheaper than I am! All my BORN TO BE WILDE books are on sale for the entire month of October for only 99 CENTS!! If you haven't read this series, now is the time to start. Here is the link on AMAZON. Or pull up the links on my WEBSITE to purchase from other retailers. Happy reading!

Your Ever-changing Author Platform by Rolynn Anderson

Wisdom sharing time, team!

A colleague of mine, Mara Purl, and I are putting on an AUTHOR PLATFORM workshop at the InD’Scribe Conference. We’ve got a good handle on the talking points and I’ve developed a handout for attendees that encourages them to write down their ideas as we talk. We’ll have a wide range of experience in our audience…some of them in the biz as long as you have been.  We could use some tidbits from you!

We think the four ‘legs’ supporting an author platform are: GENRE, BRAND, GOAL, PASSION. The Hope: If an author can clarify for herself what she writes and can consistently articulate those premises to readers, she’ll find her niche…increase her readership.

Mara and I consider this a dynamic process. (Notice the table-top in my picture is quite worn :-) For example, my genre of choice these days is contemporary mystery with romantic elements.  (Used to be contemporary romantic suspense).  By examining my reviews and re-reading my own books objectively, listening to my editor’s comments along with my beta readers', I’ve see themes/patterns in my books I didn’t know where there.  As a result, I redesigned my website and aligned with new authors who were 'like me.' The path to pinpointing genre, brand, goal, and passion is quite a journey of self-discovery.

My questions for you…any one of these five or all:

1.  How much has your genre/brand changed over the years you’ve published?

2.  What do you wish you’d known about these concepts early in your publishing career?

3.  What’s your next step in polishing your author platform?

4.  What’s a author platform strategy that's worked for you?

5.  Critique all the above according to your experience. 

Thanks for your ideas, team.  I’ll be sure to give you feedback about what I learned from InD’Scribe workshops I attend (at InD’Scribe Oct. 4-7)!  Stay tuned for my blog entry on October 10. Cross your fingers for me, too.  BAD LIES is up for a Rone Award in the suspense/thriller category...at the conference.  Hope springs eternally!

Fire is Nice is coming out soon.  Here's the cover:

http://rolynnanderson.com

Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rolynn-Anderson/188767867821613  

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/rolynnanderson

Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4990049.Rolynn_Anderson

Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/author/rolynnanderson