Originally posted on Between the Beats:
It’s the holiday season. We’ve passed Thanksgiving and now Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year’s is here. Somewhere in the midst of all that celebrating you suddenly feel as though the bottom dropped out. Shopping, caroling, entertaining, parties; whatever you’re doing and wherever you are, you just feel overwhelmed. Maybe you realize you’ve spent more than you should have. Perhaps… Continue reading Depression and the Holidays
Over half a million people in the United States are homeless; living on the streets, in cars, in shelters, on the couches or floors of friends or family, or in limited transitional housing. A quarter of these are children. Fifteen percent are “chronically homeless”; chronic homelessness is defined as “an individual who has a disability and has experienced homelessness for a year or longer, or … Continue reading Homelessness and the Holidays
Laura Lippman is skilled at creating stories that have more twists and turns that a country road. What the Dead Know is a perfect example of her talent. From the first page she sets up the mystery, presenting the main character caught up in a situation she did not foresee and is ill prepared for. With flashbacks, different characters perspectives, and a puzzle thirty years … Continue reading “What the Dead Know” by Laura Lippman
I have a BIG confession. Christmas is not my favorite holiday. I have a BIGGER confession. I don’t like most Christmas movies. However, over the years as the mother of four now grown children and five grandchildren I have had to succumb to several children’s Christmas movies. I see more of these movies in my not too distant future with the addition of a great … Continue reading December Weekends with the Kids: Christmas Movies to Share
There are a multitude of children’s Christmas books and most of us can name one or two. There’s “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” by Dr. Seuss, “The Polar Express” by Chris Van Allsburg, the Berenstain Bears Christmas books, and lots of Disney inspired Christmas books. I thought I would share some lesser known children’s Christmas books. I bet you’ll find something you like! Ages 2-4 … Continue reading Christmas Books for Children
Still on Sale “The Assassin Who Couldn’t Dance” by Glen Barrera is still only 99 cents on Amazon Kindle! With twenty-six 5-star reviews this is a must read! Blue-eyed Hector Munoz (his present name) is fluent in five languages, can kill a man a hundred different ways and yet, at twenty-three had learned almost nothing about life and love. His father and brother were … Continue reading December Book Blog
I’ve enjoyed Lynda Filler’s “Jet” series and was eager to read her book, “Target in the Sun”. Winning an autographed copy in a contest I never expected such a compelling story. The book is written in a very unique style; told from the perspective of three characters through using e-mails and journals as well as narrative. It’s much more than a romance; it’s the story … Continue reading “Target in the Sun” by Lynda Filler
“View From the Sixth Floor: An Oswald Tale” will be FREE on Amazon Kindle Nov 21 through Nov 23 in memory of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963. This romantic thriller takes a fictional “what if” look at the JFK assassination. Suppose accused assassin Lee Harvey Oswald had lived to defend himself. Imagine if 50 years after the assassination someone … Continue reading Thanksgiving Book Deals
Gems of Gratitude By The Sisterhood Alana Madden—Love’s Fate Chrissy Moon—Sharliss Christie Stratos—Intent Elizabeth Horton-Newton—Chloe’s Dream Jennifer L. Roche—A Ribbon of Rainbows Karen J. Mossman—In Distant Times LG Surgeson—The Tears of Winter Lily Luchesi—Unpunished Markie Madden—Jody’s Tail Publisher’s Note This book is a collection of short stories from authors all over the world. Some of the stories utilize the United Kingdom English spellings, which may … Continue reading Gems of Gratitude- Available Now!
I am honored to be part of The Sisterhood and to have my short story “Chloe’s Dream” accepted for this anthology. It means a lot to be included with so many amazing writers; all women, all strong, all very talented. Continue reading Gems of Gratitude – A Review
I write southern historical fiction, local history, and I've written a devotional book. The two novels I'm writing are set in Virginia and the Carolinas in the 1760s. My weekly blog started out to follow my journey as a writer and a reader, but in 2025 it has been greatly expanded to include current events and politics in the United States as I see our democracy under attack from within. The political science major in me cannot sit idly by and remain silent.
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