BEAUTY WITH NICOLE-- GUEST BEAUTY BLOGGER AUTHOR DEBORAH SHARP

Today is International Literary Day. In celebration, beauty editor Nicole Emmerling has invited a special guest blogger. Former reporter Deborah Sharp left the sad stories of the news biz behind to write the funny Mace Bauer Mysteries. She demonstrates unusual dedication to verisimilitude. She trekked 120 miles on horseback across Florida to “feel’’ the trail-ride setting for her second book. Far too many times, she donned hideously tacky bridal garb to promote her last book, set at a wedding (Mama’s fifth). Viewers of NBC’s Today got a glimpse last year of Deborah sporting her … uh, Mama’s … veil when she appeared on the program. She has no idea how she’ll top that stunt for the release this month of MAMA SEES STARS. You can read an excerpt from the first chapter of MAMA SEES STARS right here.  Or, you can check out Deborah’s website here.

In honor of International Literary Day, Deborah is giving away a copy of MAMA SEES STARS to one of our readers. All you have to do to enter is post a comment to the blog. In addition, for those of you with Kindles or Nooks, MAMA DOES TIME, the first book in the Mace Bauer Mysteries, is now available for a limited time as a FREE DOWNLOAD. Click here for the free Kindle download, and click here for the free Nook download. -- AP

Thanks to Anastasia and the gang at American Woman for inviting me here today. I’m going to turn things over to “Mama,’’ from my fictional town of Himmarshee, Fla. Mama loves nothing more than talking about beauty, preferably her own.

Hey, there! Mama here. I wish y’all could see Ms. Author – not a dab of makeup, not even lipstick, dragging her butt around the house in her sweatpants. You’d understand why it makes sense to have me guest star today to talk about the beauty benefits of aromatherapy.

I know from personal experience how scents and essential oils from flowers and herbs can help a person through tough times. When I was married to Husband No. 2, I’d have been nuttier than a squirrel at a peanut festival without my potions. If breathing scented steam under a tented towel keeps you from sticking your head in the gas oven, well that’s a good thing, isn’t it?  You can’t be beautiful if you’re dead.

My middle daughter Mace refuses to take my advice about aromatherapy, along with just about anything else: Hair. Clothes. Matters of the heart. I just know she acts obstinate to make me crazy.

Now, she’s somehow managed to land this handsome detective, Carlos Martinez. That’s despite the fact she makes no effort whatsoever to take advantage of her God-given looks. The two of them even got over that little misunderstanding about him trying to send me to prison for murder. To me, that says they’re meant to be together.

I just hope Mace doesn’t screw it up.

I have half a mind to hide an aromatherapy lamp in her house, fill the basin with distilled water and a few drops of the essential oils of flowers and plants known to be, well . . . stimulating, if you get my drift. Okay, they’re aphrodisiacs. We’re all adults here.

Well, I’m getting the signal from Mace to stop discussing her private life and get to my task.

I’ll tell you one important thing, just like I tell the folks at Hair Today, Dyed Tomorrow beauty parlor. Pregnant women, people getting medical treatment, and those with sensitive skin should be cautious with aromatherapy. In fact, it’s probably a good idea for anybody to check with their doctor first, just to be sure. Essential oils can be strong. Don’t take them internally. Don’t apply directly to skin. Always mix in just a few drops with a “carrier’’ oil like almond, apricot kernel, or even a light olive oil, to rub on your skin.

Here are a few things you might like to try:

* Oil of lemon helps you think clearly. Dilute two drops in a tablespoon of almond or some other oil, then massage a bit onto your temples. This potion can also calm emotional outbursts and improve communication. I’m going to slip a little bottle in Mace’s purse since she always manages to say the wrong thing around Carlos.

* Are you plagued by body odor? Nothing pretty about that! Don’t worry, sage can help. Rub some of the dry, powdered herb under your arms. Or, use one teaspoon per cup for tea.

* Neroli oil, made from orange blossoms, is linked to blushing brides and wedding nights. Maybe that’s why it makes a good massage oil to enhance matters in the bedroom. A sniff before public speaking also calms stage fright. I’ve never used neroli in the latter way. About the former, I’d rather not say.

If you find yourself near Himmarshee—the Gateway to Palatka – stop by Hair Today. I’m the salon’s aromatherapy expert. I’ll give you a free 10-minute consult if you mention my latest adventure, MAMA SEES STARS. Did you hear I got a part in the movie those Hollywood folks came to shoot down here? Of course, there was that little matter of a murder. Still, everyone said I killed when they filmed my scene … well, I don’t mean killed literally. That’s just the way we movie people talk.

Mama, it’s always a pleasure having you stop by! (You, too, Deborah!) Readers, remember, if you’d like to enter the drawing to win a copy of MAMA SEES STARS, post a comment. Since it's International Literary Day, tell us what you're reading. Or tell us your beauty secret. Or just stop by to say hi. And don’t forget to either include your email address or check back on Sunday to see if you’ve won. We’ve had a lot of winners recently who haven’t done either, and we have no way of contacting you. -- AP