BOOK CLUB FRIDAY -- GUEST AUTHOR CLEA SIMON

Our guest today is mystery author Clea Simon, author of the The Dulcie Schwartz mysteries. Clea is also the author of the Pru Marlowe pet noir series, which began last fall with Dogs Don’t Lie and continues this spring with Cats Can’t Shoot and the Theda Krakow mysteries. To learn more about Clean, visit her website and follow her on Twitter @Clea_Simon.

Clea is offering a copy of Grey Zone, one of her Dulcie Schwartz mysteries, to a lucky reader who posts a comment to the blog this week. -- AP

The world of academia is usually a quiet one. Libraries, books, hours spent poring over old manuscripts… it’s not a routine that lends itself to murder. And yet, Dulcie Schwartz often somehow finds herself involved in crimes. Partly, as Dulcie – the heroine and amateur sleuth of Shades of Grey, Grey Matters, and Grey Zone – herself admits, that’s because of her area of expertise. A doctoral candidate in English literature, she’s studying the Gothic novels of the late 18^th Century – books that are chock full of ghosts, demons, and all matter of nefarious crime. Partly, she would also acknowledge, that’s because her most trustworthy sidekick is the ghost of her late, great cat, Mr. Grey.

In her fourth adventure, the upcoming Grey Expectations (available December 2011 from Severn House), Dulcie tackles a mystery of another kind. In addition to missing persons, mistaken identities, and (of course) a dead body, this time around Dulcie has to help recover a missing rare book. The Dunster Codex (a codex is kind of the missing link between scrolls and books) is an ancient Anglo Saxon document, and one of the treasures of the university rare books library. One of Dulcie’s colleagues – the charming Roland Galveston – may have been working in the paper restoration labs when the Codex disappeared. Another – Dulcie’s good friend Trista – had already warned her that the priceless item was haunted.

Can a book be haunted? As anyone who works with antiques can sense, the history of an item can often be seen. The pages of a book may be faded or even damaged. The cover may be faded from being left, unread, in the sun. Scribbles from generations of scholars or schoolboys may mark its pages, and inscriptions may hint at owners or friends who purchased the item to pass on. But haunted? Well, in the magic of the restoration labs, anything is possible – and it may be all too likely that a thousand-year-old book has come in contact with human blood. Is it Trista’s blood? Is Roland responsible? Or are these all separate happenings that have nothing to do with one another – crimes that may not even originate in the same century? As Dulcie sees it, she’s trained to do research. Solving a crime isn’t that different, is it?

Books, after all, are not that different from people. And as Dulcie hunts for clues about the Codex (and manages to sneak in a little work on her thesis), she may find that they have personalities as well. A two-hundred-year-old letter, from a hero of the Revolutionary War, may offer a contemporary insight into a long-forgotten novel, while that book itself sheds light on the social mores and gender politics of a very different time.  For Dulcie, such insights are part and parcel of her work, and there’s very little she loves as much as time in the library with a good literary mystery. But if the quiet grad student isn’t careful, she could easily lose sight of what’s happening to the people around her. That’s where Mr. Grey comes in, bringing her back to the reality of the waking day.

Besides finding her missing friend, finishing her thesis, and – oh, yes – solving the mystery of the murdered professor and the Dunster Codex – Dulcie has some tips to share with booklovers on how to keep your own personal collection in what those dealers and restorers would call “very fine” condition.

First, watch out for extremes of temperature. Very hot and very cold temps may not be as damaging as sunlight (which fades print and degrades paper) or damp (which fosters the dreaded rot), but they can shorten the life of printed paper.

Second, think about how you are storing your book. Tall books like atlases and art books are often better left to lie flat than upright in the shelves – and make sure that the sun isn’t hitting those spines!

Third, reconsider those book covers. Plastic covers may actually encourage the growth of mold and mildew, since they trap moisture. And cardboard boxes or book covers made out of newspaper will likely have acid that will eat away at your books.

Finally, never EVER use tape to “repair” a torn page. The adhesive in the tape will damage the rest of the page. As Dulcie would tell you, this is almost as bad as dog-earing the corner of a book. Something, she is sure, you would never, ever do.

Great advice for taking care of our books, Clea! Thanks so much for paying us a visit today. Readers, don’t forget to post a comment if you want to be entered in the drawing for a copy of Grey Zone. Check back on Sunday to find out who the lucky winner is. -- AP

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

HEALTHY LIVING WITH JANICE - WORKED UP ABOUT WORKING OUT

Health editor Janice Kerr has invited a guest blogger today to speak about working out. Danae Matthews is a young graphic designer working and living in the San Francisco Bay Area. She loves to cook, be creative, run around with her friends and most of all lead the happiest life she can. For more great tips and info check out her company’s website Women’s Health Base. -- AP

WORKED UP ABOUT WORKING OUT

Recently I was lucky enough to land a full-time job. Lucky because I can pay rent, not lucky that my social life is non-existent, but that’s not the point. In my first few days on the job I learned about all the benefits my company had to offer, notable was a majorly discounted membership package to one of the best gyms in the city. I signed up and learned as a new member one of my “perks” was a personal training session with one of the premier trainers at the club. “AWESOME!” I thought. I had been trying so hard to maintain my weight, go to the gym diligently and now it seemed that working 40 hours wasn’t going to impede my process. I was on a high.  

The session started with some forms, some jokes back and forth, a tour and then a healthy dose of scrutiny. The PT and I went through every detail of what I ate, how I worked out and how and why all of it was bad. Then he brought out the Body Fat Analyzer and told me to hold it in between my two outstretched hands. Thirty seconds and one beep later my PT was pointing to a chart on the wall gesturing towards the scary red zone that read “obese.”

Obese who? Me, obese? When? Now? How? I didn’t feel, gulp, obese.  I looked at him like he had just told me he was an alien from planet “sh** you don’t say to women.” I could feel the air escape from the room and my heart sink. Here I was so pumped about getting back into my gym routine and in an instant I felt like I was standing at the base of a very steep hill looking straight up. It took me a week and several bottles of Cabernet to recover.

But then.

I did what every reasonable, smart, independent and confident woman would do in my situation, I called my mother. She told me how a few years ago she had the exact same experience with an all-women’s gym chain and how it turned her off, not from working out, but from that particular place. She told me that for her being fit is 1/3 the way she looks and 3/4 the way she feels. That was all I needed to hear to snap me back to reality. I plucked my obese ass up by my 34D bra straps, and I went back to that gym with the best personal trainer I know: myself. Because me, myself and I have gotten Me pretty far in the last couple of years. If I can trust Me with life decisions, like Argentinian guy at the pub who bought me a pint, then why can’t I trust Me with my fitness routine?

I realized then that I was getting too worked up about working out. The Nike campaign really had something going with their “Just Do It” campaign. All I needed to do was make a plan and execute that plan as much as possible. I had to accept the fact that summer is over and I never got into my itty-bitty tiny bikini, that working after work sucks, that I’m not going to run any marathons any time soon and that that is OKAY. I am eating better than ever before, I am more active than I ever have been and I don’t get tired when I climb the stairs to my apartment. So obese or not (although I’d say not), I know for a fact that I am on the right path. 

Thanks, Danae! That's great advice. Readers, do you work out? What do you do to stay fit? Post a comment to enter the drawing for a book from our Friday guest author. -- AP

COOKING WITH CLORIS --CHOCOLATE CHIP CUCUMBER BREAD

As you may have heard, Hurricane Irene walloped the east coast last week. Here in New Jersey, we had massive flooding. Right before the hurricane hit, Cloris picked whatever was pickable from her garden, not knowing what would survive the storm. Apparently, she missed a few cucs because the day after the storm she discovered a couple that could devour Cleveland. Not wanting to waste food, she decided to try her hand at cucumber bread. What works for zucchini, should work for cucs, right? Did it ever! This recipe is to die for! -- AP

CHOCOLATE CHIP CUCUMBER BREAD

3 eggs

1-1/2 cups sugar

2 cups peeled, seeded, grated cucumbers

1 cup vegetable oil

1.5 teaspoons vanilla extract

2-1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup whole wheat flour

1.5 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon baking powder
2 cups milk chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat eggs.  Beat in sugar, oil and vanilla until well blended.  Beat in cucumbers. Combine the dry ingredients and add to cucumber mixture, mixing until combined. Fold in the chocolate chips. Pour into two greased and floured 9” x 5” loaf pans.  Bake at 350 degrees for 60-65 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.  Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks. 

This is by far the moistest bread I’ve ever devoured, and I’ve devoured a lot of Cloris’s baked goodies. Readers, who’s going to try it? Post a comment to be entered into the drawing for a book by our Friday guest author. -- AP

CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA-- COUNTRY WREATH

This easy-to-make, no-sew wreath will work for any season. Simply choose appropriate coordinating colors. Or country prints/colors for a year-round look. I chose country reds and greens for the sample. It will look great all year round or for Christmas. -- AP

COUNTRY WREATH

Materials:
10” Styrofoam or Dylite wreath
1/4 yd. cotton print fabric for main color
scraps of two coordinating cotton print fabrics
sequin pins

1. Rip the main fabric into 1” strips. Press.

2. Secure one strip to the back of the wreath with a sequin pin. Wrap the strip around the wreath, overlapping slightly. Secure the end of the strip at the back with a sequin pin. Repeat until wreath is completely wrapped in fabric.

3. Rip coordinating fabrics into 1” strips. Press. Cut each into twelve 6” lengths.

4. Starting with one coordinating fabric, wrap a strip at the 12, 3, 6, and 9 o’clock positions of the wreath, securing each strip with sequin pins at back of wreath. Wrap the second coordinating fabric on either side of these four strips.

5. Reversing the colors of the coordinating fabrics, wrap as above halfway between each of the first four sections.

6. Make a bow from one strip of main color and pin to bottom center of wreath. Trim tails as desired.

7. Cut an 18” length from one strip of main color. Loop around top of wreath and knot for hanging loop.

Can it get any easier than that? Next week I'll be featuring a fabric Christmas tree topiary to coordinate with the wreath. So don't forget to stop by next Monday. -- AP

THIS WEEK'S BOOK GIVEAWAY WINNER

Thanks to all who stopped by this week at Killer Crafts & Crafty Killers. We hope you'll come back often and also tell your friends about us. We have lots of exciting posts and guests planned for the months ahead. I’d also like to thank Esri Allbritten for being our Book Club Friday guest and offering a copy of Chihuahua of the Baskervilles to one of our readers who posted a comment this week. The winner this week is Jackie Houchin. Jackie, please email your mailing address to me at anastasiapollack@gmail.com. I’ll forward the information to Esri, and she’ll mail the book to you.

BOOK CLUB FRIDAY -- GUEST AUTHOR ESRI ALLBRITTEN

Today’s guest author is Esri Allbritten. Esri is the author of Chihuahua of the Baskervilles, first in the Tripping Magazine mystery series. Tripping is a very low-budget travel magazine that covers destinations of paranormal interest. Unfortunately, whenever the three-person staff chases a story, they find a crime behind the supposedly supernatural event.

In Chihuahua of the Baskervilles, Tripping hears about a ghostly Chihuahua seen by Charlotte Baskerville. Charlotte is the rich founder of Petey’s Closet, a clothing catalog for small dogs. Editor Angus MacGregor, photographer Suki Oota, and writer Michael Abernathy travel to Manitou Springs, Colorado, where the ghost howls advice and spells out threats in tiny paw prints. Is the glowing apparition really Petey’s ghost, or is someone in Charlotte’s household trying to teach a dead dog new tricks – like murder? It’s up to Tripping Magazine to save Charlotte Baskerville, preferably without losing their story. To read more about Esri and her series and read an excerpt, visit her website.  

Esri is giving away a copy of  Chihuahua of the Baskervilles to one lucky reader who posts a comment this week. -- AP

Hi! I’m Esri Allbritten, author of Chihuahua of the Baskervilles, first in the Tripping Magazine mystery series. Since the readers of American Woman enjoy cooking and crafting, I thought I’d introduce you to the somewhat eccentric world of Writer Crafts and Cuisine. Let’s get started!

Crafting with Esri!

 Writers are mostly associated with whipping up websites and bookplate stickers, but we’re also great at repurposing the tools of our trade in fun and creative ways. It helps if you’ve picked up a lot of beautiful, overpriced office supplies to make up for the fact that you have no coworkers, benefits, or regular salary.

Post-It Purse!

Have a vinyl purse that’s seen better days? Layer sticky notes on the sides for a fun, fluttery look. To get them to curl, spray cut notes with a fine mist of water and let dry. Bonus points if you have non-internet friends who will write cute sayings on some of them.

Spiro-Gyra Jewelry!

Spiral paperclips can be strung together to make necklaces and bracelets. Coordinate them with the color of your editing pen for a workday pick-me-up!

Fun with Cover Flats!

I’m not sure why publishers send authors flat versions of their book covers, but I do know they make fantastic coasters, Christmas ornaments, and cat toys. Have an entire series of paperback books? Decoupage a coffee table!

Cooking with Esri!

Writer Food is a little-known but fascinating cuisine. Let’s move to the kitchen, where I’ll introduce you to the quick and easy meals that keep me from starving to death.

Huh. There’s not a lot of food in here. I meant to go shopping, but what with radio interviews, editing Portrait of Doreene Gray and trying to come up with a plot for Critter from the Black Lagoon, I guess I haven’t been to the store for a while. But that’s perfect, because Writer Food relies mostly on non-perishable staples.

Rice Cakes A-Go-Go!

Rice cakes are wholesome, low-cal snacks that keep for-frickin-ever. Plus, they’re gluten free! Team a couple of Lundberg Wild Rice cakes with any of the following toppings for a fast meal. All but the first suggestion benefit from being toasted under the broiler.

Peanut butter and jelly
Tomato sauce and sliced cheese
Canned refried beans, salsa
Any leftovers that still look okay. Drain well and top with grated cheese.

Note: “A-Go-Go” is slightly misleading, as rice cakes can be constipating. I keep plenty of coffee and prunes on hand, to counteract that effect. This also ensures that I occasionally get up from the computer.

Red, White and Blue Spud

1 potato
mayonnaise
salsa

Wash potato and stab a few times with a fork to keep it from exploding. Bake it if you think that far ahead, or put it in your microwave on a paper towel. Four minutes in the nuker is good for a medium-sized spud. Turn it over halfway through microwaving.

When cooked to your taste, cut your potato in half and hack at it a little, so the toppings soak in. Smear both cut sides with mayo. Glop salsa on top and voila! You now have protein and beneficial fats from the mayo, energy-providing carbs from the potato, and bioflavinoid-packed vegetables from the salsa. There isn’t actually a blue component to this recipe unless your mayo or salsa has mold, in which case, scrape it off while whistling The Star-Spangled Banner.

Other must-have kitchen staples are cereal (doubles as lunch or dinner), fruit popsicles (double as breakfast), and chocolate (doubles as emotional validation.)

I hope you’ve enjoyed this peek into a writer’s life. Sadly, there are no crafts or recipes in Chihuahua of the Baskervilles, although the Tripping crew does make waffles at one point.

Thank you, Esri, for one of the funniest guest posts we’ve ever had here at Killer Crafts & Crafty Killers! I laughed until my sides hurt! Readers, want to win a copy of Chihuahua of the Baskervilles? Post a comment to enter the drawing. And be sure to check back on Sunday to see if you're the lucky winner. -- AP