CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA--CROSS STITCHED FLORAL HEART

The weather outside is frightful. Why not curl up in your favorite chair and cross stitch a Valentine floral heart? With three and a half weeks before Valentine's Day, you have plenty of time to whip up several. After stitching, sew the design into a pillow sachet with lace trim. or stitch a row of floral hearts for a Valentine's Day fingertip towel. Have another finishing idea? Why not share it? We’d love to hear from you.

BOOK CLUB FRIDAY--GUEST AUTHOR ERICA RIDLEY

The author  on one of her solo trips

Travel editor Serena Brower is taking over Book Club Friday today to introduce you to a very adventuresome author. Erica Ridley learned to read when she was three, which was about the same time she decided to be a writer when she grew up. When not reading or writing romances, Erica can be found riding camels in Africa, zip-lining through rainforests in Costa Rica, or getting hopelessly lost in the middle of Budapest. Learn more about her and her books at her website. Today she’s here to tell us about her adventures in South America and traveling the world solo.

Bolivia: The new Paris?

Authors are often instructed to “write what you know”, but when you’re writing fantasy, that advice necessarily goes right out the window. . . Or does it?

Let’s see how well fact compares to fiction:

In Midwinter Magic, Jack goes solo to a third world country. This is a bad idea.

FALSE

I’ve traveled solo to dozens of countries, and would highly recommend anyone with wanderlust to do the same. Traveling alone has allowed me to live life as an adventure, and to make amazing new friends on three different continents. In 2012, I sold my house and moved to Costa Rica “for a year” . . . and haven’t looked back. (Getting caught in Snowmageddon 2014 when I flew north for the holidays didn’t exactly make me regret that decision, lol.)

Latin Americans are friendly and welcoming, even to American gringos.

TRUE

While I haven’t (yet) set foot in every country in Latin America, every place I have visited is home to some of the nicest people on earth . . . although they might take umbrage with the U.S.’s co-opt of the word “American.” Many countries around the world view the Americas as a single continent, and all of its inhabitants therefore American, be that North American, South American, Central American, etc. As with anywhere, there are better and worse places to traipse around on your own—i.e. Disneyland vs Detroit (sorry, Detroit!)—but it wouldn’t be at all unexpected for a total stranger to offer a ride, a meal, even a place to crash for the night to a traveler in need.

(For a real-life example, ask me about the time I inadvertently spent three days alone in Nicaragua with only $30 in my pocket . . .)

Jack is trying to right some wrongs. In real life, locals would reject interloper assistance, right?

FALSE

Dunno about you, but I personally wouldn’t reject no-strings free money . . . or free toys for my kids, or free medicine for sick relatives, or free labor around the house. I think a lot depends on attitude and intent. In my experience, many rural Latin America communities have a strong sense of community. They may not have extra money, but as long as they’ve got time and two hands, they’re more than willing to help each other out at the drop of a hat—and therefore wouldn’t take offense to someone else doing the same.

Volunteers

Sure, if some egocentric group comes along like, “This is how we do XYZ in our country. You must now convert your life and your culture to mirror ours.” Then, yeah, you should expect resistance. But if you’re helping someone else achieve the goals they want for themselves, you’ll likely be welcomed with open arms. If you have the means and/or the time, volunteering—whether locally or abroad—is a great way to pay it forward.

Life seems to move at a much slower pace in rural Latin America.

TRUE

Top five causes of traffic jams within three miles of the macadamia farm where I live:

1. Cow crossing the road

2. Herd of cows crossing the road

3. Chickens crossing the road

4. Pizotes (coatimundi) crossing the road

5. Sloths crossing the road

Accidentally knocking over your guardian angel is the one weird trick to finding true love.

*COUGH*

Most people manage to muddle along without clothes-lining their divine intervention, but Jack’s head appears to be a little harder than most . . .

Midwinter Magic

After an eye-opening congressional hearing, former corporate shark Jack Morgan redirects his ill-gotten gains toward charity work. However, his attempts to bring holiday cheer to a Bolivian village meet with one disaster after another: canceled flights, crumbling luggage, implacable customs officials. His plans disintegrate further when he runs into a sexy tourist with . . . wings?

As Jack's guardian angel, Sarah Phimm has her work cut out for her. When his latest volunteer mission risks his life, she's forced to reveal herself to him—but only in part. She can't risk him knowing the truth. He's everything her immortal heart desires, but can never have. She soon discovers that keeping him safe amidst death bridges and tumbling telephone poles is far easier than guarding her heart.

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TRAVEL WITH SERENA--RIVIERA MAYA, YUCATAN WITH GUEST AUTHOR CORA RAMOS

photo by Martha Xucunostli

Cora Ramos is an award-winning author of short stories and of mystery and suspense that straddle the edge--whether that edge is the paranormal, a deadly decision or the place where science ends and magic resides. A collection of her stories can be found in the anthology Valley Fever, Where Murder is Contagious. Learn more about Cora and her books at her website.

It is so nice visiting here today. Art and crafts are dear to my heart. In earlier years I explored many different crafts, moving on to becoming a visual artist until finally settling on writing. As a result, many crafts from Mexico are sprinkled throughout my novel (textile arts of the Huichole Indians and artifacts of Meso-America which you can view on Pinterest on my board, Dancethe Dream Awake Novel. 

If Dance the Dream Awake were a stew, you would throw into the pot a bit of Joseph Campbell, a fairy tale, Meso-American history (especially Mayan history) and a few amorous men, then stir it all together with suspense and intrigue. What do you get? A present day woman who takes the hero’s journey into the unknown, her dark side—a hidden, repressed past needing to be healed.

Out of desperation to get rid of the nightmares that have been driving her crazy for months, Tessa Harper travels to the pyramids of Teotihuacan outside Mexico City before moving on to the complex at Coba in the Yucatan, in the hope of finding answers to her nightmares, but if nothing else at least to relax and rest at the coast. But there is no rest for Tessa. She has no idea of the troubles she will uncover. The men she meets will pry open past-life doors one by one, until the source of her nightmare is uncovered.

Sometimes she moves forward willingly, sometimes tentatively, and sometimes dragged kicking and screaming.

Most of Dance the Dream Awake takes place in Riviera Maya, Yucatan. You can find more images of the area here.

Dance the Dream Awake

Tessa Harper throws herself into a trip to Mexico as a last ditch effort to stem the nightmares of a Mayan sacrifice that have plagued her for months. She reasons that by going to ‘the belly of the beast,’ to the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico where the Mayans lived, she might find answers that will make them stop. She meets unfulfilled loves from the distant past; dark, mysterious Porfirio and archaeologist Nick Richardson, who uncovers recent artifacts at his dig beneath the ruins of the Coba pyramid that coincide with what might have happened to Tessa in a previous life. Three curanderas have been waiting for Tessa at Tulum and she must decide whether they are there to help her or, as her neighbor Jack believes, are up to something more nefarious.

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DECORATING WITH JEANIE--FLOWER DRYING WITH GUEST AUTHOR MJ FLOURNOY

MJ Flournoy writes romantic suspense with paranormal elements. Learn more about her and her books at her website. Today she joins us with a decorating tip.

Since I’m visiting on Wednesday, I’ll share a decorating tip. Flowers and flower arrangements are expensive, so I like to make the most of them. When you have fresh flowers, before they begin to wilt and drop their petals, take them out of the water and hang them upside down in a cool, dark place. Allow them to air dry, then gently take them down and create a flower arrangement such as this one made from flowers left from my daughter’s wedding.

The drying can take weeks or months, so be sure to hang them out of the way. I use thread strung from the ceiling of my mudroom and hang them up high so that no one will bump into them accidentally. Hanging them upside down helps the flower heads retain their shape. Be sure the flowers are not crowding each other because that will damage their shape as well. Don’t lay them on a flat surface to dry. That will cause them to have flat sides.

This arrangement was made using a small vase, glass marbles and flowers dried for several months. The roses were originally white. Now they’re an ivory or beige but made a lovely arrangement that will last for a long time. The flash makes them look darker than they really are, but the arrangement is lovely. So the next time you have flowers and want to enjoy them longer, try drying.

A Matter of Trust

Her paranormal abilities had always caused her grief. But can they save the life of a child who has been spirited away fro her parents and the life of the man she loves?

Jolie Wyngate is a middle school teacher with an extraordinary gift—or is it a curse? Throughout her life, she's never been sure. Now, when she is implicated in the disappearance of a child, the ultimate value of her powers will be put to the test.

Mac Carlson, former Navy SEAL and security expert, is tasked with rescuing the girl, Rachael Anne. From the moment he meets Jolie, his suspicious and protective nature sets its sights on her as a prime suspect. Can Jolie clear her name and gain this man's hard-won trust?

More importantly, can she save the girl before time runs out? She won't be able to do it without her psychic abilities—but Mac has a hard enough time trusting Jolie as it is, let alone trusting her powers to lead them to Rachael Anne.

As Mac and Jolie realize they have no choice but to work as a team—and as they slowly warm to each other in the process—they realize they have a new problem: the man they are after has set his sights on Jolie. Now Jolie will need all of her abilities, and all of Mac's strength and skill, to stay out of the fiend's hands and bring Rachael Anne back home.

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COOKING WITH CLORIS--CHICKEN CACCIATORE WITH GUEST AUTHOR CAROLINE MICKELSON

Image credit: <a href='http://www.123rf.com/photo_9797080_cacciatore.html'>yatomo / 123RF Stock Photo</a>

Caroline Mickelson has attending graduate school in a Scottish castle, ridden a camel around the Pyramids in Giza, and taken a best-in-a-lifetime road trip to Graceland. She also writes the Little Italy mystery series. Learn more about her and her books at her website. Today she joins us to share a recipe for chicken cacciatore and a little bit about From Mangia to Murder.

One of the most enjoyable parts of having published the first book in my Little Italy cozy mystery is hearing from readers. Some of them are Italian-Americans, some aren’t, and I enjoy hearing what they thought of my book. One comment that I’ve heard many times is, “All the food in your book brings back so many memories.” Because my own grandfather was Italian-American, I know just what they mean when they reminisce about family gatherings and holidays that center around family and food.

My main character, Sophia Mancini, could say much the same. Sophia’s best quality is that she cares deeply about her family. Naturally, this is the quality that gets her into trouble when she decides to play amateur sleuth after a chef is killed at a restaurant where her family is celebrating the opening of their new private detective agency. On the menu that night was zuppa di ceci (creamy chick pea soup), pasta with mascarpone, sun dried tomatoes, and spinach, followed by gnocchi caprese and finally chicken cacciatore. Throughout the book, the characters sit and hash out the mystery over – what else? – food. Coming up with new-to-me recipes to try has been a fun part of the research for both this book and the next in the series, Lights Out in Little Italy, which takes place at a dinner party where one dinner guest doesn’t survive the meal.

Chicken Cacciatore

(four servings)

Ingredients:

2 cups flour

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

3-4 lbs cubed chicken

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 chopped onion

2-3 minced garlic cloves

1 chopped green pepper

1 12-16 ounce can of diced tomatoes

1/2 cup white wine

2 cups sliced mushrooms

Oregano, salt and pepper to taste

Mix flour, salt and pepper in a mixing bowl. Add the chicken cubes and mix until coated. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet. Fry the chicken until browned. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside. Sauté the garlic, onion, and green pepper in the skillet until all are lightly browned. Return chicken to the skillet. Add tomatoes and wine. Simmer for 20-30 minutes. Add mushrooms, oregano, salt and pepper as desired and simmer for another 10-12 minutes. Serve over pasta or with a salad and fresh loaf of garlic or Italian bread.

From Mangia to Murder

Little Italy, 1946 - Sophia Mancini would have enjoyed the grand opening celebration of her family's private detective agency if the volatile chef at Vincenzo's Ristorante had actually survived the meal. But before Sophia's chilled spoon hit the spumoni, someone plunged a knife into Vincenzo's back, and the word on everyone's lips went from mangia to murder.

Sophia soon finds herself trailing crime boss Frankie Vidoni, chatting with his mouthy mistress Maria, and dodging henchman Mooch DiMuccio. She's suspicious of Vincenzo's widow Stella and his assistant chef Eugene because they don't appear the least bit dismayed by Vincenzo's passing.

There is no conversation Sophia won't eavesdrop on, no question shewon't ask, and no danger she won't face to find the killer.

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CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA--PHOTO COLLAGE WITH GUEST AUTHOR KAREN HALL

Writer and environmental engineer Karen Hall has many passions. She’s joined us previously to talk about her writing and her crochet. Today she’s joining us to talk about her passion for photography and photo collage. Learn more about her and her books at her website. 

How to Build a Photo Collage

I love photography because it’s all about the moment:  I take a photo, and I know the same group of people, animals, flowers, or whatever I’m shooting will never occur again in quite the same way.  So for me, photographs are precious glimpses into a world preserved only by the pixels that appear on my screen or on the film that’s printed for my next collage.

There are a couple of ways to do a photographic collage.  The first is to purchase a large frame with several windows for photographs.  You’ve all seen them at Hobby Lobby, Michael’s and other craft stores.  They’re by far the easiest option—if your photographs are sized appropriately for the windows.

The second way to do a collage is to use a graphics program (Publisher comes with a lot of Microsoft Office packages) and “paste” them together.  Or you can, of course, go old school and print your photographs, then cut and paste them together.

No matter which way you do it, here are a few tips for making your collages terrific:

Faces  If your collage is made of photographs of people, be sure to highlight their faces.  Make sure they’re readily visible and not dwarfed by the surroundings.  Close-ups work best, of course, but you can always print the photos in a larger size and crop/cut them so the faces are correspondingly larger.

Shapes  Are your photographs taken in portrait mode (taller than wide) or in landscape (wider than tall) or both?  If you’re using a purchased collage frame, you may limit yourself in the selection of photographs by what the frame wants you to use.

Backgrounds  Try, as much as possible, to use photographs with simple backgrounds.  If the backgrounds are busy, filled with buildings or other people or complex landscapes, your eye won’t know where to go.  Use photos that focus on a single subject for at least half of the collection; if you must use shots with complex backgrounds, alternate them with simple ones.

Light and Shadow  Photographs are, really, all about light.  When you’re building your collage, try to alternate light with dark; your eye will better discern individual photographs, and the overall effect will be stunning.

Color  If you use only black and white shots, pay more attention to light and shadow.  If, however, all your photographs are in color, mix them up!  Don’t concentrate all the reds in one part of your collection unless you’re specifically going for that look. 

Here are a couple of collages I put together for pre-purchased frames.  The one at the beginning of the blog was for my father who moved to a very small assisted living apartment and wanted a collection of family photographs for his wall.

Here’s a smaller collage, a grouping of black and white photographs I took one fall afternoon at the University of Minnesota arboretum.  Note the light and dark contrasts.

Here’s a sample collage of nature photographs.  I’ve tried hard to vary the backgrounds and the light/shadow, as well as the subject matter and color.  It’s not always easy, as you can see.

Finally, here’s a color collage I just made for my sister-in-law, at whose birthday party they were taken.  I tried to pay close attention to all the tips above.  Let me know what you think. 

These days it’s tempting to leave your photos on your computer or your phone, but if you do, you’re the only one likely to see them, and then only when you search them out or select them as wallpaper for your phone or desktop.  If you don’t have a photo-quality printer, there are a number of online services that will print them for you.  I use Snapfish.com simply because my sister does, but there are many others available.  You can easily upload your photos and order prints, and you can also share them once they’re loaded to the site.  Your friends can either copy and paste the photos you’ve shared to their own hard drives, or they can order prints, too.  Either way, your photos will be out there for others to enjoy!

Unreasonable Risk

First in the series.  Hannah Morrison’s place of business might as well be a bomb. Nearly everything inside the fence is either flammable or explosive—and somebody is trying to blow it up. Hannah’s friend and mentor has already died, and though she knows it was sabotage, she can’t prove it. With the help of photojournalist Noel Keller, Hannah uncovers suspect after suspect as the stakes mount for the refinery, its neighborhood and the entire city. Determined to avenge her friend’s death, Hannah works to identify the saboteur before he decides: WHO WILL BE THE NEXT TO DIE?

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BOOK CLUB FRIDAY--GUEST AUTHOR NINA PIERCE

USA Today bestselling author Nina Pierce spends her days at the keyboard writing romance stories, blissfully creating chaos for her characters by throwing in a villain or two, a little murder and a whole lot of mayhem as they struggle toward their happy-ever-afters. Learn more about her and her books at her website. 

Reality Becomes Fiction

A warm thank you to Killer Crafts and Crafty Killers for letting me hang out with them today. I love checking out other corners of the internet and talking books … especially romantic suspense books!

One of the first questions people ask me when they find out I’m a writer is where do I get the inspiration for my stories. The answer is … everywhere. I came at writing sort of sideways. I have a degree in Marine Biology and spent many years teaching science. During that time, everything I saw or interesting places I visited were catalogued as possible information for lesson plans.

Eight years ago, the multiple sclerosis that had been percolating in the back of my life reared its ugly head and forced me to leave teaching. Enter writing. I’m an avid reader from childhood and decided that I should try my hand writing the romantic suspense stories I’ve always loved to read. And of course I could do it from the comfort of a computer chair. It took a couple of years to re-wire my thinking, but now every snippet of conversation, every story my friends share and sometimes the news programs I see … become possible fodder for a new story.

My newest release, In His Eyes, is set on the Maine coast, a place that is intimately familiar to me. Before I was a twinkle in my mother’s eye, my parents bought a small cottage on a private beach community. They rented it out for most of the summer, but every year my family spent two or three weeks there at the end of August, lounging in the warm sand and playing in the surf. The cottage has since been winterized and my parents now rent it out in the winter months. The premise of my story actually came about when a couple rented the cottage a few years back and actually switched off weeks while they decided if they wanted to separate permanently.

Of course, there was no FBI agent on the hunt hoping to bring down a villain murdering prostitutes. And definitely no serial killer wandering the beach looking for a woman to make his “own”. But you’ll find all that and more in In His Eyes. I hope you’ll check it out.

Do you have something interesting that’s happened to you that might make a good story? Curious minds (and nosy writers) want to know. And just to give you all the information, I have no idea what happened to the couple when the lease was finished that winter, but the romantic in me would like to think they got back together and mended their marriage.

In His Eyes

It’s always wonderful to be noticed … or is it?

To those around her, Maggie Callaghan appears to have the perfect life…a handsome husband, three beautiful children, and her own business. But beneath her thin veneer lies a dark past and self-doubts. When evidence of her husband’s infidelity surfaces, Maggie leases a cottage on the Maine coast and prepares for her inevitable divorce. But a serial killer is on the hunt—and he’s marked Maggie as his next victim. Now her beachside retreat is the focus of an undercover FBI investigation targeting the murderer who’s left a trail of bodies across two states. As lies and secrets are revealed, Maggie realizes her life depends on knowing who’s protecting her—and who’s got her in his sights.

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