Coffee 'n Breeze Does Summer Vacay! PLUS get your FREE books right HERE!!

CAROLE: Hey Louise!  Vacation time is fast approaching. Wondering if any of our readers have been anywhere interesting in recent years that they’d like to share?  My family adores camping in Death Valley. We love nothing so much as tromping through a run-down ghost town or hiking to the back of an old mine. There’s so much history left tumbling around out there. We’ve seen an eighty foot waterfall in the heart of the desert and wildflowers of every color imaginable.  It’s one of our favorite destinations.

 

Another thing we like to do is visit Frank Lloyd Wright homes. We’ve toured quite a lot of them and we even got to spend the weekend in one that’s a rental. The house was decked out in original furniture, mid century cocktail glasses, and Life Magazines from the era. It was great fun for a family who loves architecture like we do.  We’ve also had the good fortune to stay at The Historic Park Inn Hotel in Mason City Iowa on several occasions. It’s the last surviving hotel built by FLW and it’s very cool. I highly recommend it to anyone who is a fan.

LOUISE: Well, Carole, you surely know by now that summer is my FAVE time of year, and along with beach days, barbeques and flip-flops, I always look forward to my annual trip to Lancaster, PA. As much as I’d love to say that I enjoy traveling to exotic, tropical locales, I’m a simple country girl at heart. And nothing comforts me more than a drive out to “Amish Country” where time seems to stop rushing around so darn much. At the first sight of the miles of rolling green farmlands, dotted unassumingly with silos and white houses, my worries seem less formidable. My husband and I have made this trek so often that it has begun to feel like a home away from home. After a day of shopping at road-side vegetable stands and local-owned gift shops, we will typically visit our friends who are lucky enough to call this pretty place their home. And if it’s fried chicken or brown butter noodles you’re after – look no further. Everyone should experience the peaceful Lancaster atmosphere at least once. In fact – now I feel like going again this week!

 

 

So friends– now it’s your turn. What is your FAVE vacation spot? We’d love to know where you and your family enjoy escaping to! PLUS as a FREE GIFT the first ten people to comment will receive a copy of Carole Lanham’s latest captivating short story compilation “The Whisper Jar.” Check it out here: http://www.amazon.com/Whisper-Jar-Short-Story-Books-ebook/dp/B00XMCQYC6/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1432496340&sr=8-3&keywords=carole+lanham

Thanks for shooting the breeze with us today! Stay close and stay cool!

Spotlight on Author Derek Rempfer

He is the incredibly talented author of my FAVE book of late 2014. He is Mr. Derek Rempfer, and I am honored to bring you an up-close and personal interview with this amazing writer. First, a bit about his novel WHERE THE BROKEN LIE. You can pick up this fabulous book right now for JUST .99 CENTS!!! Hurry, though, before this special deal expires.

When Tucker returns to his hometown of Willow Grove to grieve the death of his infant son, memories of the murder of Katie, his childhood sweetheart, are ignited. In spite of her death being blamed on a mentally challenged drifter known as Slim Jim, Tucker wonders if the real killer is still out there. With new clues arriving through anonymous letters left at the graveyard, Tucker is certain that Katie's death is truly unsolved. While coming to terms with the loss of his son, Tucker also seeks truth. But the real killer may be out there, willing to kill again to protect a dark secret.

Where The Broken Lie shines a spotlight on small-town secrets, faith, fear, love and loss in this enigmatic journey into the scarred hearts left behind.

And now, Mr. Rempfer...

What do you do for fun, when you’re not writing?
-          I’m a sports nerd, so much of my time is spent watching/following or coaching (my kids) sports.  Unfortunately, I don’t play so much anymore, unless you count fantasy baseball which I LOVE to play.  See?  Nerd.
What made you choose to write?
-          You know…I’m not sure.  It’s like asking me what made me choose to have green eyes.  I think it’s a DNA thing.  I always loved reading and as my taste in literature evolved, I think I acquired a real respect for people with the ability to eloquently express themselves and connect with others via the written word.  There is a patience and a permanence to the written word.  Written words are crafted and meant to last.
What is something that you love to do that someone else may find a little shocking?
-          Hmm…I suppose that those who have joined me in tossing back shots of Patron Silver at the local taverns might be surprised that I love reading the bible.  I find comfort and wisdom in it. 
-          On another note, my wife and I are currently taking ballroom dancing lessons.  I’m very bad.  The instructor called me “a clopper”.
In 100 words or less, make us HAVE to read your book!
-          I didn’t write something to sell, I wrote something to share.  It is a story of human experience that will likely cause you to laugh and will definitely move you to tears.  Knowing that much of it is pulled directly from my own experiences will make it resonate deeply with you.  But you’ll also get wrapped up in the plot because the story is equal parts mystery and literary fiction. And when you read it, you’ll know that I crafted each word and made them to last. 
How long did it take you from concept to finished product?
-          The crux of the story took about 3 years.  I learned a lot during the process that I hope will shorten the time it takes me to write the next one.
Best piece of advice for new writers.
-          Perspiration over inspiration.  Don’t romanticize the process or wait for The Muse.  My experience is that The Muse isn’t some wispy ethereal figure that floats down in a dream.  She’s buried under ground and you’ve got to dig her out.
Are there any projects that you are currently working on and wish to share?
-          I have two projects that I’m working on.  One is a sequel to Where The Broken Lie and the other is a Young Adult novel.  The idea for the YA novel came to me years ago and I absolutely LOVE the concept and the characters.  It has a little more magic to it than Where The Broken Lie, but it has some of that same small-town, down-home feel to it.  I can’t wait to finish it and share it!
Now let’s play a little ‘this or that’…
As ice cream goes – chocolate or vanilla?
-          Chocolate all day.
Early bird or night owl?
-          More early bird these days
Paper or plastic?
-          Paper.  You can’t write on plastic.  J
Rock ‘n roll or country?
-          It’s gotta be rock ‘n roll music if you wanna dance with me.
Finally – you are being sent to a deserted island with one small suitcase of belongings. What’s in there…?(and there’s room for only one book.)
-          Somebody once answered that question by saying that the book would be “How to Build a Boat,” or something to that effect.  Assuming that’s not available and ignoring all things practical (clothing, tools, etc), I’d bring:

o   A bible

o   Pictures of my family

o   Paper and pencils

o   A really great pillow

o   A coffee maker…just in case

 

                               
                              Thank you, Derek for being here and for your beautiful novel!

 

 

 

Coffee & Breeze Talks Beach Reads

As Carole and I sit and chat over a warm cup of joe - decaf for me - beyond the window, on the other side of the frosty glass, a storm is raging. The snow is piling up once again. It's like Groundhog Day; that movie with Bill Murray where every day is The. Exact. Same. Cold and gray. White and wet. Ugh.

But fear not. Spring is less than one month away. Officially, anyway. And our thoughts have already turned to things far less frigid in nature. With that in mind, we wanted to bring you our favorite BEACH reads!! That's right. Carole and I have temporarily traded our furry boots for flip flops. So settle in and join us, and don't forget your sun screen.

 

CAROLE: I’m not a typical beach reader in that I don’t shy away from serious or unhappy subject matter while on vacation, but some books are definitely more suited than others for a summer escape.  Here are my choices for this year, all of which would go nicely with an ice cold Corona or a drink with a little umbrella in it.

The Impossible Lives of Greta Wells by Andrew Sean Greer.  I was initially hooked by these seven simple words: “If you loved The Time Traveler’s Wife…”  Call me shallow, but I’m wild about the cover too.  In this story, a woman begins shock treatments and travels to two different lives – one in 1918 and the other in 1943.  Thoroughly engrossing!

 http://www.amazon.com/The-Impossible-Lives-Greta-Wells/dp/0062213792 

TENDER IS THE NIGHT by F. Scott Fitzgerald.  This is the last novel Fitzgerald ever completed and if you’re a fan of Gatsby and have never read it, what are you waiting for?!  Modern Library ranked it #28 on its list of 100 Best English-Language Novels of the 20^th Century. 

Set on the French Riviera in the late 1920s, Tender Is the Night is the tragic romance of the young actress Rosemary Hoyt and the stylish American couple Dick and Nicole Diver.

Goes down as smooth as Beautiful Ruins while traveling.  Great fun! 

http://www.amazon.com/Tender-Is-Night-Scott-Fitzgerald/dp/068480154X 

Blue Asylum by Kathy Hepinstall.  Hepinstall’s work is luscious, tense, always gripping, and the settings are never less than utterly fascinating.  This one is an unusual love story set in a mental institution on an island in Florida during the Civil War.  The protagonist is the wife of a plantation owner whose been convicted of lunacy by her husband for dubious reasons.  Historical, mysterious, and wonderfully different, it’s a great read and one that should be rapidly followed up with a tasty serving of Hepinstall’s The House of Gentle Men. 

http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Asylum-Kathy-Hepinstall-ebook/dp/B005LVR754/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1424796993&sr=1-1&keywords=blue+Asylum

 

LOUISE: For me, the beach is the perfect place to get caught up on my ever-lovingly large TBR list. I'm going to bring you my three top choices for awesome (unique?) beach reads. The first is not a new release. I read this some years back, but it always reminds me of those young. sweet and sometimes tense sultry days. From the fabulous Anne Brashares it's THE LAST SUMMER OF YOU AND ME. This is an enchanting, heartrending story of a beach-community friendship triangle and romance among three young adults for whom summer means exciting new beginnings and inevitable endings. I found this upper YA/New Adult read to be entertaining and just the right balance of drama and light. http://www.amazon.com/Last-Summer-You-Me-ebook/dp/B001974DEW/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1425243404&sr=1-1&keywords=the+last+summer+of+you+and+me

For a newer read, I suggest WILD by Cheryl Strayed. This gipping true account of one woman's solo journey of self discovery in the great and formidable outdoors will surely have you appreciating your comfy beach chair. http://www.amazon.com/Wild-Found-Pacific-Crest-Trail/dp/0307476073

And finally - for the more adventurous bibliophiles out there - there is JAWS - the Novel by Peter Benchley. Of course most everyone has, by now, seen the movie of the same name. BUT to recline at the shore line and flip through these frightening pages, well that takes a special sort of courage. I've done it. Are you up for the challenge? If so, you will discover several interesting revisions that Spielberg made in the book-to-screen-play adaptation. http://www.amazon.com/Jaws-Peter-Benchley-ebook/dp/B008IU9KQO/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1425252351&sr=1-1&keywords=jaws

So there you have it. And, of course, if none of those books suits your beach-reading fancy there's always THE READING LESSONS by our own CAROLE LANHAM http://www.amazon.com/Carole-Lanham/e/B0063EC1DQ/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1425252663&sr=1-2-ent or THE MAKING OF NEBRASKA BROWN by yours truly. Plus for those of you who prefer to keep your literary consumption shorter whilst seaside - there are PETIT FLEURS and VIGNETTES - my short story compilations. http://www.amazon.com/Louise-Caiola/e/B005HERY1W/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1425252635&sr=1-2-ent

Now it's time to turn so you don't burn. ;)

 

 

HAPPY ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY to #NEBRASKA BROWN - #99CENT SALE

I just have to say it, even though I know how terribly cliché it sounds: holy cow - time flies! Can you believe it's been ONE YEAR since the release of The Making of Nebraska Brown?? It's crazy to me that twelve months have already gone by. It's been great getting to know my readers. I appreciate each one of you for devoting your reading hours to my books and stories.

For those of you who still haven't had an opportunity to check out the novel being called "Oz meets Tuscan Sun" - now is your chance to pick it up (with brand new awesome cover art!) for a super-low anniversary celebration price of only .99 cents! Just follow the link for quick purchase:
http://viewbook.at/NebraskaBrown

With over 50 5-star reviews, I invite you to see for yourself why some are referring to Nebraska Brown as "an engrossing, intelligent, and evocative journey you must take."


Thank you all again for your notes and emails, for your kind reviews and your follows. I hope you will stay close. There's more where this came from.

#NewRelease News! GATES OF PERDITION is here!

Hey there friends! I wanted to share this exciting NEW RELEASE news with you.

GATES OF PERDITION, the long-awaited prequel to MIRRORS OF ANGUISH, is now available on Amazon.com
Print ($14.95) | Kindle eBook ($3.50)
In MIRRORS OF ANGUISH, journalist Jill Duport returns to the Pocono town of Belcorte, where her grandparents had lived and her mother had grown up. She's in town for two reasons: first, because she's been willed the house by her mother's death; second, she wants to investigate the life of her controversial grandfather, who was an accused murderer.
In GATES OF PERDITION, we get to meet Jill's grandfather, who is a college professor. Professor Arthur Townsend is outraged by the pregnancy of his teenage daughter and seeks advice from a friend and colleague who happens to be a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist, however, is preoccupied by a patient with unusual abilities. But the psychiatrist agrees to talk to Arthur's daughter to determine who got her pregnant. The evidence points to Campton Couny's wealthiest family, and left without recourse, Professor Townsend decides to take revenge.
Meanwhile, a young girl has vanished in Belcorte. She was last seen at Indianhead Reservoir in the presence of her boyfriend. The investigating police officer is a young transfer from Baltimore who came to Belcorte to be with his girlfriend, and as more young women begin to disappear from Belcorte, he worries for her safety.
GATES OF PERDITION is a rich, complex book with a large cast of characters. GATES explores the mental state of a small town in the clutches of a brutal serial killer. GATES is a story of madness, revenge, and intersecting lives that are treading on dark paths.

You don't want to miss this suspenseful, intelligent and enigmatic read.

Pick up your copy today!

Coffee & Breeze w/ Carole & Louise - Talkin' 'Bout Our Resolutions - Writer Style

 





Welcome to the Hook's first Coffee & Breeze of 2015! Naturally the time is ripe for affirming our writerly goals. Hmm. Yes, I said writerly. Which brings me to my first resolution. In the coming year I resolve to stop making up my own faux version of real words. As an editor, too, I find it particularly pondersome. Oops. There I go again. What about you, Carole? Anything you plan to do or not do in these next twelve months?

 

CAROLE: Oh yes! This year, I will not become distracted from my precious writing time by quizzes on FB that promise to tell me which Disney princess I am. 

 

LOUISE: Well, it IS somewhat urgent to determine if you're Jasmine or Belle.

 

CAROLE: True.

 

LOUISE: And speaking of characters, I plan to stop permitting my protagonists to interrupt me while I'm in the shower. After all, a girl needs her cream rinse privacy!

 

CAROLE: Indeed! What gall. Oh and I solemnly vow; I will give up my affinity for semi colons.

 

LOUISE: Semi colons are the belch of the sentence world. Not very ladylike, I'd say. I vow to finally make my peace with my comma coma. It is what it is. Or it is, what it is. Whatever.

 

CAROLE: I will stop referring to those hours lost to cupcake recipes and DYI birdhouses on Pinterest as “research time."

 

LOUISE: Wait. That's NOT research? In that case, I guess I should stop referring to my Twitter feed as "homework."

 

CAROLE: I shall endeavor to use the word EPIPHANEY whenever possible because it just hit me what a great word it is.  

 

LOUISE: EUREKA! It IS a great word. I shall endeavor to never again use EUREKA in a sentence anywhere. Ever.

 

And for our final resolution - this one Carole and I both share:

 

C & L - I will drink more coffee, read more books, and finish my novel.  And this year I really mean it!

 

 

See more of CAROLE here: http://www.amazon.com/Carole-Lanham/e/B0063EC1DQ/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1421346183&sr=8-1

And more of me: http://www.amazon.com/Louise-Caiola/e/B005HERY1W/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1421346220&sr=8-1

COME THE DARK by Rebecca Hamilton is HERE!!

Thanks for stopping by to view this quick announcement on Rebecca Hamilton's latest release, COME, THE DARK, book 2 in the Forever Girl series. Although this book is the second in the series, it is a complete standalone following a completely new set of characters. And you can grab your copy today for only $0.99! Still apprehensive about reading the second book in a series? Well, you can grab the prequel, HER SWEETEST DOWNFALL, off kindle--Always Free--and on January 9th, THE FOREVER GIRL will be free also, for the first time ever! Worried you might forget the date? Join the mailing list using the option on the Rafflecopter below and you'll receive a reminder on January 9th to download your free copy anytime between January 9th and 13th!

***

COME, THE DARK

by USA Today Bestselling Author, Rebecca Hamilton

Rose desperately wants to escape the abuse of the father who impregnated her and the dark spirits that haunt her life. Being thrust from Georgia 1961 into the era of Salem’s infamous witch trials isn’t what she had in mind, and now her daughter is left hopelessly out of reach.

The only way to return to her daughter is by facing certain death to banish the dark spirits that plague Salem. If she doesn’t eliminate these dark spirits in time, they will destroy civilization and trap her in this strange new place, ages away from her daughter.

Even if she can complete the task in time to return home to save her daughter, there’s still one problem: she’s falling in love with a man who can’t return with her. Achieving her goals will force her to choose between the only man who has never betrayed her and a daughter she can’t quite remember but will never forget.

A heart-wrenching tale of a mother’s love for her daughter, this romantic paranormal fantasy underlines the depravity of both historical and modern society while capturing the essence of sacrifice and devotion.

TRIGGER WARNING: This book deals with the sensitive subject of sexual abuse.

Buy Now for $0.99

***

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THE FOREVER GIRL

by USA Today Bestselling Author, Rebecca Hamilton

NOW OPTIONED FOR FILM!

At twenty-two, practicing Wiccan Sophia Parsons is scratching out a living waiting tables in her Rocky Mountain hometown, a pariah after a string of unsolved murders with only one thing in common: her.

Sophia can imagine lots of ways to improve her life, but she'd settle for just getting rid of the buzzing noise in her head. When the spell she casts goes wrong, the static turns into voices. Her personal demons get company, and the newcomers are dangerous. One of them is a man named Charles, who Sophia falls for despite her better judgment. He has connections that might help her unveil the mystery surrounding her ancestor's hanging, but she gets more than she bargains for when she finally decides to trust him. The Forever Girl is a full-length Paranormal Fantasy novel that will appeal to lovers of paranormal romance, urban fantasy, witches, vampires, ghosts, paranormal mystery, and paranormal horror.

View Now on Amazon

***

*** a Rafflecopter giveaway ***

About the Author

Rebecca Hamilton is a USA Today Bestselling Paranormal Fantasy author who also dabbles in Horror and Literary Fiction. She lives in Florida with her husband and four kids. She enjoys dancing with her kids to television show theme songs and would love the beach if it weren’t for the sand. Having a child diagnosed with autism has inspired her to illuminate the world through the eyes of characters who see things differently. She is represented by Rossano Trentin of TZLA and has been published internationally, in three languages. You can follow her on twitter @InkMuse

What is a Forever Girl?

Thanks for stopping by!

Late Xmas Wishes & #COVERREVEAL

Do you remember? Those Christmases when you still believed. When you just knew you heard reindeer on the rooftop. A good snowfall meant a chance to get a ride on that old sled in the garage. Cookies, not calories, mattered. And the biggest problem you had was choosing which new toy to play with first. Do you remember what it felt like when your mind was innocent and light? My wish is that - if only for a moment - we each find that innocence again.

It isn't too late - is it? Another Xmas has come and gone. The New Year is in sight. I'll saddle up those wishes and cart them along as the calendar changes - as January bears down, and along with it a fresh set of ideals, hopes, expectations.

With that in mind I want to introduce you to the NEW and IMPROVED cover art for THE MAKING OF NEBRASKA BROWN. Have a look-see:

 

I'm super-pleased with how it turned out! Pick up your copy today at Amazon  and where all fine books are sold.

 

Peace and joy to all.



 

Best of 2014 Giveaway Hop

As we near the close of 2014, I'm excited to take part in this awesome giveaway celebrating the best books of the year! As a reader, I found some terrific new novels to add to my list of faves. And as a writer, I was fortunate enough to have three of my own books join the expansive literary landscape. I met lots of great people, made new friends (both real and fictional) and had a blast. The fun, as they say, has only just begun. In a few short weeks we will be revealing brand new cover art for
The Making of Nebraska Brown. So I do hope you will all stay close.

For those of you who haven't had a chance to pick up a copy of the story being called "Oz meets Tuscan Sun" we have TEN copies up for grabs! Check out some of what the readers have to say: http://getbook.at/nebraskabrown. Be sure to enter the Rafflecopter below (read more) for your chance win.

Have fun visiting all the other blogs participating. See here: http://www.linkytools.com/basic_linky_include.aspx?id=245387

Thanks for dropping by :)

Going Back to Peace

It has been nearly impossible to avoid. All the news stories, the headlines, the op-eds and the rants. Our nation is in turmoil. Folks are screaming about racism and rights, justice and brutality. In all, the unsettling nature of these past few months is cringe-worthy.

I'm not here to choose a side. Nor do I wish to shake my head in contempt.

I just want to go back.

Now more than ever, I want to be a child again. Maybe five or ten years old. When I didn't know the way things worked when things didn't work in this world. When I believed everyone was equally kind and intelligent. When I was ignorant to the ignorance. Back when I couldn't have imagined the subjective divide. Or the depth of the differences.

I just want to go back.

Some might say this shows a lack of empathy. Some may think my wish is a head-in-the-sand answer that won't solve anything. Yet I look around me at all the anger raging out of control. What good will come of it? I see fear disguised as false bravado. Accusations made without fact or merit. Furious voices pinned on high. What use is another? In this battle of who can shout the loudest - I'm whispering:

I just want to go back.

It would be dishonest of me to claim to be neutral. My feelings are very much engaged. I see a sad set of circumstances being contorted to fill a simmering pot of prejudice stew. In my mind, none of the events of the past few months is about any one particular hatred. Though I can understand that thinking. I can open my thoughts enough to see that clouded emotions and overwrought tensions are calling the shots.  But my heart insists that violence isn't an earned response. It's a prelude to an even greater divide. Wishing alone won't bring change. Asking people to choose their own words and actions with care won't mean that they will. Phrases like "respect for all" and "peace on earth" mean nothing if they aren't enacted. It's terribly frustrating. Scary, even.

I just want to go back.

But I can't. I'm fully grown. An adult. A mother. A shaper of two young minds that I brought into this mixed-up world. And those young minds are grown up now, too. I've heard many parents crying out in concern for the safety of their children. Yes, we are all worried. This anxiety isn't exclusive to any one race or religion. It's a human fear. Remember- if you will - if only for a moment - that the enforcers of the law have parents, too. In our quest for equality, please let us not stop short of any man or woman - even those who have chosen to protect and serve. Let us see each person without their labels. Just long enough to take a breath.

Because going back is not an option. We can only ever go forward. Not in disgust. Not with disdain or discord. So for now, in the spirit of all that is hopeful, and perhaps, sadly, just as unattainable -  I'll make a new wish..

I just want peace.

 

#FREE eBook for your #BlackFriday Weekend Fun

FREE. Such a cool word, isn't it? Grabs my attention every time. And now, we are offering my short story book, PETIT FLEURS, for #FREE during this hectic holiday weekend. This special deal is to say thank you to all those wonderful people out there who have shared their reading hours with me and my stories. Yes, it's all about gratitude and giving back.

Let's face it...the holidays can be tough. You've cooked for a crowd. You've eaten and eaten some  more. You've shopped and saved. Perhaps you've even decked the halls.

NOW it's time for you to be pampered for all you do! A little R & R x 4. Rest, relaxation, reading, and reward!

Whether you're familiar with my work or you've never had the pleasure, here is your chance to own a tender collection of heartfelt tales sure to touch your heart. And my hope is that you will enjoy it enough to consider reading the companion - Vignettes Or perhaps, The Making of Nebraska Brown.

Grab your FREE eBook today. Reviews are graciously appreciated.

CLAIM YOUR FREE GIFT HERE: http://getbook.at/PetitFleurs
 

The Trouble with Thankfulness

This morning, as I awaken one week after my emergency surgery and one week prior to Thanksgiving – gratitude is on my mind. My body is healing while my mind is reeling. I have come to see a new side of thankfulness. It's the side that often remains trapped in the steely shadows. The juxtaposition of all that glitters. You see, that is the trouble with the process of being thankful. Sometimes in order to get there you have to stand in the shade.
Now don't get me wrong, it isn't as though my health is something I've ever taken for granted. And yet when I was attacked by one of my own organs, it seemed all at once that good health was something I hadn't exalted enough. It took some dark and painful days for me to truly pine for those bright, painless ones.

I realize that this is not necessarily a widespread problem. By God's good graces I have a roof above my head, and I've never needed to be homeless to appreciate that. Yet I think it's the little things we often overlook where gratitude is concerned. The easy smiles in those moments where worry is miles away. The hugs from those we love the most. The voices of our favorite people available to us at the push of a button. 

They say you don't know what you have until it's gone. I venture an addendum to that statement. You don't know where your gratitude lies until you're suddenly swirling in a choppy sea of troubled waters. And thankfulness is a distant shoreline away.

Who among us hasn't silently whispered "There but for the grace of God go I" when we hear of some tragedy that isn't our own. And of course we are grateful to have skirted such strife. 

Strife - the messy undercarriage of all that is good in the world. 

It isn't humanly possible to walk around in a constant state of unwavering appreciation. The mindless minutia of our daily ritual makes that level of graciousness just another chore. 

But, maybe right now, at this corner of what went wrong and what could be right, perhaps this is a perfect place to pause and think thankfully.

If only until the next intersection. 

 

New Release - Petit Fleurs & Vignettes are Live!!

I'm thrilled to bring you my short story collection, via Immortal Ink Publishing and available RIGHT NOW on AMAZON exclusively! These companion books are JUST .99 cents each and are perfect for those times when reading time is of the essence. With eight small though mighty tales in each volume (and bonus material included, too) these books will introduce you to people and places you won't soon forget. Like Ileana, a young prima ballerina from South Africa, trying to find her true calling among the crowded stages of New York City. And Mia whose chance encounter with a striking stranger unearths a family secret and two broken hearts. You will meet loyal pets like Finn MacFee, who is sure to touch your soul. And in time for the holiday season, you will come to know Jessica, a waitress and single mother in Barstow, California whose one wish is for her young son to hear her say "I love you." These are just a few of the many interesting characters that come to life within these pages.

Here are the purchase links: http://getbook.at/PetitFleurs and http://getbook.at/Vignettes.

Check out this early review from one of our ARC readers:
http://dalesittonrogers.wordpress.com/2014/11/01/vignettes-and-petit-fleurs-stories-of-chances-and-change/

I hope you will give these books a try and let me know which story you enjoyed most of all!


HAPPY READING, friends!!




 

Coffee & Breeze Talks Creepy Covers

With Halloween coming up next week, Carole and I are chatting about our favorite creepy book covers.  There are some really scary ones out there!

 

 

Carole: I like this new one for Carrie, for instance.  I feel like if I touch it, I’ll come away with stained fingers.  What more can you ask from a good old-fashioned horror story than a cover that bloodies you body and soul? 

 

Louise: Pretty icky! Okay, what about eerie clowns? Those guys are enough to make me swear off the circus forever. Surely the stuff of many a childhood nightmare! Leave it to Mr. King to scare the bejesus out of us.

 

 Carole: One of my all time favorites is not only scary, but clever to boot.  I loved Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children.  It’s a truly unique and unsettling story and I’m anxious to read Hollow City, the next book in the series.  I’m gaga over Ransom Riggs’ use of old Victorian photos (delightfully weird, one and all) and I love the way he weaves these eerie images into his plot.  The photograph of the floating girl on the cover, the childish, vintage style of the title font, it’s magic!  I only wish I would have thought of it first.

 

Louise: That's one of my faves, too. And speaking of wishing...I always wished I had been the one to pen this epic thriller that completely changed the way millions of people look at the ocean. Yep. that's right...#JAWS. Do NOT go in the water. Just don't.

 

 Carole: Truman Capote’s masterpiece In Cold Blood has had many heart-stopping covers over the years, but I think this Penguin cover might be one of the most chilling yet.   The mix of real photography from the era in which the murder takes place combined with this particular back jacket quote just really creeps me out.  I read this book in seventh grade and it’s always stuck with me.

 

 

Louise: Very sinister indeed! I find the gory ones to be disturbing on a visceral level. Like this bad boy right here...the eyeball is particularly disturbing. Ugh.

 

Carole: How about this one by Susan Hill, author of The Woman in Black?  I love me a good ‘ole disturbing doll head.  This cover is pretty, haunting, and it makes me decidedly uneasy.  Would I leave it lying face up on my nightstand?  Oh hell no. 

Louise: Yikes! She looks like the type that would call your name from porcelain lips that don't move!

Well, gang. It's been fun sharing our favorite creepy covers with y'all. Feel free to comment with some of your own faves. Don't forget - your reply will win you a #FREE ebook!!
 

Read For A Cure - #ALS Event

"From the bitterness of disease man learns the sweetness of health.”  ~Catalan Proverb

This month's latest book promo is near and dear to my heart. As someone with a loved one who has been stricken with ALS, I can personally speak to the overwhelming feeling of frustration and helplessness that comes along with this sort of diagnosis. It is with this in mind that I'm doing THE MAKING OF NEBRASKA BROWN ALS Donation Event. When you purchase my book this weekend (from 10/16 - 10/19) at the discounted price of just .99 cents, 100% of my personal proceeds will go directly to the ALS Foundation.

 



Reading has long been considered an escape from some of life's bitter realities. ALS and debilitating diseases of this sort are about as bitter as can be. If only it were possible to read our way to a cure for these life-altering atrocities.

I do hope you will assist me in this effort, while at the same time getting yourself something fun to read for under one dollar. Please consider sharing this event with your friends and family. Thank you for your help and attention.

Buy Links -

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IAFNF1S/ref=s9_simh_gw_p351_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0RWR3EVPATK9T22KDVC9&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1688200382&pf_rd_i=507846

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-making-of-nebraska-brown-louise-caiola/1118584827?ean=9781938750779

http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/the-making-of-nebraska-brown
 

Coffee 'n Breeze Goes #Retro - What A Good #Wife Looks Like

 
 
IF YOUR HUSBAND APPEARS TROUBLED… let him alone until he is inclined to talk.  Take up your book or your needlework pleasantly and cheerfully.  Above all, don’t let him find a shirt-button missing.

~  Things a Woman Wants to Know: An Edwardian #Housewife’s Guide to Life

 

Think women have it hard nowadays?  This week we take a look at some old “advice” our grandmothers might have gotten to help them succeed in life.  If you can laugh at this stuff, it ts proof positive you’ve come a long way, baby.  Hopefully, these daffy little black pearls of wisdom will make you feel a little happier with your life.  The tips that follow come from genuine advice manuals, magazines, films, or #books.

 

#UNDERCLOTHING…A virtuous woman has a repugnance towards excessive luxury in underclothing. 

Carole says:  I don’t know about you, but I have a repugnance towards virtuous underclothing.

  

 

SUCCESS IS IN THE DETAILS… Prepare yourself: Take 15 minutes to rest so you will be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your makeup, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people. Be a little gay and a little more interesting. His boring day may need a lift.

Louise says: If all else fails, there’s always the Threesome.

 

NEVER BE CAST DOWN BY TRIFFLES

Carole says:  Now why on earth would I ever feel down about such things?  I love them!  Doh.  I thought they said truffles.

 
A Wife's Work… If you have a job or career of your own, would you be willing to give it up if it would advance your husband's interests? If not, you are more interested in promoting yourself than promoting your husband. Helping a man attain success is a full-time career in itself. You can't hope to do it unless it is important enough to claim all your attention.
 Louise says: As if the sacrifice isn’t reward enough, urban legend says that the woman who relinquishes her livelihood for her mate will be compensated in heaven with a bevy of virginal superheroes. So it’s your basic win/win.

 

Best Behavior…  Social conventions can do very little to protect a girl really bent on getting into difficulties. In this case, a girl not out of her teens would do better to avoid [dinner at a bachelor's] unless others, considerably more mature than she, are present. A career girl, from her twenties onward, can accept such an invitation but should not stay beyond ten or ten-thirty. An old rule and a good one is ‘Avoid the appearance of evil.

 

Carole says:  I agree with this advice.  One old rule but a good one that I’ve learned by first-hand experience is this: One martini is not enough and two is too many.  To avoid the appearance of evil, however, I suggest three.  That way you’re guaranteed to be in bed by ten or ten-thirty. 

Rules of Engagement… It is up to you to earn the proposal—by waging a dignified, common-sense campaign designed to help him see for himself that matrimony rather than bachelorhood is the keystone of a full and happy life.

Louise says: Indeed. A skilled woman will leave no stone unturned in her race toward the altar. Rocks, bricks, the occasional golf club to the head – these implements will help secure your place in jail – um – I mean - in marriage.

A WIFE’S POWER…  The power of a wife for good or evil is irresistible.  Home must be the seat of happiness, or it must be forever unknown.  If at home a man finds no rest, and is there met with bad temper, or gloom, or is assailed by discontent or complaint, he sinks into despair.

 Carole says:  Bite me.

 

Hope you found these tongue-in-cheek hints useful, ladies!  

Leave a comment & #WIN a copy of THE READING LESSONS & THE MAKING OF NEBRASKA BROWN.

Meet USA TODAY Bestselling Author Carole Lanham.
Meet USA TODAY Bestselling Author Louise Caiola.