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In the Mist by Neetu

December 26, 2021 by in category Poet's Day by Neetu Malik tagged as , , , ,

In the Mist

mist fills the night—
there are no ghosts, just my self
and me in mellow light

I pause only to listen
to rustling in the trees, where
secrets like my own
might be guarded mystery

it’s not for me to know what
theirs might be,
but a comfort to feel
a kindred familiarity

© Neetu Malik


Some of Neetu’s Books


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When Being Different Makes a Difference by Veronica Jorge

December 22, 2021 by in category Write From the Heart by Veronica Jorge
Santa and Rudolph taking a selfie

We all know the story and the song about Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.

Ridiculed for his red shiny nose. Ostracized because he was different. When it really mattered, that difference made all the difference in the world. Here’s my poem to encourage and celebrate unique, out of the ordinary individuals. Your special self just may be what saves the day.

To All the Rudolphs Out There

by Veronica Jorge

They call me Rudy.

I’m Santa’s buddy.

I’ve got a red pug nose everyone thinks is funny.

When Santa takes flight, I light up the night.

I’m fast. I’m swift. I help Santa give out gifts.

No one laughs anymore at my bright red nose.

So be who you are from your head to your toes.

Let your light shine through.

Be proud of special you.

Be like me, unique.

You’re a star on two feet.

See you next time on January 22, 2022.

Happy New Year!

Veronica Jorge


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‘TIS THE SEASON: Gifts for Readers and Writers

December 15, 2021 by in category The Write Life by Rebecca Forster, Writing tagged as , , , ,

I adore the holidays. Trees. Decorations. Carols. Searching for the perfect gifts. Okay, maybe I’m not so crazy about the last one. Finding the perfect gift can be crazy-making—until now. Here are a few of my favorite out-of-the-ordinary ideas that will please  the readers and writers in your life.

THE ASPIRING WRITER

What better way to say “I believe in your dream” than a gift certificate for a writing class or conference, or a no-cost-to-you offer to read their manuscript for typos?

THE SUPER FAN

Scan the cover of their favorite book, photoshop them into it, print, and frame. (Make sure this is personal use only because covers are copyrighted). How about genre bling? I give thriller-loving fans and friends a Morse Code bead bracelet that spells out Partners in Crime.

THE TRAVEL-READING-WRITING FANATIC

If money’s no object, send your reader/writer to a favorite literary destination. Include a map with places mentioned in the book and marked them with a big heart. You will be the best Santa ever.

THE BEST GIFT OF ALL

Contact your reader/writer’s favorite author for a signed copy of a book, request a personalized Christmas card, or invite the author to have a cup of coffee with their fan if the author is local. (If you’re asking for a book or coffee make sure you offer to pay). They can only say no, and if they say yes you will have hit the gift ball out of the park.

So ’tis the season to think outside the box because there’s nothing a reader/writer loves more than a happy ending.

SEVERED RELATIONS

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SEVERED RELATIONS

FOREIGN RELATIONS

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FOREIGN RELATIONS

SECRET RELATIONS

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SECRET RELATIONS
INTIMATE RELATIONS

DISTANT RELATIONS

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DISTANT RELATIONS
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Step Back in Time Podcast with The Lost Girl in Paris by Jina Bacarr

December 11, 2021 by in category Jina’s Book Chat, Writing

Madame de Cadieux has stepped back in time!

THE LOST GIRL IN PARIS is now available across all platforms.

Available in e-book, print and audio

The Lost Girl in Paris universal link: https://books2read.com/u/3LyrdN

It’s the story of woman who survived both Auschwitz and Dachau, but never spoke about it until she meets a young reporter named Emma Keane who touches a nerve in her that now is the time to speak about those times. Her memories are as vivid to this eighty-year-old as if she were the seventeen-year-old girl who ran away to Paris to become a parfumier after losing her mother to the Nazi war machine.

I was privileged to be on a panel with Boldwood BHooks authors Lizzie Lane and Rosie Clarke — we talk about all things historical!

I wrote THE LOST GIRL IN PARIS to pay tribute to the strong women who survived the Holocaust and willingly shared their stories with us. The horror of Nazi brutality, the loss of family, their dignity… but also about their strength just to ‘survive another day’. And the strong bonds with their sisters-in-arms they formed with fellow prisoners. How they learned to trust each other and stood up against the enemy to save each other.

We must never forget.

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Here is a short excerpt from THE LOST GIRL IN PARIS:

 

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The Last Month of the Year by Linda O Johnston

December 6, 2021 by in category Pets, Romance & Lots of Suspense by Linda O. Johnston tagged as , , , ,

Yes, it’s December, the last month of the year. Where did the rest of the year go?

Have any of you started looking back? It’s early in December, yes, but it won’t be long before the new year starts.

What have you worked on this year? What have you accomplished? What haven’t you finished that you want to work on next year?

If you’re a writer, did you write what you set out to do? Did you come up with new ideas, and if so did you accomplish them, or at least start them?

If you’re a reader, did you read all the books you intended? Did you learn about new books or new authors you’d like to read, and if so have you read any of them?

In the rest of your life, did you have fun with family? Do you have more plans for the holiday season? Any ideas about next year?

Me? Well, I haven’t finished all I intended, but it’s been a good year for me. I had two new books published and have more to come in the next few years, some of which I’ve started writing and others I completed and am just waiting till their publication dates. I have a manuscript almost ready to send, and another one in which I’m part way through the first draft.

I had a good year in things besides writing. I saw family, had a fun Thanksgiving, made plans for some trips next year, and had fun with my husband and dog. We also lost one of our dogs, which is always so sad, but she was having health issues.

Next year? Well, I’ve started to consider it. How about you?


Some of Linda’s Books

UNDERCOVER COWBOY DEFENDER

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UNDERCOVER COWBOY DEFENDER

SHIELDING COLTON’S WITNESS

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SHIELDING COLTON’S WITNESS

HOUNDS ABOUND

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HOUNDS ABOUND

THE MORE THE TERRIER

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THE MORE THE TERRIER

BEAGLEMANIA

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BEAGLEMANIA

GUARDIAN K-9 ON CALL

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GUARDIAN K-9 ON CALL

BEAR WITNESS

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BEAR WITNESS
UNDERCOVERING COLTON’S FAMILY SECRETS

HER UNDERCOVER REFUGE

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HER UNDERCOVER REFUGE
COLTON FIRST RESPONDER (The Coltons of Mustang Valley)

THE SOLDIER’S K-9 MISSION

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THE SOLDIER’S K-9 MISSION
COLTON 911: CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE

FOR A GOOD PAWS

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FOR A GOOD PAWS

VISIONARY WOLF (Alpha Force)

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VISIONARY WOLF (Alpha Force)

TRAINED TO PROTECT

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TRAINED TO PROTECT

PROTECTOR WOLF

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PROTECTOR WOLF

BAD TO THE BONE

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BAD TO THE BONE

COVERT ALLIANCE

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COVERT ALLIANCE

TO CATCH A TREAT

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TO CATCH A TREAT

PICK AND CHEWS

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PICK AND CHEWS

UNLUCKY CHARMS

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UNLUCKY CHARMS
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