During Lent, I like to start my day with Lenten readings and meditation no matter where I am. Most of them focus on the ancient disciplines of Lent- fasting, almsgiving and prayer.
I was surprised to see two young pastors from the Epiphany Cathedral in Venice at Croissant & Co., French patisserie in downtown. Well, I know I shouldn’t have been there either and none of us should be blasting to the world that we’re fasting each in our own way with ashes on our forehead.
It was a loud Friday on the beach with the northern wind howling that lifted the waves sending them crashing onto the shore. Behind my back, private jets were landing and taking off, others starting their descent over the Gulf of Mexico.
A waiter at the sandbar handed me a Margarita on the rocks with “Here you go, Love.”
I am indulging in the sounds of the beach: Russian to the right, laughter to the right, kids straight up front and the crashing waves as far as I can see. The sun is warming my legs while my feet dig deep into the hot sand. It’s 82F and the sun is high above my head.
Lemonade Razzonade Bait Bucket Margarita
My backpack has everything I need: notepad and pens, suntan lotion, water, cash for a Blue Bait Margarita and magazines about living in Paradise.
I cannot omit the price this Paradise had to pay during hurricane Ian in September. Crews are still fixing the roofs and some signs have not been replaced. Otherwise you would not believe a hurricane blew through; just south of town.
Dad Vaclav and mom Ella
We spent a great morning on the town starting with yoga with Elin on the beach to the sounds of Ukulele Thursdays. We took a walk on Miami Street in search of the Greek restaurant Bromdon. We browsed through the Island View Boutique with beautiful blings and resort wear. Hasta La Vista.
Mom Ella is doing much better today after her surgery. With strength she’s also getting back her attitude, just a tad.
I have to pick up on chapter Mara and the Revelation of the Great Singapore secret in the sequel to The Lost Town. More later.
I am meeting with Maple later today and mixing up some cocktail recipes.
Well, the meeting with Maple didn’t happen, but I met Pat, the board secretary instead. YAY!
To top off this incredible productive day, I managed to pop into Pages Promotions Winter Book Festival. I am still clueless as to who murdered author Andrew Allen Smith who stole the Sardonic Manuscript, but did he really or was he just framed?
To be continued…,
Copyright (c) 2023. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.
I think this is the first time I’ve ever worked on a book on the beach. I’ve written on beaches before, but never a contiguous piece of an actual manuscript, the sequel to Shifting Sands: The Lost Town.
“What’s lost can be found even on a beach or underneath the singing sands.”
Scuba Divers
It’s very fitting to write the sequel on the beach amidst the little dunes with the wind blowing from the south. The life saving wind is cooling down the air temperature that reached 82 F. It’s 90F in Orlando. I am savoring the warmth of these moments as a major winter storm is whipping the Midwest.
It’s been quite an experiment that I started aboard the Allegiant two- hour flight to Punta Gorda, FL to see if can pick up writing whenever or wherever I leave off. So far it has been working out despite all the beach distractions.
The Pavilion
Epiphany Church
Yes, there has been plenty of distractions from the posted Red Tide caused by red algae, private jets taking off behind my back, to the falling umbrella, cute divers with oxygen tanks, a screaming kid and the glistening waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Then yesterday I broke my eyeglasses, forgot my card and much more.
After mom’s surgery this morning, a cup of coffee and two cups of Earl Grey, I regained some composure still undecided whether I should go for the Ashes in the morning by myself, or wait the outcome of the surgery. Mom was recovering well so I went for the gold- that is what I call going to the beach.
The improvement since yesterday was remarkable; no more coughing caused by the Red Tide or smell from the dead fish washed ashore.
“It comes and goes,” mom said about the unwelcome visitor to the Florida beaches. Regardless, the Red Tide the beaches of Venice are busy with tourists and snowbirds. Yoga on the Beach with Elin in the mornings enjoys around 200 yogis of all ages.
But back to the manuscript. I am about five to six chapters away from the end. Do I know the ending? I don’t and I like it that way as it keeps me on the edge, and probably preventing me from sleeping too.
What are the major forces in the story now? Well, the secrets of Singapore remain covered with sand. How will they emerge? Who will help uncover them? That remains unknown.
To be continued…
Copyright (c) 2023. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.
In her ‘A Tryst of Fate’ author Diana Kathryn Plopa takes on one of the most desired genres – romance. It is the story of a newspaper reporter Thomas and Gillian who restores art for a museum.
“Man does not control his own fate. The women in his life do that for him.”
– Groucho Marx
Her past is blurred, and her heart is lost to a child she cannot reclaim. Although he aches with the same loss, his stories bring light to a love that never truly died, restoring the art she thought was lost.
But a secret past threatens their future. Can Thomas solve the mystery of a hidden joy that binds them together? Can they rescue their love..together, forever?
Listen in for a chance to win a signed copy of ‘A Tryst of Fate’ and more.
Hot off the presses for Valentine’s week is the brand-new anthology Shades of Love with Tana Jenkin’s romance novella Love Rescued.
Everyone needs a lifeline now and then. Captain Kirk’s life takes a turn the day he pulls Selena Reyes from the water. He fancies himself a hero, but is the actress really a damsel in distress? Or is he the one in need of rescuing? More importantly, will they realize lifelines come in different forms before it’s too late? Love Rescued is Book Five in Tana’s award-winning St. James Sisters collection, and one of the twenty-plus books included in the anthology Goodreads voters named one of the most anticipated anthologies of 2023–Shades of Love, Limited Edition, Black, Multi-cultural and Interracial anthology hitting stores Valentine’s week!
Listen in for a chance to win a signed copy of Shades of Love.
In her novel, Deadly Undertaking, author J.Q. Rose presents a handsome detective, a shadow man, and a murder victim who kill protagonist Lauren’s plan for a simple life.
Lauren Staab knew there would be dead bodies around when she returned home. After all, her family is in the funeral business, Staab and Blood Funeral Home. Still, finding an extra body on the floor of the garage between the hearse and the flower car shocked her. Lauren’s plan to return to her hometown to help care for her mother and keep the books for the funeral home suddenly turns upside down in a struggle to prove she and her family are not guilty of murdering the man. But will the real killer return for her, her dad, and her brother? Her mother’s secrets, a killer, a handsome policeman, and a shadow man muddle up her intention to have a simple life. Welcome home, Lauren!
In her series Let’s talk! psychology professor Lisa Jacovski draws on her real-life experience in applied behavior analysis, mainly in autism.
“I decided to write this series to show families and children the beauty in being different and having autism. I wanted to show families that having the diagnosis was not limiting and their child can do anything too. I wanted to inspire children to ask questions about other children who may act differently and open that conversation. I also wanted neurotypical children to be open to others that may be different. If we can inspire our children to be open now then that negative stigma around autism will slowly go away as they become adults who are open.”
Listen in for a chance to win a signed copy of “Let’s talk! Learning to bowl.
Beat those winter doldrums and get to the 23rd Annual Mid-Michigan Women’s Expo in Lansing from Feb. 10 through Feb. 12. Stock up on books and check out the show that will inspire personal health, home, and style, giving women something to feel good about.
Listen in to the special episode with author Jean Davis and podcast host author Emma Palova sharing insights about the upcoming Expo at the Lansing Center for a chance to win one free ticket to the Expo.
The following authors will be representing different genres: Jean Davis, Emma Palova, Loraine J. Hudson, Kristine Brickey, Sylvia Hubbard, Norma Lewis, Mikel Classen, Melanie Hooyenga, Rod Sadler, Julie Nelson, Rhonda Accardo, and Andrew Smith.
In her Porcupine series book 2, kindergarten teacher Donna Neumann transforms her daughter Annie into a snarky porcupine who feels bad that she doesn’t have a birthday party.
“Books should be mirrors and windows for children to see into other people’s lives and to see their own life reflected in the stories,” Neumann said.
Neumann who has been teaching virtual kindergarten for 20 years based the series on her own real-life experience.
“I don’t have memories from holidays or from birthday parties,” she said. “Our family didn’t celebrate these, but we went on vacations and made memories.”
Even though birthday parties are not just about birthday cakes, they should be celebrations of belonging and not being left out.
“I want to be a part of everything,” Neumann said.
Neumann, not only found healing in the book, but she now celebrates birthdays with her family and her new grandson.
“I wish I had done it sooner,” she said about writing the book.
Listen in for a chance to win a signed copy of ‘All I Want is a Birthday Party.’
In her Detroit Revealed: A Different View of the Motor City, author-photographer Leslie Cieplechowicz highlights the obscure and amazing hidden gems of the city which is sometimes portrayed as unapproachable. The imagery highlights places only seen by local people who have created a rich culture and scenery that is veiled from the public eye.
“I wanted to share my view of the city,” she said.
Cieplechowicz worked as an EMS paramedic for the Detroit Fire Department. She returned to the sites of former EMS encounters to capture the images, all 4,000 of them. 150 best pictures made it into the book.
“I captured the heart of the city and the people,” she said. “I put a positive spin on a city that gets a negative reputation.”
The book serves as a city guide for both locals and visitors with its stunning imagery, history of the sites, and addresses.
“You can visit all the places,” she said.
Walk along the radiant blue riverfront of the Detroit River and view the beautiful structures glittering in the sunlight. Hang out at the hole-in-the-wall local bar and absorb the glow from the antique fixture that bathes the vintage decor in a warm light.
Head to the streets in a snowstorm, and peer through a broken window down Jefferson Avenue at a city shrouded in swirling white flakes. Or check out an old, dimly lit industrial center that has been turned into an enclave for local singers and artists to hone their talent, whose studios are a splash of faded records, flashing neon lights, and vibrant flags.
Listen in for a chance to win a signed copy of this book.
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