The things we do when inspiration hits home. Join Michigan Authors on their tours this season. Check their websites. Listen to For the Love of Books Podcast to stay in the loop.
Don’t miss out on a chance to get a signed book by a live author before the humanity becomes extinct like the dinosaurs.
Enter different worlds whenever you open a book.
Don’t let history repeat itself.
To be continued….
Feb. 28, 2023 Tuesday
It’s the last day of February and the best one yet. I am in Paradise aka Venice. The day started on the beach to the sound of waves and ended on the beach to the sound of crashing waves. Their relaxing rhythm soothes nerves like nothing else.
In the morning it was yoga with the sound of bongs, followed by a walk through the historic downtown Venice, topped with a cappuccino at Venice Wine & Coffee Co.
I love the core of this tropical town in southwest Florida with amazing architecture untouched by chains and corporate structures.
Then we shopped with mom Ella the souvenir shops on Venice Ave. I found what I was looking for twice today. The first time at Green Parrot and the second time at Nest on Miami Ave.
We changed for a farewell lunch on the town- the coveted Bromdon Mediterranean restaurant on Miami Ave. My parents had classic gyros and I had a salmon gyro.
I found this community located on an island very diverse with a strong Italian influence. It wasn’t unusual on any given day to hear people speak Russian, French or Spanish.
The social time in Venice was also a time to test our @Moravia Sons Distillery https://moraviansonsdistillery.com cocktails made with our apple brandy.
Where else would you want to pilot this delicious refreshing cocktail than in Paradise?
I still managed to pop in to the Great Reveal Party by Pages Promotions. Who did the deed and why? Find out on the replays posted on Facebook.
To be continued..,,
Copyright (c) 2023. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.
Feb. 24 Lenten Friday
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.”
To be continued
Feb. 23, 2023 1:29 pm Thursday, Venice Beach
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.
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.
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.
Venice Beach, Feb. 22, 2023 3:27 pm
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.”
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.
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.
Join us for the Winter Virtual Festival by Pages Promotions on Zoom every night in February except for Valentine’s Day. Register by 6:45 p.m. for a chance to win a signed copy of a book on the fabulous Spinny Wheel of Happiness. Support your local authors.
Bring the entire family to listen to the authors’ readings at 7 p.m., followed by the Case of the Missing Manuscript. Help us solve the mystery with your witness.
Who did it? Was it the sly reporter? The snarky head librarian? The historic author with one last copy of his book? The foggy psychic? The traveling author at large? The vague library assistant? The suspicious researcher? or the mysterious Coffee Lady?
https://www.pagespromotions.com/2023-event-schedule.html#/
Copyright (c) 2023. EmmaBlogs, LLC. All rights reserved.
Join us for the 23rd annual Mid-Michigan Women’s Expo in Lansing at the Lansing Center, 333 E. Michigan Ave. next weekend including Friday.
Michigan Authors representing most genres will be among the 300 exhibitors. They are 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.
This is a fun day out geared toward ladies and their families or friends. There are lots of demonstrations, samples, activities, and opportunities to support local businesses and artists. There’s even a bar so you can enjoy a beverage or two while you shop. Michigan Authors has been a feature of the Mid-Michigan Women’s Expo for several years.
” We enjoy meeting new and returning readers and sharing our stories with them,” said author Jean Davis.
With this year’s array of twelve authors, we will have a wide selection of books, including books for children and young adults as well as romance, non-fiction, Michigan-related, fantasy, thrillers, suspense, true crime, science fiction, and more.
Stay tuned for a special podcast episode about the Expo experience on @For the Love of Books Podcast with host author Emma Palova and guest author organizer Jean Davis next week on your favorite podcasting app.
https://emmapalova123.podbean.com/
We will be located in booth 652-656. Show hours are Friday & Sat. 10-6 and Sunday 11-4.
Parking is available under and behind the expo center for a fee. Recommended vendor parking is North Grand Parking Ramp (public parking) 3rd level which is connected to the expo center by an enclosed pedestrian walkway.
Saluting Nurses, Doctors, Military, Police, Fire and Rescue –
FREE admission all weekend to Mid-Michigan Women’s Expo!
Your Health, Your Home, Your Style, Shopping and Fun!
Lansing, Michigan, January 10, 2023 –The Mid-Michigan Women’s Expo announced its 2023 date, a full weekend
that will inspire personal health, home, and style, giving women something to feel good about.
The 23
rd annual event will be held the weekend of February 10-12 at the Lansing Center.
The three-day expo is the largest single consumer event for women in Mid-Michigan and will feature hundreds of
women-focused businesses with products, services and demonstrations that aim to provide a weekend of
enjoyment, education, and entertainment for women of all ages.
First 1000 attendees on Saturday will receive a tote bag compliments of Capital Area District Libraries. Receive
your bag directly inside the door at their booth!
This year’s event will offer FREE admission to Nurses, Doctors, Military, Police, Fire and Rescue that show
valid ID at the Box Office. Visit the Lansing Center Box Office during show hours and show ID card to receive one
free admission.
“We wanted to take a moment to salute and thank those that help others in our community. We are so grateful for
the work they do and appreciate their service,” says Pam Glass, President of Kohler Expos, Inc.
EXPO HIGHLIGHTS this year include Interactive Areas spread throughout the expo, which are designed to entertain
and enhance the patron experience. A few of the Interactive Areas include:
https://www.facebook.com/events/829424705148057/830824401674754?active_tab=about
Copyright (c) 2023 Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.
I am really excited about the month of February as I am scheduling my podcast author guests, and the snow is drifting outside. They represent different genres, but romance will definitely be in the lead.
FOR THE LOVE OF BOOKS PODCAST with host EMMA PALOVA
Listen in for a chance to win a signed copy in the podcast book giveaway.
http://emmapalova123.podbean.com and on https://anchor.fm/emma-palova, major podcasting apps
February Schedule
Donna Neumann, I Want a Birthday Party, Feb. 3
Jean Davis, Lansing Women’s Expo, Feb. 8
Lisa Jacovski, Let’s Talk, Learning to Bowl, Feb. 9
Janet Glaser, Feb. 10
Tana Jenkins, Love Rescued, Feb. 14
Diana Kathryn Plopa, A Tryst of Fate, Feb. 17
Sponsored by Doc Chavent, The Lowell Ledger, Modern History Press
Several things will be happening all at once: Pages Promotions Virtual Book Festival will kick off the month with the Mystery of the Missing Manuscript. You really don’t want to miss out on any of the evenings with authors, suspects, and detectives. Register on Zoom by 6:30 p.m.
Go to:
https://www.pagespromotions.com/2023-winter-virtual-festival.html#/
Michigan Reads, a new platform for Indie authors, will open its doors to most authors in mid-February, only limited criteria will apply.
February also kicks off in-person authors’ events with Women’s Expos in Lansing and in Grand Rapids in March.
https://www.kohlerexpo.com/mm-womens-expo
I will write separate stories about Michigan Reads and the Women’s Expo in Lansing set for Feb. 10-12.
Copyright (c) 2023. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.
I crossed the 40,000-word mark today in the NaNoWriMo 50k word challenge. It always amazes me how I got here?
The answer is simple, writing every day, and making it my number one priority of the day. My hope is to carry this beyond the challenge into the upcoming months which is easier said than done.
With the holidays upon us, it seems impossible, until it isn’t. NaNoWriMo organizers enabled everyday writing tracking even after the challenge ends on Nov. 30.
I will be at West Catholic Central on Dec. 3 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
To be continued
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