Meet Gloria Donovan ... The San Francisco Wedding Planner's Cougar! by Patti J. Smith

Meet Gloria Donovan ... The San Francisco Wedding Planner's Cougar!


When The San Francisco Wedding Planner series was in the planning process, each of us was asked to select the character we would most like to focus on for round two. Surprise, surprise! I chose Heather's mother, Gloria Rasmussen Donovan. We are alike in a few ways. I have a thirty-four year son who cringes when the phone rings, waiting to hear my honest opinion of his life and how to raise my granddaughters ... And let's not forget my academy award worthy guilt-trip provocations.

Gloria meddles in every aspect of her daughter's life (isn't that a mom's job?). Being widowed, she is trying to find herself ... Unfortunately, it's in the teen and make-up section of Nordstrom's. "Dress Young, Feel Young" is one of her mantras, the other being, "Date Young, Feel Young." Both a source of embarrassment for Heather and entertainment for her staff.

Close your eyes -- picture a 50+ woman in a hot pink tank top, skin-tight leopard print capris, spiked heels, and pouty, over-painted lips....and listen to “Girls Just Want To Have Fun” by Cindy Lauper!

That's Gloria!

Check out any and all of Patti J. Smith's contributions to "The San Francisco Wedding Planner Series" on Amazon Kindle:http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=patti+j.+smith+the+san+francisco+wedding+planner

What are you going to read this weekend? Looking for Romance,maybe some Humor? Try Tracy Krauss' "Navigating The Neighborhood"!

Lester Tibbett is back after a near death experience that has put a few things in perspective. It hasn’t stopped his friend Jed from harassing him about women or the upcoming bull riding competition. Nor has it made life any easier when it comes to dealing with his teenage sister. Just when he is at the end of his rope, he makes an unexpected discovery. Is it fate or mere coincidence?

Tracy Krauss is an author, playwright, artist, director, and teacher. She grew up in small town Saskatchewan and received her Bachelor of Education Degree in Saskatoon with majors in Art, English and History. She has lived in many interesting places in northern Canada, many of them north of the 60th parallel. She is currently a full time High School teacher of Art, Drama, English and History. She is currently working on several novels and stage plays, and resides with her husband in beautiful Tumbler Ridge, BC.

The Amazon Kindle link for “Navigating The Neighborhood” is: http://www.amazon.com/Neighbors-Navigating-Neighborhood-Tracy-Krauss-ebook/dp/B00LWS4EJ2/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1405706080&sr=1-1

- Website: www.tracykrauss.com
- Goodreads: goodreads.com/author/show/3492473.Tracy_Krauss
- FB Author page: tinyurl.com/Tracy-Krauss-Author-Fanpage
- Pinterest:pinterest.com/tracykrauss/

Mark Rubinstein- Why Crime Fiction?

Why Crime Fiction?

I’m often asked why I write crime-thriller novels. Sometimes, I think the answer is easy: I love to read them, so I write them, too.

But why crime? You can tap the range of human emotions and experiences in virtually any genre, so what about crime novels is so attractive?

I suppose partly it’s because these things could actually occur—they could really happen to people like you and me. I mean, the chance you’ll encounter a ghost, be transported to another planet, or have some paranormal or sci-fi experience is pretty remote. Often, it’s pure fantasy. Basically, these aren’t possible. But you could very well be the victim of some thug’s violent intentions, or end up being the target of extortion, or threats, or you could unwittingly run afoul of some criminal enterprise.

In other words, crime novels tap into the prospect of possibility which makes them ever more frightening. These things could actually occur.

But more than fear drives these novels. Greed, lust, avarice, revenge, cowardice, nobility—all run rampant in crime novels. And it’s vicarious, so the tension, anxiety, and outright fear occur to someone else—not you. You can live it through a character’s experiences, not your own. That makes it tolerable—even enjoyable. You can pull back anytime you want.

Even more striking (and this is not limited to crime fiction) is that many characters in crime novels are larger-than-life. If they’re well-developed they draw the reader inexorably into their spheres.

Think of Vito Corleone in The Godfather, of Harry Bosch in Michael Connelly’s novels, or imagine Ben and Chon in Don Winslow’s novel Savages, or Eddie Coyle in George V. Higgins’ classic crime novel The Friends of Eddie Coyle (made into a movie starring Robert Mitchum). Or think about characters in novels like Get Shorty, by Elmore Leonard, or those in Mystic River, by Dennis Lehane. (Also a great movie by Clint Eastwood, starring Sean Penn, Tim Robbins, and other fabulous actors). They live and breathe on the page. You can’t help but love some, and hate others. You end up worrying about and rooting for some, while you loathe and want to see the demise of others.

Maybe it all boils down to basics—the Good versus Evil dichotomy of human existence. Maybe it’s more complicated than that. I’m not really sure.

I just love a good crime thriller.

Mark Rubinstein,
Author, Mad Dog House and Love Gone Mad (due Sept.1st, 2013)

Meet Skye Jansen from "The San Francisco Wedding Planner" series by Mishael Austin Witty

Meet Skye Jansen

For the second round in the wedding planner series, we’re each supposed to concentrate on one character and write a back story for them. I’ve chosen Heather Donovan’s best friend, Skye Jansen, as my main focus. Her story, entitled AN URGENT AFFAIR, is going to be a fun look at some of the most important relationships in her life, including her relationship with Heather.

Today, Skye has agreed to take some time out from her incredibly busy schedule (you know she’s a devoted wife and mother of two young children AND she’s just opened her own cafe, The Cucumber Sandwich) to come talk to me and tell everyone a little more about herself.

Hi, Skye. Thanks for being here today.

Skye: I’m glad to do it. Actually, if you want to know the truth, I’ve been kind of looking forward to this because it gives me a little time to breathe. I haven’t had much of that recently.

I’ll bet! I can’t imagine how you do it all, but you really have made a success of it so far, haven’t you?
Skye: So far. I’ve had some amazing support, though, from my husband Abe and his mother…and, of course, my wonderful kids, Bram and Britt. Plus, everyone in Heather’s sphere of influence – Mario, especially – has been more than willing to help in any way they can. Heather’s got a marvelous team working with her.

She is one very lucky lady.
Skye: Hmm…Lucky, maybe. I’d call it blessed.

Right. You’re blessed too, though, aren’t you?
Skye: Oh, absolutely!

But things haven’t always been easy for you.
Skye: No, I’ve had my fair share of trouble.

Like your father dying when you were still in college?
Skye: Yes. That was especially hard because he and I became so close after Mama died when I was 10. He never did remarry. I don’t have any brothers or sisters, so it was just the two of us. I wish he was here to see me now. He’d be so proud.

I’m sure he would. Of course, your father’s death was one of the hardest things you’ve ever had to go through. What has been one of the best things that’s ever happened?
Skye: Oh, there are so many things, I don’t know where to start. Marrying my husband, of course. He’s just one of the most wonderful men you could ever hope to meet. And, of course, my children. Finally realizing the dream of opening my own store is the most recent good thing that’s happened. But that didn’t really “happen.” It took a lot of time and planning.

So, tell me about The Cucumber Sandwich. Why cucumbers, specifically? Are they your favorite food?
Skye: They really are! Organic, of course. They have to be organic. Everybody thinks I’m crazy for this focus on organic food and environmental responsibility, but they’ll be thanking me one day. Just wait and see.

Speaking of the future, what do you see happening in the future for you? For your family? For your business?
Skye: Goodness. I can’t even think very far past tomorrow. Of course, the kids will finish school, and I hope they’ll be admitted to the best colleges in the nation – full scholarship, of course, to make it a little easier on Mom and Dad’s pocketbook. But that’s WAY off in the future. I’d hope that my business will be thriving in another year…maybe it’ll even become one of the hottest spots in San Francisco eventually. That would be amazing! And I hope I’ll be there to enjoy it all. It would be nice to see some big rewards from all this labor.

Nice, indeed. I really hope everything turns out well for you. Thank you so much for stopping by for our chat.
Skye: Oh, you’re so welcome. It was so much fun!

And thank you, dear reader, for taking the time to get to know Skye a little better. If you want to know even more, be sure to check out AN URGENT AFFAIR and any of the stories in the series. The Amazon link for Mishael's stories is:http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=mishael+austin+witty+the+san+wedding+planner&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Amishael+austin+witty+the+san+wedding+planner

Meet Moses, a Twelve-year-old Runaway Slave from Cindy Noonan's "Dark Enough To See The Stars"

My novel for middle grade and junior high kids, Dark Enough to See the Stars, tells the story of twelve-year-old Moses as he escapes from slavery on the Underground Railroad. Meet Moses, as he gives you a glimpse of his story.

My name is Moses. My mama gave me that name. She been telling me since I can remember that I was named after Moses in the Bible. She always said that Moses’ mama didn’t want him growing up no slave. She didn’t want me growing up one neither. Mama thinks that someday I’m gonna save my people just like he did. So no matter how many times Buck, the overseer, calls me darkie or boy or nigguh, I think about my real name that Mama gave me.
The day that Master Bill told us he was selling Mama and a bunch of other folks, Mama and I made a plan. She taught me how to follow the North Star so I could run away. If they was gonna rip her away from me like seed outta cotton, then I was gonna be free.

Buck was gonna walk all of us to the train station so’s those of us who was staying could say goodbye. Besides, he feared we’d run away if we was left with nobody watching us on the plantation. Mama’d been talking with somebody who helps slaves get free. He told her about a miller downriver who took in folks who was running away. She told me, “Mose, all you got to do is find the river and follow it to the mill. That river’s gonna save you just like it saved Moses in the Good Book.”

Mama cried like earth reaching out to heaven when it was time for her to board the train. But I didn’t shed no tears. I had to be brave for Mama. I knowed that deep down inside she was happy her boy was gonna be free. Her prayers was getting answered.

Some of the slaves boarding the train threw a ruckus and said they wasn’t going. Buck and the other overseers started breaking up the fight. “Them poor souls,” Mama said. But she knew this was my best chance to run away without being seen. “You gotta go now,” she said.

I ran down the gully into the woods praying I wouldn’t cut my bare feet on any sharp rocks or drop the ash cakes Mama made for me. I hoped I could find the river. I ain’t never seen a river before. Mama said it was bigger’n the creek. She warned me not to wade in too far or it might swallow me up and have me for dinner. Well, I wasn’t gonna let no river eat me alive. No, that river was gonna save me, just like Mama said.

Will Moses find his way to freedom? What dangers will he face? What will happen to Moses when it’s Dark Enough to See the Stars?

Cindy's YA Historical novel is available in ebook and paperback,here is the Amazon link that will take you to both:http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Enough-Stars-Cindy-Noonan/dp/1622085345/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1452176135&sr=8-1&keywords=cindy+noonan

Your Life in a Transcript by Karen Lange

Your Life in a Transcript
By Karen Lange

Part of my work with homeschoolers includes helping parents create high school transcripts. The process includes compiling and documenting a student's work for the high school years. This summary becomes a polished transcript that is used for college, job applications, etc.

These transcripts are a reflection of a student's life through high school. Not a total reflection (for they do not show character traits such as kindness and patience), but these transcripts do help a student move into the next part of their life. Of course, the writer in me takes this concept a step further. What do our lives reflect that can translate into writing? If we think in transcript terms, we can boil our life down to subjects and hours accrued, volunteer and other activities, specialized training, jobs, and more. Whether we realize it or not, we each have a rich past from which to draw.

Think of all the possible avenues that you could write about. Are you a stay at home mom? A counselor, volunteer, or big brother or sister? Are you interested in sports, sewing, or stamp collecting? Do you have contracting, legal, or automotive experience? Are you a movie or antique car buff? There are trade magazines, ezines, newsletters, websites, and other publications for all the items that make up your life's transcript.

It might help to make a list of things that you have done - past and present, and maybe even things you'd like to do in the future. Include who you are - mom, grandpa, sister, uncle, only child - and include every relationship you can think of. You may be an only child but you are probably a cousin, godparent, friendly neighbor, or dozens of other things. Include your interests, hobbies, awards, and special certifications, anything that you can think of. I am sure your list will include many things that you can write a story about, generate an interview idea, or produce a how-to article. Why not start that list and get your very own transcript? Be prepared, you'll probably be adding to the list regularly, as you live, interact with people, and write.

What writing possibilities might spring from your life's transcript?

Karen Lange is a freelance writer, an online writing instructor, and the author of Homeschool Co-ops 101. Connect with Karen on her blog, karenelange.blogspot.com, on Twitter – KLELange, on her Facebook author page, https://www.facebook.com/authorkarenlange.

"Open Your Mouth"...Speaking UP for the Voiceless by Sue Badeau

“Open Your Mouth” . . . .
Speaking UP for the Voiceless

By Sue Badeau

They say you never forget your first love. You also never forget the first person who breaks your heart.

For me, it was not a boy. The first boy I loved, I married. We’ve had much heartbreak in 34 years together, raising 22 children, burying three, but he wasn’t the first to break my heart.

That was Mary, a scared, pregnant 19-year-old girl.

I was 22 when I met Mary. I was a recent bride and newly licensed foster parent. A nurse friend asked me to reach out to Mary, who had been hospitalized after a suicide attempt. She had no family.

I visited Mary, gently getting to know her. She began to share her life story, growing up in foster care, but quickly became confused. She couldn’t remember all of the places she’d lived or people she’d been told to call “mom” or “dad.” Foster homes blurred together until the cold December morning when she woke up in a group home, expecting a day like any other.

When a staff person knocked on her bedroom door telling her to gather her things because she was moving, she didn’t flinch. It was a common occurrence in her life. As they walked toward the front door, she asked, “Where am I going this time?”

He opened the door, looked out upon the snowy winter day and said, “Happy Birthday, Mary! You’re 18, you’re free of the system now – go anywhere you want.”

A year later, she was 19, pregnant and alone.

We cried, hugged and prayed together. I connected her with resources. I’m not sure if her life changed.

But mine was never the same.

With a broken heart, I sank to my knees, sobbing, asking God what I could do to make a difference for all the other Marys – frightened, disconnected and alone.

“Open your mouth for the mute” God said to me, “For the rights of all the unfortunate. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the afflicted and needy. Proverbs 31: 8-9
This is why I speak. Dear Mary, I opened my heart to you, and you broke it. From that brokenness, God taught me to open my mouth and speak up for lonely, brokenhearted children in our midst.

I’ll never forget you.

Faith and Doubt by Patti J. Smith

Faith and Doubt
Many circumstances in life can have a significant impact on faith journeys. Having doubts and the guilt that follows can be overwhelming. In my case, no matter how hard I prayed, the void in my heart and soul was immense. Those "dark periods" frightened me, because I thought a "true believer" would never have doubts.Praise God, I summoned the courage to share my pain with a friend in my faith community and how relieved I was to find out I was not alone! That's when I was introduced to the Diary of St. Faustina. She described my feelings perfectly,

"My mind became dimmed in a strange way; no truth seemed clear to me. When people spoke to me about God, my heart was like a rock. I could not draw from it a single sentiment of love for Him. When I tried, by an act of the will, to remain close to Him, I experienced great torments, and it seemed to me that I was only provoking God to an even greater anger. ... I felt in my soul a great void , and there was nothing with which I could fill it. I began to suffer from a great hunger and yearning for God, but I saw my utter powerlessness." You see, being a perfectionist, any weakness to me was a failure ... but after reading her diary, I understood that God does not see it that way. He sees those struggles as a victory, because it's through those struggles I strove harder to be closer to Him. God's answer to St. Faustina confirms this,"My daughter, during the weeks when you neither saw Me nor felt My presence, I was more profoundly united to you than at times when you experienced ecstasy. And the faithfulness and fragrance of your prayers have reached Me."

It's comforting to know I am not alone...the words of St. Faustina stay with me as well as those spoken by Pope Francis in one of his general audiences,“Who among us - everybody, everybody! - who among us has not experienced insecurity, loss and even doubts on their journey of faith? Everyone! We've all experienced this, me too. Everyone. It is part of the journey of faith, it is part of our lives. This should not surprise us, because we are human beings, marked by fragility and limitations. We are all weak, we all have limits: do not panic. We all have them,” Francis affirmed. "However, - the Pope continued - in these difficult times it is necessary to trust in God, through prayer, and at the same time, it is important to find the courage and the humility to be open to others and ask for help, to ask for a hand: 'Give me a hand, I have this problem.' How many times have we done this? And then, we overcame the problem and found God again. In this communion - communion which means 'common union', all united, common union - in this communion we are a big family, all of us, where all the components help and support each other."