Showing posts with label #Covid-19. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #Covid-19. Show all posts

Thursday, June 17, 2021

Another New Normal

Posted by: Maureen

 

By Maureen Bonatch

I’ve recently went into a few places without wearing a mask. It was liberating…and discomforting. Masks have become the normal in our everyday life. Something that most of us would never have anticipated. Now our normal is shifting once again. Most of us hope that things will ‘go back to normal’, but our new normal may be slightly different than the one before 2020. 
Scruff wondering if he needs to wear a mask or not to go outside.


 I often think if we could’ve had a sneak peek into the year 2020 without the backstory and saw most of the world shut down and wearing masks that we would’ve believed it. It seemed way too much like a fiction story. And although I love a good fiction story, I really don’t care to live one. 

 Speaking of Fiction 


I love writing and reading fantasy and paranormal stories. If you’re here, I would assume that you enjoy them too. As a reader I want to become immersed in the world and believe that magic is possible. That somehow, something that is foreign to our world, makes complete sense in the story. That it wouldn’t be unusual to run into a variety of paranormal beings in the course of a normal day. 

 As a writer, I have to make that happen. It can be a challenge to create an imaginary world that is real to the reader. Luckily, it’s a challenge I enjoy. For me, I find that first and foremost, the heroine has to convince me of this new reality. I’ll come back to that world again and again if I’m wondering how that heroine is faring and then I get to learn more about her world. 

The Last Year has been a Mystery 

If you’re looking for a great escape from the worries of your reality, the first story in the Charmed Cocktail Series is available for preorder in the When the Cat’s Away boxset. You’ll get my story, Curses, Cats & Corpses, along with ten more cozy mysteries. 



https://mollymysteries.com/WTCA_Kindle 
https://mollymysteries.com/WTCA_Apple 
https://mollymysteries.com/WTCA_Nook 
https://mollymysteries.com/WTCA_Kobo 

 If you like my story, you can preorder the next books in the series by clicking right here. 

 Some Things Never Change 


 One thing that doesn’t change is that most authors really appreciate their readers, and like to show it with giveaways and sales. Here are a few—may the odds be ever in your favor. 

Win Amazon Gift Cards


                              Click Here to Enter

 Searching for Your Next Cozy Mystery?

 

           Check Out these Great Deals by Clicking Right Here

 Get Out and Read Giveaway WIN 1 OF 4 KINDLE FIRES 


 Do you enjoy spending the long, lazy days of summer with a book in your hand? One of the best ways to find new-to-you authors is on BookBub, and LitRing has got you covered. Head over to the Get Out and Read Giveaway now to get 175+ chances to win a Kindle Fire >>  Click Right Here to Enter






Just a small-town girl, Maureen Bonatch leads a double life. She lives in a magical world as a novelist, and as a nurse leader in reality. Maureen’s first novella was a paranormal romance published when blogs were a new-fangled thing. She’s since changed her focus to writing paranormal cozy mysteries as 

M.L. Bonatch and urban fantasy as Maureen Bonatch. 
While she’s not busy writing or doing nurse-things, she’s a mom to her twin daughters, bicycling in the beautiful woods of PA with her hubby, doing the bidding of a feisty Shih Tzu, and dancing as much as possible. She believes music can be paired with every mood, laughter is contagious, and that caffeine and wine are essential for survival. 


Follow M.L. Bonatch all through cyberspace- she's new in town and can use some friends!

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Looking for Distractions? How About Learning Something New?

Posted by: Deborah A Bailey
For a lot of people, the online learning space is something completely new. Though it's been around for quite a while, it's become more popular now that we're in quarantine mode. 

I really like online courses, even before I was sheltering-in-place. You can take them from anywhere, at any time. Finish them at your convenience and at your own pace. Even better, many of the classes are free or very reasonably priced.

There's something for every hobby or interest, and several platforms to choose from. You may have already heard of Lynda.com (now owned by LinkedIn) or Udemy, but here are a few others to check out.

Reedsy Learning – free classes offered by Reedsy, a network for publishing professionals. If you're looking for some perspectives on writing, editing, marketing and distribution, there's a decent selection to choose from. Course content is delivered directly to your email inbox
https://blog.reedsy.com/learning/ 

CreativeLive – I've taken quite a few classes on this platform over the years. They specialize in photography and design for creative hobbyists and professionals. When you sign up, they usually offer special pricing for individual classes and course bundles.
https://www.creativelive.com/

Skillshare – another learning platform with lots of classes for creatives. In addition to design, crafting and writing, they also have classes in personal and professional development. All classes are available for one yearly (or monthly) fee.
https://www.skillshare.com

Prefer to be entertained instead? Maybe you'd rather relax and enjoy. If so, here are some suggestions for you!

The National Theater in London is closed until the end of June, but their YouTube channel is featuring their productions. You can set reminders for upcoming premiers and watch behind the scenes videos.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUDq1XzCY0NIOYVJvEMQjqw

The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has also uploaded several performances, including short videos and profiles.
 https://www.youtube.com/user/AileyOrganization/featured

Mural Arts Philadelphia offers short virtual tours of murals from around the city.
https://www.muralarts.org/virtual-tours/

Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History has a selection of virtual tours of current and past exhibits.
https://naturalhistory.si.edu/visit/virtual-tour



Tuesday, May 12, 2020

Stay-in-Place Fatigue

Posted by: Ruth A Casie

From the familiar creaks in the floorboards to your favorite easy chair, there's no place like a warm, cozy home. Here in New Jersey it’s week five of the stay-in-place order. Warm and cozy has turned into a dampened energy level, lack of motivation and general going stir-crazy. Many of my friends are challenged with home schooling, unemployment, and no social contact with friends and family. 

Before you take up permanent residence on your couch or start to sleep out of sheer boredom, there is good news. Check out this list of ideas to help you (and the whole family) beat cabin fever.

HOW TO BEAT CABIN FEVER
1.     Break out a good book. You had to know that would be my first suggestion. All joking aside, read an uplifting story. For suggestions and reviews, check out goodreads.com.
2.     For Medieval Romance enthusiasts, you can read Chapter One from The Maxwell Ghost here.
3.     Start a new hobby. A few ideas include knitting, stained glass, Soduku (for those who have read my bio, you know where I keep my Soduku book) and fiction writing. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard a fan tell me that they have an idea for a story. NOW is the time to write it.
4.     Actually, stay-in-place creates a need to make a meal plan for the week (or weeks), create your shopping list, and place your order for pick up or delivery.
5.     Try a new recipe. I’ve included one for you in this newsletter.
6.     Start scrapbooking.
7.     Do a puzzle. It’s a little old-school, but still fun. There are some awesome available on Amazon.
8.     Pull out some old board games or a pack of cards. One of my favorite’s is scrabble. My husband and I play. However you can play Words with Friends online with those that cannot be with you.
9.     Engage in some pre-spring cleaning. You’ll have more time to enjoy the great outdoors once you can go out again.
10.Rearrange your furniture. Sometimes a few moves is all it takes to make your place look new.
11.Have a movie and popcorn night. Dig out an old favorite or stream or rent something new. You can also watch a with family and friends using Netflix Party
12.Research your family history and create a family tree.
13.Catch up on those shows you’ve been threatening to watch but never have time. Like Tiger King, or something more to your liking. I’m all caught on The Crown and Westworld. You can see where my head is.
14.Go for a walk, even a 15-minute one. PLEASE, wear a mask or at least cover your mouth and nose.
15.If you enjoy museums, you can take a virtual tour. The good news is you avoid the gift shop. Here are some links to places you may enjoy. Here is VersaillesPyramid of Giz, and Harry Potter’s Magical Train.
16.Speaking of Harry Potter, here is a link to an online game for the whole family, https://emulatoronline.com/games/harry-potter/
Did I mention read a book...



Feisty Heroines Romance A Cross Genre Collection of Shorts
Over 30+ pulse-racing shorts to capture your heart with USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and Award-winning authors in the mix.

Paranormal, Contemporary, Fantasy, and Historical Romance that will whet your appetite with titillating, heart-pounding tales you’ll want to read again then beg for more.

Fall in love with your next book crush!

Forever Equals by Ruth A. Casie

Lady Morgana Stelton is more comfortable with a sword than a sewing needle. Abandoned by her highlander, who has gone to war for his king, she refuses every man her father and brothers present, but with her father’s estate on the English side of Scottish border, a political marriage is proposed by Lord Westervelt’s son, who has no love for the Scots.
Grayson MacDonald is a longtime friend of the Steltons. He holds his friendships close, his love for Morgana dear, and his duty to his king sacred. Hours before he’s to ask for Morgana’s hand, he is summoned into battle and refuses her pleas to go with him. Gray earns the reputation of a fierce highland warrior. Severely wounded in his last battle, his men leave him well hidden to recover. Three years later, Gray returns as an emissary for his king to the English court. Morgana may no longer love him, but he will never let anyone harm her. Ever.
Westervelt and his followers snub the highlander and start rumors questioning the Stelton’s loyalty to the crown. According to Westervelt, the only way to protect her family is for Morgana to marry him. Morgana overhears Westervelt arrange to kill Gray. With no time to seek help, she is Grays only hope. Gray arrives and finds Morgana facing Westervelt with her sword in hand. He will protect her with his last breath. She will fight for the only man she’s ever wanted. Him. 


RUTH A. CASIE is a USA Today bestselling author of historical swashbuckling action-adventures and contemporary romance with enough action to keep you turning pages. Her stories feature strong women and the men who deserve them, endearing flaws and all. She lives in New Jersey with her hero, three empty bedrooms and a growing number of incomplete counted cross-stitch projects. Before she found her voice, she was a speech therapist (pun intended), client liaison for a corrugated manufacturer, and vice president at an international bank where she was a product/ marketing manager, but her favorite job is the one she’s doing now—writing romance. She hopes her stories become your favorite adventures. For more information, please visit RuthACasie.com or visit her on Facebook, @RuthACasie, Twitter, @RuthACasie, Instagram RuthACasie, or Pinterest RuthACasie

Social Media Links:

Ruth’s Newsletter Signup:  http://ruthacasie.com/contact.html#newsletter
Facebook private reader’s page, Casie Café: https://www.facebook.com/groups/963711677128537/
Email:  mailto:ruth@ruthacasie.com

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