Be a Dork Day

 By Maureen Bonatch 

 

July 15th? Where has this month gone already? I, for one, have no idea. For a moment in a conversation with my husband I realized that I didn’t even know what month it was. I blame it on too much time spent on the computer working at the day job, or escaping into the fiction worlds of my characters. 

Even though often the days rush by in a blur, I try to take a moment to cherish each day and consider it special on its own. 

I raised my head up out of the fog to wonder just what might be significant about July 15th? Although it seems that often when I seek out those quirky holiday calendars, the day in question has is represented in an unusual, or dorky, way. 

 Yes. July 15th is Be a Dork Day. 

Dork is a word I might’ve tossed around some in my youth, but not one that I can recall using anytime recently. Adjectives said to be associated with being a dork are odd, clumsy, ridiculous, awkward, silly, etc. 

But, in my opinion, there is someone for everyone. One person’s dork, is another’s prince charming. Or at least someone who makes you laugh, or if you’re the dork, then perhaps you can laugh at yourself. 

 Because Who Doesn’t Love to Laugh

I’ve always felt that laughter is the best medicine. I try to include humor into my everyday by watching humorous television shows or movies. You know the ones that you can watch again and again and still laugh. A few old favorites include: 

Television Shows 

• Seinfeld 
• King of Queens 
• Mike and Molly 
• Mama’s Family 
• My Name is Earl 
• Martin 

Movies 

• Dodgeball 
• Folks 
• Her Alibi 
• Stepbrothers 
• Bridesmaids 
• My Big Fat Greek Wedding 

I do love my comedy, so I kept the list short or I could go on for quite some time. I also enjoy reading and writing characters that make me laugh. Because what would life be if we were all serious all the time? Boring, if you ask me. 

 Embrace your inner dork today and be a little silly, or figure out what’s to love about those that you feel are awkward, clumsy or ridiculous. If someone asks you what’s going on, tell them it’s Be a Dork Day and invite them to join in on the silliness. 

 Guess what? July 15th is Also Give Something Away Day. 

 I have a few contests for you below where you can win something that’s being given away 

Enter Here for a chance to win Amazon Gift Cards.

Enter here for a chance to win the Charmed Cocktail Cozy Mystery Giveaway.

 Enter here for a chance to win the Peach Plains Paranormal Giveaway.

 Share Your Favorite Funny/Dorky Shows in The Comments

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!

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What Can You Celebrate on October 15th?

By Maureen Bonatch 

I love working remotely and have done so since well before the pandemic began. Although sometimes it seems like every day is the same as the weeks fly by. Therefore, when I realized that today, October 15th, was my turn to post at Here Be Magic I struggled to think of what to write about. What makes this day different? 

 So I did what most everyone does when faced with a conundrum and looking for an answer— I googled it. It turns out that October 15th is a special day for many things. 

Most are a little unusual, but why not take the time to embrace the date and celebrate these more unusual special ‘holidays’. 

 Holidays On October 15th 

 Global Handwashing Day 

As a nurse, the importance of handwashing has always been apparent to me. Although this year the whole world is embracing handwashing this—and every—day. 

National Cheese Curd Day 

Well okay. I do enjoy some friend cheese now and again.

National Grouch Day 

I loved Sesame Street growing up and am a little glad that poor Oscar got recognized. I’d be grouchy too if I had to live in a garbage can. Heck, I’m grouchy some days now and I don’t!

National I Love Lucy Day 

Who wouldn’t love Lucy? As a chocolate lover, I loved the episode when they got behind on the chocolate conveyor belt and were trying to eat all the candy to hide their mistake. That’s the kind of mistakes I’d like to clean up. 

National Mushroom Day 

I don’t need a reason to eat mushrooms, but I guess today I’ll need to have some with my fried cheese curds…but first I’ll wash my hands. 

 

Maths Day 

Well. Sorry. No. Math? This is one holiday that doesn’t have me excited even if it is encouraging math-themed games instead of standard math. Pandemic home schooling parents? I feel your pain. 

So today you can be a little grouchy if you’re asked to participate in math games (or maybe you’re a math lover, then you’re good) while watching I Love Lucy and eating fried cheese curds and mushrooms—but just wash your hands first, please! 

Another special date is coming up next month —Friday the 13th. 

 I’ve joined 12 other authors to write a short mystery and suspense story of approximately 13,000 words to be released on Friday, November 13th.  Join the Facebook group here to see more about all the stories and get your spook on! 

 If you are a subscriber to my newsletter you’ll be the first to see my cover for Till Death today. If you aren’t a subscriber yet, sign up here to get my free paranormal short story, Witch You Were Here, and find out about my writing sales and news first as well as where to enter to win treats (aka contests). 

What's Your Favorite Little-Known Holiday?

P.S. It's that time of year so here are a few contests you can enter to win more 'treats'.

Discover new authors and enter right here.

Get all the details and enter right here.

Maureen Bonatch is a novelist, healthcare content writer, and nurse leader. Maureen’s first novella was a paranormal romance published when blogs were a newfangled thing. Her most recent release is the second in The Enchantings series which features magic, motorcycles, and dark undertones in a contemporary world.

While she’s not busy writing or doing nurse-things, she’s being 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. 

 Yinz can find Maureen on her website, Facebook & Twitter and be the first to know about her book sales and new releases by following her on BookBub, Amazon and/or signing up for her newsletter

10 Euphemisms Writers of Erotic Romance Should Avoid

I write sensuous romance as Linda Mooney, and really naughty but humorous romances as Carolyn Gregg. I've read many semi-erotic books, and a couple with hardcore erotica, and one thing I've come to realize as writer is it's never correct to use a euphemism for certain body parts (especially male parts) that will make your readers break out in giggles. Not only does this ruin the "mood" you're trying to create between the hero and heroine, but the reader then begins to look for the next "comparison".

Here is my list of what I've "uncovered" thus far:

10 Euphemisms Writers of Erotic Romance Should Avoid (When Referring to a Certain Part of the Male Anatomy)

10. his Telescoping Extension
9. the Weed Wacker
8. Moby Dick (followed by "dipping into her ocean")
7. Paradise on a Stick
6. King Kong and his coconuts
5. Sword of the Gods
4. Hose of Ultimate Delight
3. Booty Buddy
2. Wiener Wonderland
and
1. The Love Muscle

Do you have any you'd like to add? (And let's try to keep it somewhat clean. Thanks!)

*******

Now Available as an Audio Book!

MY STRENGTH, MY POWER, MY LOVE
A Sensuous SciFi Romance
by Linda Mooney
Narrated by Mister Plug
Length: 7 hrs. 58 min.

Listen to a Sample

Once in every one million births, a child is born on Bellac with the Synergistic gene. These children are taken from their parents and raised, trained, and prepared for the day when they will find their Synergistic other half. For when that happens, an entity is created from the combination of both male and female who holds unbelievable powers. An entity who is trained to protect and defend its home world.

Grey Dansis is a Synergian. She has reached the time when she must meet the others like herself and hopefully find the male who will become her life-long partner from a crowd of strong, prime adult males who are ready to join the war as soon as they are united with their female halves.

Unfortunately Grey has secretly harbored a longing for Rowe Maine. But the man is five years her senior and considered long past acceptance. He is an Unmatched Synergian who has lost his chance to become one of the rare new entities.   By law he is no longer able to seek his mate.  Now the man is a trainer and teacher at their special school.

It won’t be long, however, before their world is again attacked by marauders. The creatures bent on domination are a species the Synergians have never encountered before. And this time the creatures’ goal isn’t just to conquer Bellac, but to totally wipe the planet's population and its army of Synergians out of existence.

Grey has no idea that Rowe, the man she has long been in love with, is her fated other half.  Or that the power coming from their union would be the only force strong enough to save Bellac from complete annihilation.

Because the law won't even let them touch.

Warning! Contains human weaponry, alien attacks, unapproved use of pudding, overly-aggressive males, excessive sex as a health benefit, badly fitting uniforms, trial by antagonistic rulers, and a love that defies the laws of man and nature.

Excerpt and buy links.