Information Overload

 By Maureen Bonatch

Many of us suffer from FOMO, or pride ourselves on our multi-tasking abilities and end up with too many things that you feel like need done ASAP, or overwhelmed with TMI.

So many acronyms! Are we so busy now that we can’t take the time to write things out?

• FOMO: Fear of Missing Out
• ASAP: As Soon as Possible
• TMI: Too Much Information 

Multi-Tasking Machine

I pride myself on being a multi-tasking machine and find it difficult to do just one thing. If I’m stretching, I’m often listening to a podcast. I’ll walk on the treadmill while editing. I’ll check emails on television commercials–or while watching the show. I try to sleep and my mind is spinning with to-do lists which resume as soon as I open my eyes in the morning. 

Many studies now say that multitasking should be reduced because it can cause gaps in our thinking, may make it difficult to perform more than one task successfully, and make us feel tired quicker. 

I can’t say I can give up multitasking all together, but I do know what to do if I start to feel like I’m suffering from information overload. 

Slowing Down

It’s difficult to maintain my full attention on one task, unless I’m reading a book. A good book gets my total focus, and helps me slow the whirring to-do list in my mind, reduce feelings of overwhelm and quiet my thoughts to sleep.

I always have a book. You never know when you might be stuck waiting for a few minutes. 

Have Book, Will…Whatever

I like to read books here and there.

I can read a book anywhere.

I can read a book in the house.

Get so engrossed I might ignore a mouse.

I can read if it starts to rain.

For a long ride on a train.

My kindle lights up to read in the dark.

I can take it to the park.

I can read in a swing hung under a tree. 

It’s how I spend my time with me.

I can read while I wait to see the doc.

It keeps my mind off the clock.

I can read while I wait in a line.

It keeps me from wanting to start to whine.

Books make sure I never feel alone.

I travel the world without ever leaving home.

Try a book! Try a book, I say! You just might like it, anyway.

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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.

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What’s in Your Pocket?

  By Maureen Bonatch 

As the seasons change, soon I’ll pull out my jackets as the temperature drops. Often I haven’t worn the jacket since the year prior, and for some coats, much longer than that. 

When I reach into the pocket I’m often in for a surprise. The items stashed there may tell a story about that season of my life. 

Nowadays, the items I find are rather predictable. I might find: 

• Gloves 
• Winter headbands 
• Extra quarters for the parking meter 
• Bags for when I take Scruff for a walk (One never can be certain how many to bring with Sir Poops-A-Lot.) 

This year I suspect there might be a mask or two tucked in the pockets. 

A review of my items may allow someone to deduce that I had a dog, and that I lived somewhere that had cold seasons. 

 Pockets Today vs. Pockets of Yesterday 

It didn’t used to be that way. When my twins were young and my pockets were the place to stash every odd and end the girls’ needed saved since they didn’t have a pocket—or they just preferred that I carry their things because in their opinion, that's what moms are for.

Usually there was barely room for my own items when I had to store all of theirs. 

Today is Collect Rocks Day. I don’t collect rocks. But when I was young, I thought I might be a rock collector. Mostly because I was sure I would find some nugget worth lots of cash while searching for fossils in the woods. Since this was before the Internet (gasp!) I’d study the piece of cardboard with sample rocks and photos of different collectable rocks. 

I didn’t get far with that collection, but in more recent years my daughters also thought they might become rock collectors. 

A Pocketful of Memories 

Last year I found a few rocks in my jacket pocket. If someone had discovered one of my jackets then they might have deduced that I was a mother of young children when they searched the pockets and found items like: 

• Rocks 
• Wads of gum or other candy wrappers 
• Plastic bracelets 
• Beads or marbles 
• Sticks 
• Small toys from the supermarket machines 
• Seashells 

It’s funny how a random item can bring back a time in my life, or a memory. 

Happy Cat Month 

September is also Happy Cat Month! If you’re looking for a magical story with a witch that can talk to her cat, Hexes, Highballs & Hockey should make you —and your cat—happy!

                 Get your Copy of Hexes, Highballs & Hockey Here

How can one tiny spell create such a mess? 

 Hi, I’m Marissa Hale and I’ve spelled up some trouble. You see, I live in Boca, Florida. Most of the time all the mishmash of paranormal play nice in the sandbox—except when it’s an ice rink. Of course I’d be the one to test the boundaries of the “no spelling” rule at the hockey arena when my friend, Grace, begged me to go to a game. 

My careless spell to conceal the nacho cheese disaster, which happened when a big blob landed on her treasured jersey, caused more trouble than the wrath I avoided from my hockey obsessed friend. 

 Due to the ridiculous rule, Grace inadvertently gets blamed and tossed into the arena’s jail for illicit magic…and I might have accidentally spelled one of the players. 

When I try to make things right, my sleuthing skills uncover secrets, and more trouble than I bargained for. I might need more than my chatty cat and charmed cocktails to solve this mystery… 

 What Would Your Pockets Say About You? 

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. 

 Visit Maureen's Website Here

10 Reasons You Might Like a Cozy Mystery

 By Maureen Bonatch

Cozy. 

The word elicits images of curling up by the fireplace with a good book, or comfortable clothes and soft blankets. So you might be wondering what’s a cozy mystery and is this a genre I’d like? 

 You Might Like a Cozy Mystery If: 

1. You're trying to solve the murder, kidnapping, or mystery while you’re reading a book or watching television. 
2. You turn away or skip the passages that describe the murder, or other violence. 
3. You tend to prefer words like darn, heck, or for goodness sake instead of swearing or vulgar language. 
4. A little romance is okay, but you really want to focus on solving the mystery. 
5. You’d rather learn more about the characters than in-depth police and crime procedures. 
6. You like to see the good guys always prevail and the bad guys get caught. 
7. You prefer a lighthearted or humorous story—even if there is a murder. 
8. You want to solve the mystery as an amateur sleuth with an ordinary person, just like you.
9. You enjoy getting to know the quirky characters in small towns. 
10. You love when animals become secondary characters in the story. 

 Good News—There are Paranormal Cozy Mysteries

Never fear my paranormal and magic loving peeps! There are paranormal cozy mysteries too. These stories have the elements listed above, as well as magic, ghosts, or other paranormal elements. 

 

Even Better News (Since Gooder is Not a Word) 

 You can have a taste of 10 +1= 11 new cozy mystery stories for only .99cents! WHEN THE CAT'S AWAY features vacationing sleuths as they trade their sunglasses for magnifying glasses in 11 new, never-before-read cozy mysteries. 

This includes my story CURSES, CATS & CORPSES which will introduce you to my Charmed Cocktail Cozy series. 

 So snuggle up with your favorite furry friend to read this fun collection of travel cozies, each including a fabulous feline sidekick. All aboard for intriguing mysteries, hilarious banter, and good, clean fun. 

Grab your copy of WHEN THE CAT’S AWAY Here's a link >>  to catch up with your favorite characters and to meet some new friends along the way. You’ll be very glad you did! 

P.S. Here's a Contest for you! 

Enter Right Here.

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. 

Visit Maureen's Website Here

A Change is as Good as a Vacation. Or is it?

Some people thrive on change. I’m not one of them. Basically, I’m a hobbit. The more boring and dull my life is the better I like it. Of course, change is a part of life. It happens whether we want it to or not, but seeking out change is something I’ve avoided. Until now.

My husband has been eager to leave the city for a while. Sydney is an awesome place to live, but any big city comes with its downsides like traffic problems and overcrowding. With each day that passes a beachside lifestyle away from all the city pressure is becoming increasingly attractive.

About one hour north of Sydney is the Central Coast, an area of beautiful beaches and sleepy, peaceful suburbs. It's also not too far from our family in Sydney. In short, it ticks a lot of boxes for us. I want to move. I want to embrace the change, but honestly, I’m scared. Swapping big city life for a much quieter place will be a challenge. Maybe I’ll love it, maybe I’ll hate it. The unknown is always scary.

Anyway, I’ve put on my big girl pants and started looking for a new house. Wish me luck. I’ll need it.

How do you cope with change? Do you love it? Or hate it with a passion?

****

Janni Nell writes paranormal mysteries. She is hard at work on the second book in the Little Shop of Spells cozy mystery series.

Book 1, Secrets, Spells & Murder is now available.

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Janni Nell Interviews Her New Heroine

Since I’ve just released the first book in a new cozy mystery series, I thought it would be fun to interview the heroine, small town witch, Madison Juniper Goodcharm.

Janni Nell: Welcome, Maddie. What was your life like growing up?

Maddie Goodcharm: I lived out of town on a few acres with my extended family. There were two houses. Mom, Dad and I lived in one of them. Grammy and Grandad, Mom’s parents, lived in the other. I wasn’t bothered that I was an only child. There were cousins who visited often and I spent a lot of time helping Grammy care for her animals.

JN: You run a shop of spells in the small town of Silver Moon Falls. Describe your shop.

MG: It’s on Main Street, between the Silver Moon Bakery and Kylie-Ann’s hairdressing salon. We sell all kinds of spells, which I make in the workroom at my house.

JN: Tell me about some of the spells.

MG: Green Thumb spells are better than the best fertilizer. A Happy Household spell will create a lovely soothing atmosphere for your home. And my Bubble Bath spell is like having the best massage of your entire life.  

JN: Do you have a motto or code you live by?

MG: I like to help people. If I can make someone feel better with one of my spells it’s a good day. I guess my motto would be: Do good, not harm.

JN: What is your major skill or talent?

MG: Since I’m a witch by trade, it would be creating new spells.

JN: What is your favorite food?

MG: Cinnamon buns from the Silver Moon Bakery, which is conveniently located right next door to my own shop.

JN: Who do you love?

MG: My family. Well, except for my cousin, Denzel, who dabbles on the darker side of witchcraft.

JN: What’s the best thing you’ve ever done?

MG: Hiring my assistant, Autumn. She arrived in town with nothing but a backpack and the desire to change her life. I gave her a job and a place to live. We had a few problems in the beginning, but now it’s working out fine.

JN: What’s the worst thing you’ve ever done?

MG: I accidentally harmed someone with a spell. It was carelessness on my part, and the person may never be the same again.

JN: Who inspires you?

MG: My family.

JN: Other than your family, who inspires you?

MG: Aberdeen Zabala, who is one of the greatest living witches. I almost won a mentorship with her a few years ago, but it didn’t quite work out.

JN: You run Maddie’s Little Shop of Spells. If you had to pick another career, what would it be?

MG: That’s a tough question. I love my job. But, I guess, if I had to change, maybe I’d become an investigator. I’ve had some success solving murder mysteries. Although, honestly, we’ve had enough murders in Silver Moon Falls to last a lifetime.

JN: Your uncle, Leo Bluestone, is the local sheriff. How does he feel about you solving murders?

MG: He doesn’t like it when I put myself in danger. Basically, he thinks I should stick to making spells for my shop. On the other hand, he fights crime, so locking up a murderer, even with my help, is a win for him.

JN: What are your future plans?

MG: All I can tell you right now is that they involve Jason.

JN: Thanks for letting us take a peek into your life.

MG: My pleasure. And if you’re ever in Silver Moon Falls drop by. We’re a friendly town. The hiking trails and falls are awesome.

Secrets, Spells & Murder is now available at:
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Kobo          

Google Play     

Janni Nell is the author of fun paranormal mysteries. Before she became a writer, she worked as a personal assistant, receptionist and sales clerk. Now she is happy to spend every day creating stories. When she isn’t writing, you can find her at dance class, Pilates or walking the dog. She is hard at work on her next book.

Here Be News

New Releases:

Secrets, Spells, & Murder
(Little Shop of Spells, Book 1)
paranormal cozy mystery
by Janni Nell
$2.99 e

Small-town witch, Maddie Goodcharm, is in trouble. Someone is hexing the inhabitants of Silver Moon Falls and Maddie is the main—make that only—suspect. When one of the townspeople dies in suspicious circumstances, Maddie is accused of murder.

With the help of her friend, Autumn, Maddie struggles to clear her name. But facing a murder charge isn’t her only problem. Sometimes spells go wrong and Maddie has accidentally bespelled a hiker. Jason’s not in a good place, literally, and Maddie has to come up with a reversal spell ASAP. Which she can’t do if she’s in prison. The only way out of her dilemma is to find the real murderer.

Now Maddie is on the trail of a killer and magic may be the only thing that will save her.

Available now

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SKY TITANS
Deities, Book 1
Contemporary Fantasy/Apocalyptic Romance
by Linda Mooney
Word Count: 34.8K
$2.99 e

           
 It's time for the earth to be cleansed.

Released after eons of being imprisoned and tortured, Aeron and his three brothers are ordered by the remaining old gods to bring the Apocalypse upon the world. Humanity has failed them too many times, and the Reckoning is overdue.

As the deity of the air and sky, it's Aeron's duty to bring about massive storms to wipe out civilization. Tornadoes, hurricanes, lightning - all are at his bidding, and Aeron is more than willing to do whatever he is requested to do. He will mete out the worst he can conjure, as long as it means he'll no longer be bound within the hot, dark confines deep within the bowels of the Earth.

Ceris Shahan is terrified of flying. But when the president of the company demands she be at the summit conference clear across the continent the next day, she has no choice but to take the next plane out. If her phobia wasn't debilitating enough, they run into turbulence that doesn't end. Tossed about, bruised and injured amid the ugly black clouds that continue to engulf them, she and the other passengers soon realize they will not survive.

When Ceris spots a figure outside the window, a man who appears to be standing amid the thunderheads and is surrounded by an aura of light, she starts to doubt her own sanity. Yet, when the man turns to find her staring at him, the look of stunned disbelief on his face is undeniable.

She shouldn't be able to see him, but she can. Realizing what this could mean, Aeron decides to risk everything, even his freedom, to rescue and protect the woman from the annihilation of all mankind.

Warning! Contains scenes of mass destruction, two apples, the plane ride from hell, stainless steel, extreme arrogance, an odd utility tool, and two people hoping for a future, any kind of future, as long as they can share it together.

Excerpt and buy links.

SILVER BOUND
by Jody Wallace

A heroine burned by magic…a hero who burns only for her.

Nadia Silver’s escape from indenture in the world of Tarakona leads her through a portal to Magic, New Mexico. A rare silver dragon shifter, she hopes to find a place where she will be safe from the wizards who would exploit her gifts.

Barnabas Courtier, a wizard without a dragon of his own, joined the Dragon Liberation Front when he heard of the seizure of a magnificent silver dragon – a dragon who has the power to turn the tide for the DLF. He has made freeing her his personal mission. Barnabas is shocked when he discovers not only has the silver dragon freed herself, but she has disappeared from the Tarakonan dimension. Determined to ensure her safety, his quest leads him to the world of Earth and the town of Magic.

Once in Magic, nothing goes according to Barnabas’s careful plans. Nadia isn’t the beautiful innocent of his dreams. She’s strong, passionate, and determined to resist everything he offers her – even love. How can a wizard convince a silver dragon to return to a world where she’s hunted when she’s found a place where she fits right in? And can he protect her from those who would enslave her once again?

Buy it at Amazon and then check out the next in the series, SILVER UNLEASHED, in which Nadia's brother Aiden meets a woman who doesn't believe in magic...but he *is* magic!

***

Other News:

Veronica Scott and the other authors in Embrace the Romance: Pets in Space 2 are giving away one unique signed copy of the paperback! SE Smith, MK Eidem and more! Here's the link to enter: http://www.petsinspaceantho.com/giveaways/signed-one-kind-embrace-romance-paperback/

The book releases October 10th!

Bring It Back(list) Feature:
Grandma Must Die by Maureen Bonatch

Cover Reveal--new series

I've always enjoyed cozy mysteries, so it was a no-brainer that one day I'd venture in that direction. Although my work had hedged around the cozy genre for years, I'd never jumped in boots and all. That changed with my latest book Secrets, Spells & Murder. Once I'd started it, the darn thing just poured out as though it couldn't wait to be written. I'm currently editing like crazy to get this ready for a September release.

In the meantime, I'm thrilled to share my cover, which was designed by the totally awesome Viola at Estrella Cover Art.

Janni Nell writes mysteries, sometimes paranormal, sometimes not. Join her on Facebook or Twitter.

A Slight Change in Genre--Writing a Cozy Mystery

I promised myself some years ago that one day I’d write a cozy mystery. That day came earlier this year when I began the first book in a new series. I knew right from the start it would be a paranormal cozy, so one of the first choices I had to make was what kind of paranormal? Should I use ghosts? Vampires? Werewolves? Witches? I love the idea of using magic and creating spells, so it was a no-brainer to make my amateur sleuth a witch. I added an extended family of witches—some good, some not—gave her a potential boyfriend and a best friend with a mysterious past. Then I had to create a place for her to live.

Small towns and cozy mysteries go together like Holmes and Watson. It was so much fun creating a community that is warm and welcoming, where everyone cares about their neighbors. It’s just the kind of place I’d like to live. Well, except for the murders. But then, it wouldn’t be a cozy mystery without a couple of bodies, would it?

The terrain around the town was particularly important for this story. I wanted the murders to occur in isolated places so I created a hilly district of woods and walking trails, which attracts tourists and provides some extra suspects who weren’t townspeople.

Creating the townspeople was the next step. The cast of characters included elderly retired people, owners of local businesses—baker, chef, innkeeper—the mayor and, of course, the sheriff. Not that he solves the murder mystery, that’s the job of the amateur sleuth.

Looks like I have everything in place for my new book...except for a title. I’m considering several possibilities, but I've yet to make a decision. Not to worry, everything will be fine...just so long as I come up with something before the release date in fall 2017.

***

Janni Nell writes paranormal mysteries. Her latest book Dead Lady Vanishing is available now.

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