Have a Howly Wolfenoot!

Hello, and happy Wolfenoot!

For those of you who don’t know what that —yet— I'm thrilled to introduce you to this brand new holiday invented by the seven year old son of author/editor Jax Goss.

According to the official website (https://wolfenoot.com/)  Wolfenoot is “when the Spirit of the Wolf brings and hides small gifts around the house for everyone. People who have, have had, or are kind to dogs get better gifts than anyone else. You eat roast meat (because wolves eat meat) and cake decorated like a full moon.”

Well, that sounds like all kinds of awesome to me. I'm just enchanted by the idea. I think that's because it's fun (and God knows we need that now!) it's animal related, and it doesn't come with any unpleasant baggage, like so many of the established holidays do. 

Although, people being what they are, I suppose it's only a matter of time. But I digress. 

Apparently, I'm not the only one who fell in love with this idea. Something like ten thousand people have expressed interest at the event site: 

 https://www.facebook.com/events/2133001853619644/

One of the things I really like about this holiday is that it’s become a force for good. All profits from any Wolfenoot-related art and/or merchandize are being donated to “canine based” charities.

And if you're interested in purchasing any of this wolfeloot yourself, you can find it here: 

https://wolfenoot.com/wolfeloot/ 

I was kind of surprised to realize that I don’t have any appropriately themed stories to give away or donate the proceeds from, and, yes, I think I’ll have to correct that oversight very soon. In the meantime, however, I’ll be making a donation to the North Valley Animal Disaster Group:  

https://www.nvadg.org/ 

NVADG has been dealing with animals who were injured or displaced as a result of the devastating Camp Fire here in northern California. 

As part of my own attempt to honor the Spirit of the Wolf, I’ve put together a list of books by some of our Here Be Magic authors that feature dogs or wolves. Admittedly, since we are all fantasy authors here, after all, most of the wolves are werewolves and most of the dogs are supernatural, but I can't see that it matters. Fictional wolves are still fictional, with or without the woo-woo factor. 

Enjoy and have a howly Wolfenoot!  

Doctor Wolf by Jenny Schwartz, book 4 in her Collegium series, is FREE this weekend! (Nov 22-24) 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01D7ZET0Q 

“Some secrets are worth dying for - but Liz Jekyll is a doctor and a werewolf, she's not dying for anyone. So she needs another plan.”

You'll also  want to check out Her Robot Wolf, the first book in Jenny’s Shamans & Shifters Space Opera series.

https://www.amazon.com/Robot-Shamans-Shifters-Space-Opera-ebook/dp/B072M3Q555

The Changeling Series by Dani Harper is comprised of 3 books (Changeling Moon, Changeling Dream, Changeling Dawn).

“The two highest laws in the Changeling world are never harm a human and never turn a human against their will. But the wolf within has its own primal rules. If a Changeling’s life is in danger, the wolf will emerge to defend it. It will also rise to the surface, unbidden, to defend a mate at all costs. Because Changelings mate for life!”

https://www.amazon.com/Changeling-3-Book-Series/dp/B00WTJFSWU

And in Dani’s Grim series, humans (and occasionally fae) are transformed into the supernatural Black Dogs known as grims.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073VVB6V9/ref=series_rw_dp_sw

Motor City Wolf, by Cindy Spencer Pape, is part of the Urbana Arcana series.

“Less than a year ago, Fianna Meadows was a pampered noble in the Faerie court. Then she was exiled, turned mortal and forced to work for a living—in a werewolf bar in Detroit, no less! Still, Fianna has to admit her new life isn't so bad…particularly when it comes to Greg Novak, the bar's sexy owner.” 

https://www.amazon.com/Motor-City-Wolf-Urban-Arcana-ebook/dp/B005CRQ4TW

On the Scent, by Angela Campbell, is subtitled “a laugh out loud pet detective rom com” check out entire series here:  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011M9EXDW/ref=series_rw_dp_sw

Right Wolf, Right Time is book number six in Marie Harte’s Cougar Falls shifter series.

“Warning, this title contains the following: A slow moving wolf and a shy virgin with an addiction to adult movies, date nights gone wrong, and bad guys with bite. But when the good girl goes bad, stand back and watch the fur fly.”

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HYYZD9W

Qitirin by Linda Mooney

“Scarred and traumatized, ex-Marine Sergeant Joshua Cobb can no longer function amid normal civilization. He's retreated to the mountains of Alaska to live in solitude, where he can battle his personal demons in peace. He has no idea that the injured wolf he rescues will become more than a companion. It will also save his life, and show him a love he only believed was possible in fairy tales. Because the wolf, Qitirin, is more human than anyone could imagine.”

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TCL40EA

Also from Linda Mooney, Peter and his Wolf: A Sensuously Erotic Retelling of the Classic Fairy Tale

“Do you remember hearing the musical story of  “Peter and the Wolf” by Prokofiev when you were in elementary school? About the boy who lived with his grandfather, and who captured a wolf by the tail? Did you ever wonder if the story was real? Did you ever wonder whatever happened to the wolf? More importantly, did you ever try to guess what happened to Peter after he captured the wolf? “ 

Download here for free: http://www.lindamooney.com/PaHW.htm

When Holidays Collide—How To Make Time For Yourself

By Maureen Bonatch

I turned off the light after the last trick-or-treater and extinguished the pumpkins lining our porch. Thoughts of immersing myself in a paranormal or scary movie to continue to enjoy the Halloween vibe filled my mind. As I passed the living room I paused. A Christmas commercial caught my eye. It wasn’t the first one I’d seen, and I was sure it wouldn’t be even close to the last.

As soon as summer begins to wind down and the air starts to chill, the crush of Hallo-thanks-mas advertising and promotions settles on our shoulders along with a To-do list heavier than the boxes of holiday decorations. It seems like every month of the year we get busier, yet we still try to fit in all the extra tasks that accompany the holidays. Something’s got to give, and it’s usually the time we devote to ourselves.

Ain’t Nobody Got Time For That

There are many people who look forward to the holiday season with the same joy they felt as a child. But there seem to be more who become filled with dread for various reasons but often due to the lack of time to create the holiday scenes portrayed on the commercials. We rush to complete the marathon of madness until collapsing with exhaustion after the New Year rings in.

Many writers, including myself, voluntarily choose to raise the bar and pile more on their To-do list by participating in NaNoWri Month (National Novel Writing Month). 

So how do we enjoy the holidays without giving up the things we enjoy most? Often we run out of time to do things like writing, reading and other entertaining activities because we are overwhelmed with obligation.

Don’t Turn Back Time

If you participated in Daylight Savings Time on November 5^th and turned back the clock an hour, don’t change your morning alarm clock. Continue to get up at the same time you were=an hour earlier. Your body should be fairly accustomed to getting up at that time so continue to do so. Devote that hour to doing something you enjoy. Consider this your—me time.

Record That Television Show

The fall and winter seasons bring back tons of our favorite shows to tempt us. With the availability of DVR, Netflix, On-Demand and countless methods to watch our coveted television shows after the fact, it’s easy to eliminate commercials and watch our favorite shows quicker, or at a time that it’s more convenient—or so you can get to bed a little earlier and get extra rest and not get over stressed.

•     Tip—save time by multi-tasking. Exercise while you watch your shows, or wrap gifts, write yourholiday cards or complete other tedious tasks.

Put yourself at the top of the list

The pressure of the holidays has us trying to find that perfect gift for all the special people on the list. We usually forget one person—us. If we put ourselves on that list we can enjoy the holiday season a little more.

 You don’t have to buy yourself a gift (but you could when you’re shopping all those spectacular sales) but schedule in the time to relax, turn your thoughts away from any overwhelming thoughts and enjoy a little self-care or pampering.

•   Read a book or listen to music while relaxing in a bath
• Take a few minutes before bed to enjoy a scented lotion or candle

Consider The True Joys of The Season

Most won’t remember what gift you got them, or the time-consuming special dish you prepared for the holiday meal—they’ll remember the memories created. Be sure to slow down and make your own memories so when January rolls around you don’t look back to the last three months as a blur of stress and obligation. Make the season magical—for you. That’s the true gift that keeps on giving.

How Do You Make Time For Yourself Over the Hallo-Thanks-Mas Holidays?

My NaNoWri Baby from 2012

Despite the little bit of insanity involved with fitting in NaNoWri, I consider devoting time to my stories as a gift to myself. My recent release, Evil Speaks Softly, was born in NaNoWri 2012 as See No Evil.

Everyone has a story to tell. Even the dead.

They were never supposed to meet. Fame came easy for Liv by following in the footsteps of the female writers in her family. The cycle repeated for decades…until Liv changed the story. Her villain doesn’t like the revision—and he isn’t a fictional character. In his story, the bad guy always wins.

They were never supposed to find love. Liv never questioned her demanding nocturnal muse, or the strange incidents in her old, family home until she met Gage. His job was to watch her from afar, not reveal the truth about the curse and the stories of the dead. They’ve broken all the rules. Together they unravel secrets as they strive to stop the cycle. Liv’s ability to find love, and protect her loved ones, hangs on the fickle whims of the dead—and they’ve got nothing to lose.

Author Bio: Maureen Bonatch grew up in small town Pennsylvania and her love of the four

seasons—hockey, biking, sweat pants and hibernation—keeps her there. While immersed in writing or reading paranormal romance and fantasy, she survives on caffeine, wine, music, and laughter. A feisty Shih Tzu keeps her in line. Find Maureen on her website, Facebook & Twitter

Lost Traditions

When it comes to holiday traditions, there are two types of people. Those for whom it’s not a holiday unless the traditions are strictly adhered to, and those who are always on the lookout for the shiny and new.

I’m pretty firmly in the second category, but for some reason I like to think of myself as a traditionalist. Denial. Still not just a river.

When I was a child, my mother made the mistake (that’s her opinion, btw—not mine) of adding coconut meringues to her usual array of Christmas cookies. They were amazing. I was instantly enamored. Here was a shiny, new tradition I could happily get on board with. But have you ever made meringues? They tie up the oven for hours. So it’s not surprising that my mother opted never to make them for Christmas again. And yet, despite the Christmas-we-had-meringues having occurred many decades ago, I’ve never forgotten it.

I've made meringues myself over the years, but never at Christmas--mostly because no one else in my family really likes them as much as I do. I find traditions tend to lose a little of their luster when you're the only one indulging.

When my son was in kindergarten, his best friend’s grandmother was visiting for the holidays. She made Cuban-style rice pudding—flavored with cardamom—that was a revelation. It was one of only two dishes I’ve ever eaten that tasted like Christmas. And, no, I have no idea what Peking Duck and Cuban rice pudding could possibly have in common.

I ate that rice pudding for breakfast Christmas morning and immediately decided that would be my new tradition. You know what might have helped to make that a reality? A recipe. I tried several times to duplicate it, but never came close. Both our families moved away after that school year ended. We lost track of each other and I lost another incipient tradition.

    

I think the longest tradition I’ve managed was the silver-and-white tree. I kept that one for seven years—a good chunk of my kids’ childhoods, which might explain why they’re much better about this whole tradition thing than I am. Then my ornaments got lost in a move and I expressed my displeasure—and channeled my inner Elvis—by doing a Blue Christmas tree for the next two years. That was about all I could stand of that particular tradition. It was entirely too depressing.

So what about you? Are you Team Tradition? Or Team Shiny-new?  What are some of your favorite holiday memories?

I have two free Holiday-themed short stories (This Winter Night and Counting on Christmas) available on my blog: http://rhymeswithforeplay.blogspot.com/p/free-reads.html

I'd like to wish you all the happiest of holidays. And may 2017 be...well, not 2016. I figure that’s already a good start.