Monday, December 23, 2013

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

My wish for you this holiday season is that you find peace in your heart. And I hope that nature's beauty causes you to rejoice and find happiness.

 
Merry Christmas! And if you celebrate a different holiday - then Happy Holidays!
 
Wishing you:
 
Peace ~ Love ~ Joy
 
To Everyone!

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

"Tis the Season"

"To be Jolly?" While I might put on a brave face and wish people Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays all over town, I also (probably like many of you) tend to get really stressed this time of year.

So much to do! So many loose ends to tie up to make everything perfect. And the weather is not cooperating. In fact, it's downright frigid! As it all begins to weigh heavily on me, I smile and try to stay happy. But it's sometimes hard, right?

So while you're racing all over town, trying to find that perfect gift for that special loved one and feeling more and more frazzled by the minute:

Take a deep breath.

Think about all of the things you are thankful for - the things that really matter.

Call a friend and wish them well (a friend called me this morning, to see how I was doing, and it was such a nice feeling.)

Realize that even with your best intentions, there is no such thing as perfect. Do the best that you can, and that will be enough.

Remember that presents and gifts are not the reason for this season. So whatever you believe, try and stay close to friends and family, be loving, keep your chin up, and spread good cheer!

A tall order, but you can do it!

Thanks for listening to me give myself a pep talk! *grin* 
Hang in there, everyone - and I hope your holiday season is going well!!






Saturday, December 14, 2013

A Free Read for the Holidays

The Winter Kitten, my new short story, is garnering great reviews! And to celebrate the holidays, I've decided to offer it for free this weekend, December 14-15th. http://www.amazon.com/The-Winter-Kitten-ebook/dp/B00GD4TDCI


It's a sweet read if you are sitting by your fire watching it snow. Or maybe, like me, you are (finally) watching the snow melt, celebrating the fact that the temperature is now above freezing, after a long week of frigid weather. Either way, kick your feet up, relax this weekend, and enjoy a free story that will hopefully warm your heart for the holidays!

So go! Start your e-readers! (Or the Kindle app on your phone, tablet, laptop, whatever!) Go forth and download! Then make yourself a cup of hot chocolate, dose it with some peppermint schnapps (if you're old enough) and enjoy this sweet holiday read. For Free!

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy Whatever! Celebrate!!

Here's the link again: http://www.amazon.com/The-Winter-Kitten-ebook/dp/B00GD4TDCI

Enjoy!

Friday, December 6, 2013

Time Travel for Horses

What an interesting premise! It's actually the idea behind a cute horse book that I just finished, from author Jackie Anton. Called Frosty and the Nightstalker, it takes place in both the 1900s and the 1800s, with human and horse characters from each time period.


Frosty is a young appaloosa horse who begins to have a very bad dream when under a tranquilizer, given by a veterinarian for an operation. Later, as he goes on trail rides with his owner, he has difficulty at water crossings. More than normal difficulty, it seems.

Many horse people make jokes about their horses spooking at tiny things, chiding their mounts: "what, did you just see a ghost or something?" But in Frosty's case, every time he crosses a river or stream, the memories come deep and strong - as if transporting him to another place and time.

Which leads us to the other part of this story, set in the 1800's, where a horse named Nightstalker, who belongs to a herd of appaloosas owned by the Nez Perce tribe, is about to experience changes and adventures he could not possibly foresee.

Author Jackie Anton does a good job here, weaving elements of both history and horse knowledge into a very interesting concept for a horse book. With lovely illustrations by Sandy Shipley, there is much information and lore about horses in general, and appaloosa horses in particular, that a young horse lover might enjoy.

Frosty and the Nightstalker is actually Book 2 of the author's series called Backyard Horse Tales. You can find links to buy them, as well as excerpts, at Jackie Anton's website: http://talesbyjackie.com/Jackie/Welcome.html

And for you horse people, next time you ride a horse that spooks at something, you might wonder what is really going on in his mind!