Treasure Hunting

I found some interesting books at a flea market over the weekend. As the saying goes one woman's junk is another woman's treasure. And I always manage to find treasures at flea markets, garage sales or secondhand shops. I don't go to only look for books, but inevitably I find them. Armed with one of my trusty totes (I'm a fanatic about totes) to carry my prized treasures, I peruse the merchandise and naturally boxes or stacks of books always catch my attention.
This time I filled my tote entirely with books. My first find was a small journal with a beautiful cross on the cover for only fifty cents. It's perfect for my collection of quotes. I then came across a book, Joseph Campbell The Power of The Myth with Bill Moyer, I once had but through either lending or moves I lost it. I then got excited when I found a delightful garden book Tattered Treasures for Your Garden by Lauren Powell. I couldn't stop glances through the pages. She gives tons of great ideas to add eye appeal to your garden. Add to that a book on Scottish history (research book, I love it!). And an appetizer cookbook from the 70s. I love looking at the pictures from that time and I will update the recipes. Throw in a few old mystery paperbacks and I was finished.
But not to worry, I still found time to write. Can't keep those handsome Sinclare brothers waiting.

Update on the Sinclare Brothers Series

With numerous e-mails asking about the Sinclare Brothers, I thought it was a good time for an update. The series started with Return of the Rogue, Cavan Sinclare's story. He's the oldest of the four brothers and he found himself married to someone he had once rejected upon his return home after a year of being held captive by a barbarian tribe.
Artair is two years younger then Cavan and is a practical man and most women consider him the handsomest of the brothers. His story Under The Highlander's Spell will be in stores in October. Being he's a man who approaches everything with reason, you know that I had to have him meet someone the complete opposite.
Lachlan is next and he's a charmer, especially with the women. He has no intentions of settling just yet and of course he has distinct plans of how it will go. But nothing goes as planned and his charm can't help him this time. Lachlan's book doesn't have a definite title or release date just yet, but I'll keep you posted.
And as they say, last but not least is Ronan's story, the youngest of the brothers. Although the other books allow for hints and possibilities of what's happening to him, nothing is discovered until his story is finally told. I'm not giving away anything, in time you'll hear more about him. No definite title or release date, but you'll have it as soon as I do.
And after the Sinclare series? There's another series brewing... but I'll tell you about that in due time!

Reading Is Fundamental

Today I want to talk about an issue I feel strongly about. Reading Is Fundamental has been a program I've long admired and supported. It is a nonprofit literacy program that gets books into the hands of underprivileged children. Its funding is now in jeopardy. The RIF program is approved through 2009, but if President Bush's proposed 2009 budget is approved it will eliminate funding for RIF, leaving 4.6 million children no longer eligible to receive free books. RIF CEO/President Carol Rasco said "With 13 million children living in poverty in this country, the need for RIF has never been greater."
When I worked at a Borders Bookstore as a Community Relations Coordinator, I had the opportunity to provide struggling school libraries with books. It was a small effort on my part but a necessary one. I strongly believe that books should be available to all children. Books introduce children to amazing worlds and possibilities and allows them to dream, imagine and hope.
Books make a difference in a child's life. If you want to help make a difference, please go to
http://www.rif.org/ and follow the prompts to e-mail your local politicians and urge them to keep the government funding for RIF. You'll be glad you did! And thanks for your support!

Walk in the Woods

It such a beautiful day here in New Jersey that I went for an early morning walk in the woods. A solitary walk in nature helps clear the mind and fills me with contentment. After awhile I find a stump or log to sit on and watch the bustle of animals, (the squirrels really do entertain), listen to the lovely melody of the birds and relish the beauty and peace of nature.
I'm not much of a city person, though museums entice me and The Strand bookstore, http://www.strandbooks.com/ is a must visit when in NYC.
But mostly, I enjoy the woods, as many of you probably already know from my books. I'm presently in the process of looking to move and the one criterion I hope to find... you guessed it,
woods!

Life is Like a Novel

I believe life is like a novel. You have no idea what the next chapter will bring.
I was unexpectedly called to babysit my granddaughter, who is almost three years old, for a few days. I love spending time with her. Young children have the most wonderful imaginations. My granddaughter and I shared delicious teas, wore fancy hats, danced, decked ourselves with my costume jewelry and read books.
I think I know Cat in the Hat (Dr. Seuss) by heart, though I do recommend Fancy Nancy (Jane O'Connor, author and Robin Preiss Glasser, illustrator) books. They encourage the imagination and stretch the vocabulary.
In May I will be spending time with my three and a half year old grandson. He and I will build towers, race cars, bounce on his bed and his all time favorite... huddle under the invisibility blanket where no one can see us. And of course, we will read his and my favorite book.. If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Joffee Numeroff and Felicia Bond.
This is to let you know that breaks in my blogging means time spent with my grand kids. Time I wouldn't give up for anything... besides as I said life is a novel in progress.
What's your next chapter about?

Duck in Tree

Yesterday a duck landed in a tree branch outside my window. I stared at him since I didn't believe ducks perched in trees, I thought they stuck strictly to water and land. But there the duck sat on the branch, though none too comfortably. His webbed feet had difficulty keeping steady.
I called some friends and asked, "Do ducks sit in trees?" One friend commented that since I had seen one the answer must be yes. Another asked if I had gotten enough sleep, while another suggested it was a dream.
What did I realize from this incident? You never know what you're going to see, or what may happen. And the same goes with writing. You may know where you're going and what's going to happen, when all of a sudden a character or plot takes a completely different turn. Of course, a character doesn't suddenly land in a tree... wait a minute, I do believe that happened in one of my witch books.
See, you never know!

The Power of Words

Think of a favorite book of yours and how when you began to read it the words enticed, so you kept reading until the words simply captivated you and you couldn't put the book down. Now that's power.
Skillfully chosen words bring characters and places alive in your mind. In Return of the Rogue Cavan finds himself married upon his return home after a year's forced absence...
Cavan didn't want to think about his wife again. He still couldn't believe himself married, and to the woman he had once rejected, and for good reasons. However, none of that mattered now; she was his though he felt like no husband.
You see Cavan's battle to accept the inevitable, but his last thought let's the reader know he still intends to object in his own way... through his feelings.
Of course then you want to know how will he ever get past this? So you keep reading.
Words have power, but remember, it's the way we use words that give them power. So use your words wisely!