Happy
New Year! Did you get everything you wanted from Santa? Have you made your New
Year’s Resolution yet? Mine are to eat healthier, be happy, love
unconditionally, to finish writing the book(s), and make a best seller list.
May 2016 bring you love, happiness, and success in all you do.
In
this Issue:
Quote of the
Month:
Featured Authors:
Celebrating
Elvis
Recipe of the
Month:
News/Updates:
Upcoming Book
Signings/Appearances
Coming Next Month
Quote
of the Month: “To
sit in the shade on a fine day and look upon verdure is the most perfect
refreshment.” ~ Jane Austen
(1775-1817)
The
inspiration for my first novel came from the small town that my husband and I
own our “retirement” house in. While it’s not actually as near the beach as the
place in the novel is, it’s close enough. The characters and setting came from
my love of all things southern - the slower pace of life, the closeness of
community, and love of food!
Main Street was still fairly quiet when
Gus pulled up to Delta’s. The day was getting more humid as it went along.
Since Gus had just gotten out of the shower, she had her hair pulled back in a
ponytail. She prayed Delta or Staci could work wonders on it.
“Augusta Stewart, get over here and give
me a hug! I feel like I haven’t seen you in forever!” Delta squealed and ran
over to Gus, enveloping her in a big squeeze. Then again everything about
Delta was big and dramatic. From her hair - bottle blonde thank you; to her
outfits - size small top on a large body; to her shoes - sequin high heels. The
whole town wondered how she could stand on them for as long as she did during
the day.
Delta tended to wear outfits with colors
that no sane person would think of putting together. She and Lula had a lot in
common. Today it was a neon pink top with chartreuse looking plaid pants and
those famous sequin shoes.
“Delta, I don’t know where you come up
with your looks!” Gus exclaimed.
“I know, girl. My closet should be
starring on one of those reality fashion shows, don’t you think?” Delta grinned
like the Cheshire cat.
Gus laughed. It really had been a long
time since she had her hair cut at Delta’s. When she lived in Vermont, she
frequented a small salon located close to her work. Quiet the opposite in
interior design of Delta’s Clip ‘n Color. Interspersed between the obligatory
posters of shoulder length and pixie cuts were pictures of country music stars.
Tammy, Elvis, Merle, Dolly, and Patsy smiled down at you from every angle. If
you were a heavy metal fan, you got your haircut in another town.
Celebrating Elvis: If it’s one
thing I’d never thought I’d read it was an Elvis Presley mystery. Yep, you read
correctly. Kill Me Tender, by Daniel Klein is both
entertaining and left me wishing Elvis had actually done some non-musical
movies. And if you can’t get enough, there are three other murder mysteries
featuring Elvis. I found mine at Dollar
General, but check for them at Amazon.
When he left to serve in the
Army, Elvis loved the music. Now that his tour is over
and he is back as a civilian, Elvis struggles to regain the heart and soul that
made him the King.
Elvis soon becomes aware that someone is killing the presidents of
his Tennessee fan clubs. He also begins to receive records parodying his top
hits. Not one to sit around munching on fried peanut butter and banana
sandwiches, Elvis begins an investigation into the murders, using the guise of
an Elvis impersonator.
Here are other ways to celebrate the King of Rock-N-Roll’s
Birthday.
Parties:
· Join the fun in Memphis as Graceland celebrates
Elvis’ Birthday on January 7-10, 2016. Ticket Info
Here
·
Parkes Elvis
Festival, January 6 - 10, 2016, Parkes, New South
Wales, Australia. More Info Here
·
Loving You, 1957
·
Viva Las Vegas, 1964
·
Speedway, 1968
·
In the Getto (From Elvis in Memphis, 1969)
·
Return to Sender (Girls! Girls! Girls!, 1962)
·
Devil in Disguise (Rock ‘n On Vol. 2, 1975)
Recipe
of the Month:
White Beans and
Kielbasa
½ pound
kielbasa, skin removed, quartered and sliced
2 (19 oz) cans
white kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 onion whole
1 clove garlic
1 tbps sugar
1 cup water
1. Combine all the
ingredients in the slow cooker.
2. Cook on LOW for
3 to 4 hours.
3. Discard the
onion and garlic, and serve.
Serves
4
News/Updates:
Readers
of all romance genres, do you love free books from great authors? Or are you an
author with a 2015 publication? The National Reader’s Choice Awards (NRCA), OKRWA’s
prestige yearly contest, is now open. Go to this link for more information on
contest rules and signing up to judge: http://okrwa.com/contests/nrca/
Upcoming Book Signings /
Appearances:
Coming Next Month: Valentine’s Day
With
much gratitude, until next time…keep reading.
Maxine
Spark your
imagination and entice your mind
Be adventurous in
your own mind
Take a journey
into a new world and be inspired
Enjoy the
pleasures of reading ~~
It does the mind
and body good.
New Year Card With Direction Board Stock Photo image courtesy of digitalart at
FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Fantastic issue, Maxine! Carol, I love that you got your setting for your novel from the small town where you have a retirement home. I love southern novels and yours sounds like a great read.
ReplyDeleteHmmm...I'm not sure about making Elvis a character in a novel. I love mentioning him in my books, but there's something a little eerie about reading him as a fiction character, but as 'him' too. Intriguing, though, I'll have to check it out.
I'm all about celebrating all things Elvis, and I LOVE all the mentions of him in this newsletter...great job!
Thanks Alicia! I had fun writing it. I hope you enjoy the story when you get a chance to read it.
ReplyDelete