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One of my favorite things to do is sit around the campfire with friends. Each week at my virtual fire I'll bring new and old friend to chat about life, books, and writing. |
So now that you're here, kick back, relax, and join the conversation. Use the comment box to ask questions or leave a bit of wisdom. We'd love to hear from you. |
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Welcome to my campfire. After our month long adventure through the south east US we spent July at home. But August rolled in and we rolled out. Local for us. We visited one of our favorites nearby campgrounds the Pocono/Delaware Water Gap KOA koa.com/campgrounds/delaware-water-gap/ We had a great spot tucked in the trees on a good size site. I had a few projects and one of them was to hang my newly acquired "Owl" curtains. They needed to be shortened and then hemmed. I'm not a sewer but thank goodness for DH. He'd gone to the store to pick up some thread and a needle (I said I don't sew!) and returned with not only what I asked for but double sided hemming tape. My hero! One of the reasons we enjoy the Poconos are the many things to do. On Saturday morning we got up had a bit of breakfast then headed to Saylorsburg for the flea market blueridgefleamarket.com/ We wandered the lanes and checked out lots of things. I was searching for an owl lamp. Pete is always looking for antique Christmas items for his display. We didn't find anything so headed to Wind Gap indoor flea market www.facebook.com/windgapfleamarket/ Again didn't find any treasure but will be going back again in the fall. The market is undergoing some major renovations and we're excited to see the end result. Lunch followed with a visit to Sorrenti www.sorrentifamilyestate.com/ for some brick oven pizza and Sangria then into the winery for a tasting and a few purchases. The rest of the time was spent visiting with friends and the grands. They just returned from a camping trip to Tennessee. We had been scheduled to go to Wisconsin a few days later but an unexpected expense arose. Last year if you remember, we had an axel fire. PSA GREASE THOSE BEARINGS CAMPERS! We'll it turns out the equipment the emergency repair shop installed was incorrect. Enough said, we're pursuing action. However the cost of replacing everything sank out plans and with the cost of gas topping out again, we decided to stay close. Folks don't think you have to travel far. There are treasures in your own backyard. With one of our other favorite local camps filled we tried a new to us. Panther Lake Camping Resort pantherlakecampingresort.com/ was able to accommodate us. Despite the weather reports we didn't have any rain until Sunday. Saturday we hiked the rails to trails. Afterward I enjoyed cooking over the fire and to our surprise just across the way from us one of Pete's fire department friends was camping. We spent a night around the campfire catching up. It did rain on Sunday so we went to a few local antique shops and found a few things. Special shout out to Grey Barn Antiques and Collectables www.greybarnantiques.com/ It was there we not only talked fantasy books and dragons but found the makings of an owl lamp. (Pete's crafty like that) and a plaque. The rest of the day, thanks to being a glamper, we watched a DVD the Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole. Though it says it's for the whole family I caution about younger campers. Twas a bit violent. We played cards and dominoes and still managed to get in a walk. So my camping and non camping friends, when you're looking for something to do check out what's available in your own backyard. You'd be surprised at the adventures waiting for you. Here's another PSA many campground have cabins or campers you can rent that way you can get the experience first to see if the lifestyle is for you.
So go forth and make memories one campsite at a time and always remember all who wander are not lost. Let's keep the campfire lit. Tell me about your neighborhood treasures or camping adventures in the comments.
6 Comments
 Hi Wendy! I'm so glad you popped by today. Let's get settled with something to sip on while we chat. What can I get for you? I’m a sweet tea girl. I happen to have a Cold Brewed Sweet Tea on board. So while I pour a couple of icy ones can you get started and tell us about any camping adventures you've had? I have camped my whole life, and in fact, a 1979 pop top camper is practically a main character in “Hometown.” I think my hero is as in love with my heroine’s van as he is with her! I grew up traveling the country in a VW poptop, and now my husband, daughter and I take epic road trips and tent camp. I have to say…I have my eye on some campers. The ground feels a little harder than it did twenty years ago! I think we’ll soon be ready to upgrade. I love a vintage teardrop camper and there are some pretty sweet little rigs made by Happier Camper. I'm with you about on the ground. Also, last weekend was a bit of a rainfest in the Pocono's. The tent campers around us packed it in early. I don't blame them. One year my bestie, Tina, and I camped in Wallenpaupack PA and ended up in the car for the night when the tent leaked and the trench we'd dug overflowed. I hear you have a new release. Can you tell us about your latest project? My debut novel, Hometown, is a sweet and clean, small-town Amish romance. Just out of acting school and twiddling my thumbs as I waited for the phone to ring, I saw an episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show featuring romance writers. “I could do that,” I thought, every bit as naïve as I was to think a starring role on Broadway would land on my doorstep, wrapped in shiny paper and tied up with a satin bow. Still, inspired by those Oprah writers with the often-heard advice to “write what I knew” I came up with a simple premise: what would happen if a girl moved back to her hometown in central Pennsylvania and fell in love with an Amish guy. Twenty years and endless edits later…Hometown is finally making its way into the hands of readers. The words of Marie Curie come to mind, "I was taught the way of progress is neither swift nor easy." I think as published authors, perseverance is a must have character trait. That said, how are you persevering as an author? Do you have something else you’re working on? I’m currently working on book 2 in The Hearts of the Ridge Series, Heartsong Hills. Do you have a tagline or life motto? Just before the doors close on the New York City subway, the announcer says, “step in and stand clear.” Something about that direction always rings true to me. Jump in with both feet and don’t let the door hit you on the backside! I love that! Who are your inspirations for writing? Or would you like to give a shout-out to anyone or their books? (see Oprah answer above) Life Hacks for Authors. Do you have any tips, tricks, or anything you specialize in that you would share with others? An author’s best friend is her crock pot! Dump in all the ingredients for a hearty chili in the morning, and by dinner time, you’ll feel like the elves came in and made you a delicious meal! Yes! I have two one big for having folks over and one small just for Pete and I. Now the fun questions
 Hometown by Wendy Rich Stetson When Tessa's big-city plans take the A Train to disaster, she lands in her sleepy hometown, smack in the middle of the most unlikely love triangle ever to hit Pennsylvania's Amish Country. Hot-shot Dr. Richard Bruce is bound to Green Ridge by loyalty that runs deep. Deeper still is Jonas Rishel's tie to the land and his family's Amish community. Behind the wheel of a 1979 camper van, Tessa idles at a fork in the road. Will she cruise the superhighway to the future? Or take a slow trot to the past and a mysterious society she never dreamed she'd glimpse from the inside? Really? You need further encouragement? Okay, here's a review from N. N. Light VINE VOICE 5.0 out of 5 stars Such a fantastic reading experience from start to finish! Hometown is a heartwarming, emotional story about finding your path, following your heart and falling in love. The theme of small town versus big city plays a big role in Hometown, as does discovering where you want to be in life. What you thought you wanted may not be where you end up. Get your copy today at Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B097NVNFDF/ Barnes and Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hometown-wendy-rich-stetson/1139719240 And find out more about Wendy at these links Website: www.wendyrichstetson.com Social Media Links Twitter: https://twitter.com/StetsonRiches Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WendyRichStetsonRomance Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendyrichstetson_author/?hl=en Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/wendy_stetson/_saved/  Hi, Fran. Thank you for joining me today at the campfire. While I grab some refreshments why don't you tell us if you're a camper and if not, about your favorite adventure. What can I grab while you do that? I love wine! Wonderful! The camper is always well stocked. Often while we're camping we check out the local wineries. I'll pour while you dish on your adventures. I have never camped in my life, nor do I ever plan to. I am decidedly not an outdoor gal. My favorite vacation was a trip my husband and I took driving up the California coast. We visited lots of wineries-yay! We had a memorable dinner at Half Moon Bay where it was pumpkin season. The sight of fields full of pumpkins stayed with me and found its way into my latest book. No worries about not being an outdoor gal. I once put on a show for my neighbors as I stomped around my yard yelling at the top of my lungs, "I hate outside." It was a spider incident. But enough of that, I love when life inspires a story. So tell us about your latest project. The title of my book is Pie á la Love. It is the third in what I’m calling my Just Desserts series. Each is a standalone. The characters and settings don’t overlap. The common theme is that each one includes a dessert. I started planning the quartet last Christmas when my sister was visiting. She is the one who came up with the title. Then I had to figure out a plot around that title. My husband is a proud Army veteran, so he suggested the hero should be a veteran. The heroine is the head of a social service agency who is a micromanager, something I have been accused of. The heat level, as in all my books, is strictly G-rated. The genre is sweet romance. Sounds um, delicious? LOL, sorry I couldn't help my self. What a great premise. An your sister deserves a toast for coming up with the title. Also, thanks to your husband for his service. What are you working on now? I’m working on the fourth book now. The title is Cookie Courtship. I guess that gives away what the dessert is. I expect to publish it on or around November 1. Please let me know when it gets closer so we can remind everyone. Do you have a tagline or life motto? My husband has had a several health problems and hospitalizations this past year, and my motto has become “one day at a time.” Our prayers for continued healing and health for him. Would you like to give a shout-out to anyone or their books? I would like to give a shout-out to Craig Martelle and all the members of the Facebook group 20Books to 50K. They are so very generous in sharing what works for them and what doesn’t in the business of being a writer. I'm definitely going to check them out. In the meantime can you give us a Life Hacks for Authors. Do you have any tips, tricks, or anything you specialize in that you would share with others? I wish I did. I have a long history of learning things the hard way. I’ll happily accept any tips and tricks your readers can send my way. Now the fun questions 1. If they made a movie about your life, what would the title be, and who would play you? The title would be “It’s Never Too Late to Be Who You Might Have Been.” Playing me would be Ruth Gordon, who acted well into her 70s. I published my first romance at age 67. 2. Do you have a special object like a piece of jewelry or keepsake of some sort? Can you tell us what makes it special to you? I have my late mother’s wedding and engagement rings. I wear them whenever I’m facing a particular challenge and need to feel closer to her. 3. Years ago, there was a commercial that talked about a “Kodak Moment.” It’s a moment in time you catch in a picture. One you never want to forget. What is yours? My moment would be standing on stage at the Three Rivers Art Festival in Pittsburgh with two of my insurance company coworkers performing an hour’s worth of Broadway songs. It was our first and only performance together. We brought bags of hats and props with us to transform ourselves from Cockney flower girls to Russian peasants to Hot Box Girls to Puerto Rican seamstresses. It was one of those "flow" times when an hour goes by in an instant. 4. If you could only choose one song to play every time you walked into a room for the rest of your life, what would it be? I adore Stephen Sondheim and would love to hear “Beautiful Girls” from Follies every time I walked into a room. His lyrics are so brilliant. The internal rhymes are killer: “Beauty celestial, the best, you'll agree” and “Faced with these Loreleis, what man can moralize?” 5. Did you ever win something? What? I used to enter a lot of recipe contests. Once, I won a trip to New York City to take a class at a culinary school. My winning entry was the Simon Sandwich, named after the American Idol judge. French’s was the sponsor, and one of the ingredients was their mustard which was “as sharp as Simon’s tongue.” Writing skills can be used in all sorts of ways. How fun was that? Fran thanks so much for popping by even though we're outside I hope you enjoyed yourself. One more request? Please leave a bit about your Pie á la Love and others in the series. Where we can find out about them and you.   Pie á la Love by Fran Thomas Sara’s been a do-gooder all her life. Ken’s retired from the military and looking for his purpose in the civilian world. When her grandpa needed her, Sara left her job in the city and her child-averse boyfriend. Now she’s heading up the neighborhood community center. Although she’s accustomed to solving everyone else’s problems, she needs Ken’s help to expand the center. Teaming up with the handsome veteran is a no-brainer. Giving up on her dream of motherhood isn’t so easy. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B099Y58YGX More about Fran www.francesothomas.com/ https://twitter.com/FrancesOThomas www.facebook.com/FranThomasAuthor/ Frances O. Thomas is a native of Pittsburgh, PA, who now makes her home in southwest FL. She earned a B.A. in English from the University of Pittsburgh and an M. Ed. in educational psychology from the same school. She is also a National Certified Counselor. Fran believes everyone deserves a happily ever after, so she writes books in which she can make that happen. She is also interested in positive psychology, emotional intelligence, and career development. One of the things about camping are the wonderful people you meet or hope to meet. Tena and I are both Fivers and have talked about me heading out west so we can meet in person over an actual campfire not the virtual one. Recently, I corresponded with another author who invited me to visit her. Let me tell you, when you get a pair or a group of writers together the discussions are amazing. After all these are your "tribe". Creative minds who love to discuss books, writing, editing, social media and how they wrangle all that and their family, friends, and often, outside jobs. Toss in someone who also shares your passion for traveling and adventure, BAM, instant friend. I hope you enjoy visiting with us today. We'd love to answer any questions you may have. So, go to the comments and let them fly. You may even win a drawing from the names we'll be putting in the hat. And now, Heeeeerrrreeee's Tena  Tena welcome to 2HOOTS and my campfire. While I grab you a Root Beer Float why don't you tell everyone about what kind of camper you are. on a hot day! I'm going to have to wave my magic wand here. Vanilla ice cream? Always. Root Beer? Well the camp fridge hasn't let me down yet. I love to camp. Our RV is a 38 foot Durango Gold fifth wheel. My favorite place so far is Rocky Mountain National Park. So many things to see and do. Beautiful landscape and trails. Tada! Here's your float. Oh, I can't wait to see the Rockies. Any pictures I've seen have been gorgeous. Here's a link to the website www.nps.gov/romo/index.htm Now that we're all settled, tell us about your latest project. I know you have lots of books but this is a new release which is exciting. A WITCH’S QUANDARY. Secondary character, Gale, popped into A Magic Redemption (5th book in A Demon's Witch Series) the niece of powerful witch, Erin, and her husband King of the Faries, Tiarnan, in Ireland. She had an established apothecary business when she met Dillon from a prestigious family in Scotland. He is the son of the head of a prominent law firm in Scotland that had stood for over 100 years. Reputation impeccable. But treachery and desire for power undermined the family's long standing firm. How could I not tell her story? That's how A Witch's Quandary came to be. Exciting, I can't wait to read it. I enjoyed your One Scoop or Two book Chocolate Raspberry Magic. Your writing draws the reader in. Do you have something else you’re working on? Yep, I’m working on AN ANGEL’S WYLDER ASSIGNMENT. It’s part of the multi-author Wylder West series by The Wild Rose Press. It’s my first try at historical, timetravel, paranormal romance/mystery. Wish me luck. It’s almost done. Had a lot of research required. LOL Also a Christmas Cookie tale. It’s in the development stages, a few chapters written. You're not an over-achiever at all are you? I hear the Wylder West books are wonderful LOL. Do you have a tagline or life motto? Remember the Magic for Happily Ever After! "I have the soul of a Gypsy; the heart of a Hippy; the Spirit of a Wolf, and I don't howl alone. Join me?" Let's all give a howl for Tena. Who are your inspirations for writing? Or would you like to give a shout-out to anyone or their books? A combination of Molly Harper, Deborah Harkness, and Nora Roberts were my inspirations. Do you have any tips, tricks, or anything you specialize in that you would share with others? Write from the heart. Don’t let anyone try to try to tell you what you should do. They can give suggestions but ultimately it’s your story to tell. Always continue to learn your craft. If more than one person gives you the same suggestion, give it consideration. Take care of yourself, physical and mental health. Great advice. Now for some fun questions
 A Witch’s Quandary – 6th book in the Demon’s Witch Series. A Broken Engagement leads to the discovery of stolen magic and malice. www.amazon.com/Witchs-Quandary-Demons-Witch-Book-ebook/dp/B095291TGN Gale’s engagement is off because she refuses to leave her thriving business in Ireland to follow Dillon to Scotland. Her family and friends are on the emerald isle. Yet, when Dillon returns with the whole story and asks for her help, she must follow her heart. Becoming a Solicitor, then partner or barrister in the Dunlop Law Firm was never Dillon’s dream. Now it’s his nightmare. Called back to Scotland, his father demands he take his rightful place in the business or be disowned and disinherited. But something is terribly amiss in the firm and family. During Gale and Dillon’s investigation, they discover the enforcer for the Demon Overlord is also delving into rumors of the firm’s illegal activities. Magic has been stolen, someone is being blackmailed, and a member of the Witch’s council is corrupt. If Gale and Dillon want a life together in Ireland, they have to unearth the secrets that threaten to destroy Dunlop Law and his family in Scotland. More About Tena! Tena Stetler is a best selling, award winning author of paranormal romance. She has an over-active imagination, which led to writing her first vampire romance as a tween to the chagrin of her mother and delight of her friends. After many years as a paralegal, then an IT Manager, she decided to live out her dream of pursuing a publishing career. With the Rocky Mountains outside her window, she sits at her computer surrounded by a wide array of witches, shapeshifters, demons, faeries, and gryphons, with a Navy SEAL or two mixed in telling her their tales. Her books tell stories of magical kick-ass women and mystical alpha males that dare to love them. Well, okay there are a few companion animals to round out the tales. Colorado is home; shared with her husband of many moons, a brilliant Chow Chow, a spoiled parrot and a forty-five-year-old box turtle. When she’s not writing, you can find her kayaking, camping, hiking, biking or just relaxing in the great Colorado outdoors. Are You Following Me? You Should Be! Come Find Me: Blog: https://www.tenastetler.com/my-blog Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/tenastetler.author Twitter Page: www.twitter.com/TenaStetler Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14187532.Tena_Stetler Amazon: www.amazon.com/author/tenastetler Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/tenastetler/ Tribber – http://triberr.com/TenaStetler Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/tena-stetler Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tenastetler/ The Romance Reviews: http://www.theromancereviews.com/tenajean MY BOOKS – Award winning Paranormal Romance/Mysteries: A Demon’s Witch Series: A Demon’s Witch first in A Demon’s Witch Series and best seller ( The Wild Rose Press) A Warlock’s Secrets – Second in A Demon’s Witch’s Series (The Wild Rose Press) A Vampires’ Unlikely Alliance – Third in A Demon’s Witch Series and voted best Romance Novel 2017 by the Critters/Predators & Editors Readers Poll. An Angel’s Unintentional Entanglement – Fourth in Demon’s Witch Series A Magic Redemption – Fifth in the Demon’s Witch Series A Witch’s Quandary – Sixth in A Demon’s Witch Series Charm Me – A Candy Hearts Romance ( The Wild Rose Press) Charm Me Again – Sequel to Charm Me (The Wild Rose Press) A Witch’s Journey Series: A Witch’s Journey – A Lobster Cove Romance ( The Wild Rose Press) A Witch’s Holiday Wedding – A Lobster Cove Romance (The Wild Rose Press) Hidden Gypsy Magic – Third book in A Witch’s Journey Series (The Wild Rose Press) Chocolate Raspberry Magic – One Scoop or Two Summer Ice Cream Series and also fourth in A Witch’s Journey Series (The Wild Rose Press) Mystic Maples – Deerbourn Inn Series Australia Burns Anthology (Vol. 3)- A Witch’s Protocol is my contribution (All proceeds goes to charity for the victims of Australia’s 2019 wild fires.  Happy Saturday you wonderful campers! Here we are in July and camping season is full steam ahead. Day one was May 30th which was my Birthday! We were on the road early and had a great travel day. Sun shone, temp perfect, dog loaded and off we went destination Florida. We stopped for two night because hey, we're retired now and can take our time. Pete is our main driver and he likes to do about 6 to 7 hours to the destination. That said, I do drive 2Hoots. I'm good for a couple of hours on the interstate or non-city routes. St. Petersburg/ Madera Beach KOA was our goal. We had a lovely spot on the bayou. The view was great and the campground clean. While I went to the conference in Tampa, Pete and Hali hosted friends from the area. Shout out to Allen and Eva and We enjoyed great weather but here's a tip. If you are hitting the road in the summer and can afford an awning sunscreen do it. We bought a fairly inexpensive one and had it delivered to the KOA. At least half of the time when camping you'll be a catching afternoon sun and it gets pretty hot. One of the things I enjoy most about the lifestyle is catching up with family and friends who live in other parts of the country. My Brooklyn cousins moved to St. Augustine years ago and we haven't seen them since. So, of we went to Bobby and Kat who not only live there but they are campers too. We went to out to dinner and the next day to their house which is on a canal. We all enjoyed the boat ride, including Hali. Guess what you get another tip make sure when you apply sunscreen you get all the spots. Georgia was our next stop. We have a map of the USA stuck to the inside of 2Hoots door. Each time we drop the landing gear, I get to put a sticker for that state on the map. Pete won't let me cheat. I think if we pass through we should get to claim it. He's such a stickler for rules. But Georgia was where I purchased my National Senior Park Pass. Tip if you like to travel and visit sites, this is a must have. Yes, it cost $80, but it's good forever and we already have nearly broke even. You get in and can bring up to three guests. So save your pennies and invest in it. Next trip here we're going to try for Jekyll Island campground. This is a very cool place. I mentioned visiting, right? South Carolina here we come. One of Pete's besties lives there. Rod and his son Jonathan met us for lunch. We'd stopped at one restaurant but it was outside seating only and the day was a scorcher. So we moved to a different spot and it was so worth it. Anyone who knows my DH knows he loathes veggies. I know, I know but what can you do? Well get this. I got him to try Okra and he liked it. (Okay, it was fried but...) He also had a BLT with Avocado! And did I mention this KOA has a wine bar? I didn't! Well it does. This was Pete's top campground. Not because of how well maintained it is. It is. Not for the pool. It's a nice one. But for the people working there. An amazing crew of KOA Work Kampers. Not only that, but it has a Tardis. Not really but I can pretend. It's a Little Library. Tip look around you and you'll be amazed at the whimsy Bet you can't guess where we went next? (Rolling my eyes). North Carolina. We got to sit in the big chair, visited two more wineries. We tried to get into Wilmington and also to do the river walk. Unfortunately, the traffic and construction in the area was not conducive to parking Pete's truck. What's a girl to do? Get thee to another winery or two, that's what. We picked up a few bottles, hung out chatting with other patrons. One of the nicest things is that many of these places are dog friendly. If you know me you know I love cooking over the fire. So I had a piece of salmon. (Pete doesn't eat fish either) Well we built a fire. I broke out my cast iron pan and got the oil screaming hot. Went to place the salmon in. Dropped it into the pan and yep splattered my legs. Still healing. I'll never be a leg model anyway. Tip- be careful. Next up, Virginia. Not the first time camping here and definitely not our last time. With so much to see and do, you won't be disappointed. This was the highlight of my trip. Since a young girl I've been a horse fanatic. My first horse was Cocoa, followed by Carrie, and eventually Apache. Apache reminded me most of the Ponies of Assateague. We stayed on Chincoteague Island which in itself is wonderful, but this is where we used the park pass the most. There was a great lighthouse too. Tip- visit the places of your dreams. Last but not least was Massey's Landing Campground in Delaware. This was a resort camping ground. I can't tell you how many golf cart were there but at times it felt like I was at NASCAR as they went round and round. We enjoyed playing cornhole with our neighbors, time in the pool and even met one of my fans. Home base in NJ was waiting for us and here's your last tips though maybe it's an observation. Get out there and see the world. Don't be shy, and introduce yourself to those you meet. Spend some time in local shops, especially bookstores. Always be grateful when you get home. I hope you enjoyed my camping adventures. We're heading out again in August, September and October, so check back for more about our adventures in 2Hoots.  If you've gotten this far huzzah! Leave a comment, even if it's just a hello and be entered to win a limited edition D. V. Stone T-Shirt 😲
And don't forget to signup for my newsletter at mailchi.mp/3b289d8d7569/d-v-stones-peek-further-and-campfire-crew I do random giveaways there as well. And I promise not to jam you mailbox. I send only once a month unless there's something new I don't want you to miss.  Welcome to camp, Elizabeth. What can I get for you? The camp fridge is like wishing stone. Ask and it appears. Coffee (expresso). But only in the morning (can’t speak before I have some). The rest of the day, Crystal Light lemonade or water. I used to own a Specialty Coffee shop called Heavenly Brew and even went to Philadelphia to become a barista. So, guess what-bam-espresso it is. Are you or have you camped? I went camping as a girl scout in 9th grade (we went to Nantucket); fun, but too many mosquitos! Growing up, my family had a cabin in the backyard which my father named Camp Woofleboo. I had lots of sleepovers there with friends. I still remember Carol Bozzo telling a ghost story that kept us up all night listening for trouble with every creak of the floor. Pretty cool to have your own camp in the backyard! It sure is! And what a great name Camp Woofleboo, lol. Tell us about your latest project. What's the title and anything else you'd like to share about it. My latest project is HOME WATERS, a mix of family, romance, and environmental suspense. Becket Fallon, a world-famous oceanographer, discovers a lethally-invasive toxic algae in Narragansett Bay. He’s trying to figure out a way to stop it from decimating the bay when non-profit expert Lainey Carmichael arrives demanding his help with 3-year-old twin girls. The book is the story of what happens next. I wrote the first draft many years ago, but put it aside and worked on five other projects. A couple years ago I took the book back out, reworked it completely, and published it at the end of 2020. It’s a finalist for two National Excellence in Romance Fiction Awards (best first book and best Mainstream with Romantic Elements). 25% of royalties go to Save the Bay. Sounds wonderful and congratulations. Do you have something else you’re working on? I’m working on Book 2 of my Narragansett Bay Series; the main character of that book was part of the supporting cast in HOME WATERS. Do you have a tagline? "Stories with a Waterview” Who are your inspirations for writing? Or would you like to give a shout-out to anyone or their books? I love to mix suspense and romance. Nora Robert’s Chesapeake series inspired me, but my books have environmental suspense as my own twist. I’m inspired by the ocean and stories related to it, so all my books have the ocean as a key element. Life Hacks for Authors. Do you have any tips, tricks, or anything you specialize in that you would share with others? My friends call me the “Research Queen” and research is a key part of my process. For HOME WATERS, I contacted oceanographers at the Univ. of RI Graduate School of Oceanography and they helped brainstorm my suspense plot. Even in fiction, getting the specifics right is crucial. Research is so important and things change quickly so an author needs to stay up to date. Now the fun questions
 Home Waters by Elizabeth Devlin https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08MHGWFCG In a second-chance story with a waterview, a famed oceanographer and a non-profit expert—linked by two little girls—fight environmental disaster and their own demons. He has a deep hole in his heart …can his fight to protect the ocean fill it? Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island: World-famous oceanographer Becket Fallon plunged himself into work after his son’s death. But just when he discovers toxic algae threatens the entire East Coast, his sharp tongue costs him his research funding. And as he struggles to find a solution, the three-year-old grandchildren he’s felt duty-bound to avoid show up on his doorstep… in the arms of their attractive step-aunt Lainey Carmichael. When he refuses to take in the orphaned twins, Lainey makes him an irresistible offer: Let them stay for the summer, and she’ll secure fresh sponsors. Stunned when she succeeds, he loses himself in the environmental battle. He’s terrified he’ll only repeat past mistakes if he lets his new houseguests wriggle their way into his life and heart. Can Becket save the ocean he loves … and the family he never felt he deserved? https://elizabethdevlin.com/ Elizabeth Devlin grew up sailing the waters of Narragansett Bay and never forgot it. After studying in Oxford and serving in US embassies abroad, she finally returned to RI to teach at the Naval War College in Newport. In her contemporary novel Home Waters, she shares her love of the ocean, family, suspense, and a chance at a happy ever after. You can follow the author here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldrfiXL7wI4 https://www.facebook.com/Elizabeth.Devlin.writer https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethDevlinAuthor/ https://www.instagram.com/waterviewstories/ https://twitter.com/Elizabe70474292 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55845483-home-waters Waterview@ElizabethDevlin.com  I've wanted to get today's guest to the campfire for a while. She is my AMAZING editor of my TWRP books. She is my coach, mentor, cheerleader and fellow gardener. So, we're going to get right to it. If you are interested in my monthlong camping trip head over to my other page at www.dvstoneauthor.com/d-vs-guest-blogs-reviews-and-so-much-more.html Welcome, ELF. What is your preferred beverage? Pineapple Crush (which I can never find any longer, so I settle on Sunkist Orange soda. No problem with the Camper fridge. Like Aladdin's Lamp I'll give a rub and make a wish...Here you go. One frosty Pineapple Crush. While I pour, why don't you tell us about either your camping or favorite vaycay. I’m definitely NOT a camper. I’m not sure I’d even be comfortable in an RV since I have mild claustrophobia. My favorite vacation was to Kauai, Hawaii, where I got to revel in the beautiful ocean views as well as savor all of the beautiful vegetation. My camper has as much footage as a NYC apartment. Well maybe you would be claustrophobic. That's really not a good comparison. Tell us about your your work. I’m an editor as well as a reviewer, so I am usually reading four or five books at a time. I tend to push aside my favorite recreational books while I work on projects, but one positive thing about the pandemic has been my taking the time to get reacquaintanted with some of my favorite series (thank goodness for libraries that have extensive e-book collections). In my imagination, if I was the only person left on earth, the Library is where I would live. Since you’re an editor, what would you like authors to know? How can they become better writers? I think that authors need to analyze what they liked most about their favorite books and figure out how that was achieved. Great tension? Camaraderie? Quirky characters? Suspense? One of the things I think that is most important to remember is that readers love to feel smart. We love to figure out things…whether that is solving a mystery, understanding why characters act the way they do, predicting how some sticky situation is going to turn out. It’s important to TRICKLE in details, not overwhelm the reader with all of the great facts you have learned in your research. Yes, there are intriguing details that the author should share with the reader, but in-depth information should probably be saved for a newsletter, a bonus material offering, a Pinterest or Tik-Tok page. Oh, that's great advice. Are there any resources you recommend? I love browsing through the “Emotion Thesaurus” (when I remember, lol), and I just picked up “The Emotional Wound Thesaurus” because it was on sale. I subscribe to multiple newsletters that have articles on writing, and I refresh my knowledge or learn new techniques. I always have my copy of the Emotion Thesaurus handy. It's a great resource. I'm going to add the web links to both 2seasagency.com/writing-coach-becca-puglisi/ and www.scbwi.org/speakers/angela-ackerman so anyone interested can go directly to the sources. What traps or potholes do you think may affect authors from having an ongoing career? I think that many authors fail to realize that they have to work just as hard at marketing as they do creating and polishing a story. There are so many stories out there that it is hard to just be discovered, and I keep reminding my authors that well-known authors still get out there and publicize their work, even though they have substantial followings. That is so true. Writing is self satisfying for so many. But, if you want people to read your books, you have to do the leg work. What things do you look for when receiving a submission? I start out by automatically analyzing the author’s voice and how the query is written. Are there spelling or grammatical errors? Are the format and content complying with the submission guidelines? If the author starts out being careless about the query, what does that say about how much care has been taken with the manuscript? Does the synopsis make sense? Does it tell me everything I need to know about the story? Remember, this is not a blurb to entice the reader to pick up the story, it’s a summary of all of the pertinent info about the story. Next, does the opening paragraph grab my attention? Is some kind of puzzle presented or a situation described that makes me curious about what is going to happen next? If I start skimming, that means there are either horrendous errors/typos OR info dumping is taking place, and the author has lost my attention. What is your favorite genre? Science fiction romance, but I like most subgenres of romance, and I’ve been reading a lot of m/m romance lately. Do you have a tagline or life motto? We are who we are because of what we’ve experienced, and if we like who we are today…then what’s the point of crying over past events? So true. Who are your inspirations? Or would you like to give a shout-out to anyone? I love strong, confident women, whether in real life or in fiction. Now the fun questions
ELF, thanks for being part of the Campfire. I'm so glad you joined us to share such great information and give us a chance to know you better. And thanks for all the beautiful pictures from your garden. Find out more about ELF thereadingaddict-elf.blogspot.com/ http://musingsbyelf.wordpress.com/ Oh, and look what I've got.  Happy Saturday, Campers. I'm so glad you joined me today. I've been a busy girl. Retiremant happened and now hubby and I are traveling the south east after the Florida West Coast Writers conference. I met so many lovely and talented people including a fan-girl moment with CL Wilson. She signed a copy of Lord of the Fading Lands for me. That's not all! I scored to copies of Roni Denholtz Deerbourne Inn novellas AND Shirley Goldbergs latest, Eat Your Heart Out. As of this campfire DH and I are in the Peach State and I have Georgia on my mind. I a few days I'll be heading up the coast to South Carolina. If you are interested in my daily Video log I'm on Tik Tok at @dvstoneauthor. Now onto the Campfire and todays guest Dan Rice. He's new to camp so help me welcome him.  Hello fellow camper. How are you Dan, and what can I get for you? Coffee, black. I do most of my writing before anyone else in the household wakes up, so I drink the black brew by the pot! An early bird, huh? Not me. I'm a non functioning human until the 2nd cup and then there may be a cohesive though in my head. I hear you are a camper? Oh, yes, my family does love the outdoors. When we go camping, we use a tent. We started camping regularly when my first son was still a wee lad. That was put on hold when number two son came along. I've been camping with both my sons individually, but I have yet to be brave enough to take them out together since they tend not to mind their father and have a penchant for a bit of the old ultraviolence. Tell us about your latest project. I'm excited to hear about it because I adore Dragons. My latest project is the sequel to my debut Dragons Walk Among Us. Like its predecessor, it’s a YA urban fantasy. The story will follow Allison Lee and her squad on further adventures of self-discovery while protecting the world from supernatural entities. If everything goes to plan, I’ll have the manuscript turned in to my publisher by December this year. What else are you working on? I have other works that I was banging away on before Dragons Walk Among Us was picked up by The Wild Rose Press. For now, I’ve set those stories aside to concentrate on telling Allison Lee’s complete story. I might return to those other tales at a future date or not. Right now, I’m having too much fun writing about Allison and her squad to enter those other story worlds. Do you have a tagline or life motto? Hard work pays off! That’s what my wife and I tell our sons. In my life, Dragons Walk Among Us is the ultimate proof of this motto. Who are your inspirations for writing? Or would you like to give a shout-out to anyone or their books? I have tons of different inspirations. If I had to choose just one, its Frank Herbert’s novel Dune. I think I was 11 when I first read this book. I knew from that first reading that I needed to be a writer. Do you have any advice for other authors? Find a routine and stick to it whenever possible, but remember to remain flexible. If you have a family with young children, flexibility is a must, or you will drive yourself insane. Now the fun questions. If they made a movie about your life, what would the title be, and who would play you? My significant other is a big fan of Keanu Reeves, so I pick him. What is your favorite mug or teacup? My absolutely favorite mug is from Hawaii. It features a pig on a surfboard with the line no coffee no workee. Favorite childhood book? Or writing that inspired you to become an author. As a young child, I remember my mother reading the Black Stallion series to me. I absolutely adored those books for a few years. I don't know if we finished the series before I outgrew it, but we came close. If you could time travel, where would you go and when? Why? I probably would travel back to the middle ages to a castle somewhere in Europe. I've always been taken by the romanticism of knights and mighty castles. Would you rather have unlimited international first-class tickets or never have to pay for food at restaurants? First class tickets please! My family loves to travel, both domestically and internationally. Favorite destinations include Hawaii and Southeast Asia. What subjects should be taught in school, but aren’t? I think foreign languages and computer programming should be taught in elementary school. I have nieces and nephews in Southeast Asia who can speak several languages fluently. They began language instruction in elementary school. Having a fundamental understanding of computers and the programs that run on them is becoming more and more important in our society. Teaching children the fundamentals at a young age will set them up for future success. Dan, thank you for spending time with us at the fire. Could you leave us a bit more about your book and where to find you?  Dragons Walk Among Us by Dan Rice Shutterbug Allison Lee is trying to survive high school while suffering the popular girl's abuse. Her life is often abysmal, but at least her green hair is savage. Her talent for photography is recognized by the school paper and the judges of a photo contest. While visiting her friend Joe, a homeless vet, Allison's life irrevocably changes after an attack leaves her blind. All her dreams as a photojournalist are dashed as she realizes she'll never see again. Despair sets in until she is offered an experimental procedure to restore her vision. But there are side effects, or are they hallucinations? She now sees dragons accompanying some of the people she meets. Can she trust her eyes, or has the procedure affected her more than she can see? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0951NLKCK https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dragons-walk-among-us-dan-rice/1139530393?ean=2940162168041 https://books.apple.com/us/book/dragons-walk-among-us/id1567778944 More about Dan My name is Dan. I've wanted to write novels since first reading Frank Herbert’s Dune at the age of eleven. As a native of the Pacific Northwest, I often go hiking with my family through mist-shrouded forests and along alpine trails with expansive views. Dragons Walk Among Us is my debut YA fantasy novel from The Wild Rose Press. It is the first novel in The Allison Lee Chronicles, which is planned to span four books. Check my blog for info on release dates and progress reports. Follow Dan at Hi everyone! Welcome to my campfire. This is a place to sit back, relax, and maybe find a new to you book and author. Don't be afraid to ask a question or leave a comment. One thing about authors is they love to discuss all things book. And if they've agreed to join me at the campfire they aren't shy about talking about their lives. So pour yourself a favorite beverage and join the Campfire Crew. Real quick update from the road. I'm near St. Mary's Georgia today. We're parked at the lovely KOA here just north of Jacksonville Florida. Today we went to a museum and café. We also stopped at a few local antique and vintage shops. I scored something I've been looking for for months. The DVD of UP! Yep, I'm just a kid at heart. Tomorrow DH and I will be taking Hali to a dog friendly boat for some dolphin watching. I'm infatuated with Glamping and seeing all this country has to offer. Okay, nuff about me. Please help me welcome today's special guest Susie Black.  Ahoy, Susie! Since we're near the coast it seems an appropriate greeting. While you tell us about any camping or adventures, what can I get you? The camp fridge is like a treasure chest. Anything inside is possible. Are you a camper? Thank you so much for inviting me to the campfire. I prefer black coffee, please. Kind of in a roundabout way. For over a decade we owned a houseboat that was as close to camping as I have been. She was only 36 feet in length and let’s say she was cozy for one and cramped for two or more. Tell us about your favorite vacation or adventure. My favorite vacation was a trip to Cancun where I went power boating and snorkeling with my son. Fun! We Jet-skied and snorkeled. Tell us about your latest project. My debut novel was released on June 9th Death by Sample Size, is a cozy mystery, Heat level: is pretty cool. Much more humorous. I love a book that can make me laugh. What was your inspiration? The inspiration for all my stories is my experiences in the ladies’ apparel industry. Can you tell us about the main characters? Sales exec Holly Schlivnik, Holly’s colleague Queenie Levine, buying office owner Bunny Frank, Gotham Swimwear designer Louis Chennault, Retail swimwear buyer Angela Wellborn. Great names. How long did this take you from conception to publication? Three years. Is there anything else on the horizon for you? Yes: I am completing the fourth novel in the Holly Swimsuit Mystery Series and am mapping out an initial outline of a new series. So you're not busy at all. {wink wink} Do you have a tagline or life motto? I do. Ask me a question, be prepared for my answer. Oh, yeah. I find it impossible when someone asks me something not to be straight with them. Who are your inspirations for writing? My inspirations are the interesting and quirky people I have encountered during the course of my career. Working with the public is certainly interesting. Oh, the stories. would you like to give a shout-out to anyone or their books? My dad who was my career mentor Huzzah for loving and engaged dads everywhere! In the spirit of mentorship, do you have any tips, tricks, or anything you specialize in that you would share with others? Write what you know. If you don’t know it, don’t write it until you do. Now the fun questions
Susie, thanks for joining me at the campfire. Before you head out, could you leave us a bit more about not only Death by Sample Size, but you and where we can find out more?  Death by Sample Size
by Susie Black Everyone wanted her dead…but who actually killed her? The last thing swimwear sales exec Holly Schlivnik expected was to discover ruthless buying office big wig Bunny Frank’s corpse trussed up like a Thanksgiving turkey with a bikini stuffed down her throat. When Holly’s colleague is arrested for Bunny’s murder, the wise-cracking, irreverent amateur sleuth jumps into action to find the real killer. Nothing turns out the way Holly thinks it will as she matches wits with a wily killer hellbent for revenge. Get ready to laugh out loud as Susie Black’s Death by Sample Size takes you on a rollicking adventure ride through the Los Angeles apparel industry. Bonus excerpt When the elevator doors opened, I had to stop myself short not to step on her. There was Bunny Frank-the buying office big shot-lying diagonally across the car. Her legs were splayed out and her back was propped against the corner. Her sightless eyes were wide open and her arms reached out in a come to me baby pose. She was trussed up with shipping tape like a dressed Thanksgiving turkey ready for the oven with a bikini stuffed in her mouth. A Gotham Swimwear hangtag drooped off her lower lip like a toe tag gone lost. Naturally, I burst out laughing. Before you label me incredibly weird or stone-cold, let me say genetics aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. If you’re lucky you inherit your Aunt Bertha’s sexy long legs or your father’s ability to add a bazillion dollar order in his head and get the total correct to the last penny. Without even breaking into a sweat, it’s easy to spout at least a million fabulous traits inheritable by the luck of the draw. Did I get those sexy long legs or the ability to add more than two plus two without a calculator? Noooooooooo. Lucky me. I inherited my Nana’s fear of death we overcompensated for with the nervous habit of laughing. A hysterical reaction? Think Bozo the clown eulogizing your favorite aunt. I craned my neck like a tortoise and checked around. Then I clamped a fist over my mouth. Cripes, how could I possibly explain my guffaws with Bunny lying there? Disappointment was simultaneously mixed with relief when there was no one else in the parking lot. Where was security when you needed them? I toed the elevator door open and bent over Bunny. I’d seen enough CSI episodes to know not to touch her. She was stiff as a board and I attributed the bluish tinge of her skin to the bikini crammed down her throat. I was no doctor, but I didn’t need an MD after my name to make this diagnosis. Bunny Frank was dead as the proverbial doorknob. It was no surprise Bunny Frank had finally pushed someone beyond their limits. The only surprise was it had taken so long. The question wasn’t who wanted Bunny Frank dead. The question was who didn’t? Available for purchase aat Amazon itunes barnesandnoble Target And follow Susie Black on social media Book Bub goodreads More about Susie Black Susie Black biography Born in the Big Apple, Susie Black calls sunny Southern California home. Like the protagonist in her Holly Swimsuit Mystery Series, Susie is a successful apparel sales executive. Susie began telling stories as soon as she learned to talk. Now she’s telling all the stories from her garment industry experiences in humorous mysteries. She reads, writes, and speaks Spanish, albeit with an accent that sounds like Mildred from Michigan went on a Mexican vacation and is trying to fit in with the locals. Since life without pizza and ice cream as her core food groups wouldn’t be worth living, she’s a dedicated walker to keep her girlish figure. A voracious reader, she’s also an avid stamp collector. Susie lives with a highly intelligent man and has one incredibly brainy but smart-aleck adult son who inexplicably blames his sarcasm on an inherited genetic defect. Looking for more? Reach her at mysteries_@authorsusieblack.com  Today's guest is author Lyndi Alexander who always dreamed of faraway worlds and interesting alien contacts. She lives as a post-modern hippie in Asheville, North Carolina, a single mother of her last child of seven, a daughter on the autism spectrum, who finds that every day feels a lot like first contact with a new species. Welcome Lyndi. What’s your preference, coffee, tea, cocoa, wine? The camp fridge is like the Starship Enterprise. You speak it, you get it. You have anything in the way of a hard cider? Maybe something with havafruit? Hava I got a fruit for you. 😂 While I convince the camp fridge I'm serious why don't you tell us about and adventures you've had I do like camping. We used to camp in the Florida Keys a lot while I was a reporter and then a law student in Miami. I’ll never forget the case of Pennoyer v. Neff, now that I read it going over the Seven Mile Bridge (and I hate bridges!) It was always a good time…and I love the smell of an outdoor wood fire. Like yours. I know, right? Can't top the charm of a wood fire crackling away, however I can do without the "smoke-eye" We haven't made it to the Keys yet but they are on my to-do list. So, tell us about your latest project and what’s on the horizon. Sixshooter is the latest to come out, a science fiction romance set in a galaxy only far away, not far FAR away. I’ve been thinking about writing this book for five or six years, but various other writing commitments have put it off. The concept comes from an old RPG I used to play in, and a love triangle that was created. Nik, our genderfluid alien, however, is a new addition. The actual writing and editing took about six months. All that rumination must haver given me a jump start! LOL! Love the reference. Do you have a tagline? Life Motto? The tagline for the book is Like space, love has no boundaries. My personal motto is “Pee first.” Especially as I get older. 😊 Are there any mentors, authors, or books you would like to give a shout-out to? Very grateful to the other authors in my critique group, the Fellowship of the Quill in Erie, PA. Talented, open, honest and supportive—they’re a great bunch Oh, I love the Erie area. We've camped near there and look forward to doing it again. What does literary success look like to you? Geez, I’d really like to have some regular royalties come in. I used to be all “Oh, I just hope people like my books!” But at some point, I think some monetary success would be great. Amen to that sister. I am now officially retired and would be grateful for supplementary income. Do you have any Life Hacks? You know, tips, tricks, or anything you specialize in that you would share with others. I’m also interested in how you have been managing your life and writing with COVID-19. For me, the only good thing that came out of the pandemic was the movement of my crit group onto ZOOM. Since I moved to Asheville, NC, I have missed their support and great feedback—and suddenly it was there again! They’ll be going back to in person meetings this summer, and we’re hoping to keep some form of ZOOM participation alive. A good critique group is invaluable, in my opinion. Every writer should find one. Now the fun questions Do you have a special object like a piece of jewelry or keepsake of some sort? Can you tell us what makes it special to you? I have a polished stone with a spider inscribed on it I got in Taos, New Mexico. I have always thought of the spider as my spirit animal—a spinner of tales!—and so I keep it near on the desk always. What is your favorite mug or teacup? Last year one of my daughters bought mugs that said “Best Mom Ever!” for me and for her sisters who are moms, then coordinated photos of all of them for Mother’s Day. It was so very special. If you were an animated character, who would you be and why? If I were animated….hmm. I’d leave behind my broken physical body….so I think I’d be the Tasmanian Devil. My mind is always going faster than I can make this body work, so I could really keep the two spinning madly, simultaneously. What do you think the headlines will read 40 years from now? I really wish the headline would read that we have conquered climate change, that humans have learned to be kind and respect each other, and that someone has found an unlimited resource of good coffee. Sadly, humans being what they are, I’m afraid the headlines will be blaming one faction or another for the downslide of humanity and the environment. ☹ If you could only choose one song to play every time you walked into a room for the rest of your life, what would it be? DEFINITELY the Imperial March (Darth Vader’s theme) from Star Wars Favorite childhood book? A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle Lyndi, thank you so much for stopping by and spending time with us today. Before you leave and you give us a peek at your book and where to find out more?  Sixshooter
by Lyndi Alexander Valeni Pascual wants to be free to make a living hauling cargo with her spaceship and to understand the shapeshifting alien who presents sometimes as the steamy male Nik and other times as the blonde bombshell Nikki. As a rebel insurgence builds against the oppressive government known as the Agency, Valeni and Nik/Nikki encounter a sexy Terran cowboy named Garrett Rawls. Since being pulled into this region of space by another mysterious wormhole, Garrett has looked for a way to return to Earth. After meeting Valeni and Nikki, he might have found something worth staying for. However, dark forces may have a much bigger picture in mind for all of them. Valeni, Nik/Nikki, and Garrett are pulled into a life and death fight that lays bare all of their secrets and their desires. Will they lose everything as the battle against the Agency rages around them or can love pull them through? SIXSHOOTER [©2021] A Horizon Crossover series novel by Lyndi Alexander | Cover Art by Kat Hardy | Science Fiction Romance (R) 280 pages / 100,000 words | Available in ebook and print from the DFP Books label of Dragonfly Publishing Print editions are available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and more. Find ebooks at retailers, lending libraries, and subscription services, including: Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Blio, Kobo Books, Open Library, Overdrive, Scribd, Smashwords, and more. Author Links Website and Blog https://lyndialexander.wordpress.com/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/lyndialexander13/ Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4185290.Lyndi_Alexander Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/Lyndi-Alexander/e/B005GDYPU2/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1 Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/lyndi-alexander Smashwords | Lyndi Alexander https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/lyndialexander |
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