Welcome to my campfire.

I'm sure for many of you the holidays were a bit different. My dear husband and I drove and delivered porch presents in the pouring rain. We waved and moved on. Then came home and had a bit of turkey and the fixings. I know I'm not the only one looking forward to 2021. But, in the midst of all I never want to forget the good things. There's an old hymn that says Count your blessings. Name them one by one. Seems like great advice to me. ​
How could everything be bad when there’s cake? There were several major events this year in my life that were served up with sugary sweetness. Hubby retired in June which has been amazing. He wonders how he found time to work? With the help of friends the new deck is fabulous. The Christmas display grew, and even with all the COVID restrictions we were able to camp with the grandchildren, have outside church (which Hali loved by the way) Christmas came and Hali went for a hayride to pick out a tree and then the morning of the big day, Pete made his homemade cinnamon buns which we did porch deliveries in the pouring rain. 

Now here we are it's January 1st 2021. For each of you I hope you have a happy, safe, and blessed New Year. And without further ado here we go.

• Today I’m welcoming myself to the Campfire blog. I've had so many wonderful guests this past year and I'm giving them the day off. It's been awhile since I've spilled my news, so why not today. The answers to my normal questions will be mine! I hope you stick around long enough for my speed question round. And to make things even more interesting (or at least interesting) I'm going to do a giveaway or possibly more than one. Comment on the blog and your name will be entered into a random drawing for a $10 Amazon gift card. 
• One of the things I ask my guests are their preference in beverages. Some have given me some fancy requests. And the camp fridge is always accommodating. I'm pretty basic. Coffee, tea, white wine, or a diet coke are all on every trip. One of my favorite refreshing drinks is a splash of Crystal lite orange and then fill the cup with cranberry seltzer.
• Then I ask about camping or glamping. I've done it all. From sleeping rough in a bag without a tent in an open field (woke up with a face full of mosquito bites), to my home away from home now. 2HOOTs is my 41.5 foot long 13.3 feet high 5th Wheel. She's got more amenities than my house. I think some of my favorite trips were with my sister to the Finger Lakes Wine Festival in Watkins Glen NY.  This year though DH and I ranged from NJ to Kentucky to Niagara Falls and Mystic CT. There were a few weekends at our local haunts in NJ and Pa as well. 
• This is a book and author blog and so here's where I ask my guest to share about their work. I've been a busy girl this year. Both the Campfire and Peek blogs are published each week. Then in April Rock House Grill released followed by Rainbow Sprinkles in August. I've been trying to get the second Agent Sam Carter finished and on January 5th The Mystery at High Pointe Tower will be available. For my Rock House fans, Jazz House is going to my wonderful editor Elf at the end of the month. Hopefully my edits won't take as much time since I've learned so much, but we'll see. Oh, and I continue to work fulltime in a medical office. 
• One of my favorite questions is about a persons life tagline or motto. I have a few. So here they are in no particular order
  • Your thoughts of God are to human. Martin Luther
  • He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?  Micah 6:8
  • Git'er done  Larry the Cable Guy

​          What are some of your go to phrases?

• People ask me all the time why it takes me so long. Refer to bullet point 4. Enough said. 
• Are there any mentors, authors, or books you would like to give a shout-out to? Oh my goodness! How do I count them. If you know anything about me you know that JRR Tolkien and C. S. Lewis are huge influences. But every book I've ever held in my hand has influence me in some way just like every person I've met has. Some good, some bad, and some I'm still going Huh? about. Certainly my friends and family. Also Wild Rose Press and the Rose Garden www.thewildrosepress.com/. Can't forget the N.J. Romance Writers  https://www.njromancewriters.org/  And there's critique partners and folks like Margo Karolyi who for years ran a critique group. 
• What does literary success look like to you? I love this question. It’s different for everyone. I thought after opening my first box of books with Felice, Shield-Mates of Dar. That was it. Then when I signed my first publishing contract with The Wild Rose Press, that had to be it. Recently, Rock House Grill recieved a first place award from influencer N. N. Light's Book Heaven www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/post/2020-nnlight-book-award-winners and Rainbow Sprinkles received a 3rd place in the International Digital Awards okrwa.com/contests/international-digital-awards/winners/ So when I figure out the answer to this question I'll let you know. 

​          In the meantime would you answer it?
 
Now the fun questions

1. 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 paper mache fish someone gave me. It reminds me to always take a moment to lend a hand to someone. 
2. What is your favorite mug or teacup? I have a Winnie the Pooh mug that is interchangeable with an Owl mug my sister gave me.
3. Years ago, there was a commercial that talked about a “Kodak Moment.” It’s a moment in time you catch in a picture. A whale watch off the coast of Maine. The water and sky met and a pod breached the surface. A mother and calf were just off the side so close. It was amazing.
4. What do you think the headlines will read 40 years from now? I hope it reads we all learned responsibility for self, kindness to others, and chocolate doesn't make you fat.​
5. What is your favorite childhood book? Anna Sewell's Black Beauty.
6. Last thing you Googled and why? How to spell Paper Mache for the answer to question #1.

I hope you enjoyed my little self-indulgence today. I'd love to hear from you. And if you've gotten this far, let me know what my favorite childhood book is. First one to comment gets a signed copy of Magical Sweets an anthology including Rainbow Sprinkles. 

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Agent Sam Carter
Book 2
The Mystery At High Pointe Tower
 Join the gang in the second Agent Sam Carter series. Sam’s camping vacation is canceled. Strange happenings at the High Pointe Tower are going to take all his wits and skill to save the world from its latest threat. The convergence of the Dragon Aurora and volcanic eruption tears a hole between the dimensions trapping a paranormal creature on earth side. But as usual, nothing is as it first appears.

 
Goodreads Giveaway
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08NC6XZR9
And if you signup for my monthly email you'll get a link to read the first Agent Carter for free!
https://mailchi.mp/23c28f1b6477/dvstoneauthorcom

Bio 
D. V. Stone is a multi-genre author, both traditional and independently published. A weekly blog host of Welcome to the Campfire and A Peek Through the Window. She reviews books and shares her favorites in a monthly newsletter.
D. V. is a full-time employee in a medical office, wife to an amazing husband, mother to one son, and not your average grandma to three beautiful grands. A woman of faith, she trusts and believes in God.
When not behind the wheel of my camper, 2Hoots—a 41 foot long 13.2 feet high 5th Wheel, she tools around Northern New Jersey in her white Camaro named Snowball. Her greatest pleasures are spending time outside with friends and family, cooking over the open fire, owls, and reading.
Hali, her rescue dog, always reminds everyone, “Woof, woof.” Which is loosely translated. Support your local animal rescue.
 
You can find out more about D. V. by following her on Social Media 
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Blogs 
Welcome to the Campfire Blog          Peek Through the Window     
Books by

D. V. Stone 
Rainbow Sprinkles
After the storm come the rainbows.
Amazon  Barnes & Noble   iBook’s
 
Rock House Grill
One man’s choices. One woman’s Impact
Amazon           Barnes & Noble          iBook’s      Google Books      Kobo

Felice, Shield-Mates of Dar
One foolish thought. One brutal act. Instead of a peaceful alliance––war.
Amazon
 
Agent Sam Carter and the Mystery at Branch Lake
Amazon - The Mystery At Branch Lake

Agent Sam Carter and the Mystery At High Pointe Tower
A Mid-grade paranormal
Amazon - High Pointe Tower
 
Contributing Author
Australia Burns
Amazon

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https://www.amazon.com/D.-V.-Stone/e/B01N154Y9U

And if your still with me, here are the lyrics to the Hymn I mentioned above

1. When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
   When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
   Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
   And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.
   • Refrain:
     Count your blessings, name them one by one,
     Count your blessings, see what God has done!
     Count your blessings, name them one by one,
     *Count your many blessings, see what God has done.
     [*And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.]
2. Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
   Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
   Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
   And you will keep singing as the days go by.
3. When you look at others with their lands and gold,
   Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
   Count your many blessings—*money cannot buy [*wealth can never buy]
   Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.
4. So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
   Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
   Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
   Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

If you're reading this, comment with your favorite inspirational song, hymn or Psalm and you'll get a chance for a free signed book of Rock House Grill.

​Happy New Year!

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