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Make sure you read to the end of the blog. Nancy has a special offer for you.  Who I’m a writer, educator, reader, traveler, cook, naturalist, and faith-filled family lover. Interests Our family is raising strong women for America with seven wild and crazy grandgirls, who range in age from five- to almost thirteen-years-old. We believe in fairies, and create fairy gardens in the spring to attract these magical creatures. We also spend time looking for mermaids among the ocean waves. I recently won first place in a poetry contest with “Time and Time Again: The Mermaid’s Rite of Passage,” and I’m thinking about writing a retold fairytale for adults with a mermaid theme. I recently self-published “Ready or Not: A Creepy, Retold Fairytale for Grownups” on a contemporary Hansel and Gretel theme. Network I belong to the RWA, ACFW, SCWBI, SinC, and specific FB writing groups in my geographic area and/or genre. Along with family, friends, and our dog (Goldie Licks), who lend me emotional support, I’ve been blessed with mentors who encourage my writing. My writing critique group, Serious Scribblers (with four of us in it), has given me much valuable feedback over the last four years. Yes, it takes a village to raise a writer! Desk I don’t have a designated writing area in my home, so I usually write in my gazebo in the wifi-wired corner of the yard (good thing I live in Southern California!). I take my laptop, a quilted bag of writing paraphernalia, and a mug of coffee to my corner and set up for business. Instead of walls, I have a clear view of the Pacific Ocean and Catalina Island. Sometimes I have to bundle up and firmly hang onto my computer during stiff onshore breezes. Most days, however, I’m out there writing quietly among hummingbirds, monarch butterflies, bees, and crows unless it’s recess at the elementary school below with the voices of children filtering up to my ears--or Camp Pendleton (Marines) with the booms and bangs of bombing and shooting exercises. Outrageous As professor of literacy development and bilingual education, I have presented workshops and taught courses in United States, Canada, the Oxford Round Table (England), Costa Rica, New Zealand, Zimbabwe (during a revolution), Kazakhstan, and other interesting places. Window From my dining room table where I sometimes write or Zoom, I peer through large, uncovered windows and French doors to a giant eucalyptus tree growing out of the slope on the backside of yard. Across the valley, hills light up in the spring and early summer with bright yellow wildflowers.  Gunnysack Hell, a psychological thriller, was released by The Wild Rose Press (https://www.thewildrosepress.com/) on Feb. 10, 2021. “There’s more to fear in the desert than scorpions and rattlesnakes.” It’s the summer of 1962, middle of the Cold War, and the O’Brien family has moved off-grid to the Mojave Desert in Southern California. After all, the desert has to be a safer place to raise a family than the crime-ridden city, and there they can build a new future. But evil also stalks dusty desert roads, and eight-year-old Nonni finds herself harboring a terrible secret: Only she can identify the predator who has been terrorizing the community. And he knows where she lives. https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/gunnysack-hell-nancy-brashear/1138547553 https://amzn.to/3pFfBpk https://books.apple.com/us/book/gunnysack-hell/id1546966537?   Who I'm a mystery writer who dabbles in paranormal mysteries and historical fiction too. I loved my life as a journalist, meeting new people and writing about their fascinating lives and events. I’ve interviewed celebrities and top businesspeople, athletes and “the man on the street.” Now I get to return to my grade-school self, making up stories Interests – Recently, I’ve gotten into kayaking and so am waiting impatiently for spring. Also, love to walk and take my electric bicycle out (no, it’s not cheating to have an electric bike!). Network I have two writing critique groups which are both online these days. Thank goodness for my writing friends! Desk – I’ve taken over the formal dining table since we don’t have big dinners right now. The advantage is there’s lots of space to be messy, and there’s a view of neighbors strolling by. Outrageous talent – Absolutely nothing, which is one of the reasons I love hanging out with my 2-year-old grandson. He laughs at my silly jokes and even thinks my singing is good. Window – There’s a beautiful stone Buddha, painted red, under a big pine in the corner of the yard. I’ve had this guy for years and he makes me feel good every time I catch a glimpse of him.   Spirit in Time by Julie Howard
Time travel isn't real. It can't be real. But ghost-blogger Jillian Winchester discovers otherwise when an enigmatic spirit conveys her to 1872 to do his bidding. Jillian finds herself employed as a maid in Sacramento, in an elegant mansion with a famous painting. The artwork reveals another mystery: Why does the man within look exactly like her boyfriend, Mason Chandler? Morality and sin live side by side, not only in the picture, but also within her. As her transgressions escalate, she races the clock to find the man in the painting, and hunt down a spirit with a disconcerting gift. But will time be her friend or foe? Amazon: https://amzn.to/2LslC9S iBooks: http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/isbn9781509235100 Barnes and Noble: https://bit.ly/3qaFAF5 https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/spirit-in-time-julie-howard/1138556279?ean=2940162911340 Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/julie-howard?list=author_books Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18116047.Julie_Howard  Who am I? Former teacher who still volunteers, reading books to kids on Zoom. Writer fighting to organize too much, as my father used to say. Honey to my sweetie. Great friend. Miss my family. I’m in Florida, they’re in New England. Interests are discovering that unexpected, special book, a swoon worthy read. Sharing fun resources of all kinds with friends, dancing outdoors (not kidding) and lots of walks. Networking with my writer friends is a big deal. My other support system are my friends from forever. Desk? It’s a mess. I’m not kidding about that challenge. Recently asked friend writers how they organize. I have the “if it’s not in front of me I’ll forget to do it” syndrome. Did I mention I’m in love with my 32” monitor? Outrageous fun is dancing. I’m desperate to go dancing. Hence the outdoor dancing to canned music at the local shopping center. Yes, it’s partner dancing, so two dancing fools. Window. Mine looks onto a small courtyard and there’s a little Heidi-like figure sitting on the bench. Squirrels and geckos and birdies visit.  Outside Shirley's window.  Eat Your Heart Out by Shirley Goldberg
When a tyrant in stilettos replaces her beloved boss, and her ex snags her coveted job, teacher Dana Narvana discovers there are worse things than getting dumped on Facebook. Time for the BFF advice squad, starting with Dana's staunchest ally, Alex—hunky colleague, quipster, and cooking pal extraordinaire. But when the after hours smooching goes nowhere, she wonders why this grown man won't make up his mind. Alex Bethany's new lifestyle gives him the confidence to try online dating. What he craves is a family of his own until a life-altering surprise rocks his world. He knows he's sending Dana mixed messages. Alex panics when he thinks he's blown his chance with his special person. From appetizers to the main course will these two cooking buddies make it to dessert? Funny and bittersweet, Dana and Alex's story will have you rooting for them. https://www.amazon.com/Your-Heart-Starting-Over-Book-ebook/dp/B08VHWN56S https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/eat-your-heart-out-shirley-goldberg/1138734045  Who I have lived or traveled in five of the seven continents and published fourteen mystery or romantic suspense novels. I have two children, a wonderful granddaughter, and divide my time between the Gulf Coast of Florida and a tiny village in Maine. Interests Living in Florida I spend time at the beach & bird watching, kayaking, studying the unique & odd Florida history, and just soaking up the blue sky & warm sun. Network Social media links I use most are Facebook, my blog M. S. Spencer Tale Spinner, and Twitter, but I’m also on Linked In, Goodreads, Bookbub, and Pinterest. Since I grew up in DC & worked for the Senate I’m naturally a political junkie. I keep abreast of the news on all kinds of news aggregates, websites, and C-Span (politics kept totally separate from my writing networks of course!). I live in a complex of bungalows a few yards from the beach with wonderful neighbors who love to socialize but understand the introvert in me. Desk I work at my husband’s antique mahogany desk facing my garden. To my left is the 18th-century grandfather clock an ancestor brought to America. To my right are my assorted diplomas & the Roget’s Thesaurus my grandfather gave me. On the desk is the status of Ganesh from my father’s desk, and the photo of my daughter & baby granddaughter. Outrageous I have studied nine languages but have forgotten most of them. In my garden in Virginia I grew more than 12 kinds of vegetables, 15 types of herb, and 10 different varieties of fruits. Here in Florida I’m down to six. Window My desk faces a picture window looking out at my garden. I love to watch the blue jays & squirrels fight over the peanuts I leave out. Over the fence I can watch the Florida sun setting in fiery flames in the west.   Mrs. Spinney's Secret books2read.com/u/3JXWEA What do you do when Hollywood takes over your tiny Maine village to make a movie? Cassidy Beauvoir, chair of the board of overseers of Amity Landing, is ready to throw the bums out; that is, until she meets Jasper MacEwan, the director of American Waterloo: the Rout of the Penobscot Expedition. It’s instant attraction until a series of deadly incidents threatens their budding romance. Are the attacks directed at the movie crew or the townspeople? As the two search for answers, the trail leads them to long-held secrets of the worst naval defeat of the American Revolution—including betrayal, murder, and a lost hoard of English gold. Buy Links: Books2Read Amazon Tunes Barnes&Noble Walmart KOBO Google Play Thalia Bold.de Angus & Robertson Social links Blog Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Goodreads BookBub |
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