Day: August 24, 2016

The Future Is Now

I was at a drive-thru window getting breakfast one morning and didn’t understand a word the cashier said to me. Not. One. Word. I periodically have this problem with my 20-something children and a couple of 30-something co-workers. They speak too quickly and don’t enunciate.

I couldn’t help but think of Linda Howard’s Killing Time, in which an FBI agent from the futures comes to the present to solve a crime. Part of the future world Howard created included people speaking much faster than they do now.

This past winter, I (re)read JD Robb‘s “In Death” series from beginning to newest release. Naked Death came out in 1995. Robb set her series in the not-terribly distant future-2058.

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One thing that struck me with the re-reading was how of the technology she created for her books has come to pass. Palm Link anyone? Try your smart phone. We didn’t have those in 1995.

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Can the Urban Wars be far behind?

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The Purse Project with Author Samanthya Wyatt

Thank you so much for having me as your guest today.

MJ has an extraordinary idea of posting on “PURSES”. I’ve heard of carrying everything in a purse but the kitchen sink, and some ladies carry that as well.

I like all sorts of pocketbooks, and of course, one is never big enough. Now that I’m retired I don’t need to carry a ton of stuff. I used to think I needed too much at my workplace. That pocketbook was more like a suitcase.

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Item on left, of which I have several.

As you can see I like to buy purses from all over. The one in the middle I got in New York last year at the RWA Conference. The one on the right I picked up in California.

Really all I need is a wallet, my sunglasses, keys, phone, and a ton of receipts that I can’t seem to throw away. That is the matching Vera Bradley set, over the shoulder purse and wallet, I carry now. Leaves my hands free and I don’t have to worry about laying it down or losing my wallet.

I have lots of credit cards, that I don’t use, so why do I carry them? Just in case. I carry lots of pictures of my grandbabies. I very rarely have money. Who uses cash?

Let me tell you, I had to downsize when we went to Florida on vacation. We took our teenager and her boyfriend to Universal Studios for their graduation present. Walking all day and riding the Universal rides, I certainly did not want to carry more than absolutely necessary. Most of their rides did not allow carry-on bags.

Here is what I had to survive on while trotting around Universal Studios.

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Yep. This is it. About 5 inches by 4 inches and an inch or so wide. At least it has a shoulder strap.

How did I manage? Well, I just did. Driver’s license, ticket to get in the park, a baggie for my phone for water rides, and my phone. That’s all that would fit!

But it worked. Amazing what we can do without when pushed.

I returned home to Virginia just in time to put the final touches on my newest release. I’m very proud of my latest book, “Through the Eyes of Bea”.

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As an author of sizzling romance, Bea’s story was far different from anything I’ve done. I became enmeshed in life events regaled to me upon several occasions and decided I needed to write this heart-wrenching saga.

Life is an interesting journey. We never know what’s in store for any of us. As a child, Bea had no idea her life would take such a drastic turn, yet with struggle and sacrifice, she overcame the challenges she faced. Abandoned by her mother, she had to take on the added responsibility of raising her siblings. Then her father brought a woman into their home making Bea and her siblings’ daily existence one of survival. The more I spoke with Bea, the more entangled I became in her story.

“Through the Eyes of Bea” contains memories of incidents during a time when certain happenings were hushed, not talked about, never mentioned. Not like today when anything goes and everything is accepted. Happy times and sad times, I was deeply touched, and wanted to share this emotional experience.

Bea’s story is for all book lovers and a good read for any time of the day.

How could a mother distribute her children across the county and then just walk away?

That was the question burning in Bea’s mind. All she could do was watch as her mother shattered her family and then just left. Bea may have been the oldest, but at thirteen, she was still a child. And now it was up to her to take care of her five siblings.

Through struggle and sacrifice, Bea embraced her unchosen responsibility. When her father brought in a cruel, selfish woman who didn’t like children, Bea’s undertaking became one of survival.

Bea’s story begins in 1925, during a time when things were hushed, private, hidden. Heart-wrenching memories of the incidents that happened in her home, and how she and her siblings prevailed. An accounting of grief, sorrow, strength, endurance and love in an era when America was struggling.

THROUGH THE EYES OF BEA 

THROUGH THE EYES OF BEA – https://www.amazon.com/THROUGH-EYES-BEA-SAMANTHYA-WYATT-ebook/dp/B01HVKQ2LC/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1468173697&sr=1-1-fkmr0&keywords=samantha+wyatt+THROUGH+THE+EYES+OF+BEA

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How did I become an author? Having a full time job and taking care of a family, my outlet was reading a good romance. Once I found historical romance novels, I couldn’t put a book down. I fell in love with the characters and needed to know their happy ending. Then I decided to pursue a writing career of my own. I have six books published in historical and contemporary.

I get a lot of joy from creating new characters and bringing them together in a romantic tale, but in writing Bea’s story, I laughed, I cried, I became so involved with the characters—and Bea—I wanted to share these emotions with the world. I’m very proud of this book. I sincerely hope all my readers receive as much joy reading my books as I do writing them.

Please visit my website for more information on me and my books.

You can also find me on Facebook, Twitter, and Soul Mate Publishing.

All of my books are on Kindle at Amazon and most are in paperback.

 

Snarky Sunday: Eyebrow Threading

There’s a relatively new trend in cosmetic enhancement called eyebrow threading. I first heard about it from X-Chromo, who has actually had this done. I understand the concept: it’s like plucking with tweezers or using hot wax to extract eyebrow hairs. What I don’t understand is the mechanics.

A couple of weeks ago, X-Chromo and I went to The Maul (not a typo). One of the first things I noticed is how dark the interior of the place has become. I knew the “new” part of the sprawl was “green” and ill-lit, but when we ventured into the “old” part, I felt as if I’d wandered onto the set of a post-apocalyptic movie. Very dystopian feel to the place.

And there, in the middle of all this darkness, someone was having her eyebrows threaded. In a Maul kiosk, not a in a private space. And the technician had the threads in her mouth. As if they were dental floss. Using them. On some stranger’s face. In the dark.

I think I’ll pass.

Best Fortune Cookie Ever: Author K. Angello-Mayfield

Fortune Cookies, the freebie you get with your Chinese food; the food you get from the little smoke filled shop with the little girl at the front, who is so tiny and beautiful, and yet can boom her voice in a tone that seems ever so condescending to the cooks behind her – of course not being fluent in any language other than English, I image what is being said.

Wait for the food, wait for traffic – WAIT.

Like Veruca Salt, I wanted it now!

I want to go home; inside my head rattled around all the things I had placed upon my own plate; working at the law firm, updating my Facebook pages, what to make to donate at a benefit I agreed to, researching, writing, housework. (insert scream here) Can I eat and type? Probably not effectively!

The fortune cookie seemed to mock me. I took it and smashed it with my fist. The “POP” of the bag fulfilling; pulling the papery goodness from within, prepared for mockery, it simply read:

“Always remember to have patience.”

RIGHT! Stop and smell the roses! My dog and cats sat patiently, waiting for their turn with me, I thought – this should be my New Year resolution. Confucius even said, “It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” So, I will let my fortune come from patience – why rush perfection? Thanks cookie for reminding me to breathe!

K. Angello-Mayfield is the author of The Visionary -Series Parts 1-5 available at:

You can follow her on Twitter and Facebook.

The Purse Project

I stole this idea from someone else’s blog because I thought it was intriguing. When I was first starting out with this writing thing, many sources suggested examining the contents of a character’s medicine cabinet or refrigerator. This is supposed to help an author gain insight into her character. Why not take it a step further and gain insight to an author by the contents of her purse?

Every month, a guest author will share the contents of her purse. I’m going to kick it off myself.

Purse project 01This is my everyday bag. I wish it were ever so slightly larger than it is. It’s a cross body bag, which is amazingly helpful when I’m grocery shopping.

In the skinny outside pocket on the left, I keep a pen/stylus/flashlight, hand sanitizes, cell phone, and business cards.purse project 02purse project 03In the wider pocket on the right, I keep my author post cards, my Day Job security badge (yes, that’s a smiley face badge clip), my keys, and a flash drive (the heart shaped item).

 

There are two corresponding pockets in the interior of my bag. In them I keep a couple of small note pads, a packette of tissue, and my mp3 player.purse project 04

There is also a zipper compartment inside the purse. I keep an assortment of pens, highlighters, pencils, breath strips, lip balm, lip gloss, mp3 charger cord, meds, a small pad of sticky notes and those keyring cards every retailer forces on you.purse project 05

And lastly, the main body of bag: sunglasses (in black & silver case), lipstick, hairbrush, my Kindle Fire, my regular eyeglasses, and my wallet.

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