Great Deals for .99 Cents!

Thrift means that you should always have the best you can possibly afford, when the thing has any reference to your physical and mental health, to your growth in efficiency and power. ~Orison Swett Marden

Warning: Blatant promotion coming up below. I haven't done that in a while, cuz I haven't had anything to promote. So.. anyway...

How cool is THIS? The Wild Rose Press has ALL it's rosette length stories on sale for $0.99! This includes MY rosettes, if you're interested and haven't already bought them.



I was very impressed with Magic. Although not a long story, it had tremendous character development for seven characters. I loved the camaraderie between them, and would love to revisit this group. As for Ben and Cass, I do wish it had been a little longer, but only because I hated the story to be over. I am definitely looking into additional stories by this author. - Katherine, Joyfully Reviewed

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Marianne Arkins has created a light-hearted, fun short story. Patrice’s dedication to hunt down snacks of all kinds will bring a smile to the reader’s face. The playful bantering back and forth between Patrice and Joey is delightful to watch. The realism of a comment or statement being misunderstood is a nice building block for this plot. Although this story was told in less than twenty pages, it is no less enjoyable. This reader was glad she decided to stay up those extra minutes to read it. Pregnancy Cravings is a well-written story that follows two innocent bystanders and one pregnant girl’s interesting food choices. 4 Angels! - Shayley, Fallen Angel Reviews

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Miles From You is a touching, heartwarming story of love and hope. I loved it! I felt as if I was living in the age along with the characters, as if I could feel the tears Millie cried and hear Paul’s voice as he said good-bye. Ms. Arkins has given dimension to her characters, even in such a short story. I would have honestly loved it if this was longer, because I liked Millie and Paul so much that I wanted to know more about them. I am hoping for a sequel to this story, just to learn what happens next! Aside from making me care about the characters, Ms. Arkins has also given the reader a compact, yet engaging, story, complete with tons of details that made the images come alive. Miles From You is one of those great little stories that can be savored time and again. 5 Angels & Recommended Read! - Marlene, Fallen Angel Reviews

Marianne Arkins writes one of those books that should come with a box of Kleenex attached, or at least one of those pocket packs... Ms. Arkins has done a great job with this book of memories of a different time in our history. Even though I'm sure there are still people like Paul and Millie around, we don't hear about them much. I'm glad the author reminds us. This is a sweet read. But remember what I said about needing tissues handy!! - 5 Hearts - Dee, the Romance Studio

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This charming short story is another winner for author Marianne Arkins. Marianne Arkins has a knack for creating everyday heroes who work their way into your heart after just a few pages. I’m looking forward to this author’s first full-length novel, as the only disappointment I feel after reading her short stories is that they aren’t nearly long enough! - The Long and the Short of It

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Your Personality Cluster is Introverted Intuition

You are: You are multilayered and complex. No one can quite understand you. You are very inspired and driven to achieve your goals. Whether you know it or not, you are a visionary with a complete life plan. You are intuitive enough to understand difficult problems, ideas, and people.

What's Your Personality Cluster?

Yep... okay... mostly.

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A Plethora of Stuff

Sickness comes on horseback but departs on foot. ~Dutch Proverb, sometimes attributed to William C. Hazlitt

This will be short -- what we thought was a cold for my DD is getting worse and she is complaining of severe ear pain, so we'll be heading out the urgent care center when it opens soon.

I'm supposed to be co-hosting a chat with Judy at the WC Yahoo group, but depending on when I get back, she may be flying solo. We (or she ) will be giving away lots of stuff -- A LASR shirt, autographed books, gift certificates. It'll be fun. I hope I can be there.

Also, The Romance Studio CAPA Awards are announced today. They're giving away a $100 Amazon GC to one person who accurately guesses all the winners (or whoever gets closest) plus lots of great books from Berkley and Kensington. I'd love it if "Kitchen Matches" and "Miles From You" would win, but I'm up against some stiff competition. It always sound corny, but considering all the novels and novellas released in the previous 12 months, I'm really just thrilled they were nominated.

Remember, today is the last day to enter MY contest to win either one of my books or "Best of Intentions" by Michelle Cary. I'll hold the drawing tomorrow morning (or at least that's my plan).

In the meantime... though no one thought my dog and cat had anything in common, I beg to differ:




Do you see the resemblance? Also, if you look closely, you'll notice Dakota's tongue is sticking out. It made me laugh.

Have a good day!

CAPA and Rambles

Now that it's all over, what did you really do yesterday that's worth mentioning? ~Coleman Cox

So, I was tickled to discover that "Kitchen Matches" was a TRS CAPA Nominee in the contemporary category, and "Miles From You" was a nominee in the Psyche category this year. I even got my official badge whoosie:

There's no voting from you guys -- it's all internal on their part, which I really like (less chance of making it a ballot-stuffing, popularity contest -- more chances of the results actually being at least somewhat legit).

But I was really amazed to see my name there -- especially when, out of all their reviews they selected KM as one of only 13 in the contemporary category.

Yay!

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There's another big snowstorm coming in later on today. Can I just say how truly thrilled I am by that news? May can't get here soon enough. I'm ready to move to Hawaii. Anyone want to come?

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Not much else to say. It was a quiet day here yesterday. My body feels as though it's being weighed down by 100 pound weights, and I'm usually tired. I think this whole never sleeping an entire night thing is really catching up with me ... sounds like a good day for a nap. Although, is there ever a BAD day for one?

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You Look Like an Aquarius

It's likely that you are very striking. You stand out in a room. You are probably also taller than average, and that also helps you get noticed. You have classical facial features... what some might call a handsome face. You have are attractive in a cool way. You're so attractive, it's intimidating. Like most Aquarius people, you are probably extremely independent... both in your thoughts and actions. You find other people fascinating, and you develop deep, long lasting friendships.

What Sign Do You Look Like?

Hmmm.... much of that is correct (especially the "so attractive, it's intimidating" part... are you guys intimidated?). But I'm not an Aquarius.

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A Surprise Review!

“Surprise is the greatest gift which life can grant us.” -- Boris Pasternak

I opened up my inbox and found a surprise! I got a review of one of my very old stories, "Miles From You" (and, if you haven't bought it -- it's on sale until the end of today, only $1.35... what a deal!).

From The Romance Studio:

Ms. Arkins has done a great job with this book of memories of a different time in our history. Even though I'm sure there are still people like Paul and Millie around, we don't hear about them much. I'm glad the author reminds us. This is a sweet read. But remember what I said about needing tissues handy!!

It impressed me so much, I had to pull it out and read it again. And, yeah... I got a little sniffley.

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I did quite a bit of my pre-plotting workshop for my cowboy story (maybe I should just call it "Bode"??) yesterday. My "workshop" is actually something I put together buy smooshing a great deal of info from "Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook" (seriously the best book I've read on getting your work in shape) and some of "No More Rejections" and "How to Write a Damn Good Mystery". Lots of tough questions, and I didn't finish it all, but I got scene ideas popping up all over the place. Food fights, and crazed bulls and .... well, I don't want to spoil it for you, but I'm excited.

Wonder if I can get it done before NaNoWriMo?

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You Are a Plain Bagel

You are hardworking, honest, and down to earth. You don't like surprises, and you need security to feel happy. Of all the types, you're the most likely to eat for comfort. You tend to have the same thing for breakfast every day. Why change what works?

What Kind of Bagel Are You?

Ah... YEP. All of it. You?

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I'm On Sale!

All art is solitary and the studio is a torture area. - Alexander Liberman

Okay... I'm not on sale, but some of my stories are! It's Vintage Rose month at The Wild Rose Press, and all of their vintage titles are discounted. It just so happens that I have two vintage titles with them, so if you haven't purchased them already, now is the time!

Don't Fence Me In -- only $2.70
It's June, 1953 and Lizzie Scott recently lost her brother, Seb, in the Korean War. When his friend and unit buddy, Jeremy McMasters, brings her Seb's "goodbye" letter, little does she know her life is about to change forever.

Click to read reviews on this here.

Miles From You -- only $1.35!

It's 1948, and thirty-four year-old diner owner Millie Townsend is well on the shelf. Millie's fallen hard for regular customer, Paul Whittier, a veteran of World War II and a civil engineer. When she discovers he's accepted a new job out of state and it's their last evening together, how can this ultra-shy spinster find the nerve to show she's interested in more than just friendship?

Click to read reviews here.

Additionally, I'm going to get an interview with at least one of the Vintage Editors at TWRP -- got any questions you'd like answered? Here's your chance to ask an editor! Just leave me a comment.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled program.

*G*

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DD is thoroughly enjoying her curriculum now that it's working. It offers games and pictures and sounds. She's learning Spanish and walks around the house speaking various phrases and words she knows. I only know enough Spanish to be polite (I can say "How are you" and "Very well, you?" LOL... OH and I can count to twenty), so she's teaching me and thinks that's a hoot.

I tried to enroll her in art classes yesterday, but for some reason the art center was closed -- no explanation, just a handwritten sign on the door. **sigh** I'll try again next week, I guess. Frustrating.

DH and DD might go up to his uncle's place today to do some end of season stuff. Well, DH will do the chores, DD will play in the lake. And that will hopefully give me some alone time. I love my DD, but spending every minute of every day with her can be wearing. She's a very good girl, but exuberant and talkative which doesn't mesh well with cave-dwelling me.

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Stole a quiz from Anno. It's the Color Career Counselor test, and it evaluates your personality based upon color preferences.

My primary career path, according to this is as follows:

You're a RESEARCHER

Key Words: Independent, Self-Motivated, Reserved, Introspective, Analytical, and Curious

Yep... that's about right.

Funny thing was my secondary:

You're a SOCIAL MANAGER

Key Words: Tactful, Cooperative, Generous, Understanding, Insightful, Friendly, and Cheerful

Doesn't that seem the polar opposite of the first? Judy says I must have used her half of our brain for those questions, because it fits her much better! *G*

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Your picture of the day:

DD and Dd playing board games...



Tee hee.... I wonder who won?

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