Coloring Daze

On CBS this morning I saw the story of coloring groups. There is adult coloring groups. I recently just learned that there was an actual thing as adult coloring books. How wonderful is this, some of the look like works of art.
Coloring groups do sound relaxed and inspiring plus you can do markers, colored pencils, crayons and for me this just sparked ideas.
You know were so good that I thought they should be framed as works of art. Just beautiful and what better way to relax, have a good time, make new friends or enjoy the solitude.
Not to mention this would make great gifts.
What do you think? What would be your style of coloring books?
I know I wouldn't like floral ones. BUT I saw one where there was a cat colored and on the body of the cat was definitely folk art and Noveau etc...I can see me doing something like women's dress from the 20', 30's 40's 50's 60's etc....
Or how about hats, travel, I mean even faeries or airy tale. Maybe a book theme of color my world etc...how about quilt themes.
Anyway the list goes on and what do you think about this way of relaxing? What type is your style?
I think it could spark stories and book ideas etc...just a thought.

Hugs,
Pamela

Adult Coloring Page on Amazon

Mayhem and Magic on the Runway - Project Runway Season 14 episode 5 Review

Pam wanted to make Fridays our craft day a while back and I thought it was a great idea.  Crafting is creativity and magic and transformation in my mind.

Last night's episode of Project Runway though, brought BOTH Magic and utter mayhem so I thought it appropriate to bring a review here.

I have been watching Project Runway for YEARS and you see good and bad all the time.  Last night though was like the best and worst all at once.

http://www.mylifetime.com/shows/project-runway/video/full-episodes

Team challenges are often chaos - creative people have their own strong aesthetics and often don't do well when they have to compromise and blend with others in a team.  So that often means DRAMA - and of course this is no exception.  That said, conflict can lead to creation or destruction and last night, we had both.

Gunn and Heid

 It started with two teams who had to get their fabric while being pummeled by paintball guns and grenades.  Then they were told their paint spattered coveralls were to be the fabric, with the other fabric they had 'captured' as ancillary fabric only.  Then they were given white fabric which they could spatter with paint to add to their looks as well.  Sounds pretty fun and simple.  Very low-key actually for Project Runway standards.

Then a chasm split down the middle of the teams.

The one team got together and formed a cohesive theme and plan and started working.  Not only that, they communicated, helped each other, created paint designs to weave throughout their designs.  You could feel their synergy. It was amazing.  Nina Garcia said it was the best teamwork she had seen in all of the seasons - I agreed.

 This was what should happen with a team, taking all their strengths, combining them together to create something Magical .  And they did - every one of their looks were fantastic and beautiful.

TEAM MAGIC!

Then there was the other team.

 They had no direction. No communication.  No inspiration - absolutely nothing.  For the longest time they just did nothing.  Then they decided to paint the white fabric.  Only they didn't just paintball spatter it.  They destroyed it.  Completely drenching it in Easter egg colored paint until it was a soggy, hideous mess.  Did they start designing then?  No.  They decided to let it dry and try to come up with something in the morning.  Morning came and went - still no theme, no inspiration, nothing but a group of several mean girls planning on throwing the one they didn't like under the bus because they couldn't get it together.  The thing is, nobody stepped up and took control.

Finally after having nothing for the models to try on for the fittings they decided to use their purple accessory fabric as the thing to make the looks cohesive and then proceeded to do their own thing.  Teamwork = NONE.

The result was horrible.  The thing is these pictures from the website do NOT look like the looks actually looked like on the Runway.  Maybe they were airbrushed.  Regardless, if you saw this collection on the show (watch from link above) you would realize how utterly bad they were.  These pics do not tell the story.

 TEAM MAYHEM!

Seeing the full collections side by side, the contrast was even greater.

The thing is, as I watched Team Mayhem struggle, all I could think was how it could have gone.

If someone had taken charge and said, okay our fabric is horrible, we are chaotic, WHY NOT WORK WITH IT???

Instead of giving up, they could have said, let's push it all the way.  Take the fabric and go Avant Garde, or Post-Apocalyptic chic - Call it Easter Egg Apocalypse.  Then think outside the bocx and make MAGIC OUT OF THE MAYHEM?  or maybe MAGICKAL MAYHEM?

To me - that could have opened amazing creative places to go to.  Go wacky, go ironic, go post-punk, go over-the-top, embrace chaos...  All I could see was dozens of options. None were taken.

The worst part is that when Kelly Osborne actually called them out as Mean Girls as they were throwing one under the bus, calling it a "Bitch-fest", they stood shaking their heads in denial?  Really?  The most embarrassing thing was when they tried to say they were inspired by San Francisco as a throwaway desperate attempt to come up with SOMETHING as a theme.  At least own it - say we were completely lost and clueless.

To me this episode should be a life-lesson.  Creativity is not finite.  Inspiration can come from anything if you open your minds. If you get caught up in an obstacle and give up, mayhem ensues and it is not pretty.

Terri

Guest Blogger - Alice Duncan

Ow

About covers August from my perspective and September started with bronchitis; however, all is not totally awful. I actually finished UNSETTLED SPIRITS! I’ve only been working on it for … well, the entire year, I guess.

Here’s the cover! I think, although I’m not certain, that it will be available in December (it’s so late, I don’t honestly know. Sigh).

US cover

Winners of August’s contest (SPIRITS ONSTAGE) are: Kathleen Lauri-Lewis, Wendy Lee, and Susan Moody. I’ll send your books ASAP, ladies. I have no idea what book/s I’ll give away at the end of September, but I’ll figure it out before then. If you’d like to enter this month’s contest, send me an email at alice@aliceduncan.net . Be sure to include your home address, so I’ll know where to send the book.

I’ll do a better blog for October. Promise. Unless my body decides to do something else ghastly to me. I’m beginning to wonder what it has against me, dang it.

If you’d like to visit my web site, the URL is http://aliceduncan.net/ and if you’re interested in being Facebook friends, please visit https://www.facebook.com/alice.duncan.925

Thanks!

An Interview with Juliet Blackwell

Interview With Juliet Blackwell

By Pamela James

MM2: Juliet, how many books have you written?

I just finished writing my 19th novel! I can't believe it. But I have 16 that have already been released, and three "in the pipeline".

MM2: Please allow us to follow you thru a writing day?

My best writing time is in the early morning, usually. I try to get up before dawn, make myself a cup of strong French roast, and the work for a few hours. Sometimes I meet up with friends to write with them in cafés, but most times I'm by myself and in my head. I take breaks to check in with social media (love to "see" readers on Facebook/Twitter), and also to walk around the lake or take a hike for exercise.  Then I often do some editing/other book business in the afternoon (not creative writing—the other stuff!). In the evening I work when I'm on deadline, and often get a second wind. But if it's not deadline month…I enjoy time with friends and family.

MM2: After your writing day. How do you distress?

As I mentioned above, I try to get some exercise during the day — walking and hiking are my favorites— and then often spend evenings with my boyfriend, other friends, and family.  I also love to paint and garden.

MM2: What would you like to say about your readers?

My readers are the BEST! Seriously, they're so supportive and "into" the books and the characters — it's really heartwarming, and very motivating. 

MM2: What comes first the characters, setting, plot and where do you get your ideas?

I get a lot of ideas from being in a place — San Francisco is so beautiful and evocative! Also, I read the newspaper, and watch people on public transit. 

MM2: Do you have time to read new books? Re-read old favorites?

I read every night before going to sleep. I don't have as much time to read as I used to, but I still love it. I like to read what my author colleagues and friends are writing, as well as re-read classics.

MM2: Who gave you the best writing advice you ever received?

Jack London said (I'm paraphrasing:) you can't sit around waiting for inspiration: "you have to go after it with a club"

MM2: Tell us about your latest book projects?

My first standalone Women's Fiction, THE PARIS KEY comes out September 1, and I'm very excited since it's a departure for me. It's about a woman going through a divorce, who moves to Paris to take over her uncle's locksmith shop. It's not a classic mystery, though there are family secrets to dig up…it was such fun! My other paranormal mystery series are both continuing, as well, and I just finished A Toxic Trousseau, #8 in the Witchcraft Mystery series. 

MM2: Now for fun, what is your favorite movie, meal and place to vacation?

Movie: Practical Magic. Meal: depends on my mood! I'm partial to Thai food, but I'm an omnivore. Place to vacation: Paris! 

MM2: What would your characters have to say about you?

Oh, that's a good question!  Lily might tell me I get her into a lot of difficult predicaments without a clear path of how to get out — and  now that I think about it, Mel would probably say the same thing!

MM2: Leave us with some writing words of wisdom?

I would just reiterate what Jack London said — if you want to write, you have to work for it. Inspiration does come, and one should always respect it — but it most often arrives when you've put in the hours of hard work, first. 

Juliet,

Thank you so much. Your books are truly filled with magic and smiles.

Pamela

Laura Levine Interview

Good morning,
August was a great reading month for me. We started out with The BLEEDING HEART with Bryant and May. Author is Christopher Fowler.

Second came YOU CAN'T GET BLOOD OUT OF A SHAG CARPET by Juliet Harper. I never laughed so hard. This was a great stress reliever and it made me realize how much I have missed books with humor.

Then we move to THE WOLFE WIDOW by Victoria Abbott, all I have to say is what a wonderful book and for a couple of days I was so content. This series is chalk full of amazing characters and plot.

Next up was A STRANGER IN MAYFAIR by Charles Finch. Love my British Mysteries.

AUNT DIMITY And The WISHING WELL by Nancy Atherton. This was a relaxing read that made me feel cozy.

PLAYED BY THE BOOK by Lucy Arlington Now I love mysteries about books. This one is totally amazing and so are the all the ones I have read in this series.

THE BODY IN THE BIRCHES by Katherine Hall Page. Loved this mystery for many reasons.  Her children are getting older and it adds so much to the plot line.

ARCHIE CAUGHT IN THE CROSSHAIRS by Robert Goldsborough. I loved Rex Stout and the A&E Nero Wolfe television series. Now that Robert has picked up writing the series it is truly an amazing moment that I feel like I am right back there with my old friend. This author is incarnation of Rex Stout. Love this series.

THE LONGEST YARD SALE by Sherry Harris: Sherry has yet again hit the spot. Her first book in the series was a diamond in the crown of cozy mystery/chick lit mystery and this one is the ruby of the series. I can' enough good things about this series. Sherry is truly a gifted author.

Lastly, I have read MURDER IN THE PAPERBACK PARLOR by Ellery Adams. Wow so much I want to live there, visit there and if I cant do that then I want to interview this author. I never ever wanted this book to end. It was a great way to wind up a reading month. I have been very lucky this month.

CURRENT READS : BEHIND THESE WALL by ELAINE ORR
THE BARK BEFORE CHRISTMAS I will post the review an interview with Laurien Berenson on the same day. It will be at the end of the month.
THREAD END by AMANDA LEE this is my before I go to bed book because I own it.
MRS. JULIA LAYS DOWN THE LAW by ANN B. ROSS
FRENCH PASTRY MURDER By LESLIE MEIER
STABBING in the SENATE (A Washington Whodunit) by COLLEEN J. SHOGAN This is a new to me author and series.
FATAL FAIRIES Joyce and Jim Lavene (A Renaissance Faire Mystery) this is my introduction to their series.
Okay that is my August and there might have been one or two from July but that is okay..
Your turn and my favorites are so many I can't list my very favorite one.
Pam

MURDER in the PAPERBACK PARLOR REVIEW

TITLE: MURDER in the PAPERBACK PALOR - A BOOK RETREAT MYSTERY
AUTHOR: ELLERY ADAMS
ISBN 978-0-425-26560-4

Paperback page count 287

Jane Steward has full week. Valentine's Day isn't far off and neither is Regency Authors Retreat that will be so fabulous none of the fans will want to go home.
Someone obviously didn't read the schedule because there wasn't supposed to be room for murder.
Rosamund York is famous, writes fabulous Regency novels and has more enemies than she can count.
Storyton Hall is the perfect place for her to retreat to her room and write. Nestled in a valley in western Virginia there is the very small town some call it more of a village.
Part of the fun and intrigue of Storyton Hall is the manor that has many rooms. Some have been cornered off as apartments and Jane loves her cottage on the property.
For a while Jane has lived a double life. She has to sons Finn and Hem both boys named after the literary figures Hemingway and Fitzgerald. The boys love Storyton Hall and they also love horseback riding, reading and learning new lessons in many variety. Mostly they adore their mother and allowance day!
But this February they are in awe of all the people who are attending Roamncing The Reader Event. This also covers contest such has which man will win the coveted male cover model contest.
Even though Rosamund is dead they all try to carry on as usual but Jane takes personal offense at the romance author's murder.
Very few people know the secrets of Storyton Hall but Jane does, she know all of the hidden rooms, nooks and crannies and where all of the cameras are hidden.
If only someone had captured a picture of the murder's face. When another murder happens this is getting to be a bit much and Jane fears if she doesn't do something quick this will be the last retreat for anyone.
With time running out Jane has to embrace her role has protector of everyone, every book and guest. She hopes all of her training to this point will help her when the time comes to use her skills because above all instinct tells her that the skills will be used.
MURDER in the PAPERBACK PARLOR BY ELLERY ADAMS has me wanting to live at Storyton Hall. Or t least in the village.
For fear of giving away too much of the plot. I cannot delve too strongly into events and characters. I can say that this is one of the bet mystery series on The New York Times Bestseller List. It's mixes old and new worlds where hats, white gloves and computers provide every insight. However this retreat doesn't want anyone with cell phones, computers or any other electronics because Regency Readers need to ask in the era on all fronts.
I give this series and this book a ten out of ten. The cover makes me wish for winter, hot cocoa and a room filled with books like the library on the cover.
Come sit a spell and embrace Storyton Hall.
Pamela James

THE LONGEST YARD SALE REVIEW

TITLE: THE LONGEST YARD SALE-A Sarah Winston Garage Sale Mystery
AUTHOR: SHERRY HARRIS
Cozy/Mystery Series.
Paperback Series: Page count 344

Sarah Winston had no idea how successful her biggest event would be. The problem is while it is the largest yard sale in Ellington, Massachusetts history it is also pictured in drama.
First Sarah and her ex-husband CJ Winston have a difference of opinion of the huge sale. After all CJ is the Ellington Chief Of Police and he has to add more officers to do traffic, deal with parking and well just about everything.
When there are four fires that happen while the sales are going on which is bad enough nobody would have thought that stolen art was in the time frame.
Next of course is murder and I mean someone is trying to frame Sarah's best friend Carol for murder. Carol is an artist. Her shop and studio is not only a wreck but a dead man is found dead in the classroom behind the store. The body has  his face framed.
So much for Sarah's bright idea but then people start showing up and all are suspect. The library's painting is worth a lot o money.
Now we enter Seth the local District Attorney who definitely sets Sarah's hormones on fire.
Returning to CJ who clearly wants Sarah back you have a love triangle that even Sarah wants to run from but there is nowhere to turn. At least not until she sorts out her feelings and finds out who is framing her friend for murder.
Are we done yet? Nope because there ends up being another murder. The base Charity shop has a new person running the shop and well all is not what it seems. Things are in need of being tracked down.
Okay then we have a mobbed up art collector, more cheating spouses and boyfriends. Sarah is also busy tracking down the right items to place in Seth's new home. He hired her to redo his new place. At least this keeps her hands busy while head and heart are working overtime on the two men in her life.
THE LONGEST YARD SALE by Sherry Harris, is absolutely getting your money's worth.
Sherry knows  thing or two about the price of murder.
Don't miss this new  series. THE LONGEST YARD SALE is the second book in the series.
I have so much fun reading this series. I am always inspired to get rid of more our junk. In other words in all ways this mystery is a winner.
Pamela James I give this one another ten out of ten.
Pamela James