Fortunetelling With Food by L. A. Kelley

 

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Fortune Telling with Food

I hate surprises. I want to know exactly what’s going to happen, with whom, and how can I keep the cops from finding out? While I don’t have a crystal ball, my kitchen happens to have a few food items traditionally used to predict the future.

Cabbage

Halloween is associated with pumpkins but it used to be the perfect time to kick off a grand old cabbage theft to see if love was in your future. A blindfolded participant enters the cabbage patch at midnight when the barrier between the world of the living and dead thins, yanks up a cabbage, and then analyze the roots for clues. Are the roots thick? A big beefy person was in your future. Weedy or withered? Look out for a pasty-faced wimp. Why anyone would settle for a love interest that resembles cabbage roots is beyond me.

Eggs

Forget scrambled, boiled, fired or an ultrasound. If pregnant, grab an egg like the ancient Roman Empress Livia Drusilla and incubate it between your breasts. The chick’s sex predict the baby’s. In the Ozarks, girls hollowed out a hard-boiled egg, filled it with salt, and ate it. That night, she’d either die of high blood pressure or dream of her true love bringing her a pail of water to drink. People in Colonial times used a Venus glass, egg whites suspended in warm water. The shape of the egg white predicted the occupation of the future spouse. For instance, if the whites kind of looked like a cow, you’re true love would be a farmer (or a cow.) No telling what would show up at the door if the squiggly egg whites only looked like squiggle egg whites.

Nuts

This pretty much describes those who rely on fortune telling. One popular method was to take two chestnuts and roast them side-by-side in the fire; if they stayed in place without rolling away, it was a good omen for a happy marriage. Alternatively, you could take a hazelnut, representing your lover, and throw it into the fire. If it burst into flame, it was a sign of trouble to come.

Apples

Peel in one single peel. Throw over the shoulder and the initial it formed was future husband/wife. Sometimes the apples would be labeled or marked by young men and women before they were put in a tub of water: the person who caught your apple could be your mate. In another version of snap apple, a hoop is suspended from the ceiling, and different treats and tricks, including cake, candies, bread, apples, and peppers, are stationed along its rim. The one a player caught with their teeth would foretell the nature of their love—would it be sweet, spicy, too hot? Would it nourish or burn them?

Onions

Not all food items reflect affairs of the heart. Germans had an onion calendar called a zwiebelkalender. Set out twelve pieces of onion, one for each month. Sprinkle them with salt and the amount of moisture that appears indicates the amount of rainfall in its corresponding month. Unless you selected particularly sweaty onions.

Cheese

Young women in the European countryside would predict future husbands by writing the names of suitors on pieces of cheese. The first to mold was believed to be the ideal mate. Frankly, I think the last man to get moldy is the best of the bunch.

L. A. Kelley writes science fiction and fantasy adventures with humor, romance, and a touch of sass. Her future generally involves carbo-loading.

Take a (fang) BITE out of this Tasty MIDNIGHT ENCHANTMENT $0.99 SALE! by Nancy Gideon

A dead (literally!) sexy dark hero, a gutsy, desperate, and driven heroine in a historical Turn of the Century setting I can’t wait to return to (at the end of this month!!) all in one spine tingling setting – New Orleans! Gerardo Pascale first appeared as a villain in the original trio of my Midnight vampire romance series – a villain who quickly became my favorite character (I DO love a bad boy!!). He was just too good to waste. Scarred and in hiding, he’s been living undetected by the human world – until an unscrupulous bargain binds him in unholy matrimony to a woman carrying another man’s child. Here’s a tasty nibble from MIDNIGHT ENCHANTMENT . . .

Midnight Enchantment (Touched by Midnight - Book 4)

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Published: May 3, 2011

Length: 230 Pages

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 The Excerpt 

“Now, I may not be able to convince anyone that you are a . . . a vampire, sir, but, if I give this information to the newspapers, they will hound you unmercifully, and without access to your monies, you’ll have no means to flee the city.”

Silence as the dark night creature pondered this, unperturbed, and that alarmed Percy, as did the words that followed.

“And if I were to just tear out your throat before you could give that information to anyone?”

The casual way he presented Percy’s death made the lawyer’s blood run icy because it was no idle threat when dealing with a dangerous being who’d survived centuries by preying upon human lives, and would snatch his soul without a moment’s remorse. But prepared for that, too, solicitor told him, “The original papers are in a safe place with instructions to turn them over to the authorities should anything happen to me, and be assured, they might not believe what you are, sir, but they take murder very seriously.”

A frustration of rage pulsed from Gerardo Pasquale in palpable waves. Suddenly, Percy knew an instant of true terror as the solidity of Pasquale’s figure seemed to flicker before his eyes, becoming so faint as to be transparent, edges shifting, transforming into something else, something horrible, alien and monstrous, but exactly what was not quite clear. Standing frozen, Percy feared he’d made an irrevocable error in believing himself safe.

Then, to his relief, Pasquale assumed his human shape once again and with a deadly quiet, asked, “What do you want?”

“I want you to marry my sister.”

Hmmmm! A vampire in the family . . . How’s that going to work out? Not as planned, I guarantee!

While you’re devouring ME, I’ll be trying to stuff my entire wardrobe into a travel suitcase and sighing over my five-day agenda for a vacay in New Orleans! Warning: Pictures to come!! And maybe another NOLA-set book or two . . . historical, contemporary, suspense, paranormal? Which would you like to read?

HAPPY HOWL-OWEEN!!

♚♚♚♚♚

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October One of My Favorite Months by Tena Stetler

 October has finally arrived and marks one of my favorite months of the year! Boasting vibrant hues of

red, orange and gold, chilly mornings and evenings, yet sun-warmed afternoons. I call 'em cozy weather conditions, and best of all the promise of Halloween. Celebrated annually on October 31st, Halloween brings with it superstitions that come alive on this bewitching festival and brings people of all ages into costume wearing and carving pumpkins jack-o'-lanterns to join trick-or-treating activities - adults typically host themed parties while kids have lots of spooky fun collecting as much candy as they can!

October means there is pumpkin spice everything and everywhere.Yum! A first for me was the car wash that I use, Quick Quack, offered pumpkin spice scented car wash. I kid you not. Yep, my red Durrango smelled like pumpkin spice for a whole week.

Each autumn brings with it its own magic as nature transforms before our eyes while folklore whispers its ancient tales around us. As summer winds down and autumn breezes kick in, October offers us all of its delights - from Halloween fun to quirky decorations to cozy drinks - giving October its special magic.

It also marks the beginning of holiday season - from Halloween at its end to Christmas in December where there's an enthusiastic carnival-like atmosphere all throughout.

Halloween would not be Halloween without a vampire tale. Bwwwwahhh... My award-winning novel, A Vamipire's Unlikely Alliance, is not what you’ve come to expect from a Vampire Tale! Join Stefan and Brandy for an exciting romantic fantasy where Irish legends and magic may save the day. But will it be too late?  Find out, grab a copy to day!  Universal Buy Link!

A wee bit more about A Vampire's Unlikely Alliance - Stefan is a Native American vampire and, former assassin for the Vampire Council. In a twist of fate, he now DJ’s the midnight shift for a small radio station in Whitefish, Montana, on the edge of Glacier National Park where his secret is safe until...

Born in Ireland, Brandy now works as a park ranger and trail guide in the park. During a full moon, Stefan and Brandy’s paths cross in a near physical collision on a trail. Their attraction is immediate and undeniable, almost as if fate demanded it.

Their union was foretold long ago in Irish folk tales where vampires and gryphons, warlocks and demons, witches and faeries must work together for the good of man and magic kind. Is a trip to Ireland the key to unravelling secrets and returning the magic?

Happy Halloween!  See you in November a month we count our blessings.

Angels and Angel Books

In Yesterday's Angel, the angel Azazel isn't a demon as often portrayed by Hollywood. He is a fallen angel, but not evil. He feels he isn't fallen because he feels the Grigori fell for the sake of love.

In my research, I discovered a book simply called Angels written by Malcolm Godwin. This book is a wealth of information about the subject, presented in an interesting and witty writing style. Even the character and seals of some of the more famous angels are given, and he goes into detail about questions you didn’t know you had, for instance, the identity of the Watchers or Shining Ones.

Who the hell are they? Choirboys of the Ninth House, aka the Grigori mentioned in the Book of Enoch (another interesting find!), they were angels sent to Earth to teach Man. Unfortunately, they were a little too zealous in the performance of their jobs and taught the use and design of weapons.  There is one mention of them in the Bible, King James Version, in Genesis 6:2: That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.

Have you ever wondered where your guardian angel stands in the heavenly scheme of things? Well, Mr. Godwin can tell you!

According to the Hebrews, the universe is a hierarchy. The Christians adopted this model of the Cosmos in which God is both at the center of the Cosmos and the highest point of the hierarchy. Entities radiate outward from His Presence, some being close to the center while others move further and further away from the Divine Source of Light and Love.

Let’s look at the Nine Choirs of angels:

Highest Triad

1.   Seraphim

2.   Cherubim

3.   Thrones

Middle Triad

1.   Dominations

2.   Virtues

3.   Powers

Lowest Triad

1.    Principalities

2.   Archangels

3.   Angels

Guardian angels would be of the Lowest Triad, therefore, further from the center of the Cosmos and closer to Man himself.

In my new release, an angel fantasy, Yesterday's Angel uses a lot of background from the Grigori as Azazel, the point of view character, was the leader of the Grigori when they fell in love and fell from Grace.  The story is a love story in war's shadow, running along Azazel's being a conscientious objector to the Fallen in the war to end all wars--Armageddon. Both Celestials and Man fight for the fate of Man and the rule of Heaven.  Here's the blurb:

I am, and always was, addicted to love. ~ Azazel

 

Azazel is a warrior angel, the leader of the Grigori when they fall from Grace for marrying mortal women. Their other sin is revealing the secrets of Heaven. Azazel gives the women the arts for seduction—mirrors, paints, perfumes. He gives men the weapons of war.

 

Fast forward to the current day. Azazel lives in Las Vegas, but he’s bored and seeking a Purpose. He finds Nan—badly in need of his talent with beauty. She’s a sad, faded woman working double shifts in a diner. He determines to polish this diamond in the rough. Azazel never fails. His problems begin when he falls in love with his lovely (but married) project…and Gabriel’s Trumpet announces the Second War in Heaven.

Excerpt:

As I strapped on a shiny breastplate bearing Lucifer’s seal, I shook my head. “Sam, we’re on the losing team.”

My brother nodded and continued with his armor.

At the first opportunity, switch sides.  I belted my sword sheath around my waist.

Samyaza frowned as he fitted a silver helmet with Satan’s sigil over his dark hair. The Righteous won’t allow us to fight with them. 

 I tossed my sword, end over end, and as it dropped, caught the jeweled hilt.  If you don’t ask, you don’t get.

I felt less certain than I sounded, but, as a leader, I must wear the mask of confidence.  The nightmares flickered in the corner of my eye.  I shivered.  Would I be one of the angels who ceased to exist in a shower of colored sparks?

Again, Gabriel’s golden trumpet shattered the expectant silence.  Paimon’s bagpipes shrilled an answer. The bruised sky rained angels. Wings of every shade and hue eclipsed the clouds, a great hissing in the air. Swords flashed like wands of light, clashed with the clangor of black iron. The Hosts were armed to kill.

Paimon piped the Legions of Hell into battle to the haunting strains of Amazing Grace.  Every hair on my body stood on end. We took the field in absolute darkness, a smothering blanket that would cloak the entire earth.  A bolt of lightning spotlighted a lone angel standing above the battle on an outcropping of rock.  As thunder rocketed through the valley, he bowed, his golden hair sweeping the ground.  He straightened, capturing every particle of faint light until he shone like a gilt statue.  The most beautiful and evil of the Host smiled.

“Lucifer,” I murmured under my breath. “Why isn’t the Morning Star leading us into battle?”

“Do I detect sarcasm in your tone?” Samyaza's eyes narrowed at the spotlighted figure.

Buy Link  Special Price 99 cents on Amazon.

1650s Fore-Edging Makes a Big Comeback Thanks to BookTok by Marilyn Barr

            I love it when trends come around the second time. When the students at my son’s school started wearing flares, which we called ‘boot cut jeans’ and my mothers called ‘bellbottoms,’ I cheered the death of skinny jeans. All they have to do is bring back scrunchies and I will be a happy mom…but they can leave those ‘claw clips’ in the 1990s where they belong.

Book trends come in cycles too, but the cycles are much longer than a person’s lifespan. At the Sinful Signings Event in Roanoke VA last month, I noticed my favorite trend from the 1650s was back under a new name. ‘Fore-edging book’ is now called ‘sprayed-edges’ whether the colors were produced using spray paint, stamps, or specialized printing. Just like the decorated tomes of the Enlightenment period, the trendiest BookTok books can be purchased with decorated edges directly from a few artistic authors or artists who have embraced the revival. After seeing vines, flowers, and stars adorning the books at the event, I started to daydream. Wouldn’t snowflakes be beautiful on the pages of a snow monster book?

I don’t have the artistic talent to spray the edges of my books, but do you think that stopped me from trying? Seriously. When my snow monsters moved across the Bering Strait from Russia to Canada, the story was changed more than the percentage allowed to maintain the 1^st edition status. I have a few copies of edition 1 of Cuddling My Chuchunya that can no longer be legally sold…which makes them perfect for experimentation.

Sacrificial Copies...they have no idea what they are in for...

  The first step brings back an old trend within an older trend. The books must be wrapped to avoid painting the covers. I didn’t know how much I missed covering my books with grocery bags until I started. For once, being the kid who couldn’t afford the premade, elastic covers worked in my favor. If you don’t know how to cover a book with grocery bag paper, I highly recommend asking an elder Millennial (like me) or Gen-Xer. Their nostalgia will make it a wonderful experience for you!

The second step is to secure the book between two pieces of wood with clamps or a vise. This keeps the pages tightly pressed together, so the words aren’t obscured by leaking paint. Why wood? Applying the clamps directly to the book will dent the cover as if an elf punched out your cover model.

Next is where you can let your design skills shine. You can make a stencil using a 3D printer or I bought mine from ETSY. The snowflake stencil is by ConceptsReified (https://www.etsy.com/shop/ConceptsReified). There are hundreds of stencil companies and designs from elaborate to subtle. I went subtle because I thought I could always reposition the stencil and spray it with a different color. Why such a wide stencil for a 1.5” book? I wanted the unique snowflakes to be in unique patterns on each book like a real snowstorm. (Imagine that on a table display.) Unless you have a teen helper, like I did, use tape to affix your stencil to the boards.

Take your project outside and get ready to spray. I chose glittery, silver spray paint but there are thousands of colors. The trick is to choose a shade darker than you want so you don’t need a heavy coat. The heavier the coat the more likely the paint will bleed.

 While I love the look of the shiny snowflakes, the glitter flaked off in places when I tried to read the book. I highly recommend metallic paint with a flat base. On the plus side, the paint I got on my hands matches the nail polish I wore before I started.

Here is a close-up of two finished snowflakes on the top edges of the book. I can't wait to practice with the correct paint and perfect this technique.

Have you ever sprayed the edges of one of your books or purchased a book decorated in this way? Let me know in the comments below!

New Novella Release: Pre-Order sale 0.99 by Keri Kruspe

 

I’m so excited to tell you about my newest novella, Claude & Amata, is coming out on October 16^th. I’d like to share with you a couple of reasons why this short story is special to me. 

One, it's more of a love story with a contemporary theme than what I usually write. It takes place on Earth rather than on another planet or outer space. It’s also a second chance romance I’ve been itching to write. Not only because Claude is in his fifties, but for Amata who's loved and lost loooong before she met Claude (about 200 years).

Second, (shh, now don't tell anyone what I’m about to share. This has got to be our little secret…) but I based Claude on an old boss of mine. He was tough, shrewd, and handsome, like Sean Connery back in the day. I'd only intended for Claude to be a minor character when I first introduced him in the series starter Alien Legacy: The Empath, but sometimes these folks take over no matter what your intentions are! And believe you me, Claude had no trouble strong-arming himself to become more than what I planned.

The best news is the Pre-Order sale going on right now. It’s only 0.99¢ until the 17^th. After that, it goes to its regular price of $3.99.

To help tempt you, below is a snippet from the book below. Sit back, enjoy a sip of your favorite beverage and enjoy!

Outside Claude's townhouse in Langley, Virginia, the icy winter wind howled and cried throughout the evening air. Inside, the room was dark, with flickering flames of a steady fire in the stone hearth casting dancing shadows against the deep reds and oranges of the mahogany paneling. The crackle of the fire with its woodsy scent brought subtle comfort to his weary mind.

He settled in his favorite leather recliner, feet up, with a glass of Hennessy cognac in his hand. It had been months since the attempted alien invasion ended. On the surface, things seemed to have returned to normal. Whatever normal meant anymore.

As he stared into his cognac, he couldn't help but reminisce about its original purpose. He had high hopes when he bought it, that he’d be celebrating its smooth flavor with a loved one as a symbol of something momentous. He chuckled. That all seemed pretty hollow right about now. With a sigh, he closed his eyes and allowed the warmth of the fire and the aroma of the rich alcohol to envelop him.

Memories of his past crept into his thoughts. The people he used to know and the risks he'd taken for or with them. The hard decisions he made over the years that got him where he was now. And the heavy personal price he paid for them all.

Bottom line, he was tired. So tired.

This morning, he’d resigned from FEAR, the First Encounter Alien Resistance section he'd overseen at the CIA. He’d stayed on at the agency for the last six months to help Director Obsidian (aka Jazmi Tiamat) delete as much evidence of the alien invasion as possible. While conspiracy theories abounded, most of humanity ignored them and went about their daily lives, none the wiser.

Then, about four weeks ago, the director submitted her own resignation.

He guessed her pregnancy had something to do with it. But more than likely it had to do with her being half alien and wanting to work with those aliens from Akurn before they moved out of Transkip range of Earth.

The CIA offered him his own directorship, but he’d turned it down. His mind wasn’t in the game anymore. The thought of resuming his former life held little appeal. He sat back with a grunt. No, he was too busy pining over a woman he could never have. He closed his eyes and visualized the last time he’d seen her.

Amata. Pale, delicate skin, alabaster-white hair in a sassy cut that lovingly framed her jawline. Her intelligent, blue-green eyes belied her innocent-looking features. She appeared as if she was in her early to mid-twenties.

But he knew she was much, much older.

He’d asked her about her age once.

Her only response was a mysterious smile with a brief explanation of how her lifespan was connected to her planet’s orbit and not Earth’s. She then whispered, “Every woman has to have some secrets.”

“Honestly, Claude. I can’t believe you’re just sitting there mooning over a woman and not going after her.” A soft feminine chuckle. “That’s so unlike you.”

Everything within him stilled. He hadn’t had a dream about his late wife Barbara in a long time. After she’d died years ago of brain cancer, he used to dream about her all the time. If he was the romantic type, he’d give in to the notion her spirit visited him.

“Barbara. Where have you been?” He grabbed the plain gold wedding band around his left finger and rolled it. That nervous habit was hard to break. Was he reacting like this because Barbara was here, or because he hadn’t thought of her since meeting the enticing Amata?

Avoiding Mirrors and Reflections by Jessica E. Subject

 

AVOIDING MIRRORS AND REFLECTIONS

by Jessica E. Subject

One writing trap I used to fall into, and I still see other authors using, is revealing a character's appearance by having them see their reflection in a mirror or window. It can be done well, especially if a character is walking down the street during a rainstorm and sees their disheveled appearance reflected back to them in a store-front window. This example uses the setting to illustrate what the character looks like in that situation. And often includes the characters reaction to their reflection.  But many times, the bathroom and hallway mirror are far too convenient to show the reader the character's skin color, eye color, hair color and style, and what they're wearing.

Those convenient reflections are one thing I've learned to avoid over my 10+ years of writing for publication. As in my example above, using the setting and the character's thoughts can be used in combination with a random reflection. Using another character in the story also works. There are many ways. But the key is not to throw every detail about the character's appearance at the reader all at the same time. Multiple details at the same time work, but try to spread them out, and reveal the details in multiple different ways.

It is also important to remember that not every detail of the character's appearance needs to be revealed. As a reader myself, I like when authors leave some details about the characters for me to fill in with my imagination.

Here are some examples of how I revealed the appearances of my characters from my new release, 4 UNITED...

Eta, my point-of-view character:

“Listen.” Sakuunu rested a hand on each of our shoulders. “I get why you’re upset. I really do. But, Eta, if you stay here, you will be forced to marry a councilman. Your mother, too. Your hair is already starting to turn pink. The High Council is already watching you.” ~ Though the cover shows her with pink hair, the reader learns it wasn't always pink.

Clean and in a fresh uniform, I left the apartment with very little time before my meeting with Skyranked Rayne. ~ She gives a brief description about herself without going into detail or looking in a mirror.

Nunki:

His once full cheeks had disappeared, giving way to a wider skull and nose. His mane of hair, though a little messy, was full and dark, the way my poepa’s had been. Little wrinkles creased in the outer corners of his golden eyes, showing his disappointment at seeing me. Though his full lips told a different story, as the corner of one side curved up in a half smile. Full, kissable lips. Stars, I’d missed him so much. ~ A comparison to how he looked the last time Eta saw him.

After taking a step forward, I rested my hands on his broad shoulders and pushed to the tips of my toes so I could kiss his cheek. ~ This detail about his build is much later in the chapter.

Skyranked Rayne:

Focusing on my supervisor, I tried to figure out her mood based on the current color of her skin. Most Derinjians I’d met had green skin, except when experiencing extreme emotions. But Skyranked Rayne never seemed to hide her feelings. Strangely, she appeared a bit yellow. Perhaps a little gray, too. Did that mean she was nervous? Then, very quickly, her skin turned bluish-green. Stars, what was she hiding? Had I gotten a complaint at my last assignment? ~ Gives some information about the people from Derinj along with Eta guessing why her boss called for a meeting based on the color of her skin.

Qamar:

The guy I’d seen in the photo waited for me. The one assigned to be my shagard. In the picture, I hadn’t seen any resemblance to the boy I once knew. But in person, when he smiled, I recognized him instantly. His deep dimples, almost like pockets, still appeared when he smiled, though his facial scruff shadowed them. And after so many star cycles, he still hadn’t lost his look of wide-eyed wonder. ~ Once again, comparing a character's appearance to their younger self as well as to a photo.

Deyal:

I glanced beyond the hovercar to see Deyal zooming toward us on her electric hoverboard. Her dark-brown hair, tied up in a tight hair tail, flapped behind her. Sometimes she dyed it pink to look like the other females on Ma’an, and other times she preferred to avoid the attention. Though lately, with the High Council easing their restrictions of information from beyond the planet, she’d been researching her mother’s heritage, often wearing her hair in rolls and braids as her mother would have styled it. ~ Showing a character's appearance while in motion and also revealing other information about the character as well as the setting.

Sakuunu:

I reached out to hug him, and he pulled me tight against his chest. While he wasn’t as wide as Qamar, he stood taller, with a solid frame. ~ Comparing one character to another.

Multiple characters at once:

A lump formed in my throat at the sight of them, faces gaunt and dirty, manes dull and matted, and their grimy clothing barely covering any of their bodies. My anger at Chairman Oxe rose more than I thought possible. ~ Revealing Eta's reaction to seeing their appearance.

4 UNITED by Jessica E. Subject

Why would I ever return to Ma’an?

My moema and I escaped from the planet star cycles ago, to avoid her being forced to remarry after my poepa’s passing. I grew up well far away from there, not worrying about being betrothed to some government official just to bear his children. And now I work for the Universal Space Racer Association, traveling all over the quadrants to decide whether new teams meet the qualifications to join.

I never expected to be on a shuttle, heading back to Ma’an. The new chairman of Ma’an and the USRA assured me I’ll be allowed to leave at the end of my evaluation of the planet, but I have my doubts. I can’t even get out of the assignment. Trust me, I’ve tried.

At least I’ll be able to see more of Deyal, my only family member still alive. Plus, my best friend is convinced the three childhood friends I left behind are my fated mates, two of which are on the team, and the other is my shagard. I’m not ready to commit to one person, let alone three. And polyamorous relationships were banned on the planet long before my birth. But the three of them have grown from the cute boys I remember into sexy strangers.

It’s too bad I have a rule to never sleep with the racers I’m inspecting.

4 United is the first book in Jessica E. Subject’s sweet and spicy Kaddim Brothers spinoff series, Romance Tales from the Quadrants. 4 United features Eta, who escaped Ma’an with her moema just as her hair was starting to turn pink, her three childhood friends who grew up to be very sexy men, an unexpected assignment, fated mates, true love, and other family and friends getting involved to make sure the four of them get their happy ever after. If you like MMMF relationships, second chances at love, friends to lovers, and fated mates, read 4 United today.

Available in ebook and paperback

Watch the book trailer

Birthdays by Diane Burton

The celebration of one's birthday has been going on for centuries. Each country and/or religion celebrates birthdays in varied ways, with certain years (milestones) given more significance.

In the United States and Canada, girls are given a "sweet sixteen" party.

In some Hispanic countries, the quinceanera is the celebration of a girl's 15th birthday. 

In Nepal and India, on a first birthday, the child's head is shaved. Getting rid of hair is believed to cleanse the child of evils in past lives and symbolizes a renewal of the soul.

Japan has a "Coming of Age Day" for those who turn 18.

If you are lucky enough to live in a British Commonwealth country and attain the age of 100, plan on getting a card from the royal family.

In the U.S., sometimes a baby's first birthday is celebrated with two cakes--one for the guests and one for the baby to smash. Instead of smashing her cake, our daughter daintily pick off the icing with her thumb and index finger then tasted. 

My mother-in-law made a "doll" cake for the baby, using an angelfood cake pan for the cake with a plastic doll stuck into the middle, and the icing made to look like a gown. My mom made each of us an orange chiffon cake, which is still one of my favorites.

For several years, I used Wilton cake pans to decorate novelty cakes for my kids (an astronaut, Raggedy Ann, Sesame Street's the Count, etc.) 

What about those "milestone" birthdays? You know, the ones that end in zero. Well, that's me tomorrow. Yep, I'm hitting one of those. I'm not sure whether to laugh and celebrate or cry that I'm that old. But then I remember my father-in-law's axiom--old age is better than the alternative.

Today, we are fortunate to reach certain ages. My grandparents died in their 60s. Medicine has advanced so much that today they'd be celebrating with me. My mother-in-law and her sister traveled internationally in their 90s. Both lived to be over 100. My mom died much younger from complications of Alzheimer's. 

When the aches and pains associated with arthritis and other maladies get me down, I'm think about how lucky I am that my mind is still working. That I can still play with my grandchildren. That I can still write those stories stored in my mind.

If you have a birthday coming up, I'm happy to share in the celebration.