Drum Roll, Please

Today is the official release date of the especial, India Black and the Rajah's Ruby.  Download.  Enjoy. And Happy New Year to you all.

Three Days

The eSpecial India Black and the Rajah's Ruby officially goes on sale December 31st.  I recommend reading it with a glass of champagne.  Here is Page's impression of the story.

Time for a Christmas Song

There's just something about a swinging band and Christmas music.  I'll be back in a few days.  Merry Christmas to you all.

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things

My near namesake, Carol K.  had a brilliant idea for her holiday blogging.  She invited a number of writers (and was nice enough to include me) to share a few of their favorite things about Christmas.  It's my turn today, and you can read the post here.

Christmas Treats

Finally, winter weather has arrived.  Ten days ago we had the A/C on, but today a storm is blowing through and it's snowing.  It's a nice day to stay inside and have some treats.

These gingerbread Oreos are delicious.  Sadly, you can only find them at Wal-Mart this year, because as we all know that company really needs to offer exclusive products because not enough people shop there.  Equally delicious is Memory Lane's eggnog.  Do not give these to small children you are babysitting.  I will not be responsible for any damage occurring before the sugar rush wears off.

Another Impression of the Rajah's Ruby

Noa at the Paperback Dolls blog has written up her impressions of India Black and the Rajah's Ruby.  So glad you enjoyed it, Noa!

Wherein I Do A Guest Post

The nice folks over at Get Lost in a Story (all very fine writers-you should check out their work) invited me over for a guest post.  You can read it here.

An Appetizer Before The Main Course

Here's a perfect little description of India Black and the Rajah's Ruby, from the internet's most certifiable book nuts at The Lit Asylum.

It Was Criminal

Every time Guy Fieri visits a southern cafe where the owner ladles up shrimp and grits, I want some.  I finally nagged cajoled TC into trying his hand at it.  He used Paula Deen's recipe, which involves bacon, and, um, bacon grease.  I'm sure this was a pre-diabetes recipe.  I'd guess that if you ate this thing on a regular basis, it would be a contributing factor.  Having said that, I will recommend that you eat this occasionally because it's so delicious, it's criminal.

Happy Birthday, Mom

It's Mom's 84th birthday today.  I've been blessed to have her in my life.  She and my dad taught by example: working hard, setting high standards for themselves and for my brother and me, and treating people with kindness and respect   I have her to thank for teaching me to read before I went to school, and kindling my love affair with books.  She's still teaching me.  Now the lessons are about growing old with grace and dignity.  Long may you ride, Mom!

Hey, India Made the List

One of the funniest and most charming bloggers I know, Elaine of Random Jottings, very kindly included India's first two adventures in her list of favorite books for 2012.

Christmas Gifts

I got an early one from Freda:  a nice review of India Black and the Rajah's Ruby:   

http://fredasvoice.blogspot.com/2012/12/126-india-black-and-rajahs-ruby-carol.html

Madame Soula

Greece is in turmoil and its economy is on the verge of collapse.  Salaries and pensions have been cut and people are struggling to make ends meet.  In the struggle to survive, funds for schools and amateur sports clubs have dried up.

But thanks to a local brothel owner, the soccer club in the town of Larissa, Greece, is still playing.  Madame Soula, the 67-year-old owner of the Villa Erotica, is helping fund the team.  Her only requirement:  the team must practice in pink uniforms.  Not very manly, but then this is soccer.  You know, the game where players who are brushed by an opponent's pinkie collapse onto the field in agony.  Perhaps it's fitting after all.

Anyway, Madame Soula does not confine herself to charity for the footballers.  She also bought a copy machine for the local grade school, which was returned when school officials discovered that Madame Soula ran a brothel.  I'd be curious to know how many of Madame Soula's detractors have availed themselves of her services.  

A Ruby for the New Year

If you'd like to learn how India Black came up with the money to open her brothel, Lotus House, then fire up your Kindle, Nook or other ereader and download a copy of India Black and the Rajah's Ruby, available December 31st at the usual places you can purchase ebooks.  My first especial is a 15,000 word short story and provides a peek at India's background, prior to the arrival of Mr. French.

The first review of the especial is up, courtesy of Bev at MY READER'S BLOCK.  It's a generous one, and I'm grateful to Bev for kicking off my holiday season with such a nice write up.

Henri

One of these days I may write something about writing or reading or publishing.  Until then, you should really make Henri's acquaintance.  Poor Henri.