Marie Patrick's Blog
April 17, 2013
Romance Junkie
Happily Ever After Thoughts blog post 4/17/13
I…am a romance junkie. There. I’ve said it. And for those of you who read my blog regularly, this should come as no surprise. However, my definition might not be the same as yours.
I believe in romance. I love romance, but I’m probably the least romantic person you’ll ever meet (and yet, I write romances…go figure). You will never see me running through a field of flowers toward the man of my dreams, a gauzy dress billowing around me as music plays in the background. Just ain’t gonna happen. I am too practical and pragmatic for that (unless, of course, it was Hugh Jackman waiting for me).
I have learned that romance comes in many forms (not just what you read in novels and see in movies) and I have realized, over the years of married life (yes, I’ve been married a long time…32 years!), that I have made some trades on what I thought romance was and what it really is (to me, at least).
Would I love my husband to bring me flowers for no reason?
Of course, however, if he changes the oil in my car and thumps my tires to make sure I’m not low, that’s just as romantic in my book. And if he comes to rescue me on the freeway when I’ve broken down…oh, now that’s my idea of romance.
Candlelight dinners are lovely and who wouldn’t want to gaze into their partner’s eyes, but being as unromantic as I am, I’ll trade that for a man who’ll fix my leaky faucet and take out the trash. Would I love to be swept off my feet? When I was younger, I thought so, but now? I’d rather have a man who can make me laugh, even when I don’t want to, even when there’s nothing to laugh about.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m still a romance junkie and I’m thankful there are plenty of romance novels out there to give me my fix. What about you? Are you a romance junkie? What’s the most romantic thing your partner has done for you?
As always, happy reading!
Marie
I…am a romance junkie. There. I’ve said it. And for those of you who read my blog regularly, this should come as no surprise. However, my definition might not be the same as yours.
I believe in romance. I love romance, but I’m probably the least romantic person you’ll ever meet (and yet, I write romances…go figure). You will never see me running through a field of flowers toward the man of my dreams, a gauzy dress billowing around me as music plays in the background. Just ain’t gonna happen. I am too practical and pragmatic for that (unless, of course, it was Hugh Jackman waiting for me).
I have learned that romance comes in many forms (not just what you read in novels and see in movies) and I have realized, over the years of married life (yes, I’ve been married a long time…32 years!), that I have made some trades on what I thought romance was and what it really is (to me, at least).
Would I love my husband to bring me flowers for no reason?
Of course, however, if he changes the oil in my car and thumps my tires to make sure I’m not low, that’s just as romantic in my book. And if he comes to rescue me on the freeway when I’ve broken down…oh, now that’s my idea of romance.
Candlelight dinners are lovely and who wouldn’t want to gaze into their partner’s eyes, but being as unromantic as I am, I’ll trade that for a man who’ll fix my leaky faucet and take out the trash. Would I love to be swept off my feet? When I was younger, I thought so, but now? I’d rather have a man who can make me laugh, even when I don’t want to, even when there’s nothing to laugh about.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m still a romance junkie and I’m thankful there are plenty of romance novels out there to give me my fix. What about you? Are you a romance junkie? What’s the most romantic thing your partner has done for you?
As always, happy reading!
Marie
April 3, 2013
Research & Getting Lost on the Internet
Happily Ever After Thougths Post from 4/3/13
I am currently working on a romance set during the Civil War….actually, that’s a misstatement…this romance is working me, making me grit my teeth, pull out my hair and giving me heartburn and it just seems so much different (and more difficult) than the westerns I normally write. I am compelled to write it though. My characters have been talking to me for a long time. I am compelled to finish it and appease the voices in my head (am I crazy? Well, the jury is still out on that question).
But I digress (and my apologies for doing so…but you guys should be used to that by now). I’d like to talk today about research and well…getting lost in that wonderful (and dangerous) place called the Internet.
How much historical fact is important to you when you read? Or information about the chosen profession of the characters? I understand you don’t want to be hit over the head with it, but little tidbits sprinkled here and there are good, aren’t they? And those little bits of information need to be correct, too, don’t they?
Well, I like to think it’s important so…I went to look up one thing on the internet, one little fact…and well, three hours later, I was still looking up that one thing BUT oh, I had learned so much. And I admit, I had gotten lost. What did I want to look up? Hospitals during the Civil War. Where were they? How did they come to be? Who staffed them?
I found that both Confederate and Union alike set up hospitals wherever they deemed necessary—in tents on the battlefield, sometimes right next to the cannons that fired continuously, in old barns that were falling down around their heads, in schools, and yes, in people’s homes. This last tidbit I found the most interesting. I also learned of Mary Edwards Walker, a woman surgeon during the war, which I also found most interesting, and led me to other women who participated in some way and is it any wonder why I got lost for so long?
As always, happy reading!
Marie
I am currently working on a romance set during the Civil War….actually, that’s a misstatement…this romance is working me, making me grit my teeth, pull out my hair and giving me heartburn and it just seems so much different (and more difficult) than the westerns I normally write. I am compelled to write it though. My characters have been talking to me for a long time. I am compelled to finish it and appease the voices in my head (am I crazy? Well, the jury is still out on that question).
But I digress (and my apologies for doing so…but you guys should be used to that by now). I’d like to talk today about research and well…getting lost in that wonderful (and dangerous) place called the Internet.
How much historical fact is important to you when you read? Or information about the chosen profession of the characters? I understand you don’t want to be hit over the head with it, but little tidbits sprinkled here and there are good, aren’t they? And those little bits of information need to be correct, too, don’t they?
Well, I like to think it’s important so…I went to look up one thing on the internet, one little fact…and well, three hours later, I was still looking up that one thing BUT oh, I had learned so much. And I admit, I had gotten lost. What did I want to look up? Hospitals during the Civil War. Where were they? How did they come to be? Who staffed them?
I found that both Confederate and Union alike set up hospitals wherever they deemed necessary—in tents on the battlefield, sometimes right next to the cannons that fired continuously, in old barns that were falling down around their heads, in schools, and yes, in people’s homes. This last tidbit I found the most interesting. I also learned of Mary Edwards Walker, a woman surgeon during the war, which I also found most interesting, and led me to other women who participated in some way and is it any wonder why I got lost for so long?
As always, happy reading!
Marie
February 6, 2013
Lunch With An Author
Remember that game “If you could meet someone famous, living or dead, who would it be”? Well, if you’ve read this blog before, you know I love to meet authors (okay, I’ll make exceptions for several actors: Hugh Jackman, Antonio Banderas, Tom Selleck, Sam Elliot and Mark Harmon. Oh my! Be still my heart)). And if I could have lunch with them? Oh my gosh! How cool would that be?
Who am I kidding? I’m such a fan girl. I’d probably gush all over them (yes, there is precedence for that statement as I have gushed over a favorite author) and I probably wouldn’t be able to eat a bite (hey, that might be the secret to weight loss….dine with an author you idolize).
So who would I choose? I’ve met many authors and as a group, they are warm, generous, sweet and lovely people. Victoria Alexander? Wonderful woman and I did have the opportunity to meet her. Kathryne Kennedy and Jennifer Ashley? I have the honor of knowing them both and lovelier people you won’t find. Jodi Thomas? Yes, another gracious and kind author (who, surprisingly did not run from me when I blurted out “I love you”. Of course, she knew I was talking about her writing….at least, I hope she knew that). I would love to meet Tessa Dare because I love her witty, so satisfying novels.
Oh, wait! While not a romance author, I would love to meet…and maybe have lunch with….or at least sit at the same table with Stephen King. I could tell him how very badly he scared me when I was fourteen and how much I’ve loved being terrified by him ever since. That wouldn’t be gushing, would it?
So, who would you choose?
As always, happy reading!
Marie
Who am I kidding? I’m such a fan girl. I’d probably gush all over them (yes, there is precedence for that statement as I have gushed over a favorite author) and I probably wouldn’t be able to eat a bite (hey, that might be the secret to weight loss….dine with an author you idolize).
So who would I choose? I’ve met many authors and as a group, they are warm, generous, sweet and lovely people. Victoria Alexander? Wonderful woman and I did have the opportunity to meet her. Kathryne Kennedy and Jennifer Ashley? I have the honor of knowing them both and lovelier people you won’t find. Jodi Thomas? Yes, another gracious and kind author (who, surprisingly did not run from me when I blurted out “I love you”. Of course, she knew I was talking about her writing….at least, I hope she knew that). I would love to meet Tessa Dare because I love her witty, so satisfying novels.
Oh, wait! While not a romance author, I would love to meet…and maybe have lunch with….or at least sit at the same table with Stephen King. I could tell him how very badly he scared me when I was fourteen and how much I’ve loved being terrified by him ever since. That wouldn’t be gushing, would it?
So, who would you choose?
As always, happy reading!
Marie
January 27, 2013
Interview with Marie Patrick 1/27/13
I’m very excited to have Happily Ever After Thoughts’ very own Marie Patrick with me. She was so sweet in her introduction of me. I am thrilled to return the favor :-) Plus, she is giving away a copy of her latest release A SCANDALOUS WOMAN.
Lexi: Hi Marie, I can’t believe it, but your fourth book, A SCANDALOUS WOMAN, is coming out Friday! I got a sneak peek of this story and absolutely loved it! It was so much fun. You must tell our fans what this story is about before I spoil it all.
Marie: I know! I can hardly believe it myself. My fourth book! Wow! And I’m so glad you liked it, Lexi. As you found out in your sneak peek, Jovanna “Joey” Darling, is a rather unconventional woman….some might even say scandalous. Joey doesn’t believe she should conform to the rules of 1898 Galveston polite society and find a husband simply because she is told she must. She’d rather work for her brother who runs the Darling Security Agency, but not as a bookkeeper as her father believes. With her flair for disguises and accents, Jovanna is one of Darling Security’s best operatives, although her involvement in solving crimes is kept secret.
To Braeden MacAllister, love not only hurts, sometimes it can kill, a fact he learned at a young age with the death of his parents. He keeps his heart under lock and key, so to speak. Raised by his aunt and uncle, he has been groomed to take the reins of MacAllister Enterprises and when his uncle passes unexpectedly, he is named president, but he has a problem – someone is out to ruin him. Or kill him. Or both. When he seeks the services of Darling Security to stop the robberies on his newly purchased and renovated railroad, he has no idea exactly what he will be getting. In fact, it is quite more than he bargained for.
Lexi: I love that Jovanna is so good at her job, especially when women were just beginning to assert their independence. Wherever did you come up with this story?
Marie: The honest truth? I have no clue. Usually, I remember exactly how the idea came to me….witnessing a beautiful sunset, visiting a museum, seeing the shimmering of the pavement on a hot summer day or seeing something on the History Channel that sparked my imagination. For A Scandalous Woman, I cannot, for the life of me, pinpoint when the idea hit me or what I was doing. I knew I was in the mood to write something fun and light and A Scandalous Woman, I think, captures that, but it’s not all fun and light. There’s some serious tones in there too.
Lexi: I’ve been reading your posts for awhile now and I noticed that you have a rather large To Be Read pile. How do you find time to write, read other books and work your fulltime job? Basically, when do you fit it all in?
Marie: Since I don’t have a magic wand and the shoemaker’s elves don’t visit me, it can be difficult sometimes “to get it all done”. Actually, hanging onto my sanity can be difficult, but I manage (I think). I very carefully schedule, allotting so much time for this, so much time for that. For the writing part, because I’m better in the morning, I get up at 4:30 and write for an hour and a half each workday morning (longer if I can squeeze it in). Yup, just me and the dogs stirring at that hour. For the pleasure of reading? I read before I begin work. Because I hate to be late for anything, I’m generally fifteen minutes early so I read (and there’s always a book or my Kindle in my purse as well as a notebook because one never knows when inspiration will strike). Oh, and I read during my lunch break too, and just before bed…actually, any time I have a few minutes. Somehow, all the things I need to get done, do.
Lexi: I get the feeling that you may have a lot more energy than me :-) What do you like the most about being a romance writer?
Marie: This is going to sound like a contradiction and it is but….I like the fact that I can control my characters or the situation. As we know, sometimes, there is very little control in our lives. On the other hand, I absolutely love it when my characters surprise me and go full steam ahead, usually in the opposite direction of where I wanted them to go. Believe it or not, they have done this quite often over the past couple years. And I love the happily ever after, especially when it makes me cry.
Lexi: A little birdie told me that you just celebrated your 32nd anniversary. What do you think makes true love work?
Marie: Oh, that’s such a difficult question as it’s different for everyone, Lexi. What works for one couple may not work for another. Personally speaking, it’s a combination of things. Compromise is big on my list, so is accepting each other for who and what they are (yes, this is one of the more difficult things to do). Trust and respect are also on my list. And laughter. My husband makes me laugh, even on those occasions when I don’t want to or have nothing at all to laugh about. Lastly, and in my opinion only, one should be friends with their spouse. Even if I wasn’t married to him, we’d still be best friends because he’s funny and sweet and generous but above all else, he’s a good man….and I think I just came up with another idea…..
Lexi: Excellent! We want more stories from you. What can we expect next? Do you have any works in progress?
Marie: Do I have any works in progress? You’re just joking with me, aren’t you? At last count, I had thirteen works in progress. All in various stages from a simple two or three line blurb/idea to several chapters written (I know, I’m a little nuts, but when something comes to me, I have to write it down or I may lose it). Right now, I’m trying to finish a Civil War story I’ve been working on. I do have a completed manuscript that recently came in first place in the historical category for the Hot Prospects Contest. I’m very excited and happy about that!
Lexi: Congratulations on your contest win! Hopefully, we will see that story in print soon. It has been awesome to be able to chat with you. A SCANDALOUS WOMAN was so much fun, I can’t wait until your next release. Thank you for being my guest.
Marie: And thank you for having me. It’s always a pleasure! Welcome to HEAT, Lexi!
Lexi: For a chance to win Marie’s A SCANDALOUS WOMAN, be sure to leave a comment for her. And don’t forget to include contact info in your comment in case you win.
For more information on Marie’s Romances go to http://mariepatrick.com/
Lexi: Hi Marie, I can’t believe it, but your fourth book, A SCANDALOUS WOMAN, is coming out Friday! I got a sneak peek of this story and absolutely loved it! It was so much fun. You must tell our fans what this story is about before I spoil it all.
Marie: I know! I can hardly believe it myself. My fourth book! Wow! And I’m so glad you liked it, Lexi. As you found out in your sneak peek, Jovanna “Joey” Darling, is a rather unconventional woman….some might even say scandalous. Joey doesn’t believe she should conform to the rules of 1898 Galveston polite society and find a husband simply because she is told she must. She’d rather work for her brother who runs the Darling Security Agency, but not as a bookkeeper as her father believes. With her flair for disguises and accents, Jovanna is one of Darling Security’s best operatives, although her involvement in solving crimes is kept secret.
To Braeden MacAllister, love not only hurts, sometimes it can kill, a fact he learned at a young age with the death of his parents. He keeps his heart under lock and key, so to speak. Raised by his aunt and uncle, he has been groomed to take the reins of MacAllister Enterprises and when his uncle passes unexpectedly, he is named president, but he has a problem – someone is out to ruin him. Or kill him. Or both. When he seeks the services of Darling Security to stop the robberies on his newly purchased and renovated railroad, he has no idea exactly what he will be getting. In fact, it is quite more than he bargained for.
Lexi: I love that Jovanna is so good at her job, especially when women were just beginning to assert their independence. Wherever did you come up with this story?
Marie: The honest truth? I have no clue. Usually, I remember exactly how the idea came to me….witnessing a beautiful sunset, visiting a museum, seeing the shimmering of the pavement on a hot summer day or seeing something on the History Channel that sparked my imagination. For A Scandalous Woman, I cannot, for the life of me, pinpoint when the idea hit me or what I was doing. I knew I was in the mood to write something fun and light and A Scandalous Woman, I think, captures that, but it’s not all fun and light. There’s some serious tones in there too.
Lexi: I’ve been reading your posts for awhile now and I noticed that you have a rather large To Be Read pile. How do you find time to write, read other books and work your fulltime job? Basically, when do you fit it all in?
Marie: Since I don’t have a magic wand and the shoemaker’s elves don’t visit me, it can be difficult sometimes “to get it all done”. Actually, hanging onto my sanity can be difficult, but I manage (I think). I very carefully schedule, allotting so much time for this, so much time for that. For the writing part, because I’m better in the morning, I get up at 4:30 and write for an hour and a half each workday morning (longer if I can squeeze it in). Yup, just me and the dogs stirring at that hour. For the pleasure of reading? I read before I begin work. Because I hate to be late for anything, I’m generally fifteen minutes early so I read (and there’s always a book or my Kindle in my purse as well as a notebook because one never knows when inspiration will strike). Oh, and I read during my lunch break too, and just before bed…actually, any time I have a few minutes. Somehow, all the things I need to get done, do.
Lexi: I get the feeling that you may have a lot more energy than me :-) What do you like the most about being a romance writer?
Marie: This is going to sound like a contradiction and it is but….I like the fact that I can control my characters or the situation. As we know, sometimes, there is very little control in our lives. On the other hand, I absolutely love it when my characters surprise me and go full steam ahead, usually in the opposite direction of where I wanted them to go. Believe it or not, they have done this quite often over the past couple years. And I love the happily ever after, especially when it makes me cry.
Lexi: A little birdie told me that you just celebrated your 32nd anniversary. What do you think makes true love work?
Marie: Oh, that’s such a difficult question as it’s different for everyone, Lexi. What works for one couple may not work for another. Personally speaking, it’s a combination of things. Compromise is big on my list, so is accepting each other for who and what they are (yes, this is one of the more difficult things to do). Trust and respect are also on my list. And laughter. My husband makes me laugh, even on those occasions when I don’t want to or have nothing at all to laugh about. Lastly, and in my opinion only, one should be friends with their spouse. Even if I wasn’t married to him, we’d still be best friends because he’s funny and sweet and generous but above all else, he’s a good man….and I think I just came up with another idea…..
Lexi: Excellent! We want more stories from you. What can we expect next? Do you have any works in progress?
Marie: Do I have any works in progress? You’re just joking with me, aren’t you? At last count, I had thirteen works in progress. All in various stages from a simple two or three line blurb/idea to several chapters written (I know, I’m a little nuts, but when something comes to me, I have to write it down or I may lose it). Right now, I’m trying to finish a Civil War story I’ve been working on. I do have a completed manuscript that recently came in first place in the historical category for the Hot Prospects Contest. I’m very excited and happy about that!
Lexi: Congratulations on your contest win! Hopefully, we will see that story in print soon. It has been awesome to be able to chat with you. A SCANDALOUS WOMAN was so much fun, I can’t wait until your next release. Thank you for being my guest.
Marie: And thank you for having me. It’s always a pleasure! Welcome to HEAT, Lexi!
Lexi: For a chance to win Marie’s A SCANDALOUS WOMAN, be sure to leave a comment for her. And don’t forget to include contact info in your comment in case you win.
For more information on Marie’s Romances go to http://mariepatrick.com/
January 16, 2013
What's My Favorite Book
From Happily Ever After Thoughts Blog Post 1/16/13
Someone asked me not long ago to name my favorite book….and I stood there, like a deer in the headlights, stunned, shocked and unresponsive, for like twenty minutes, while I opened and closed my mouth several times and uttered “Ummmm.”
Now, I’m going to digress for a moment so please bear with me. Stephen King, in his book Dream Catcher, compared the brain/mind of one of his characters with a large, dusty, kinda/sorta warehouse/attic filled with boxes and file cabinets of memories. I have taken this concept (because I loved it) and now have neat rows (in my brain) of memories in file cabinets with the drawers labeled so I pulled open the drawer titled books and….well, there were so many…we’re not talking hundreds, we’re talking thousands…how can I possibly choose?
For number of times I’ve read the same book? Well, that’s a toss up between The Kadin by Bertrice Small, Paint the Wind by Cathy Cash Spellman (and don’t I always cry in the same place? Every time?), and The Stand by Stephen King (all of which have been read at least ten times). Reading the same book over and over again, however, does not make it my favorite book. It’s one I love, one I choose to read again, one that I will never give up (except for Paint the Wind, which I loaned to someone and never got back), but not necessarily my favorite.
Is it one I’ve recommended to others? Well, I recommend books all the time so that didn’t help with my answer.
The poor person who asked me the question will probably never ask me another question again because I could not answer her (and still can’t). How can I? There are just too many to choose from! Can you name yours?
As always, happy reading!
Marie
Someone asked me not long ago to name my favorite book….and I stood there, like a deer in the headlights, stunned, shocked and unresponsive, for like twenty minutes, while I opened and closed my mouth several times and uttered “Ummmm.”
Now, I’m going to digress for a moment so please bear with me. Stephen King, in his book Dream Catcher, compared the brain/mind of one of his characters with a large, dusty, kinda/sorta warehouse/attic filled with boxes and file cabinets of memories. I have taken this concept (because I loved it) and now have neat rows (in my brain) of memories in file cabinets with the drawers labeled so I pulled open the drawer titled books and….well, there were so many…we’re not talking hundreds, we’re talking thousands…how can I possibly choose?
For number of times I’ve read the same book? Well, that’s a toss up between The Kadin by Bertrice Small, Paint the Wind by Cathy Cash Spellman (and don’t I always cry in the same place? Every time?), and The Stand by Stephen King (all of which have been read at least ten times). Reading the same book over and over again, however, does not make it my favorite book. It’s one I love, one I choose to read again, one that I will never give up (except for Paint the Wind, which I loaned to someone and never got back), but not necessarily my favorite.
Is it one I’ve recommended to others? Well, I recommend books all the time so that didn’t help with my answer.
The poor person who asked me the question will probably never ask me another question again because I could not answer her (and still can’t). How can I? There are just too many to choose from! Can you name yours?
As always, happy reading!
Marie
January 6, 2013
Thoughts for 2013
Blog post from Happily Ever After Thoughts 1/6/13
It’s here. A new year. A new opportunity to…well….set some new goals. Last year, the goals I set for myself were attainable for the most part. I was kinder (at least, I think I was); I gave myself permission to take some “me” time, whether it was to spend a whole day watching movies or just taking a nap (those were few and far between); I did not pass up an opportunity to tell my loved ones I loved them so I did well on last years’ goals and I will continue to strive for these things because one should not try to be kind for only a year, one should try to be kind always and one should tell their friends and family they are loved all the time, not just for 365 days.
All that being said, the mistress of this blog has a To-do list…daily, monthly and yearly so I’m taking a page from her book and listing my goals (no, I know I won’t do a daily To-Do list, but I can do a yearly one so here we go…
Lose those annoying thirty pounds that have been hanging around way too long. I have a treadmill now so no excuses!
Finish one (maybe two) of the 13 partial manuscripts I have in my computer and celebrate the releases of A Scandalous Woman and A Good Man for Katie, both coming out February of this year.
Celebrate the friendships I’m lucky enough to have and cherish the love of my life (DH and I will be married 32 years this year).
Learn something new.
Don’t wait until I have a zero balance on my Visa so I can download more books to my Kindle….might never happen!
And that’s it….well….not really. There are many more goals/challenges I could list but those are the main ones.
So what’s on your agenda for 2013? Let’s hope it’s a great year full of possibilities!
As always, happy reading!
Marie
It’s here. A new year. A new opportunity to…well….set some new goals. Last year, the goals I set for myself were attainable for the most part. I was kinder (at least, I think I was); I gave myself permission to take some “me” time, whether it was to spend a whole day watching movies or just taking a nap (those were few and far between); I did not pass up an opportunity to tell my loved ones I loved them so I did well on last years’ goals and I will continue to strive for these things because one should not try to be kind for only a year, one should try to be kind always and one should tell their friends and family they are loved all the time, not just for 365 days.
All that being said, the mistress of this blog has a To-do list…daily, monthly and yearly so I’m taking a page from her book and listing my goals (no, I know I won’t do a daily To-Do list, but I can do a yearly one so here we go…
Lose those annoying thirty pounds that have been hanging around way too long. I have a treadmill now so no excuses!
Finish one (maybe two) of the 13 partial manuscripts I have in my computer and celebrate the releases of A Scandalous Woman and A Good Man for Katie, both coming out February of this year.
Celebrate the friendships I’m lucky enough to have and cherish the love of my life (DH and I will be married 32 years this year).
Learn something new.
Don’t wait until I have a zero balance on my Visa so I can download more books to my Kindle….might never happen!
And that’s it….well….not really. There are many more goals/challenges I could list but those are the main ones.
So what’s on your agenda for 2013? Let’s hope it’s a great year full of possibilities!
As always, happy reading!
Marie
December 19, 2012
The Holidays Are Here!
12/19/12 Blog Post from Happily Ever After Thoughts
The holidays are here! The holidays are here!
I know, I’m being silly, but it’s okay. I’m allowed. I love this time of year. Oh, not the crowds or the sensationalism of the season, but the simple things. That perfect star for the Christmas tree, the perfect gift for a loved one, filling the house with wonderful smells of baking, spending time with family and friends.
The other things that make this my favorite time of year? Reading those wonderful holiday romances--what’s better than finding love at Christmas time? and watching some of my favorite movies: the craziness of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, the spirit of forgiveness of The Christmas Wish and the raw sentimentality of my all time favorite: It’s a Wonderful Life. I watch this movie every year on Christmas Eve: me, my dogs, my hot chocolate and a box of tissues because no matter that I’ve seen It’s a Wonderful Life thirty times or more, I say I’m not going to cry but I do anyway.
Aside from spending time with family and friends, reading wonderful holiday romances and watching those movies we’ll love forever, this time of year reminds me how very thankful I am…for so much but most especially for you, the readers of our blog. I know Alexis and Dawn feel the same so from our hearts to yours, thanks so much for stopping by and sharing with us. We love that you’ve taken time from your busy days to visit with us for a while. Thank you!
Have a wonderful holiday and a happy, joyous new year.
As always, Happy Reading!
Marie
The holidays are here! The holidays are here!
I know, I’m being silly, but it’s okay. I’m allowed. I love this time of year. Oh, not the crowds or the sensationalism of the season, but the simple things. That perfect star for the Christmas tree, the perfect gift for a loved one, filling the house with wonderful smells of baking, spending time with family and friends.
The other things that make this my favorite time of year? Reading those wonderful holiday romances--what’s better than finding love at Christmas time? and watching some of my favorite movies: the craziness of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, the spirit of forgiveness of The Christmas Wish and the raw sentimentality of my all time favorite: It’s a Wonderful Life. I watch this movie every year on Christmas Eve: me, my dogs, my hot chocolate and a box of tissues because no matter that I’ve seen It’s a Wonderful Life thirty times or more, I say I’m not going to cry but I do anyway.
Aside from spending time with family and friends, reading wonderful holiday romances and watching those movies we’ll love forever, this time of year reminds me how very thankful I am…for so much but most especially for you, the readers of our blog. I know Alexis and Dawn feel the same so from our hearts to yours, thanks so much for stopping by and sharing with us. We love that you’ve taken time from your busy days to visit with us for a while. Thank you!
Have a wonderful holiday and a happy, joyous new year.
As always, Happy Reading!
Marie
December 5, 2012
What Am I Up To?
12/5/12 Post from Happily Ever After Thoughts.
Oh my gosh! What aren’t I up to? For starters, my latest western, A GOOD MAN FOR KATIE, is up on Kindle KPD right now and FREE through December 9th. The actual release from The Wild Rose Press is still scheduled for February 2013.
Click here to get a free copy of A GOOD MAN FOR KATIE http://www.amazon.com/A-Good-Man-Kati...
I was also just contacted by the cover artist from Whiskey Creek Press for my novel A SCANDALOUS WOMAN, which is also coming out in February 2013. I’ve learned that I finaled in a writing contest for my novel A Treasure Worth Keeping, so I’m waiting to hear about that.
In the meantime, I am writing, writing, writing (in between working and taking care of the house). I’m currently in the middle of a Civil War story entitled Mischief and Magnolias, a romance that I started way back when and put away for a while. I do that though. I get an idea and I run with it until I run out of steam then I put it away and continue on with what I was working on before that idea struck. If I don’t get the idea, etc., out of my head at the time, one of two things will occur…..the characters will start driving me crazy with their insistence that I at least start their story or….I’ll forget it completely and I don’t want to do that.
But that leaves quite a few unfinished (or unfinished yet) projects in my computer. I actually took the time the other day (when another new idea suddenly popped in my head) to find out exactly how many of these I had. Would it surprise you that I now have seventeen ideas, all in various stages of progress? It surprised me! Now that I know it though, I must be going…..and finish all those stories.
Happy Reading!
Marie
Oh my gosh! What aren’t I up to? For starters, my latest western, A GOOD MAN FOR KATIE, is up on Kindle KPD right now and FREE through December 9th. The actual release from The Wild Rose Press is still scheduled for February 2013.
Click here to get a free copy of A GOOD MAN FOR KATIE http://www.amazon.com/A-Good-Man-Kati...
I was also just contacted by the cover artist from Whiskey Creek Press for my novel A SCANDALOUS WOMAN, which is also coming out in February 2013. I’ve learned that I finaled in a writing contest for my novel A Treasure Worth Keeping, so I’m waiting to hear about that.
In the meantime, I am writing, writing, writing (in between working and taking care of the house). I’m currently in the middle of a Civil War story entitled Mischief and Magnolias, a romance that I started way back when and put away for a while. I do that though. I get an idea and I run with it until I run out of steam then I put it away and continue on with what I was working on before that idea struck. If I don’t get the idea, etc., out of my head at the time, one of two things will occur…..the characters will start driving me crazy with their insistence that I at least start their story or….I’ll forget it completely and I don’t want to do that.
But that leaves quite a few unfinished (or unfinished yet) projects in my computer. I actually took the time the other day (when another new idea suddenly popped in my head) to find out exactly how many of these I had. Would it surprise you that I now have seventeen ideas, all in various stages of progress? It surprised me! Now that I know it though, I must be going…..and finish all those stories.
Happy Reading!
Marie
November 14, 2012
Interview with Happily Ever After Thoughts
Check out my interview with Alexis Walker of Happily Ever After Thoughts to celebrate the release of my new western, "A Good Man For Katie".
http://www.happilyeverafterthoughts.c...
http://www.happilyeverafterthoughts.c...
Fairy Tales
Happily Ever After Thoughts post from 11/14/12
What was your favorite fairy tale as a kid? My husband’s was Rapunzel, according to his mother. Mine? Snow White. No….Cinderella. Yes. Definitely Cinderella. Who hasn’t dreamed of having that magical Fairy Godmother who will change a pumpkin to a coach? Who will dress you in such a fantastic gown so you could go to a ball and dance with the Prince? And the glass slipper! When he slips it on your foot and it fits? *sigh*
But wait! I was wrong. It’s not Cinderella. It’s Sleeping Beauty. Who hasn’t dreamed of being awakened to true love by a kiss? Who hasn’t dreamed of having a man fight dragons for you? Who hasn’t….
Wait! Again, I am mistaken. It’s not Sleeping Beauty, it’s Beauty and the Beast. Didn’t you always want to be the heroine to look past the beast and see his beautiful heart? I know I did.
Well, it’s obvious that I can’t decide which one is my favorite because it’s all of them and they send us the same message: true love over comes everything and isn’t that one of the reasons why you read romance novels? And don’t you just love it when Cinderella or Sleeping Beauty makes an appearance in one of them? I know I do.
So, what’s your favorite fairy tale?
As always, happy reading!
Marie
What was your favorite fairy tale as a kid? My husband’s was Rapunzel, according to his mother. Mine? Snow White. No….Cinderella. Yes. Definitely Cinderella. Who hasn’t dreamed of having that magical Fairy Godmother who will change a pumpkin to a coach? Who will dress you in such a fantastic gown so you could go to a ball and dance with the Prince? And the glass slipper! When he slips it on your foot and it fits? *sigh*
But wait! I was wrong. It’s not Cinderella. It’s Sleeping Beauty. Who hasn’t dreamed of being awakened to true love by a kiss? Who hasn’t dreamed of having a man fight dragons for you? Who hasn’t….
Wait! Again, I am mistaken. It’s not Sleeping Beauty, it’s Beauty and the Beast. Didn’t you always want to be the heroine to look past the beast and see his beautiful heart? I know I did.
Well, it’s obvious that I can’t decide which one is my favorite because it’s all of them and they send us the same message: true love over comes everything and isn’t that one of the reasons why you read romance novels? And don’t you just love it when Cinderella or Sleeping Beauty makes an appearance in one of them? I know I do.
So, what’s your favorite fairy tale?
As always, happy reading!
Marie
