.@VickiBatman ~ Wishing you Happy Holidays & sharing a movie! #MFRWorg #RLFblog #Christmas

Every year, I travel to a small town for their Christmas Candlelight Home Tour. We visit historical homes that have been decorated for Christmas. After my friends and I tour the homes, we go to the park. It sits in a square surrounded by very old houses and a church. Quite picturesque. 

Here's the entrance with two soldiers standing by:

#PlottingPrincesses - Chrys Fey: Can 30 Seconds be a lifetime? #MFRWorg #romanticsuspense

The Plotting Princesses welcome Chrys Fey 

with 30 Seconds. 

Welcome, Chrys!

Chrys Fey is a lover of rock music just like Dani Hart in 30 Seconds. Whenever she's writing at her desk, headphones are always emitting the sounds of her musical muses -especially that of her favorite band, 30 Seconds to Mars, the inspiration behind the title.  

30 Seconds is her second eBook with The Wild Rose Press. Her debut, Hurricane Crimes, is also available on Amazon.



Speed Round:

Favorite movie: Little Women
Favorite book: Naked in Death by J.D. Robb 
Last book read: Broken Branch Falls by Tara Tyler 
Favorite color: Neon-Green 
Stilettos or flip-flops: Sneakers 

.@VickiBatman - Delving into Christmas Past - Candlelight Home Tour #MFRWorg #historicalcities #historicalsites

Delving into Christmas Past – Candlelight Home Tour

Every year, I travel with funsisters to a small town for their Christmas Candlelight Home Tour. Usually, homes predating 1850, which have been restored, are featured.

My friends and I make stops along our route to pop in our favorite antique malls to search for new finds. We have a quick lunch, shop a bit more, and then finish our drive. After we arrive at our destination, we purchase our tour tickets and check in at our bed and breakfast.

Most of the time, we stay at the same B&B. The hostess’ mom researched many of the historical plaques for the community. We usually eat at the yummy Italian restaurant and every time, wonder how the ricotta layer is so light. Then we tour two homes. Afterwards, we go to the park and wander through the Christmas tree land.

Demon Lore is available NOW! by Karilyn Bentley #urbanfantasy #TWRP #plottingprincesses

I'm happy to announce that the first book in my urban fantasy series, Demon Lore, is out now! Squeeeeeee!!!!! Isn't the cover awesome?


This is the story of Gin Crawford and her transformation from nurse to demon slayer (or huntress as she likes to call herself). Here's the blurb:

Gin Crawford has enough problems dealing with her empath abilities. Finding out she's the world's newest demon-slayer is the last thing she needs. Unfortunately, when she slips on a mysterious bracelet she is given no other choice. On the plus side, her new gig comes with Tall, Dark and Handsome, a mage who may or may not have her best interests at heart. Thrust into a power-play between good and evil, Gin must choose a side before she becomes the next victim in the ongoing battle.

And the excerpt:

@KathyIvan - Suspense. Mystery. Romance. What a fun package! #PlottingPrincesses #MFRWorg #romanticsuspense

Suspense.  Mystery.  Romance. 

There's something about those words that stir the imagination.  Being able to craft a story filled with the right elements, a blending of all three, reminds me of baking.  All the ingredients have to be added in exactly the right amounts in order for your delicious confection to come out perfect (and in my case hopefully edible). 

I love layering in all the nuances to my stories, adding a dash of mystery to keep the reader turning the pages.  Did I write enough intrigue and danger within the world I've created that the reader absolutely, positively, unequivocally cannot stop reading when they reach the end of the chapter, and must turn the page to find out what happens next.  Don't you love that feeling? 

#PlottingPrincesses welcome guest author Anne Ashby, a fan of Kris Kristoffersen #MFRWorg #RLFblog #romance

Anne Ashby is joining the Plotting Princesses today. Let's get to know her:

Anne Ashby lives in New Zealand and writes clean contemporary romance using her homeland as an added point of difference to her stories.  Her interest in family, genealogy and rugby often feature. "Leath's Legacy" is her sixth book.  

Favourite Movie: The Sound of Music

Favourite Book:  Any by Essie Summers

Last Book Read: A Mother’s Wish by Debbie Macomber

Favourite Colour: Yellow

Stilettos or Flip-flops:  Flip-flops

Coffee or Tea:  Neither

E-book or Paperback:  Paperback

Pencil or Pen:  Pencil

Favourite Song: Any by Kris Kristoffersen

Streak or not:  Not

Favourite Dessert: Pavlova

Champagne or Gin: Neither

Paranormal or Historical: Neither, Contemporary only

Ginger or Mary Ann: Mary Ann

Favourite TV Show:   Packed to the Rafters

Hot or Cold: Hot

POV: Male

I’d die if I don’t have: My Family

Tales from the Crate: How to Write with a Puppy by Karilyn Bentley #crazydog

As some of you may remember, we got a puppy in June that we were told was seven months old. In July we found out she was really three months old when we got her. Yikes. I never thought to have that young of a puppy. Karma is getting me back for looking at others and thinking I could do a better job of raising a puppy than they were. Somewhere Karma is laughing its butt off.

So how do I write with a puppy? Well, this is what used to happen on my day off. I'd sleep in until The Hubster would wake me with a kiss as he was walking out the door. Then I'd determine whether the old gimpy dog, aka Hell Hound, was able to go for a walk. If so, walk him. If not, do Tai Chi and meditate. Feed dog. Have coffee and breakfast while reading paper. Take shower. Get in a couple of hours writing/promo before meeting Hubster for lunch. Come home, write some more. Greet Hubster with kiss and spend evening with him.

What happens now.

Help! The Cookie Monster Has Me!

Why is it that we eat more during the holidays than we do the rest of the year? It’s as if we all get into this baking frenzy and try to outdo each other with our fabulous recipes and decorating the house. We run around like crazy people buying gifts, putting up a tree, seeing little Timmy’s Christmas play, decorating our homes and baking. We may not bake the rest of the year, but by golly at Christmas, the recipes come out and we’re in the kitchen.

Okay, I confess…I don’t cook that much. I wish I did, but even though I’m a full-time writer working from home, I don’t spend much time in the kitchen. My husband does most of the cooking and he’s not all that bad. I’ll run downstairs and throw some stuff in the crock pot and say whew that’s dinner.  It’s a lucky night when he comes home and dinner is fixed.

But at Christmas it’s like some spell comes over me and I want to bake cookies, pies, candy and try all these new recipes. Do I need to eat that much? No, I seriously am watching my weight and my sugar intake. I’m pre-diabetic with type II diabetes in my family. I know the risks. But I WANT COOKIES.  It’s like the cookie monster takes over my body and I think peanut butter, oatmeal, ginger snaps and oh…those delicious ones with the Hershey’s kiss stuck in the middle of them. GIVE ME COOKIES!