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The Reviews Are Rolling In & An Excerpt From The Book. What People Are Saying About “Beneath the Mimosa Tree.”
Dear Readers, Well, it’s been two weeks today since I let it go out into the world. So now what are people saying about my debut novel entitled “Beneath the Mimosa Tree?” I thought I’d let these lovely comments do all the talking, but before I do, I wanted to share an excerpt from the novel just to stir your interest if it hasn’t already been stirred. Then, enjoy reading what people are saying. We independent authors can use all the support we can get to spread the word about our work. For those of you who have liked the book, thanks for your kind recommendations to others. I can’t…
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Three Reasons Why I Wish I Learned to Speak Italian
*** I have this thought quite often: I wish I’d learned to speak Italian. I studied French in high school and still know a few words here and there and can sometimes understand what people are saying if I really focus and pick it apart. French is a lovely language, but I’m not French. I’m of Italian heritage, and I wish I could speak it fluently. Why? First, let’s start with an obvious reason and one that relates directly to the subtitle of my blog: Italian is one of the romance languages, a language of love. Italian is beautiful. It rolls off the tongue. It’s extremely expressive. Italians speak with…
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Super Bowl Ads and, Yes, A Little Romance in Advertising Class.
Today in advertising class, we discussed the upcoming onslaught of Super Bowl advertisements, and one new ad in particular that’s already out there for consumption, the new Honda CRV commercial that features Matthew Broderick. The ad harkens back to Broderick’s character as Ferris Bueller in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” only now he’s Matthew Broderick, screen actor, who is middle-aged and needs a day off. Needless to say, because Ferris was iconic during my younger days, I adore this ad. It’s clever, but not over-the-top-crazy. I’ve always enjoyed Broderick’s sense of humor—not to mention that he seems like a pretty nice guy. My husband ran into him on the streets of…
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For Valentine’s Day: Text Messages Are Not Substitutes For Cards
*** As Valentine’s Day approaches, let’s just set the record straight—and not just for Valentine’s Day, but as a year-round clarification. Sending “lovey-dovey” text messages are not permitted as a substitute for sending a heartfelt card or letter to someone you care a great deal for this holiday. There, I’ve said it. (And I promise you, I do not work for Hallmark, nor am I employed by the U.S. Postal Service). Months ago I offered instructions on how to write a love letter (click here to see it). How often do we really take the time to pen something in our own hand, scrawl heart-felt words on paper, and give…
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The Postcard: Today’s Friday Fiction
A short piece of fiction for this lovely Friday morning. Emily rolled over in her bed, the glare of the sun creeping through the sheer drapery that hung from the tall ceilings. As she stirred, she’d almost forgotten where she was for a moment, then she heard the movement of cars down below, the sounds of a sleepy city coming to life. She stretched. She had just succeeded at sleeping through the night for the first time in a week. She stepped out of bed feeling unusually peaceful despite what she’d been through over the last month. She’d been lucky to find this flat—small as it were—but she was here.…
