Upcoming Events: I plan to attend, but I’m not participating nor am I associated with the venue or performances.
Nothing scheduled at this time.
INTERVIEWS:
I met talented and lovely author Jeny Heckman (The Sea Archer: Heaven & Earth Series) at the Pacific Northwest Writers’ Conference, and we connected immediately. Sharing the same publisher (The Wild Rose Press), we sat side-by-side as we both experienced our first official autograph signing. Many visitors were drawn to her fabulous display, and after reading her book, I’m a huge fan. Jeny interviewed me for her #AuthorSpotlight series. I thoroughly enjoyed the process, finding her questions intriguing. And I especially loved the “speed dating” rapid fire (one/two word answers) at the end.
READINGS/SIGNINGS (Past):
09/13/19: DoubleTree Airport Hotel (18740 International Boulevard, Seattle, 98188). The Autograph Party at 2019’s PNWA’s Writers’ Conference started at 8:30 and was open to the public. 60+ authors attended—some of whom were award winners and/or New York Times bestsellers. I met other Wild Rose Press authors, especially these three delightful people posing with me below.
2019 PNWA Wild Rose Press Authors (Sadira Stone, Jeny Heckman, me, and ML Erdahl). Whether intentional or not by the photographer, I’m perfectly positioned for the poster behind me to act as an elaborate headpiece.
Not too far from Seattle, the hotel is located in beautiful Sequim—a quaint town that features high-quality bars and restaurants and offers year round activities, including hiking, biking, golfing, beach combing, and tons more.
I’ve spent countless hours writing in and around the area and have enjoyed its natural splendor. And I’m always happy when I know I’ll be returning.
If you’ve never been and/or would like to know more, please click Visit Sunny Sequim. You just might find yourself falling in love.
Lentils are a vegan staple, because they’re high in protein and make delicious soups and purées. In wintertime when daylight hours are short and temperatures low, lentil soup becomes a warm and welcome comfort. Depending on how hungry you are, this hearty-sized portion can be one or two servings.
Add water and lentils to a small sauce pan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
In a medium soup bowl, add olive oil, tomatoes, olives, and onions. Mix well and set aside.
When lentils are cooked (mostly pink instead of red), drain excess water (if any). Add vegan cheese, smoked paprika, and sea salt. Stir until creamy. Add to soup bowl and mix well.
One of my favorite songs is “Humble and Kind” by Tim McGraw.
The concept isn’t new to me. In fact, years ago my mother led by example as an RN, occasionally patching up neighbor kids during her off hours. As one of her devoted children, I aimed high to make her proud.
I hit my stride soon after turning eleven, enjoying perks as library aide and safety patrol. In fifth grade, my favorite teacher nominated me for the DAR award. In sixth grade, I was elected class president of my home room. School was my sanctuary. I loved learning—which goes to show some things never change.
Scouting also kept me busy. First as a Brownie and then as a Girl Scout, I acquired badges and sold cookies door-to-door. Even exercise seemed easy back then. I rode my bike everywhere. I spent hours swimming at the public pool. I roller skated at the local rink every Friday and Saturday night. And I played third base for a winning, all-girls softball team.
But it wasn’t all fun and games. Every summer, I volunteered at Planned Parenthood, answering phones and filing. (It’s where my mother worked, and the clinic focused solely on wellness and prevention.)
While doing all of those things, I felt a part of something greater. And I witnessed and experienced the empowerment of women.
But then life hurled poo at me. I flailed and failed and reverted back to questionable instincts that can fairly be compared to when I was three and thought climbing a tree with a full bladder was a good idea.
As a result, my moral compass rusted in my twenties. I became a bully after being bullied. I cheated after being cheated on. And I lied to those who were trustworthy. Sadly, I lost some really great friends and befriended some really awful ones.
In my early thirties, I turned inward, because being around other people zapped my energy. For every hour of interaction, I needed two hours of recovery. I dreaded invitations, because I’d become so socially awkward that I blurted inappropriate comments at every event.
Fortunately (or unfortunately depending on how you look at it), my husband wouldn’t allow me to become a hermit. He’s an extrovert and had no intention of attending parties alone. (That’s when we created “fifteen minute warning,” but that’s for another post.)
As strange as it sounds, veganism and writing are returning me to my confident, childhood self—when possibilities seemed endless, and I believed in a wondrous world. I feel 10 years younger than I did ten years ago, and my senses have heightened dramatically. Colors are more vibrant and scents more recognizable. The natural world beckons, and I don’t want to miss any of its beauty.
My mantra these days is “grateful, humble, and kind.”
I’m dedicating this space for highlightingsmall press/indie books, because, let’s face it, big press publications are more likely to be reviewed by newspapers and magazines (online and otherwise) and don’t usually need additional attention from readers like me.
Anyone who’s completed a novel-sized project knows the joys and frustrations of writing. And when writers share their creations, conflicting opinions/suggestions are the norm. No book is perfect, and oftentimes critiques skew negative. So, out of respect to authors and understanding their tremendous efforts, my reviews will concentrate on positive attributes and strengths in the stories.
The Sea Archer promises and delivers a compelling story inspired by Greek mythology, and it’s an exciting ride for characters and readers alike.
Multi-talented musician Raven is highly successful, but she’s grown tired of her pop-star image. She longs to perform her own material and redefine her brand that currently requires skimpy outfits and heavy makeup. But her manipulative manager/husband Donovan insists she’ll lose fans if she changes even one dyed-hair on her head. After Raven catches him cheating, Donavan promptly divorces her, yet still keeps tight-fisted control of her emotions and career. At the urging of her twin brother Wyatt and her best friend Que, Raven travels to Kaua’i for a much needed three month respite. Once there, she slowly reclaims her power.
Marine biologist Finn enjoys the sweetness of women but has no intention of settling down. He was raised on the Hawaiian island of Kaua’i by his beloved grandmother—a delightful and quirky woman named Dee. Finn loves his job and life on the ocean and has a natural affinity toward sea creatures, particularly monk seals. When Finn encounters Raven at the beach, and he can’t keep his mind off her, his world stops making sense. Adding to his worries, his grandmother begins talking about Greek prophecies as if they’re real. But while in the midst of questioning her sanity, strange things happen to Finn that can’t be easily explained.
The premise of The Sea Archer is fascinating and entertaining. This book is skillfully written and the characters are well rounded. One of the over-arcing themes is environmental consciousness, so some scenes are heartbreaking yet necessary. Once I started reading this novel, I couldn’t put it down.
Winter Takes All begins shortly after New Years on a dreary, rain-soaked morning in Seattle. Crystal hasn’t quite recovered from an evening of revelry and is riding a crowded, musty-smelling bus as she returns to work after the holidays. Discouraged from discovering her resolutions are the same as the year before, and after being reprimanded by her sadistic boss, she quits her dead-end job in grand fashion. But once her bravado wears off, and she considers her finances, she can’t remain unemployed long without serious repercussions. Fortunately, Crystal is an avid hiker and quickly secures a position as a winter mountain guide; a bit beyond her skill set, but she’s a fast learner, and, after all, it’s her dream job. For her first gig, she’s paired with expert (and attractive) Conner who shows her the ropes. The two lead a corporate group of feuding employees on a snowshoeing trek to a remote lodge in the woods. And to the dismay of Crystal and Conner, someone is dead by morning.
From beginning to end, Winter Takes All is a page turner. Crystal and Conner are relatable, and we root for their success and happiness. For anyone who loves cold weather, enjoys nature, is stuck in an unfulfilling career, and/or gravities toward cozy mysteries, this story delivers pure satisfaction. Whether you’ve spent the day on the slopes or are still wearing your PJ’s and fuzzy socks from the night before, you’ll enjoy reading this novel in front of a crackling fire, because it will appeal to sports enthusiasts and couch spectators alike.
My younger sister volunteers at the Euless Animal Shelter. Several times a week, she spends a few hours holding, petting, and playing with cats. Often, she and her husband foster kittens and cats in their home, offering specialized care.
When an animal is ready for adoption, my sister takes beautiful pictures and writes loving descriptions, based on what she’s learned about their unique personalities. Then she posts the information to the shelter’s website.
When I’m in Texas, which is usually every six weeks, I sometimes visit the shelter with my sister. I can’t think of anything more heartwarming than the sound of a purring cat, especially from one who was terrified upon arrival.
For my birthday, my sister named one of the cats after me. And, thankfully, Charisse was adopted soon after. I wasn’t in town to meet her, but my wish for my namesake is for her to enjoy a long, healthy, and happy life.
Growing up, our family didn’t traditionally expect dessert after dinner—something other kids found quite bizarre. So whenever my mom made brownies, the aroma lasted for hours, and the day was beyond special.
For added pleasure, enjoy these chocolatey delights with an iced-cold glass of creamy oat milk.
What you’ll need:
8×8 Baking Pan
Veggie/Olive Oil Spray (minimum amount)
Pre-Packaged Brownie Mix (or dry ingredients from your favorite recipe)
Black Beans (15oz can)
Unsweetened Almond Milk (as needed)
Optional : Walnuts – Chopped (3-4 oz)
Heat oven according to instructions on box/recipe. Lightly spray bottom and sides of pan with oil. Drain and rinse beans and pour them into a blender. Add just enough almond milk to cover. Blend until smooth. Add to a bowl with dry ingredients. Stir until completely mixed.
Setting aside 1/8-1/4 cup chopped walnuts for topping, fold in remaining nuts to brownie mix. Pour batter into pan and spread evenly. Sprinkle remaining nuts on top. Bake according to box/recipe. Remove pan and let brownies completely cool. Cut into 64 equal squares.
Refridgerate any unused portion.
Note: My husband absolutely loves these. I bring them to potlucks and am told they’re a cross between brownies and fudge. They’re delicious paired with coffee.
Variation: To make these a bit healthier, add 4 tbs. ground flaxseed to dry mix.
Variation: Sprinkle a small amount of sea salt across the top before baking.
Our book club gathered at my place on August 12th to celebrate the worldwide release of “Katy’s Song.” The date serendipitously fell on our regular meeting day, so most everyone was available. We invited a few neighbors to join us as well.
The menu was based on the vegan theme and part-time Texas locale of the novel. I believe Tex-Mex dishes are among the easiest to convert, because they largely consist of veggies, beans, and rice. Plus, they are some of my personal favorites.
To start, there were corn chips, salsa, bean dip, and guacamole. For the taco bar, we offered warmed flour tortillas, vegan beefless ground, chopped tomatoes and onions, shredded lettuce, and sliced black olives. We augmented the menu with rice and beans from Taco Del Mar. And, as usual, the guests provided delicious vegan salads, vegan dips, wines, and champagne. But, I’m sure I can speak for all of us that Karen’s amazing vegan chocolate cake with coconut icing was the true star of the meal! (We never got around to serving the Patron, but there’s always next time.)
The weather cooperated beautifully, so we spent all evening outdoors on a pleasant summer night in Seattle. I hope everyone enjoyed the celebration as much as I did.
08/12/19 Informal Book Launch (not pictured is Marianne who took the photo)
In a microwave safe bowl, heat Gardein at 1/2 power for 90 seconds. Stir in salsa and heat at 1/2 power for 60 seconds. Heat taco shells at 1/2 power for 60 seconds. Fill shells equally with Gardein mixture. Drizzle hot sauce over mixture. Top with shredded lettuce.
Note: Add one more shell if you wish to share.
Note: To transform this into a taco salad, skip the shells and add chopped tomatoes, sliced black olives, chopped green onion, and 1/2 cup cooked quinoa.
Place lettuce leaves onto a serving tray, open side up. Mix cucumbers, tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, mangos, mint, and lime juice in a bowl. Disburse mixture evenly into lettuce boats. Add avocado and figs. Try a sprinkle of walnuts and/or a dollop of your favorite salsa on top.
Refrigerate any unused portion.
Note: Leftovers can be chopped into a salad and/or used in a wrap.
Vegan Author, Music Enthusiast, Vegan Novel, Katy’s Song
