Wherever you are. However you feel.
Until next year…
Peace be with you.
December 2024: Merry Christmas
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December 2024: Recipe of the Month Recommendation
This time of year can come with a lot of pressure. It can be noisy and overwhelming and costly. Something needs to be easy. And cheap.
How To Make Chocolate Bark From The Pioneer Woman
I just used what was in my cupboards for toppings. It’s a great way to use up the last bits of things you have hanging around. But you could make it pretty and Christmasy without too much effort.
I have my favourite Christmas treats. Mostly they are childhood comforts that my Mom still makes this time of year. Family favourites like scuffles, fudge, apple bars, lemon tarts. Things we only had at Christmas time. I think baking things for people is my Mom’s love language.
So, forget the hustle, hustle, hustle of performance culture and take care of your mental health by doing what you can with what you have.
Until next time…
December 2024: Filling My Creative Well With Live Theatre and Bad Hats Theatre’s Peter Pan
Live theatre is one of my favourite ways to fill my creative well. I love it. I’m still painting and having fun with it. Lots of messy pictures! And lights. One of my favourite thing about the holiday season is lights. We are pretty conservative with ours but I love driving passed the houses where the people have gone all out.
Bad Hats Theatre’s Peter Pan at Globe Theatre.
Adapted by Fiona Sauder & Reanne Spitzer | Music by Landon Doak | Arrangements by Nathan Carroll and Company
Playing from November 27 to January 5, 2025
In this version of the iconic story, Smee the Pirate takes the audience on an adventure ride through his life in Neverland. See the story as if for the first time and find out what it’s like to chase shadows, follow stars, battle Peter Pan, fly with Tinkerbell, serve Captain Hook, and find family. Set to the sounds of a prairie kitchen party and using the imaginations of cast and audience alike, the company transforms the newly renovated Globe Theatre into a magical land where imagination is king and playing pretend is queen.
Gosh, so happy to be back at Globe Theatre which has been under renovation the last couple of years. Renovations aren’t quite complete but that didn’t affect the performance. The main stage area is complete and familiar while new and fresh looking and comfortable.
The performance! What a welcome back for the audiences. Every actor shone in their roles. It always amazes me what they can do with a few key pieces and props that rotate in and out of scenes. The actors that played Peter Pan and Wendy, along with Smee and the ensemble cast, were the story, they created an atmosphere of nostalgia and gifted us with the story we know and love so well from the first moment to the last. Those wonderful performances showcased the fantastic acting and scene stealing moments by Captain Hook (Joey Tremblay) and Tinkerbell (Kris Alvarez). So well done!
Lastly, a shout out to the ensemble cast. They performed different roles. They danced. They sang. They played instruments. Everyone did an amazing job! The talent in this province is first rate.
Highly recommend! Because who can’t use a little trip to Neverland for a much needed reset during the chaos of the holiday season.
Until next time…
Remember to give yourself some grace during these hectic days.
November 2024: My Month in Review
November has come and mostly gone. I don’t know, what is there to say about November? I did stuff? I get that November is big in the US with Thanksgiving and all, but in Canada? It’s kind of just a regular month. Unless you’re one of those cheery, bright-spirited people who already have their tree up and have decorated for Christmas while bopping around to holiday music.
I have gotten some Christmas things done! I ordered our tree, which will be here the beginning of December. I made gift tags. I also started making lists to keep organized in an effort to manage my tinsel themed holiday anxiety. Who remembers that glittery silver tinsel that you hung on the tree and that stuck to everything? My anxiety is a little bit like that tinsel. It will hang around where it’s least wanted if I don’t manage it.
Also, it snowed. Like, a lot. Winter has officially arrived. As I sit here writing, big, fluffy flakes are falling down. Again.
I’ve been writing almost every day. I’m very happy about that.
In spirit of American Thanksgiving and because it’s always good to give thanks, I’ll say I’m grateful for family and friends and the understanding and empathy we’ve felt from our loved ones this year. May the rest of 2024 be kind to you.
And, lastly:
Until next time…
November 2024 Romance Book Recommendation: Mother Faker by Brittanee Nicole
I’m a sucker for a romance with a big old house that’s falling apart. Victorian, Queen Anne, Classical Revival, Arts and Crafts, Tudor Revival. You get the idea. I even have an old house in the book I’m writing. A Queen Anne that my heroine is converting into a bed and breakfast. Hopefully Darcy house is as much of a character as the two main protagonists, Charlotte and Ridge.
Mother Faker by Brittanee Nicole
Categories: Romance, Rom-Com, Contemporary Romance
Blurb:
Moving with my three best friends and our seven kids into a dilapidated brownstone in Boston may have seemed like the most insane thing I’d do this year. Apparently the universe said hold my beer.
Because last night I got drunk and married my boss.
Don’t worry, it’s all fake. Or at least everything after ‘I Do’ will be.
Beckett Langfield is grumpy, rich and hates kids. I’m an overworked, overstressed, and overweight single mom. The only reason we’re getting married is because he needs to fix a PR disaster and I am available. As in sitting next to him, in a bar, when he has this brilliant idea.
Considering I just got divorced, I’m not looking to do that again. But Beckett makes me an offer that I literally can’t refuse, so I don’t.
He’ll help fix up our broken house and all I have to do is take a few pictures and pretend we’re happily married.
Easy peasy.
Now if someone could just remind him that it’s all fake.
Thoughts:
Mother Faker is the first book in the MomComs Series. Four best friends who are also single moms move into a crumbling brownstone. Each book in the four part series is written by a different author. I listened to them all on Audible and they were all good but Mother Faker is my favourite of the four. I love plus size heroines and the author does a great job with Liv’s character. Also, there is plenty of always-been-you vibes in this one, and that’s another of my favourite tropes.
I love the friendship and sense of family the four women have and likewise the banter between the Langfield brothers. Spot on. And the seven kids…so adorable. Let’s face it, this would never work in real life but that’s what makes it such great escapism. And the notion that these rich men (I know we’re over the billionaires!) would do anything for their women is kind of swoon worthy. I mean who doesn’t want a man who appreciates lots of pillows on the bed. IYKYK.
The writing is good. It’s cute. It’s steamy. It’s fun. But it’s the sense of community they create for themselves that’s really the appeal. And let’s be honest, we need that now more than anything.
Until next time…
What has everyone else been reading?
Romance Novel Heat Ratings: Tender vs Warm
The one thing all romance novels have in common is the developing emotional connection between the main characters, but the details of their physical relationship differ from book to book. Heat levels or intimacy ratings of romance books are often very subjective and can depend on the reviewer, reader, or a writer’s own preferences.
Heat level, like tropes, the setting and character archetypes, is one way readers choose books. You usually find a hint of those things in the back cover blurb. A good blurb lets the reader know the amount of sexiness to expect while the characters explore their emotional relationship. In this post I’m talking about my take on Tender vs Warm romances.
I’ve talked about my take on Steamy and Spicy here.
Tender vs Warm
*I use tender and warm as descriptors for my heat level ratings. Lots of time you will see clean and wholesome used. I don’t use those because, to me, that implies sex is somehow the opposite and is dirty or unwholesome.
Tender
I’d love some recommendations for tender romances as I don’t have many to make.
Warm
Author Genevieve Graham comes to mind as an example.
I would place my own books in the steamy category. To me, steamy romances fall somewhere between PG-13 romances, where sex might be implied but not described, and spicy romances, where the main characters physical relationship is as important to the story as their emotional bond. So know that if you read one of my books there will be a couple of sex scenes woven into the story. As a reader, if the intimacy matches the tone and mood of the story, I’m happy.
Until next time…
I’m always looking for book recommendations. I would love to hear other examples of tender or warm romances?
November 2024: Recipe of the Month Recommendation
I might be Canadian but doesn’t mean this week’s US presidential election didn’t deeply disappoint. Just this morning at the mention of a known anti-vaxxer and conspiracy theorist possibly being put in charge of a major health portfolio had a someone from my home town hoping more of that nonsense makes its way into Canadian politics. Sigh.
Anyhoo…
Food.
Remember one way to stick it to the patriarchy is to feed ourselves. We’re going to need all the energy we can get to fight against governments that want us to shrink and become as small and docile as possible. So, if you like to bake then bake. When you bake your focus and concentration is on the recipe and you are staying in the moment. Destress. Clear your head. Feed yourself and others. Find the joy in whisking up a little something and get creative with your food.
Quick and Easy Blueberry Muffins from Inspired Taste
They really are so easy to make and simply delicious! I’ve made them twice now and each time they’ve been great. This recipe is probably versatile, as I think you could probably use any fruit in it. I’m going to have to give it a try with strawberries or apples.
Until next time…
What’s your favourite muffin recipe?
November 2024: Refilling My Creative Well with Cross Stitch
Who else is a fan of cross stitch? If you are a fan, you’re on to something. Cross stitch has many benefits. It’s creative, it’s soothing, it helps reduce stress, and it improves your focus. There are lots of benefits to this mindful activity that has a range of patterns for everyone’s taste and time constraints. And you have something pretty to show for your efforts.
If you’re new to cross stitch here is an excellent post to check out: A Beginner’s Guide to Cross Stitch.
I think the easiest way to get started is with a kit that includes all the things you need. I was lucky enough to get a wide range of threads from my Mom who didn’t want them anymore. That means I can just buy patterns like this Mini Masterpieces collection of 60 patterns for $15. You can also find patterns for free on Pinterest, like the little Jeep above.
So, that’s what I do in the evening while my husband watches sports. I have to say, I hardly watch television anymore. Cross stitch has become an important part of my effort to unwind in the evenings before bed, along with trying not to look at my phone after 8:00 pm.
So, if you’re finding you need a way to refocus and refresh during this time of shorter days and longer nights, you might want to give cross stitch a try.
Until next time…
What have you been doing to refill your creative well? I’d love to hear your adventures.
October 2024 Romance Book Recommendation: Birding With Benefits by Sarah T. Dubb
Hands up if you, like me, are a bird fan? I haven’t always been as enamoured of our feathered friends. But when my daughter took a liking to birds I somewhat overcame my fear of them and now I love watching them. We often see chickadees, nuthatches, house finches, and sparrows at our feeders. We also get juncos, flickers, woodpeckers, and bluejays, depending on the seasons. Robins in the spring. Partridges year round. The occasional hummingbird flits through too. And the other night we heard an owl in the park area by our house.
There is something very calming about watching the birds. I read somewhere that watching or even hearing a bird can improve your mental health for hours. And it just so happens that my province of Saskatchewan is home to an exceptional number of birds. Whether birds live here seasonally, year round or migrate through the province, Saskatchewan is an excellent choice for a birdwatching holiday.
Saskatchewan Birding Tips from Living Sky Wildlife Rehabilitation organization. You can get advice, book tours and find out what birds are where.
Birding With Benefits by Sarah T. Dubb
Published: Simon and Schuster, June 2024
Categories: Contemporary Romance / Romantic Comedy
Blurb:
Newly-divorced, almost-empty-nester Celeste is finally seeking adventure and putting herself first, cliches be damned. So when a friend asks Celeste to “partner” with his buddy John for an event, Celeste throws herself into the role of his temporary girlfriend. But quiet cinnamon roll John isn’t looking for love, just birds—he needs a partner for Tucson’s biggest bird-watching contest if he’s ever going to launch his own guiding business. By the time they untangle their crossed signals, they’ve become teammates…and thanks to his meddling friends, a fake couple.
Celeste can’t tell a sparrow from a swallow, but John is a great teacher, and the hours they spend hiking in the Arizona wilderness feed Celeste’s hunger for new adventures while giving John a chance to practice his dream job. As the two spend more time together, they end up watching more than just the birds, and their chemistry becomes undeniable. Since they’re both committed to the single life, Celeste suggests a status upgrade: birders with benefits, just until the contest is done. But as the bird count goes up and their time together ticks down, John and Celeste will have to decide if their benefits can last a lifetime, or if this love affair is for the birds.
Thoughts:
This fake relationship book is a lovely read. And also pretty steamy! I love books were characters’ passions are forefront. That is certainly the case in this book. Birds, birdwatching, and the benefits of it play a large role. Also refreshing, were the ages of the characters. They both are 40ish and starting the next chapter in their lives. Celeste is recently divorced and her daughter is leaving for collage and John, who recently lost his job is at a fork in the road. When they end up as a team in a birding competition, they become friends then lovers but with an expiry date. I did feel like there was a lot of repeating the same internal dialogue, especially with Celeste’s character. But despite this, their path to together is paved with entertaining antics and heartfelt experiences.
Until next time…
What’s everyone else reading?
My Favourite Trope Series: Enemies to Lovers
We know them. We love them. Them being our favourite tropes. And they might the reason we gravitate to certain stories. Within the romance genre there are many subgenres and many tropes. Just like in television and the movies.
It’s important to note that Enemies to Lovers or Hate to Love, although one of my favourites, can come with some challenging or problematic behaviours and scenarios. The power balance is very important in enemies to lovers stories. Unfortunately, there are storylines out there that don’t have that balance. I’m thinking of stories about women who are enslaved or captured and end up in a relationship with their captors.
Even though the main characters must be antagonists, they must both be seen as redeemable. As readers, we’re rooting for both of them even if they have a lot of work to do before they are ready to be in love. There must be tension and conflict but there must also be transformation. They must overcome their mutual acrimony to be able to develop their romantic relationship.
Some of my favourite stories with an Enemies to Lovers trope:
Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery Anne Shirley and Gilbert Blythe (One of my very favourite books!) Young Adult.
Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid, Book 2 in her Game Changers Series. Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov. Swoon. One of my all time favourite romances and Ilya Rozanov is one of my all time favourite characters. The whole series is fantastic. And steamy! MM Romance. Contemporary Romance. Hockey Romance. Canadian Author.
Book Lovers by Emily Henry Contemporary Romance. Romantic Comedy.
Other favourite tropes I’ve covered: Starting Over in a Small Town; and Reunited or Second Chance at Love.
My novel Off The Grid would be definitely fall under the Enemies to Lovers trope!
A committed doctor to Vancouver’s inner city, nothing fazes Sophie Monroe—until a pregnant teenager shows up at her clinic on Christmas Eve requesting sanctuary and claiming the baby’s father is one of the city’s most influential businessmen. Sophie is in over her head and thankful when aid shows up in the form of an attorney who’s a little too confident and a lot too sexy.
Family Law expert Caleb Quinn just wants a date, a chance to prove he isn’t the elitist jerk Sophie assumes. Helping deliver a baby is not what he has in mind. But before long protecting a traumatized teenager and her son become his first priority. Even if saving them pits him against the baby’s father, a childhood friend. A man who will do anything to keep his dark side private.
But justice never comes cheap. Will doing the right thing cost Sophie and Caleb their reputations? Or their lives?
Until next time…
Are you a fan of the Enemies to Lovers trope? If you are, drop any recommendations in the comments!