multicultural romance – Dahlia DeWinters

Old Characters Made New

Sometimes it’s okay to look back. I’m doing an author’s challenge on Instagram, and day 12 asked me about my protagonist. Now, I’m currently working on three stories, editing and updating them for publication. Not such bad work, especially since I’ve been living with these characters for a while. I do best with writing when I’m the most familiar with my characters, at least for a few months. I guess I’ll never be that writer who can pump out a new book every month, and I’m okay with that. I’m working with characters I’ve “known” since 2011-2012 For those of you who have read Second Chance Christmas, know that Naomi and Zach had a story before their Christmas story. Yep. They were the very first story that I submitted for publication. Unfortunately, it was rejected. I then wrote Kitty Wishes, and I never went back to the story. However, I… Continued

photo of rainbow colored painting on canvas

Parlor

Anxious? Get Those Creative Juices Flowing!

Oh, anxiety. We’re all too familiar with that nagging beast, aren’t we? It rears its restless head at the most inconvenient times, leaving us tense and overwhelmed. Not fun! But don’t stress, lovelies. You know by now I’ve got a trick up my proverbial sleeve just for you. Let’s talk about creative playtime. That’s right! Tapping into your creative side can whisk those worries away. Remember “whistle while you work”? I’m talking art, music, dance…anything that sparks the inner muse. Trust me, anxiety doesn’t stand a chance against an actively creative mind. Now I know what you’re thinking… Did he fire six shots or only five? ….wait, that’s not what you’re thinking. What you’re really thinking is: “But I’m not artistic or talented…” My friend, come on, that’s so not true! We ALL have that creative flair within; we just have to reconnect with it. In fact, let your

Writing

#MotivationMonday – 5 Ways to Kickstart Your Muse

We all have those days where we’d rather be writing, but nothing is flowing. Instead we putter around, catch up on programs or simply sit and stare at a blank page. Believe me, you’re not alone. It happens to everyone. I don’t like wasted time, because you never get it back. I try not to dither away time on social media either, because that’s a hole you can get sucked down and not emerge until three hours later. While I do love the cat vids and the cool memes, there’s a time for work and a time for play. This brings me to the point of my post. Sometimes inspiration doesn’t sit waiting for you, you have to run it down and beat it into submission. Inspiration is wonderful. Inspiration can get you writing 5k a day. However, when inspiration decides to take a little break, what do you do?

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Recipe Wednesday – Stewed Chicken with Andouille

My favorite is cold weather cooking – you can turn on the oven, the stove and warm up the kitchen with spicy aroma. This recipe is taken from the Food Network site. Ingredients 6 skinless, boneless chicken thighs (about 1 3/4 pounds), trimmed Kosher salt 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 link andouille sausage (about 3 ounces), chopped 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour 1 3/4 cups low-sodium chicken broth 3 medium red potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch pieces 1 10-ounce package frozen whole baby okra, thawed Juice of 1 lime 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro Directions Cut each chicken thigh into quarters (or 1 1/2-inch pieces, if large). Pat dry and season with 1 teaspoon salt. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add the chicken in a single layer and cook undisturbed until browned, about 4 minutes. Continue to cook,

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Music Monday – Top 5 Elton John Songs

Since I did Billy Joel last week, it’s only fair that I praise my other favorite piano man, Elton John. I first heard of Elton John (to know he was Elton John) during the eighties. Upon further exploration of his discography, I discovered that I had been enjoying his songs for quite a while, even though I hadn’t known who he was. This was back in the olden times of radio and DJs…. Without further ramblings, here’s my top five mix of Elton John songs. As always, they are in no particular order. I’m Still Standing Rollicking upbeat elton. [wpdevart_youtube]ZHwVBirqD2s[/wpdevart_youtube] Goodbye, Yellow Brick Road The vocal riff of “Oh…oh…oh….” is what sells it. [wpdevart_youtube]RZ3Bb4UsXhU[/wpdevart_youtube] The One “All I ever needed was the one……” [wpdevart_youtube]85B_REWeNcM[/wpdevart_youtube] Candle in the Wind His tribute to Marilyn Monroe, and later Princess Diana, still brings a tear to my eye. [wpdevart_youtube]NoOhnrjdYOc[/wpdevart_youtube]

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Music Monday – Top 5 Billy Joel Songs

Heidi-ho, it’s music Monday and I’m here once again to thrill and wow you with my musical choices. Today’s list comes from my piano lessons as a youth. I began piano lessons at the age of five. I hated them. But then by the time I was in middle school, I’d discovered Billy Joel, and thought that I, too, could be Piano Man. Alas, that did not work out, thankfully, I think, but that hasn’t tarnished my love for Bill. Take a gander at my favorite songs (at least today) from this artist. The list is in no particular order. Piano Man The song that started it all. For some reason, I was fascinted by the fact that you could sing and play the piano. (Bear with me,I was kinda young at the time.) [wpdevart_youtube]gxEPV4kolz0[/wpdevart_youtube] Downeaster Alexa The music beneath the melody just makes you feel like you’re