PANDEMIC GRATITUDE
Did you survive Halloween? I’m so glad! We didn’t go out, but the spouse and I did make caramel apple shortbread cookies as a fun activity for the day.
We called up the nieces and nephew on Friday and colored Halloween pictures with them for a while. The oldest girl, age eleven, told us the entire plot of The Hatchet in detail. I’m so glad she’s becoming more interested in reading!
On Halloween, we watched Hotel Transylvania in the afternoon and Nick’s favorite Halloween movie, called Trick ‘r Treat, after the sun set. Trick ‘r Treat is four stories that take place at the same time and is a fun (though it’s gory) film.
Looking for a scary movie with a smart, empathetic message? On Friday night I checked out His House, which just came out on Netflix. Two South Sudanese refugees arrive in England and are given a house until the government figures out what to do with them. The walls are full of ghosts, but none of it is what you think. I thought it was an excellent movie.
THIS WEEK’S BLOG POSTS
Although many of you mentioned not being the type of reader who enjoys werewolf (or maybe paranormal in general) books, I appreciated all the kind words about my Seasons of the Moon review! I’m glad my enthusiasm came through, and I can’t wait to read the next series in S.M. Reine’s huge collection called The Descentverse.
You many not be into scary creatures, but plenty of folks expressed enthusiasm for reading about a murderous octogenarian! You guys are funny. An Elderly Lady is Up to No Good is a dark comedy, if that’s your jam.
NEXT WEEK’S BLOG POSTS
I’m so grateful that Monica Nolan, author of the lesbian career girl series, agreed to participate in my Meet the Writer series. Get to know the wonderful writer who woos us with women on Tuesday. (Why did I use so many alliterative words, you ask? It’s Nolan’s pulp style. Here’s a small sample: “When Mrs. DeWitt’s will revealed a missing daughter, Pam found a project to pull her out of her pandemic doldrums.”)
To those of you who asked if Vianne Rocher from Chocolat would return to the village where we first met her, the answer is yes. And it’s changed a great deal. Find out more when you read my review of Peaches for Monsieur le Curé on Thursday.
BOOKS ADDED TO THE TBR PILE
When I finished the mystery novel Larger Than Death this weekend, the e-book shared information about the publisher. I did not know this, but Pearlsong Press only publishes books that do not encourage fatphobia or dieting. They’re totally about size acceptance! Many of their books star fat characters, but not all. The website and book covers look dated, but titles have links to purchase works through Google, Amazon, etc. I’m truly stoked to find a new press to support!
Grab the Lapels 
I like the idea of Syd Arthur, it sounds like Hinduism for Poms (Brits, if you don’t understand Australian). I spent Halloween out in the desert under a full moon. No ghosts out there (I might have swerved around a werewolf. Or was it a dingo?). Those Monica Nolans have the best covers. Looking forward to another great interview.
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I do not understand Australia, so thanks for the heads up! When I read your comment to Nick, he said, “DON’T! HIT! BINGO!” I agree, though I’m not sure I want you to hit a werewolf, either. I’ve grown fond of them after finishing my latest S.M. Reine series.
Monica Nolan’s book covers are wonderful and nostalgic. The writing is fun, too, with that over-the-top, old-timey alliteration that I associate with news folks of black-and-white TV days.
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Oh dear, those covers ARE pretty dated aren’t they, what a shame, as what a great idea behind the publisher. I love the look of those cookies, too, yum!
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It’s hard to create a small- or self-published cover if on a strict budget that may not include a professional cover artist. Images are copyright protected, etc.
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I know, I had someone on Fiverr.com design my covers for a while (it was more than $5 for what she did for me and I used her for five books where she could use a template she’d created at the start so I felt OK about that just about) then did my own one from Amazon’s offerings for my last one. I wasn’t criticising but it’s just a shame as it’s likely to put people off a bit.
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The caramel apple shortbread cookies look delicious! It sounds like you had a very nice Halloween. We did too. My kids didn’t go trick-or-treating. Instead, we did a Halloween candy hunt in the yard with my nephews. They are the only people we’ve seen for more than 10-15 minutes since the pandemic started. My kids said it’s the best Halloween they’ve ever had. I’m glad something about 2020 went well.
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Awwww, what a nice thing for your girls to say!! It’s so easy for kids to be down about celebrating holidays differently this year, so it’s kind of them to understand that things are hard and there are other ways to have fun. My nieces and nephew had a taco pinata in the yard, lol.
The only people I’ve seen since the pandemic started are co-workers/people who come into the library. We’ve visited no one. To ease the sadness, my mom and I started a video book club (just the two of us) that meets twice per week.
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LOVE Trick R Treat! Those cookies look damn good too! 🙂
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Thanks! When I watch Trick ‘r Treat, I’m always surprised. I remember how cute Sam is and how smart Ronda is, and then it’s like, “Oh, crap! That’s kinda gory!”
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Wow, I love the fact that that publihing house has that wonderful mandate. This is why books and publishing is so great! Publish what you want AND make the world a better place!!!
Never heard of Trick r Treat but my husband and I watched the Adam Sandler movie, and yes it’s silly, but we really loved it. Perfect for Halloween watching after the kids went to bed 🙂
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I had a lot of fun with the werewolf plot line in Hubie Halloween, and when we figure out who the Michael Myers-esque character is? Totally fun.
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Yes, love Rob Schneider!
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We watched Hotel Transylvania too! We opted to avoid trick-or-treating this year and went to my in-laws and had a candy hunt in their yard. It made for a really relaxing weekend.
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That sounds perfect! I also watched Hotel Transylvania 2 last night. I love how all the creatures are now “old” and worn out.
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I’m sure I’ve seen the 2nd one but I really don’t remember it. Maybe that will be the next movie choice for us!
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I hope so! The little boy, Dennis, is so cute.
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Is Sandcastle Beach coming out so soon?! I just finished Paradise Cove and greatly enjoyed it. I read it over the course of two days and it just flew. Without reading a synopsis I’d put hard money on this book being about Law and Maya. Just sayin’. Then all the couples are together! 🙂
I’m glad you found a publishing company that does not encourage fatphobia or dieting. I hope that EVERY book they publish is a winner and I cannot wait to hear about what works for you. Do you have any particular book selected to read next?
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Santcastle Beach is coming out early 2021, so I’m stoked. It is about Maya and Law, and I hope there are loads of theater-related shenanigans.
The first book I have planned from Pearl Song Press is called Unconventional Means: The Dream Down Under because Bill is following along with Reading Australia month, and I want to join just a tiny bit.
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Theatre and happy hour related shenangins! I love the bar scene Law is in charge of. It sounds so fun. And, honestly, each time Maya gets a glass of wine I’ve craved it. There’s something about Holiday’s writing that makes me interested in their food. Typically, I don’t really get too into the food aspects of writing… but perhaps it’s just a pregnancy thing. XD
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I was surprised at how horrible their food sounded! LOL! Every night the lady in Paradise Cove ate frozen bar pizza. How is she not gassy with a defiant gall bladder???
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But it wasn’t frozen bar pizza! It WAS frozen pizza in book 1, but people ordered “pizza” so often that Law made his friends help him create a pizza oven so he could create pizza from scratch. It was artisan pizza, my friend. I know because the baby craved it regularly. Even pepperoni. I don’t even eat pepperoni!
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Oh! That’s right. I read the books backwards, so it’s like they reverted from fire-burning pizza oven to Uncle Tony’s Frozen Nonsense Pizza.
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HAHAHA. It’s one of the few plot points that probably matters from a chronological perspective, honestly. 😉
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I’m glad you had a decent Halloween, even at home! Those cookies look delicious. I didn’t get to celebrate much beyond wearing my Halloween socks, but I don’t mind getting my spooks in out of season. Thanks for the tip about His House- it sounds like a good watch!
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Oooh, I think you especially would enjoy it. The running around in the dark can scare viewers, so maybe watch with lights on if you startle easily, lol.
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