"If not us, who? If not now, when?." ~ John F. Kennedy
#HappyMarch! What better way to celebrate a new month than with a fav quote and new word to inspire you?! I think the Carpe Diem inspired questions of the former President are perfect for the je ne sais quoi of my post today. As for words, fecundity, is my choice for fav March lexeme (TYSM Brenda B., had to look this one up): The condition of being prolific; The use of imagination or original ideas to create something.
In between #editing, #writing, #reading, and having a #bookcover reveal this past week (WooHoo!), I've decided it's time for a 3rd month #reset of sorts (and I must find this leather/feather ensemble☝ in the feature pic... #FashionGoals). I'll be purging a few habits that are more of a #timesuck and not contributing to my #literary and #life goals I'd like to achieve throughout 2021.
For my #WritersLife, this includes optimizing time on social media; spending more time researching topics I want to learn about; experimenting with different writing/release strategies; and in general, participating in more value add marketing/business activities than I've done the past year.
For my #VZone (as in Veronica's Zone) goals, being brutally honest is never an easy thing as you evaluate what #lifestyle, #diet, and #exercise routines work (or not). Inventory assessments and the resulting adjustments, especially when you're entering the second year of a global pandemic can be brutal. But with this new month of March, the promise of #Spring and new #growth are in the air. (And did I say #fashion?)
I know how much I can accomplish when I'm immersed in the things I love doing, so for the remaining days of this March #VZone trial, it will be strictly #VBest. This includes a new vitamin regimen, organic/fresh foods (buh-bye processed chemicals), exercise (yoga for me--I'm not as adventurous as a certain southern Belle I know and love who is rocking her roller blades), mini-trips, fashion (Kate Spade glitter sneakers I💖U) and re-reading some classic tales (Hello E.A. Poe). It's fecundity in the #VZone!
Who knows what will result from my little March #reset---but I'm very much looking forward to finding out! It's Wednesday, time for #DearDiary:
#Halloween is Coming---the #BookCover Reveal for Tangled Webs, The Haunted Book 2 by Bibiana Krall and VCB!
Now I know a few of you might think we're pushing the holiday envelope by talking about #Halloween in March (hello B.B.), but hey, birthing a book takes time--why not enjoy the baby steps that occur between writing a book and its release? Most of you know by now I'm kinda into celebrating (re; #cocktails), so when Bibiana and I had our new book cover for book 2 of The Haunted Series (thanks once again to my talented step-daughter, Danielle Gregorio), we decided to get this Tangled Webs party started. Of course, the talented Bibiana Krall designed and produced a fabulous #book trailer for the event--turn up the sound and take a listen! Six scary tales that will take you places--Tangled Webs will release #LaborDay2021, just in time to get those #Halloween vibes going! You can preorder here:
And yes, Virginia, there is a spider #web crown...💖🎇👑
Twins in the City: Playtime at Castlewood Manor, #Blurbs and #WordRefining
The last of the edits with the fabulous Theresa Snyder have been completed on the manuscript and now it's over to the word refining eyes of Mark Schultz! I am always amazed by what Mark's eagle eyes manage to find. I've put in extra time this #editing go round to see if I can escape the odd punctuation or misspelled word that always seems to remain hidden. Have I succeeded? Um, bets are with Mark, LOL. Quality matters #WritingCommunity! You can check out Mark's services here:
It's all about the #Blurbs!
Most writers I know don't particularly like doing book blurbs and elevator pitches for their books. How do you summarize a 300+ story into <250 words, or gasp, 240 characters for a Tweet to pitch your masterpiece? Thanks to a weekly Twitter challenge (#SatSplat, hosted by Bob Johnson aka @craytusjones Friday nights/Saturday), I think I have an elevator pitch for Twins in the City. What do you think?
A society maven's suspicious death sets off a trail of deception, thievery & tragedy as Lady Gemma & family depart the sunny shores of Bermuda to search for a city home in London. An unexpected revelation jolts Gemma's world, culminating in a royal night of terror.
And for the Back #BookCover Blurb (many thanks to Amy Reade, Theresa Snyder and Bibiana Krall) Thoughts?:
For Lady Gemma Lancaster Williams, the American Marchioness of Kentshire, the next month will be filled with fun in the sun and an eye-popping house hunt in London with her husband, Sir Kyle, their twins, and Scottish Nanny Figgy. The shores of Bermuda are a welcome respite for the genteel family as they enjoy romantic evenings and daytime jaunts to the beach at the exclusive Princess Resort.
The Who’s Who of Bermuda clamor around Lady Gemma and Sir Kyle, including the director and producer of a Theatreland pop-up play who want Gemma’s actress mama, Jillian Phillips, to be their leading lady. When the play’s society patron’s suspicious death occurs, it sets off a trail of deception, thievery & nefarious deeds that follow Lady Gemma as she and her family depart the scenic, island shores to search for their city home.
The house-hunt is on, taking the almost-royal couple on a tour of the opulent homes of Notting Hill, Belgravia, Knightsbridge, and the prestigious Kensington Palace Gardens aka Billionaire’s Boulevard. The royals want Lady Gemma and Sir Kyle as neighbors as the final selection looms, but will fate intervene? A gala at the palace, a former Queen’s jewels, and a shocking revelation from the past jolts Lady Gemma’s and Sir Kyle’s world. As a villainous scheme turns an idyllic evening into a royal night of terror, will their life ever be the same?
Ancient lands and travel through time this week from the writers of Twitter...
Author Denise Billups, Keepers of the Gate, Twilight Ends Book 1, 5⭐
Twilight Ends is a grand Victorian B&B on the shores of Seneca Lake, a region in New York filled with the history of the Iroquois Confederacy that inhabited and worked the lands centuries ago. The Newhouse family have been dedicated innkeepers, vowing to keep their legacy intact--away from outsiders who try and make claim.
Matriarch Tessa has lovingly cared for the magical property. When she passes, it is up to her loyal friends and family to take on the care of the inn, as mysterious secrets are revealed to the new generation of innkeepers. When artifacts are found by an ancient tree, spirits of the past make themselves known. Tessa's daughter, Skylar and granddaughter, Twyla delve through the family's past to decipher the influx of paranormal incidents at the inn. Will they learn the secrets of their heritage and the unique responsibility it entails?
Author Billups takes us on a mystic journey of a family's legacy that crosses over the barriers of time. I thoroughly enjoyed this tale of a family's unique legacy and the extraordinary powers of the universe we are only just beginning to understand. An engaging read that will keep you wanting to know more--highly recommended!
Next in the #reading queue:
See you later today on the #BOOKEM YouTube Channel!
Join Bibiana Krall on a quirky island in coastal Georgia to talk about the new book she's intrigued by, why reading and heroines of all kinds are important and hear a bit more about her new release with Veronica Cline Barton on pre-order, Tangled Webs #2 (The Haunted Series). Be there or be🟪 !
Crowns and Kisses,
Veronica
P.S. I am over the moon tuning into Stanley Tucci's Sunday night food show on CNN, Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy! The #scenery, the #food, the #history---#CiaoBella! It's a very, good thing, click below for the CNN trailer...Gemma and Rikkhe most definitely approve! 💖👑 Buon Appetito!
Photo courtesy of Yahoo Entertainment
P.S.S. My enquiring almost-royal mind will not be watching a certain interview on March 7th. Nuff said--best to gird your loins me thinks....#JustSayin 💖👑
This was such an incredible post. From fecundity to fashion to lifestyle choices as spring nears, I loved all of it. And it came to my inbox at the perfect time--I was just having many of those same thoughts myself. Coincidence? I don't think so.
I love the new cover, love the trailer, and love the blurb and back cover copy!! You're rockin' it this week, V! xo