Tuesday, January 01, 2013

Plotting Princesses' New Year's Blog Hop visits Vicki TODAY!



I'm so excited to have everyone visit me today!

Be sure to leave your email address in the comment section to be eligible for the wonderful giveaway:
a copy of "Twinkle Lights" and
"Man Theory and Other Stories."

Here's a fun excerpt from "Twinkle Lights," my Holiday Short story:


"I don't believe it." Hands on hips, I stood in front of the large, white tent. No happy shoppers bustled in and out. No All I Want For Christmas is You blasting from a boom box. No holiday cheer at all.
          Instead, I found under the same ol' Axel's Christmas Trees neon sign, which wasn't flashing, a notice, which looked to be hastily printed and stuck on the tent flap with gray duct tape: Closed. Heart attack. And as an afterthought:  Pray.
          I shook my head, saying to the nippy wind whipping my hair, "Poor Axel. This is horrible. Where will the funds for the Sommerville Hospital come from?"
          My stomach kinked into a hard knot as I hugged my tote to my waist. I'd been buying my Christmas tree here since...forever. Definitely since I was a blossoming idea in my parents' mind. Mom and Dad brought my brother and me to Axel's the first Saturday in December every year for the family tree. Who could forget the ensuing arguments over the perfect one—Mom usually won—and the joy of trimming it.
          All grown up, I continued the tradition. Axel had the most beautiful trees. The stand benefited the hospital; this year, the children's cancer wing where his grandson had undergone treatment for leukemia. He always-always-always stashed aside a seven-foot Fraser fir for me. Nothing spelled Christmas better than a fresh, North Carolina Fraser fir.
          Now what do I do? Where do I go? Should I call Axel's son and see if he needs anything?


Recipe for the hop: Almond Tea, a refreshing summer treat!

2 C water
3 tea bags
4 C water
10 Tbl lemon juice
1 C sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp almond extract

Boil 2 cups of water, steep 3 tea bags for 10 minutes. Boil 4 cups of water with 1 cup of sugar for 5 minutes. Add to tea. Add lemon juice, vanilla and almond extract. Serve over ice!

Grand Prize: One lucky person will receive an ebook/print book from all 10 authors. Grand Prize to be announced on Jan. 12th.

BLOG STOPS EACH DAY ARE LISTED BELOW. (Click on the author's name to take you directly to their blog.
Monday - Dec. 31st ~ Alisha Paige
Tuesday - Jan. 1st ~
Vicki Batman
Wednesday - Jan. 2nd ~
Kathy Ivan
Thursday - Jan. 3rd ~
Michelle Miles
Friday - Jan. 4th ~
Karilyn Bentley


(We're skipping the 5th and 6th since that is the weekend.)
Monday - Jan. 7th ~ Liz Lipperman
Tuesday - Jan. 8th ~
Sasha Summers
Wednesday ~ Jan. 9th ~
Sylvia McDaniel
Thursday ~ Jan. 10th ~
Willa Blair (Guest Princess for a Day)
Friday ~ Jan. 11th ~
Lynn Rush (Guest Princess for a Day)


The more blogs you visit and comment, the more chances to win! So visit with a Princess every day and see all the wonderful books you might win.

15 comments:

Christie W Stevens said...

Happy New Year! May this year be full of great plotting and wonderful stories for all the princesses'!

Penny Estelle said...

Great post Vicki - Look at all your accomplishments! Very impressive. Happy New Year!

Penny Estelle
pennyestelle@yahoo.com

Kathy Ivan said...

Good morning and Happy New Year!!!

You've accomplished a great deal this year and I'm hoping for more great things for you in 2013 (and for me too!)

Congratulations, my friend. Keep writing!

Vicki Batman, sassy writer said...

Thank you, Christie S! Please come back and leave your email. I've already have plans for 2013 up my sleeve.

Thank you so much, Penny! You are too sweet. Happy New Year to you.

Hi, Kathy! I've been busy and have more in store as I know you do too. oxox

Carla Richards said...

Hi Vicki,
Love the excerpt and am definitely going to try out the Almond Tea. It sounds delicious!

Beckey said...

Happy New Year! thanks for sharing the great post..

BeckeyWhiteATgmailDOTcom

Vicki Batman, sassy writer said...

Hi, Carla! Oh do try the almond tea. You can cut down the sugar if you want. We take it every year to Shakespeare in the park and I do indulge! Happy New Year.

Hi, Beckey and you are so welcome. I hope you can check out Twinkle and try the Almond Tea.

Vicki Batman, sassy writer said...

Here's a comment from PC I haven't seen yet.

Great excerpt...thanks for sharing, I'll check this out! And thanks for the tasty tea recipe! Happy 2013!
ivegotmail8889(at)yahoo(dot)com

Marian Lanouette said...

Recipe sounds wonderful, Vicki.
marian.lanouette@sbcglobal.net.

Happy New Year!

Vicki Batman, sassy writer said...

Hi, Marian! Thank you so much for hopping by my site today. You would be just the kind of girl who would like Almond Tea. Let me know if you try is. ox

Unknown said...

Happy New year. Not a big fan of tea myself, but I've got lots of relatives who would love this. Might have to make it for our next get together to keep them happy.

drainbamaged.gyzmo at gmail.com

Alisha said...

That almond tea sounds wonderful! Gotta try it! 2013 will be a big year for you, Vicki!! Keep the great books coming! Hugs!

Elizabeth Essex said...

Wishing you a new year full of new stories and new accomplishments.

And I LOVE this Christmas story, TWINKLE LIGHTS. Such a delight.

Cheers, EE

Play angry Birds said...

Nice article..Interesting blog..Wish you happy new year..

Vicki Batman, sassy writer said...

BeckeyWhite@gmail.com is my winner!!! Thank you so much, Beckey, for the hop by.

Grand prize drawing coming soon.