.@VickiBatman - bring on the popcorn! I'm watching holiday movies #MFRWorg #RLFblog #Christmasmovies

I've started a small list of some of my favorites that are a must-see for me each year. Some are oldies, some are sorta old, some are everlasting. 

* Movie Mom *

Charlie Brown Christmas: is based on the comic strip Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz. Charlie Brown finds himself depressed despite the onset of the cheerful holiday season. Lucy suggests he direct a school Christmas play, but he is both ignored and mocked by his peers. The story touches on the over-commercialization and reminds us of the true meaning of Christmas.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: is a Christmas television special produced in stop motion animation by Rankin/Bass.  The special was based on the Johnny Marks song "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" which was itself based on the 1939 poem Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer written by Marks' brother-in-law.

White Christmas: is a 1954 musical, starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, and Vera-Ellen (amazing dancer!!), loosely based on the 1942 film Holiday Inn and features the songs of Irving Berlin.

Stalag 17: is a 1953 war film which tells the story of a group of American airmen held in a German World War II prisoner of war camp, who come to suspect that one of their number is an informant. It starred William Holden, Don Taylor, Robert Strauss, Neville Brand, Harvey Lembeck, Peter Graves and Otto Preminger in the role of the camp's commandant.

Millions: is a 2004 British comedy-drama film directed by Danny Boyle, and starring Alex Etel, Lewis McGibbon, and James Nesbitt. Two brothers discover a duffle of money and selfishly and selflessly spend it with interesting consequences.

Love, Actually: Ten romantic stories that intertwine, beginning five weeks before Christmas. 

How the Grinch Stole Christmas: is a 1966 American animated television special directed by Chuck Jones (one of the brilliant animators behind Bugs Bunny). Based on the story by Dr. Seuss,  the Grinch trying to take away Christmas from the townsfolk of Whoville below his mountain hideaway.

  


Do you always watch specific holiday movies? What are your favorites? 



While eating chocolate dipped fruitcake, Vicki Batman is having fun with her romantic comedy story, "Holiday Disaster," featured in the Season of Magic anthology. Find Season of Magic at: 

.@VickiBatman - Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope all of you enjoy this blessed day with family and friends. 

That you have great turkey and even better pie!

.@VickiBatman - #handbag Monday's guest doesn't always carry black! author Kayelle Allen #MFRWorg #RLFBlog #PlottingPrincesses #fashion

I am so honored to have my friend, Kayelle Allen, with me today. But seriously, only carries black? 

~Handbag Monday~

And then she shows up with this picture:

This custom made bag features my website colors and was made to my specifications by TrampLeeDesigns on Etsy. How the designer and I met -- she saw one of my tweets on Twitter, followed me, and since I was scheduled to come visit you, Vicki, and talk about a handbag, I visited her shop on Etsy. One thing led to another, and after a bit of discussion about colors and patterns, She helped me come up with this bag. It's a heavy duck-type cotton that can take wear and tear, and the cool "kisses" pattern on the border is also the lining. She made a small zippered clutch for me to carry as well. So directly as a result of being scheduled to do a Handbag Monday, I got a new purse / carryall that I love. How cool is that?

Kayelle, you done well!! And I'm happy your appearance on Handbag Monday led you to a new treasure.

Kayelle Allen's bio: is a multi-published, award-winning author. Her unstoppable heroes and heroines include contemporary every day folk, role-playing immortal gamers, futuristic covert agents, and warriors who purr.

Here's a blurb from A Romance for Christmas: A cop at the door on Christmas Eve brings an unexpected gift.

Find Kayelle at: Website

Find A Romance for Christmas at: Amazon, Nook & more

Thank you for being with me today, Kayelle, and showing off something you might indulge in (go for it!)

#Movie Mom - Saints are around us? Good question See St. Vincent #MRWorg #RLFblog

#Movie Mom 

I've watched a lot of Bill Murray movies and still love Lost in Translation and Ghostbusters. In St. Vincent, he plays an old curmudgeon. So a no brainer--right?

Blurb:  A gambling war veteran retiree is recruited by his new neighbor to watch over her son after school, only his ideas aren't the normal babysitter's. St. Vincent is an American comedy-drama film written and directed by Theodore Melfi, making his feature film debut. The film stars Bill Murray as the title character and features Jaeden Lieberher, Melissa McCarthy, Chris O'Dowd, and Naomi Watts.

Thoughts: Like I said, Bill Murray plays cranky old guy well and you'll figure out why he is the way he is when you see this film. The kid, Chris O'Dowd, and Naomi Watts are fantastic. Melissa McCarthy does her role well, but it could have been done just as well by other actresses. My friend said it resembled a made for TV film. I disagree. There's a lot to take in and I was never bored. The kid's project scene is very good. 

FMI: St. Vincent

.@VickiBatman - crafty mom: fancy stitching or not? #MFRWorg #RLFblog #needlepoint

Recently, I saw fancy pillowcases in a magazine and of course, I said I can do that because I have done that. The cases were embellished with embroidered white flowers. 

Crafty mom

So I happened to be shopping at a local antique mall for a long buffet when I came across a set of vintage pillowcases with just a tiny bit of crocheted edging. They looked to have never been used. I went to ETSY and bought vintage transfers. 

I settled down by my special light next to the couch, put on Survivor and began stitching. Only I was having a dickens of a time. The needle wouldn't go through easily. I decided to buy new ones and did--three packages. Alas, none of those worked well.

I spoke with a friend who is a costume designer and she lamented too about the same problem, noticing specifically in safety pins. She lent me what she thought would work, but no. Didn't.

I appealed to a Facebook site for needlepointers because many of those crafters are like me and do other kinds of projects. They recommended a specific brand of needle which I bought on Amazon. 

Long story short.... Here's the finished project. (sorry about the weird lighting)

I gave them to my friend for her birthday and she says she loves them. lol. 

Have you ever had a craft stump you? 

.@VickiBatman - a chance encounter in an elevator = a new friend Cara Marsi with a green bag on #handbag Monday #MFRWorg #fashion

My friend from the elevator is Cara Marsi. That's right, we met on an elevator and bonded over writing romantic short fiction. She's my guest today on 

*Handbag Monday*

Here's something about Cara: Cara Marsi, an award-winning author and self-proclaimed TV junkie, is a former corporate drone and cubicle dweller. Freed from her fabric-covered cage, she can now indulge her love of all things romance. An eclectic author, Cara is published in romantic suspense, paranormal romance, contemporary romance, and  romance short stories. 

This green Kate Spade bag is my favorite for several reasons: I think it’s beautiful; it’s roomy; it’s green, my favorite color (a green purse even figures prominently in one of my books). And the top reason I love it—I got it half price.

If you’ve never heard of the online discount retailer, Gilt Groupe, hop on over to the internet right now and join. Here’s their site: www.gilt.com. They sell designer clothes and accessories that are overstocks or from the season that just passed. When I saw this bag on their site, I knew I had to have it. But you need to work fast. The deals go quickly. 

What makes me love this even more is soon after I bought it, I was in Nordstrom's and saw the same bag for double what I paid. So it wasn’t last season’s and I really got a deal.

Cara, you wicked girl! This green is gorgeous. I love a good bargain too. 

I'm such a lucky girl because I'm in an anthology with Cara. Her story is "A Cinderella Christmas." Here's a blurb: 

Jessica Gallo no longer believed in fairy tales or happy endings. And she certainly didn’t believe she’d find her Prince Charming at Saks Fifth Avenue. Her Fairy Godmother thought differently. 

Find Season of Magic at: Amazon

Find Cara and the other Season of Magic authors at: Facebook

Thank you so much, Cara, for sharing another lovely Kate Spade!

.@VickiBatman - when something awesome comes my way, I get sobby...it's a good thing! #MFRWorg #RLFblog #Amazon

Late Summer, I was asked to submit a story for a holiday anthology. I had one I could use and eagerly said yes. There's a couple of contemporaries, a Chanukah, a romantic comedy (me!), and a historical story. A nice, something-for-everyone collection priced at 99cents.

We have been getting great reviews. And that is a thrill. To know others value your work as much as you do--wow.

Yesterday, our venture made Amazon's top new seller and historical bestseller lists. Of course, I got sobby. What a happy dance day for us and my little story. 

Hopes and wishes. And holiday kisses...the Season of Magic. 

Wrap yourself in the holiday spirit with five romantic stories filled with fun and forever after. 

Noel Noel Noel by Merry Holly ~ Dumped and lonely, is it possible to find love at the local mall? Noelle thinks not, but a chance encounter with Chase Clayborne while Christmas shopping has her rethinking her rigid set of rules, as sparks flare between them.

A Cinderella Christmas by Cara Marsi ~ Jessica Gallo no longer believed in fairy tales or happy endings. And she certainly didn’t believe she’d find her Prince Charming at Saks Fifth Avenue. Her Fairy Godmother thought differently.

Matchmaker Matchmaker by Bobbi Lerman ~ With Chanukah around the corner, is there enough magic left for a matchmaker to bring Molly's cynical heart back to life.

Holiday Disaster by Vicki Batman ~ The week before Christmas and all is in disarray when a librarian experiences horrible plumbing issues and a Mr. Maintenance Man who isn’t nearly as jolly as Santa Claus. This Christmas is a disaster.

Yuletide Bride by Gerri Brousseau ~ The Dowager Duchess’s decree that her grandson must marry before Twelfth Night or relinquish his title and fortune sends him into a tail spin. Without any prospects and with only two weeks until Christmas will Stuart Nelson find himself destitute or will he find The Yuletide Bride.

Find Season of Magic at: Amazon

Find Season of Magic at: Facebook

Perhaps, you'll be intrigued by these  fine authors and

want to check out their other works. 

Thank you!

#Movie Mom - Into drums? #Whiplash #MFRWorg #RLFBlog

#Movie Mom 

I've got 3 drummers in my family, and when this movie appeared in the previews, it got a resounding yes!!! 

Blurb: A young drummer attending a music academy is selected by the music conductor who will stop at nothing to realize a student's potential. Whiplash is a 2014 American jazz music drama film written and directed by Damien Chazelle. The film stars Miles Teller as a young jazz drummer who attends one of the best music schools in the country under the tutelage of the school’s fearsome maestro of jazz (J. K. Simmons).

Thoughts: Go see this movie. It's not an action/adventure/superhero drama. It's better than that. The drumming is outstanding. The acting is superb and J. K. Simmons should go head to toe with Brad Pitt for the Oscar. The angry scenes were rather upsetting and yeah, that's the way it should be. The ending has a great twist. 

FMI: Whiplash

author Nancy Fraser on Food = Good #MFRWorg #RLFblog #amhungry

I'm privileged to welcome author Nancy Fraser to

 Food = Good

A Romance With Food: Maude’s Chicken and Slick Dumplings

In my latest release, Home is Where The Hunk is (Soul Mate Publishing), both my hero, Evan Carver, and his five-year-old son, Cody, love their housekeeper’s Chicken and Dumplings.


The recipe Maude uses is similar to my own mother’s. Unlike the usual fluffy dumplings, “slick” dumplings are thin and known to slide down your throat so easily you barely realize just how many you’ve actually eaten.


Chicken Stock Base:

1 whole cut up fryer (leave skin on but do try to remove some of the fattier edges)
1 large yellow onion, peeled and cut into chunks
1 T good quality margarine or butter
1 T salt
3 quarts water


Wash the chicken thoroughly before cooking. Rub ½ of the salt into the chicken skin and set aside.


In large pot, melt margarine/butter over medium heat, cook onion until translucent. Add chicken, remaining salt, and water. Boil over medium heat until chicken is cooked through (approx. 40 minutes).

Strain broth from one pot to another to clarify. Set drained chicken aside until cooled enough to remove meat from bones, discarding the bones, skin and cooked onions. Break chicken up into bite-sized pieces and set aside.


Dumpling Stock:

Strained broth (from base)
3-4 medium carrots, peeled and cut into slices
2-3 ribs of celery, trimmed and cut into ¼ inch pieces

Simmer stock and vegetables on medium/low while making dumplings.


Slick Dumplings:

2 cups all-purpose flour
¾ tsp salt
4 Tbsp shortening
6-7 oz. very warm water

In a large bowl, mix flour salt and shortening with fingertips until no lumps remain. The mixture should resemble fine cornmeal.

Make a well in the center and add warm water gradually, stirring to make a soft dough ball.


Flour a clean surface and divide dough into two equal portions. Knead each portion on the floured surface 15-20 times. Roll each portion into a very thin triangle. Cut into 3 inch squares


Turn up the heat under the stock to a light boil. Carefully drop the dumplings one by one into the water. Cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to keep the dumplings from sticking together. Your stock should take on a creamy texture as the dumplings cook. If necessary, cook in two separate batches, removing the first batch to a warm bowl using a slotted spoon. You can add a bit of the broth in the bowl to keep the dumplings warm.


Once all dumplings are cooked, add the cut up chicken to the pot and simmer for 2-3 

A Blurb from Home is Where the Hunk Is: When globe-trotting photographer Allison Cain comes home to her family ranch in Montana it’s to get to know her nephew and to make amends with the widowed brother-in-law she’s left alone to raise his young son.


Evan Carver could never deny his late wife’s younger sister anything, despite the fact she’s been conspicuously absent over the past three years since her sister’s death. Now she’s home again on what she’s called an extended vacation. Evan’s first concern is for his son, Cody, and how his aunt’s visit will affect the five year old when she decides to return to her high profile career.


Allison has no intention of going back to work. In addition to getting to know Cody, she needs to confess her biggest secret to Evan. How do you tell the man you’ve always loved that you’re not just his son’s aunt, but also his mother? 

Find Home is Where the Hunk Is at: Amazon

Find Nancy Fraser at: Website

Thank you, Nancy, for being with me today and for sharing your recipe and the delicious cover!

.@VickiBatman - finally I get my #birthday #handbag #MFRWorg #RLFblog #fashion

It's the truth. Handsome gave me my birthday present six weeks after my birthday. He couldn't find it in his closet--his closet isn't messy.

*Handbag Monday*

I spotted this lovely bag on ETSY and sent the link to Handsome's assistant. I knew she would make sure he bought it. But when my birthday rolled around, we were vacationing and we had a nice dinner to celebrate with a very delicious apple crisp topped with ice cream. 

When we returned home, he didn't give it to me. I would subtly ask and nothing. Finally, I demanded (yes, that sounds strong, but what the heck was up with him?). 

You know how I love needlepoint. This design resembles ribbons. It's flat and has compartments inside. I'm not fond of the shoulder bag handles and will probably change. I think adorable.

How did Handsome do?

And time to celebrate because I have TWO books out:

Blurb for Temporarily Employed: New job. New love. And murder. Desperate for cash to cover the basic necessities, Hattie Cooks takes a temporary job at Buy Rite insurance company where she uncovers an embezzling scam tied to the death of a former employee--the very one she replaced.

Buy Link for Temporarily Employed: Amazon

Blurb for Season of Magic featuring "Holiday Disaster": The week before Christmas and all is in disarray when a librarian experiences horrible plumbing issues and a Mr. Maintenance Man who isn’t nearly as jolly as Santa Clause. This Christmas is a disaster. 

Buy Link for Season of Magic: Amazon

Find out more about Season of Magic at: Facebook

Happy birthday to me? Did someone forget your birthday? 

#Movie Mom - All we need is lots of friendship & understanding: Pride #PlottingPrincesses #MFRWauthors

#Movie Mom

This will sound silly-Handsome and I picked a movie on the show time. It did help we had read about this movie in the paper. We wanted to see another, but its showtimes were 10-ish and 5-ish. Stuck with an available 2-ish, we found Pride.

Boy, are we glad we did! Wonderful!!

Blurb:  A group of lesbian and gay activists raise money to help  a small mining village in Wales which is undergoing the Miner's Strike of 1984 and results in an alliance between the two communities. Starring: Bill Nighy, Imelda Staunton, Paddy Considine, and a superb cast.

My thoughts: I liked this movie a lot. The film focused on many individual characters' growth. It spoke to different groups coming together under the cause of caring for one another. The acting was good. The film moved smoothly along. And at the end, there were movie footnotes which highlighted specific real-life people. I got sobby about the wife who went back to college and became a member of Parliament. 

FMI:  Pride

.@VickiBatman - Welcome author Chris Fey & 30 seconds #PlottingPrincesses #MFRWauthors

I'm so thrilled to have Chris Fey with us. 

Let's get to know a bit about her: 

Chrys Fey is a lover of rock music just like Dani Hart in 30 Seconds. Whenever she's writing at her desk, headphones are always emitting the sounds of her musical muses -especially that of her favorite band, 30 Seconds to Mars, the

inspiration behind the title.

30 Seconds is her second eBook with The Wild Rose Press. Her debut, Hurricane Crimes, is also available on Amazon. She loves to get to know her readers!



In 30 Seconds, my newest romantic-suspense novella, Dani Hart, has a fear of being in a car accident. Her fear stems from a car accident she experienced when she was a teenager that put her in a coma for a year. Upon waking, she didn’t remember her accident or the entire year leading up to it. Doctors warned her parents not to force her memories and to let them return naturally, so Dani went on with her life without answers. 

Dani’s hidden memories are a subplot to 30 Seconds, secondary to the thrilling moments tied to the Mob’s death threat. This subplot manifested due to my own fear of being in a car accident, which is so powerful that I don’t even drive. I never even owned a driver’s license. Yes, really, but I’m not the only person with this problem. Many people have this fear, and it felt right that Dani would too, considering all she lost.

I hope you read 30 Seconds to discover Dani’s memories with her, and to find out if she survives the Mob’s threat.

Blurb:
When Officer Blake Herro agreed to go undercover in the Mob, he thought he understood the risks. But he's made mistakes and now an innocent woman has become their target. He's determined to protect her at all costs.

The Mob's death threat turns Dr. Dani Hart's life upside down, but there is one danger she doesn’t anticipate. As she's dodging bullets, she's falling in love with Blake. With danger all around them, will she and Blake survive and have a happy ending, or will the Mob make good on their threat?

Excerpt:
She panted with fear. What if they see the chest? What if we get caught? What if my breath stinks and I’m breathing right into Officer Hottie’s face? She shut her mouth and let oxygen flow through her nose.

Her eyesight slowly adjusted to the darkness and she could see Officer Herro’s silhouette. His head was turned and he was listening to the thuds of heavy boots getting louder; the intruders were coming their way.

Then the thunder of footsteps sounded right next to them. “There’s no one here, Red,” someone announced.

“Look for documents,” a man ordered, who Dani could only assume was Red. “I want the name of the person I’m going to kill.”

A moment later, there was a reply. “All the mail is addressed to a Dr. Hart.”

Hearing her name said aloud by one of the men who had ransacked her place made her want to gasp. Her mouth fell open and her breath was reversing into her lungs, but before she could make a sound, Officer Herro lowered his lips to hers, silencing her. Stunned, she could only lie beneath him with her eyes wide and her body tense. She couldn't believe he was kissing her. She wanted to push him back, but knew if she did he might hit the inside of the chest, giving away their hiding place. That was when she realized he was kissing her so she wouldn't gasp.

She let her body relax. After her initial shock faded, she was able to feel his lips. They were comforting and caused a reaction deep inside her. She couldn't stop her lips from reacting to his. It was an innocent connection, a soft touch of lips. Until his hand slid from her shoulder to her neck and the kiss deepened into something else.


Find 30 Seconds at:
The Wild Rose Press      Amazon


Find Chris at:
Facebook  Blogsite

Thank you, Chris, for appearance on Handbags, Books...Whatever. I like the scene where the cop kissed her. Ymmm. I found it interesting you incorporated your own car accident into your book. Do you think putting real life events in your work makes your writing more real?

.@VickiBatman - #author Magdalena Scott & green handbag is cheery! #MFRWorg #fashion #accessories

Today's guest, Magdalena Scott, emailed me and said, "Not to laugh. I don't know which one to choose!"

Handbag Monday

I often have that dilemma!

Here's what Magdalena says: Please don't laugh at my funky green clutch. I snagged it toward the end of NeverEndingWinter2013-14. The color cheered me up and helped me believe spring would eventually arrive.

I love the compact size--this summer I detached the strap and slid it into whatever bag would hold my sunglasses, phone and keys. Now that we're in jacket season, the strap is back on and I can leave my apartment with just this little bit of green happiness in my hand, the all-important smart phone and set of keys stashed in jacket pockets. There's a slot for my business cards on the outside, slots inside for all other cards and cash, and a zipper pocket for receipts. 

I live a minimalist life, having downsized from a 3,000 square foot house to a 400 square foot apartment. Lots of items were re-homed, and anything I purchase from now on has to make me smile, be incredibly useful, or both. So far this little bag has easily made the cut.

A blurb from A Legendary Christmas: Ladies of Legend Series: Four Christmas Novellas, a companion boxed set to Love in a Small Town

Santa's Kiss by Jan Scarbrough
Christmas Collision by Magdalena Scott
The Christmas Gift by Janet Eaves
Home For The Holidays by Maddie James

It's Christmas in Legend, Tennessee and there is no finer place to visit than this small mountain town, sitting snug and cozy in the Great Smoky Mountains. You may have been here before, when Midnight Shelby came to town to find herself, or when Jane Smith switched places with her famous twin sister at her high school reunion. Or perhaps, you'll remember meeting up with Lilly Peach when she escaped to Legend with only her life, and found an entire town to watch her back. And then there was Suzie Matthews, chef and owner of the local B&B, who cooked up a sexy dream of her own.

All of these characters are still living in Legend. Plus you'll find some new friends, too. After all, it's Christmastime! People are coming home, visiting family, escaping their regularly scheduled lives, and maybe settling a few misunderstandings.

We hope you enjoy visiting this magical town of Legend. Whether it's your first visit, or you've been here before, we hope you enjoy your stay. We are pleased to share these stories with you. Eggnog, anyone?

Find A Legendary Christmas boxed set at: Amazon

Find Magdalena at: Website

What do you think of Magdalena's color? 

.@VickiBatman is happy to help launch Liz Crowe's newest featuring the #LoveBros #MFRWorg

Love Garage, Book 1: January 5, 2015 (ebook), March 14, 2015 (Print)

Blurb: Antony Love is the quintessential responsible oldest brother of a boisterous, Italian/Irish family, placed in charge at a young age by his parents who are busy running the family business. He manages his siblings with a fair but iron hand, until his life is shattered by personal tragedy leaving him the shell of the man he once was.

When outspoken matriarch Lindsay Halloran Love becomes ill, the youngest brother Aiden shows up at Antony's garage, having dropped out of school (again), needing work and a place to crash. Antony provides both, with three caveats: "Don't smoke in my truck, don't be late for work, and don't mess with my girlfriend."

But Aiden Love, budding novelist, gets one glimpse of Rosalee Norris, young widow of Antony's lifelong best friend and all bets are off.