Thursday, July 26, 2012
Staying Immersed
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Tuesday Trivia
I don't know why, but I've always enjoyed trivia! Maybe it's because in this day and age when we're bombarded with so much bad news, it's fun to focus on information that is totally random (even if you don't think you'll ever actually need that information, haha). ~ So below I've listed some assorted trivia "facts"---I have not actually checked to determine if these are indeed accurate, but I did locate them from reliable sources. :)
TUESDAY TRIVIA
52% of Americans drink coffee. (*okay, I'm surprised this number isn't higher!)
A chimpanzee can learn to recognize itself in a mirror, but monkeys can't. (*so don't bother buying your favorite monkey a mirror for his/her next birthday!)
A cow gives nearly 200,000 glasses of milk in her lifetime.
Berry College (in Rome, Georgia) has the world's largest college campus. (Wow!)
American and Russian space flights have always included chocolate.
One plain milk chocolate candy bar has more protein than a banana.
A sneeze can exceed the speed of 100 mph. (*hmmmm...don't let your sneezes get any traffic tickets!)
~ ~ ~ Hope you enjoyed this bit of trivia today! ~ ~ A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance. Proverbs 15:13
TUESDAY TRIVIA
52% of Americans drink coffee. (*okay, I'm surprised this number isn't higher!)
A chimpanzee can learn to recognize itself in a mirror, but monkeys can't. (*so don't bother buying your favorite monkey a mirror for his/her next birthday!)
A cow gives nearly 200,000 glasses of milk in her lifetime.
Berry College (in Rome, Georgia) has the world's largest college campus. (Wow!)
American and Russian space flights have always included chocolate.
One plain milk chocolate candy bar has more protein than a banana.
A sneeze can exceed the speed of 100 mph. (*hmmmm...don't let your sneezes get any traffic tickets!)
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Kudos for Keli!
Christian author Keli Gwyn has written a novel that I am loving! A Bride Opens Shop in El Dorado, California is Keli's first book, but I feel certain this author will have many, many more published books in her writing future. ~ I'm not quite finished reading it yet (*confession--I'm a slow reader*) but am thoroughly enjoying this fun story. ~ Set in California's Sierra Foothills in 1870, this charming romance is keeping me turning pages to see what happens next....In fact, I interrupted my reading to post this quick blog, but am about to dive back into the story! ~ And just for fun, I've posted a photo of my cat Delilah as she "PAWSed" to take a look at Keli's book---and yep! Delilah thinks it's a PURR-fect book to read.
Also, THANKS to everyone who visited the other day when I posted my interview with sweet Keli. A special THANK YOU to Keli Gwyn for taking time to answer my questions, and CONGRATULATIONS to Amy Campbell, who won the drawing for a copy of Keli's book!
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Interview with Author Keli Gwyn
I am thrilled to feature award-winning novelist Keli Gwyn on my blog, and she's graciously answered some questions below. But first, here's a little background info. on sweet Keli, my "California friend"!
Author Keli Gwyn writes stories that transport readers to the 1800s, where she brings historic towns to life with colorful characters and a hint of humor. ~ Keli lives with her husband and their 2 skittish but beautiful kitties (pictured below) in her native California. Her debut novel, A Bride Opens Shop in El Dorado, California releases July 2012 from Barbour Publishing. ~ To learn more about Keli, visit her website at http://www.keligwyn.com
1. Welcome Keli! Please tell us a little about your book and how you chose the setting.
KELI: Widow Elenora Watkins is determined to provide for herself and her daughter without relying on anyone else. Can she run a successful business after falling for the competition? Miles Rutledge finds himself willing to do anything to keep Elenora in town. But can he win her heart while putting her out of business? ~ I'm a California native and love the historic Gold Country where I live. I wanted to bring the area to life in my stories. While El Dorado is a sleepy suburb now, it was a thriving town in its heyday. When I read about the town's leading merchant, a mercantile owner named James B. Wetherwax, I was intrigued and wanted to know more about him. However, I couldn't find much information, but being a writer, I could imagine such a man--and I created the hero of my story. ~ Widower Miles Rutledge has the most successful business in town, the most impressive building, and is well liked, but he doesn't have a woman in his life. Along comes Elenora Watkins and her shop across the street.
2. Where do you do most of your writing? (Office, coffee shop, etc.?)
KELI: I write in the privacy of my own home. Since I often speak lines of dialogue out loud, make faces to make sure I'm getting my gestures right, and act out scenes while I work, I would be afraid to write in public. People think I'm goofy enough as it is when my characters and I chat while I'm on my walks. :)
3. Have you always wanted to be an author?
KELI: Pretty much. My dream of being a published author was born when I was seven. Forty years passed before I dusted off that dream and began writing my first story. Six and a half years later, I'm holding my book in my hand, proving dreams really can come true.
4. Have you always lived in California?
KELI: I was born and raised in California and have spent most of my life here, but I did live two other places. I spent a couple of years in Washington State in my twenties. Gwynly and I lived in Germany four and a half years early in our marriage, where he was a teacher in an American military high school. We were there from 1989-1993 and got to witness the end of the Cold War, fall of the Wall, and reunification of Germany up close and personal. Upon returning to the states, we settled in Placerville and have lived here ever since.
5. What are your favorite foods?
KELI: If we're talking sit-down restaurants, Mexican tops the list and Italian comes next. When it comes to fast food, I like Taco Bell, Panda Express, and Wendy's.
6. Do you have a favorite vacation spot?
KELI: I'm a real homebody who is happiest right here in our cozy house. I do enjoy day trips to Lake Tahoe, which is just an hour away, and to other historic towns in the Gold Country. ~ Since I've gotten to see much of Europe, I think my travel bug has been satisfied, but if we were to take a trip there again, I'd start by visiting Nurnberg, Germany, where we lived. I'd like to return to my favorite spots: Garmish, at the base of the German Alps; Salzburg, Austria; and Grindlewald, Switzerland. The Lord outdid Himself when He created those places.
7. Do you have any pets?
KELI: We have two skittish cat brothers. They were feral cats, and even though we took them in when they were just a few weeks old, they don't trust other people. When people come to visit, all they see is a flash of orange and white as the boys make a break for the bedroom. ~ Dandy, the mellow one of the two, is partial to Gwynly. Sandy and I are more high maintenance, so we understand one another. Both cats are good company and keep our Empty Nest from feeling quite as empty as it could otherwise. ~ ~ Thanks so much for hosting me here on your lovely blog, Patti Jo. What fun to spend time with you and your blog's visitors. I have a question for them. What historical events have you witnessed firsthand? If you haven't witnessed any, what historical event has impacted you the most?
~ ~ Leave a comment to be entered in the drawing for a copy of Keli's book. ~ Thanks again for visiting my Corner today, Keli, and I cannot wait to read your book!!
Author Keli Gwyn writes stories that transport readers to the 1800s, where she brings historic towns to life with colorful characters and a hint of humor. ~ Keli lives with her husband and their 2 skittish but beautiful kitties (pictured below) in her native California. Her debut novel, A Bride Opens Shop in El Dorado, California releases July 2012 from Barbour Publishing. ~ To learn more about Keli, visit her website at http://www.keligwyn.com
1. Welcome Keli! Please tell us a little about your book and how you chose the setting.
KELI: Widow Elenora Watkins is determined to provide for herself and her daughter without relying on anyone else. Can she run a successful business after falling for the competition? Miles Rutledge finds himself willing to do anything to keep Elenora in town. But can he win her heart while putting her out of business? ~ I'm a California native and love the historic Gold Country where I live. I wanted to bring the area to life in my stories. While El Dorado is a sleepy suburb now, it was a thriving town in its heyday. When I read about the town's leading merchant, a mercantile owner named James B. Wetherwax, I was intrigued and wanted to know more about him. However, I couldn't find much information, but being a writer, I could imagine such a man--and I created the hero of my story. ~ Widower Miles Rutledge has the most successful business in town, the most impressive building, and is well liked, but he doesn't have a woman in his life. Along comes Elenora Watkins and her shop across the street.
2. Where do you do most of your writing? (Office, coffee shop, etc.?)
KELI: I write in the privacy of my own home. Since I often speak lines of dialogue out loud, make faces to make sure I'm getting my gestures right, and act out scenes while I work, I would be afraid to write in public. People think I'm goofy enough as it is when my characters and I chat while I'm on my walks. :)
3. Have you always wanted to be an author?
KELI: Pretty much. My dream of being a published author was born when I was seven. Forty years passed before I dusted off that dream and began writing my first story. Six and a half years later, I'm holding my book in my hand, proving dreams really can come true.
4. Have you always lived in California?
KELI: I was born and raised in California and have spent most of my life here, but I did live two other places. I spent a couple of years in Washington State in my twenties. Gwynly and I lived in Germany four and a half years early in our marriage, where he was a teacher in an American military high school. We were there from 1989-1993 and got to witness the end of the Cold War, fall of the Wall, and reunification of Germany up close and personal. Upon returning to the states, we settled in Placerville and have lived here ever since.
5. What are your favorite foods?
KELI: If we're talking sit-down restaurants, Mexican tops the list and Italian comes next. When it comes to fast food, I like Taco Bell, Panda Express, and Wendy's.
6. Do you have a favorite vacation spot?
KELI: I'm a real homebody who is happiest right here in our cozy house. I do enjoy day trips to Lake Tahoe, which is just an hour away, and to other historic towns in the Gold Country. ~ Since I've gotten to see much of Europe, I think my travel bug has been satisfied, but if we were to take a trip there again, I'd start by visiting Nurnberg, Germany, where we lived. I'd like to return to my favorite spots: Garmish, at the base of the German Alps; Salzburg, Austria; and Grindlewald, Switzerland. The Lord outdid Himself when He created those places.
7. Do you have any pets?
KELI: We have two skittish cat brothers. They were feral cats, and even though we took them in when they were just a few weeks old, they don't trust other people. When people come to visit, all they see is a flash of orange and white as the boys make a break for the bedroom. ~ Dandy, the mellow one of the two, is partial to Gwynly. Sandy and I are more high maintenance, so we understand one another. Both cats are good company and keep our Empty Nest from feeling quite as empty as it could otherwise. ~ ~ Thanks so much for hosting me here on your lovely blog, Patti Jo. What fun to spend time with you and your blog's visitors. I have a question for them. What historical events have you witnessed firsthand? If you haven't witnessed any, what historical event has impacted you the most?
Monday, July 2, 2012
The Doctor's Devotion
Christian author Cheryl Wyatt has a contemporary romance book available right now, and I highly recommend it. Her latest book from the LOVE INSPIRED line is The Doctor's Devotion, which is set in a small Illinois town and follows the story of two medical workers overcoming past losses. ~ I really enjoy Cheryl's style of writing, because she keeps the story moving, her characters are very believable, and I never know what's coming next! Most importantly, the story is a great example of how the Lord works in lives and turns hopeless situations into hopeful ones! ~ The Doctor's Devotion is available only for the month of July, so hurry and get your copy right away if you enjoy contemporary romance.
KEY VERSE from the story: May the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace. Numbers 6:26
KEY VERSE from the story: May the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace. Numbers 6:26
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