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Thyra was my second interview. We will both have stories in the winter historical anthology published by the New Romance Cafe, Kisses and Other Scandalous Pastimes. Thank you for being a part of my journey as a writer and interviewer. I hope someday to meet in person. Today I have the luxury of visiting with a new writer friend, Thyra Dane. Some may recognize her … Continue reading Interview with Thyra Dane
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In lieu of new author interviews during the weeks leading to Thanksgiving, I’d like to thank the authors who first gave me a chance to interview them for my Creekside Cafe. Donna Steele was my first interview and I’d like to take a moment to honor her kindness and friendship as well as update her interview. Those of you who read the original interview, thank … Continue reading Interview at Creekside Cafe with Donna Steele
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By Nora Roberts This was a hard book to start. Nora Roberts writes her characters so well that I felt as if I were the fifteen-year-old girl hiding in the bathroom while her friends were shot down in the mall theater. Simone Knox kept her head and dialed 9-1-1, her early response saved lives. Reed Quartermain was home from college working at the mall and … Continue reading Shelter in Place
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Do you get discouraged by your word count? Do you have one week that is really fantastic and another that is just not something to be proud of? Yeah, well that’s me. Some days, some weeks I have so much going on at work, with my life, in my head that I don’t get the word count I’d hope for. Doing NaNoWriMo this month, we … Continue reading Fluctuating Word Count
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also known as Merry Simmons I am thrilled to welcome Hannah Meredith to Creekside Café, my dream job if I ever win the lottery or get a million-dollar movie deal, for now, the café only exists on my website. Hannah and I are both members of Romance Writers of America and our local Heart of Carolina RWA. We met at local meeting and became friends. … Continue reading A Warm Friendly Chat with Hannah Meredith
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The Spitfire: Wicked Wallflowers by Christi Caldwell Narrated by Tim Campbell Audiobook Clara Winters dreams of leaving behind her old life at the mercy of controlling men and opening her music hall. No matter how many times she is knocked down, she is bounces back up. When she discovers a man being assaulted on the streets of East London, she knows if she doesn’t intervene, … Continue reading The Spitfire: Wicked Wallflowers
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An abundance of cans of black beans and the loom of NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) on the horizon, I decided to prepare a few meals ahead for those crazy weeks when I needed to write or attend meetings and my husband still wanted to eat. I’m not sure why he feels he should have to eat EVERY day but like the family pets, he … Continue reading Black Bean Chili for NaNoWriMo
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My first week of NaNoWriMo 2019 I’m not sure what I expected this week during the first week of NaNoWriMo. My only other experience with NaNo in 2015 was more harrowing. As an inexperienced writer who usually only made five-hundred words per day, trying to triple my output to make my NaNo goal wasn’t easy. I had to really push myself to write every day. … Continue reading My Reflections of NaNoWriMo
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It is so nice to have author Maida Malby here at Creekside Café. Welcome Maida, have you ever been to North Carolina before? Maida: Yes, I have. The first time I came to the US was in 1994 as a participant in the YMCA International Camp Counselors Program. I was assigned to the Sandy Ridge Girl Scout Camp in Bennettsville, SC for two months. I … Continue reading Enjoying the Breeze with Maida Malby
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What Doesn’t Kill Her by Christina Dodd Narrated by Vanessa Johansson When your whole life is built on a lie and you are living a constant nightmare it is difficult to trust anyone, even the man you love. For Kellen Adams, the person she trusts the least is herself. A year-long memory gap, a nightmare and a seven-year-old daughter she never knew threaten to undermine … Continue reading What Doesn’t Kill Her by Christina Dodd
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Read by Hollis McCarthy (Chirp) This cozy mystery is the first in the Blackmore Sisters Series. The setting is the small, oceanside town of Noquitt, Maine. A huge family home the sisters are trying to save and a legacy of tall tales, family lore and antiques still to uncover. Their home, family history and even their cat are somewhat mysterious. What is even more of … Continue reading Dead Wrong by Leigh Ann Dobbs
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Today I’d like to introduce science fiction author and producer, Joe Pranaitis. It’s great to have you here, Joe. I believe you are my first sci-fi author. Welcome to my Creekside Café. Joe: Hello Sherri, thank you for having me. Sherri: My husband and sons are all Star Trek, Babylon 5 and Star Wars fans. Your parents first introduced you to science fiction? The books … Continue reading Star Gazing at the Cafe with Science Fiction Author, Joe Pranaitis
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For years I have suffered a debilitating disease of UNABLE to Plot. I’ve taken classes and courses, bought books and listened to other authors, but when it comes down to plotting and outlining, I freeze up. This year for NaNoWriMo, after listening to several YouTube videos and webinars, I decided to give it another try. In the past when I thought of outlining my story … Continue reading What Happens When a Pantser Plots?
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Second Chances with all the FEELS This was an amazing story. I started crying with the opening sentence and found myself laughing, crying and falling in love with these characters. As the mother of a former soldier who served two tours in Afghanistan, this story touched my heart right from the beginning. I thought Michele handled the PTSD and the main character, Jackson’s loss of … Continue reading Finding Hope by Michele Brown
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Tirza Schaefer, it is great to have you at my Creekside Café, this is my virtual café where I meet the most interesting people from all over the world. If I ever win the lottery it would be my dream job, a place to write, drink coffee and talk to other writers and readers. Tirza: That sounds absolutely beautiful! I’ll be a regular guest there! … Continue reading Coffee on the Porch with Author, Tirza Schaefer
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Part of my Prepping for NaNo Series In most stories there is more than one character. Even in Tom Hank’s Cast Away, Wilson, the soccer ball became a secondary character in the story. He didn’t talk much but he was an important part of the story. In some stories the weather, as in The Perfect Storm or even an animal as in Jaws may be … Continue reading The Role of Secondary Characters and Their Importance to the Story
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With NaNoWriMo coming up I’m thinking ahead to fast and easy recipes. I love rotisserie chicken. I often pick up one for my husband and I on days I’ve spent shopping or running errands and don’t want to cook. Since it is now just the two of us at home, after the first meal we are left with half a chicken or more. While I … Continue reading Leftover Rotisserie Chicken Ideas
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Today I’d like to welcome K G Fletcher, “The Singing Author” to Creekside Café. Wow, when I was doing my research for our interview and I came across this moniker, I thought, I need to know more about this. So welcome to my virtual café, and why are you called the singing author? KG –I am a professional singer/actor as well as a romance author. … Continue reading Chatting With The Singing Author
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Whether a plot driven story or a character driven story someone or something has to be doing the action, at least in most stories. It might be different in a literary novel, but I would think something, or someone has to move the story from beginning to end. A brief explanation, plot driven is all about what is happening, and the characters are secondary to … Continue reading The Importance of Developing Characters (NaNoWriMo)
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My secret weapon isn’t so secret: Sticky Notes and Note Cards, color coated of course. Now many of you probably use Scrivener or some other program. I do have it on my desk top in my office, but I haven’t fallen in love with it yet. Plus, since I also write on a cheap laptop with not a lot of memory it cannot handle something … Continue reading Sticky Notes and Note Cards NaNoWriMo Prep 2
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I have searched the web for programs, YouTube videos, blog posts, and webinars to help me get ready for NaNoWriMo. The one thing I’ve noticed is they are not geared to pantsers. I know, I know, if I’m a pantser how can I “get ready” for NaNo? Well, when I was preparing for my very first NaNoWriMo in 2015 I knew I had to have … Continue reading Preparing for NaNoWriMo As a Pantser
What do you do with instant mashed potatoes? Do you have leftover hurricane supplies or food pantry items you’re not sure how to use? For my homemade potato pancakes I prefer to use real mashed potatoes whenever I have them leftover. Of course, raising six sons, there weren’t many days when they didn’t finish the mashed potatoes. I learned that instant potatoes will work in … Continue reading Potato Recipes
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Chirp Audiobook Vampire hunter Elena Deveraux is the best at what she does but she’s not prepared for the Archangel Raphael or the mission he has for her. In a world where the monsters are real, and vampires and angels are interdependent upon each other, a human has little chance of survival. Thankfully, Elena is a little more than human. A born hunter, she heals … Continue reading Angels’ Blood by Nalini Singh, read by Justine Eyre
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Sherri: I’m chatting today with Nina Romano, whom I know as @ninsthewriter from Twitter. You know what they say about seven degrees of separation, well, we have a mutual friend, award-winning cozy mystery author, M. K. Graff. Since meeting Nina through Twitter, I have wanted to host her on my website. I am so excited to finally be able to welcome to my Creekside Café, … Continue reading Cooking and Chatting With Nins the Writer
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By Marie Savage A Book Review Luke is a love ‘em and leave ‘em kind of guy. He has a girl in every “port” or stop, they know the drill, have a little fun until it’s time to say good bye. He’s a truck driver, a wanderer, he has no time for relationships. Aimee Jo has a dream of becoming a singer. She is on … Continue reading Asphalt Cowboy’s Girl
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Happy birthday to this dear lady who is not just a friend but my mentor, too. When I first met Marni, she was hosting the Writer’s Read at a bakery in Washington. Her open heart and gentle manner made trusting her with my rough, less than eloquent prose, easier. I have often described sharing my writing as being like standing in a Walmart parking lot, … Continue reading Happy Birthday Marni “M K” Graff
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Ingredients: 1 shot Birddog Blackberry Whiskey 1 shot Chambord Blackberry Liquor 1 shot Rumchata Also good over vanilla ice cream Especially with some toasted pecans Toasted Pecans ½ cup of rough chopped Pecans 1 Table spoon of Butter Coarse Salt 2 Tablespoons Pre-made Caramel sauce Melt butter, toast pecans, add salt and caramel sauce. Continue reading Blackberry Cream Triple Shot
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The Conall Clan Shifter Series Budapest Fairy Tale Book 4: Conall Clan by Donna Steele Marcel Tremblay never expected to be the new alpha of the Northeast Territory, especially not at his age. A few weeks ago, he never imagined he’d be on a plane, his plane, well, the pack’s plane, and on his way to Budapest. Life is funny and for this shifter and … Continue reading I’m Joining the Conall Clan
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Finding Faye by A J Andersen Finding Faye is A J’s debut novel. YES, her very first novel. I debated whether it deserved a four or five-star rating. I mean, if I give her a five, what does she have to look forward to? If I give her a four, does that mean I didn’t like the story? No, actually, I believe anything three and … Continue reading Amazing Debut Romantic Suspense Author
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The Main Characters of Chrome Pink Interviewer: The two of you are the main characters in Chrome Pink, how did you meet? Rae: We met at the opening of the Bryant Foundation Art Gallery. Logan: No, we met at the bar where you were singing Karaoke. Rae: But I didn’t learn your name until the gallery. Logan: True, you rode off angry. Rae: You talked … Continue reading Interview with Rae and Logan
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“Yes, real men do eat quiche.” I never understood why men wouldn’t eat quiche, it’s little more than scrambled eggs in a pie shell, I mean really. A baked omelet! But I remember this add when I was a kid and I always thought that meant quiche was something refined and a bit too classy for the “meat and potatoes” type guys I knew. I … Continue reading Yes, Real Men Do Eat Quiche
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I met or discovered Clara Winter through Instagram. We were both participating on an author loop, I saw her book covers and decided to check out her books. In my true bass-akward fashion, I read King of Kings, the third in the Immortal Kindred Series. I fell in love with her writing and asked her to be a guest on my virtual café. Welcome to … Continue reading Sipping Lattes with Author, Clara Winter
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Grin and Beard It by Penny Reid, Narrated by Chris Brinkley, Cielo Camargo When Jethro Winston stumbles upon a beautiful woman lost and stranded in the Great Smokey Mountains of Tennessee, he has no clue that she is the award-winning actress, comedian and writer, Sienna Diaz. The curvy, vivacious woman makes him smile and he falls a bit in love with her that very first … Continue reading I’m In LOVE with The Beards!
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When your freezer dies a slow cruel death and you have to throw away two garbage bags full of food, you get creative on what you are able to salvage. The frozen vegetables at the bottom of the freezer, the extra blocks of cheese and the packages of Jiffy Corn Bread mix. I found jalapenos in the cabinet and sour cream in the fridge. Hmm, … Continue reading Broccoli Soup and Jalapeno Cornbread
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Blonde Hair, Blue Eyes by Karin Slaughter, Read by Kathleen Early (Chirp) I liked and hated this book. It felt unfinished at the end but then again, it made me think and isn’t that what a good book does? This thriller brings us into the life of a sweet and beautiful young college girl, Julia Carroll, who struggles to find her voice amid the male-dominated … Continue reading Blonde Hair, Blue Eyes
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A J Andersen, author, happy wife, firefighter mom, book reviewer Current release: Finding Faye Upcoming release: Acquiring Analise I met A J through a Romance Loop on Instagram. I meet the coolest people online. A J is a debut author of romantic suspense. Welcome to my Creekside Café. You describe yourself as a happy wife and firefighter mom…How many years married and tell me who … Continue reading On The Porch with Debut Author, A J Andersen
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by Victoria Alexander, Read by Marian Hussey (Chirp by Bookbub) India Pendergast had no desire to travel. She never dreamed of anything more than what she had. Content or at least she accepts her life just as it is, that is until her cousin goes missing. India cannot imagine any place better than England, anyone smarter than herself and anyway but her own. Before believing … Continue reading The Lady Travelers Guide to Scoundrels
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I belong to several on-line groups both on Facebook and Instagram, through these groups I’ve been exposed to new authors. Some authors’ books have been suggested by fellow members of the group and others are members of the groups themselves. I found Clara Winter while we were both participating in a writers’ loop. In the loop we follow each other, check out each other’s posts, … Continue reading Discovering a New Author
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I’m here at my creek side café with the wonderful Ruth Akright. It was wonderful to meet you in person. I enjoyed the writers retreat in Murfreesboro. It was a fantastic reprieve from the hurricane. Your house, the Murfree-Williams House is such a delight. I love old homes, the history, the stories, the architecture. When did you buy and restore the Murfree-Williams House? Ruth: We … Continue reading On the Porch with Ruth Akright
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by M K Graff, Narrated by Lucinda Gainey (Audible) While I read Death at the Dakota when it came out and loved this second Trudy Genova story, I have to tell you, listening to the audiobook is even better. Lucinda Gainey does an excellent job of portraying Trudy and narrating the story. She brings it to life and makes it feel like you’re in the … Continue reading Death at the Dakota
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When Chicago Detective Wesley Conall comes home for his cousin’s lifemating ceremony he doesn’t expect to find his own lifemate. When Wesley first senses his lifemate, he has no clue who she is. When he learns she is the sister to Wyoming’s Alpha, he knows her reputation but little else. Clarissa Johnson is not the mate Wesley would have chosen for himself. She is too … Continue reading Lifemates by Donna Steele
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It was so great to meet you at the Writer’s Retreat in Murfreesboro. I had a wonderful time. Thank you for agreeing to be a part of my Creekside Café Chats. If I ever win the lottery, I want to build a café on the Pamlico River where authors, writers of all levels and readers can come and chat, or sit back and read, or … Continue reading Chatting with Sonja McGiboney
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WHAT: $200 Meet & Greet Giveaway (10″ Kindle Fire and (2) $25 Amazon eGift CardsWHEN: Sept 9-27, 2019 Link:https://www.thekindlebookreview.net/enter-our-september-meet-greet/ Hey, Y’all! Here’s a chance to win a 10″ Kindle Fire, and (2) $25 Amazon eGift Cards ($200 value) from The No. 1 Site for #Reader Giveaways~~The Kindle Book Review. Just click the link and enter (everyday if you want). It’s easy & fun. If you love #reading, enter … Continue reading Meet and Greet
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Murfree-Williams House Writers Workshops, Retreats and Residencies Dorian threatened to keep me from my mini vacation but thankfully, he didn’t do as much damage around my home as he did to others. My heart goes out to those on North Carolina’s Outer Banks, Myrtle Beach and especially the Bahamas. With only the inconvenience of power outages at home, my husband waved me off and I … Continue reading An Exotic Retreat in Murfreesboro, North Carolina
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Rivals Frenemies who Changed the World by Scott McCormick Narrated by Prentice Onayemi, Samantha Turret, Khristine Hvam, Gabriel Vaughan and Josh Hurley An Audible Original I found this to be both interesting and entertaining. I love history and science, well, the history of science and invention. This is a collection of short stories about people in history who were both friends and competitors. The competitions … Continue reading Rivals
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I believe it is important for readers and especially writers to read outside our normal comfort zone. As you can see from many of my reviews, I read an eclectic variety of books. Ruby Moon reads at times like poetry. This debut novel is a blend of Ojibwe and 1890s Canadian society, with Biblical and other famous quotes to add thought or subtext to the … Continue reading Ruby Moon by Jenny Knipfer
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Crucible by James Rollins, Narrated by Christian Baskous (Audible) Y’all know I’m addicted to audiobooks and James Rollins books are great to listen to, they’re like an action adventure movie without the picture. I’m not sure what I enjoy most, the Sigma Force story or the author’s notes at the end of the book. James Rollins is one of the most interesting authors of our … Continue reading Crucible
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Ingredients: 2 rolls of ground turkey (Italian seasoned or season your own with Italian blend seasons) 1-2 Tablespoons of vegetable oil 1 Tablespoon corn starch diluted in 1/4 cup water (I use pasta water) 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese 1 cup Italian Blend cheese 1 cup mozzarella cheese fresh or frozen spinach 8 ounces Fresh basil Roasted red pepper garlic mushrooms (I didn’t add mushrooms because … Continue reading Spinach Basil Pasta
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The Wallflower Wager by Tessa Dare, Narrated by Mary Jane Wells (Audible) Girl Meets Duke series, but this girl, Lady Penelope Campion meets Mr. Gabriel Duke, known as the Duke of Ruin. The wealthy Duke is known for being ruthless in his business dealings with the ton. He cares for nothing but what will make him a penny. Having grown up with nothing, Gabriel has … Continue reading The Wallflower Wager
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Reese and I met when she was president of the Heart of Carolina Romance Writers, her open, engaging smile and outgoing personality made her an excellent and inclusive president, welcoming all who attended. I am so excited to welcome Reese Ryan to Creekside Café. Reese: Thank you for this opportunity. Sherri: I’ve been wanting to ask you back to the area since the workshop you gave the … Continue reading Creekside Cafe Chat with Reese Ryan
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