Tag: #amblogging

Universal Truths from CHILDHOOD to ADULTHOOD to OLD AGE!

Universal Truths about life

As I’ve aged, I learned several universal truths. I ran across a few of these in past emails and wanted to share the wisdom. Enjoy! Childhood wisdom . . . trial and error. Sometimes, the smartest in the room are the youngest. Families . . . are like fudge . . . Then there is adulting when you’d rather be relaxing on a beach with a drink & umbrella. And finally, with age comes WISDOM . . . or does it? Age is only ONE moment in time! From the youngest to the oldest, it’s often the simple pleasures that measure our success. Final thoughts . . . too important to be left out: Dog […]

HARM’S WAY AVAILABLE ON KINDLEUNLIMITED – tips for TheImageApothecary.com & Canva.com

Be a Better Writer for K.M. Saint James teaching tips

HARM’S WAY NOW AVAILABLE ON KINDLE UNLIMITED! As I push for completion on the second book in THE DONOVAN LEGACY, CHASING DESTINY, I have moved HARM’S WAY to Kindle Unlimited. I’ve spent the past several days on THEIMAGEAPOTHECARY.COM downloading multiple images for book release ad-building. Special thanks to FLIP-FLOP SISTER, and fellow author, Mary Karlik for the author & marketing friendly insight into THEIMAGEAPOTCHECARY. I downloaded the images into my local PAINT folder and then moved them into Canva.com for actual manipulation. I’ve designed several ‘work’ graphics and brochures on CANVA.com so I had a basic understanding of the graphic design site. Again, user-friendly, and there is a FREE version so you can check it […]

Bluebonnet Ballerina by Carol Kilgore — book review

Book Review by K.M. Saint James

Bluebonnet Ballerina is not your average cops and robbers’ type of suspense. Readers can expect characters, both live and the ‘gently deceased’, to appear on the pages of Bluebonnet Ballerina. The cast includes ex-CIA, cops – active to reassigned, a best friend complete with her guiding spirit, a couple of love interests, and even a few decades-old ghosts thrown into the mix. The hard hitting world of human trafficking, guns for hire, and genuine bad guys are counterbalanced by a healthy – and much appreciated – dose of the ‘woo-woo’ factor. Bluebonnet Ballerina is filled with: a plot that MAKES sense – always a pleasant surprise in a suspense novel; characters that are intelligent; and […]

Marketing Plan of Action – how to start simple and build to great!

Marketing Plan of Action tips by K.M. Saint James

Tim Grahl, author of Your First 1000 Copies and founder of booklaunch.com believes that Marketing doesn’t need to be a ‘eew’ prospect. So, I’ve read over a few of his techniques and decided to break-it down into a Plan of Action. New Year . . . New Goals . . . and all that. More importantly, it’s about finding a way to market that doesn’t make the author in me cringe at the idea. READ ALONG & SEE IF YOU AGREE According to Tim, MARKETING is about creating long-lasting connections. I’d say this is sound business whether you’re selling books, artwork or cars off the used lot. None of us want just the ONE-AND-DONE customer. […]

3 New Year’s Traditions: are they worth the effort?

SHOULD YOU EAT BLACK-EYED PEAS ON NEW YEAR’S EVE? A Southern Tradition, traditionally called: Hoppin’ John (black-eyed peas served with rice, pork, and seasonings. If you follow the full tradition, you’re to eat 365 peas. That’s a mouthful. Thought to originate from Civil War days – Sherman on his march through the South left devastated crops, and not much beyond black-eyed peas and salted port, which were considered animal fodder. The reeling South was grateful for any bounty and the practice of eating black-eyed peas (with pork/bacon/renderings) was thought to bring about good luck. Sherman’s marching dates seem to discount this theory, but it’s another Southern story passed along. (Wiki-pedia) Superstition or not – Black-eyed […]

A Warlock Under The Mistletoe by S.S. Bazinet – book review

Book Review by K.M. Saint James

Are fantasies and fairy tales required for a happy ending? Or is true love the only necessary magic? In S.S. Bazinet’s Christmas release, A WARLOCK UNDER THE MISTLETOE, heroine, Pippa sets out to prove to co-worker and friend, Adeline that real heroes are more than just a fantasy. Readers, world-wide, will identify with Pippa, a heroine who believes in romance of the heart and has her very own true love: Chester. Chester . . . Chester???? Can you really make a HERO out of a ‘Chester’? If you’re author, S.S. Bazinet you can. For doubting-Thomas readers, who believe there’s no conflict if the heroine and hero are already a matched pair, S.S. Bazinet proves that […]

Sunday Morning Construction

Why do those pesky ‘small’ fix-it or remodel jobs turn out to be so: And HOW, oh HOW do we, weekend DIYers, make them easier? 5 common sense DIY tips to balance the ‘home repair project’ scale. Read the directions Don’t be afraid to ask for help Proper tools YouTube Videos are your friend Take pictures As a serious do-it-all fixer, I’ve learned — through my share of mistakes — a few keys lessons that make installing . . . repairing . . . replacing . . . new construction a bit easier. 1) Read the directions. And I do mean ALL the directions. Don’t skip to what you think concerns you. Read them all. […]

Grey’s Lady by Natasha Blackthorne – Book Review

Grey’s Lady (Wild, Wicked and Wanton – Book 1) by Natasha Blackthorne 1st Spoiler Alert – this novel is Book 1 in a series. While there is a Resolution, there is NOT a conclusion to the story or with these characters. But no grousing! Author Natasha Blackthorne has this as a current KindleUnlimited download, and has the book marked as a ‘Prequel’. While historical, author Natasha Blackthorne offers readers a more unique setting as this story line takes place in Philadelphia, PA, spring 1812, where the Port of Philadelphia is blooming. Attic-borne, Elizabeth (Beth) McConnell and wealthy merchant and shipping owner, Grey Sexton set the sheets on fire with their torrid meetings. If readers are […]

Giving a Heart of Lace: Sweet and Clean Regency Romance – book review

Book Review by K.M. Saint James

Giving a Heart of Lace: Sweet and Clean Regency Romance is a lovely, sweet read. How many times has a novel left you wanting to ‘thunk’ the historical heroine in the head, and say, “Take control of your life, girl. Stop waiting for the inevitable.”? Too many times for me. Giving a Heart of Lace: Sweet and Clean Regency Romance is a great change of pace from that normal historical and often, hysterical female character. While staying true to the period, Ms. Richmond has linked two characters—one confined to rank by constraints of birth and one a true victim of circumstances beyond financial control—who find themselves on the outside of the TON plate-glass window looking […]