Almost the End of July...

How crazy is that? End of July!

So the book I featured on the blog over the weekend is celebrating its release day today. Check it out if you're so inclined. It's a great book, especially if you like cozy mystery. 

What's been up around here? 

Not much. Not really. 

Yard work. I got poison sumac from weed whacking. We're going on two weeks now and it's still super itchy. I typically don't get poison ivy, but sumac and oak, yeah, I get that. I have a big spot on my leg and some smaller spots on my forearm. It itches like crazy and I hate it. 

We have plans to take the oldest grands camping soon. Looking forward to that. We've been talking about it for ages. The grands are super stoked and excited. We will have waffles and camp donuts. 

A friend of That Man's from high school stopped by tonight. He's one of those guys that it doesn't matter how long it's been since you've seen him, everything is all good. Our oldest two grew up with his kids. We did scouts together and many school dances and functions. It was good to see him and we laughed our butts off even though he still refuses to sell us his old station wagon. Ha!

I'm getting my butt back to writing again. It's been way, way too long. I'm happy with my progress so far this week. 

And that is all! 

Behave! 

Guest Blogger - Gabby Allen - Much Ado About Nauticaling

I am please to have Gabby Allen on the blog today!

Hello Victoria Smith Blog readers! So excited to be here with you today!

I’m Gabby Allan and Victoria has been nice enough to let me hang with you for just a little while. I’m super excited to introduce my new series to you! It’s a rom Cozy—rom com and cozy mystery snuggled up on a beach drinking a Mai Tai! If you’re into that kind of thing, I think you’ll love this book and my characters Whitney Dagner and her cat Whiskers!

Thanks for giving me a look and have a great day!

Whitney Dagner is your tour guide to a Pacific paradise that’s to die for—only to find it’s a place people are also willing to kill for—in Gabby Allan’s Much Ado About Nauticaling, first in the Whit and Whiskers Mystery series. 
After far too many years in the Los Angeles corporate world, Whitney Dagner has come home to Santa Catalina Island off the California coast to help her brother Nick run Nautically Yours, the family tourism business. Between gift shop shifts selling all manner of T-shirts and tchotchkes and keeping her feline Whiskers in fine fettle, she pilots the Sea Bounder, a glass bottom boat showing tourists the underwater sights of aquatic plants, marine life—and a murder victim? 
The self-proclaimed “Master of the Island,” Jules Tisdale was a wealthy man with business interests throughout Catalina who was about to be honored as Person of the Year before someone strangled him with his own tie and tossed his body into the water. That someone appears to be Nick, who had a raw deal from Jules and no alibi the night of his murder. To clear her brother’s name, Whit will have to investigate Jules’ shady associates and not exactly grief-stricken family members—with the unwelcome help of Felix Ramirez, police diver and Whit’s ex-boyfriend who’s looking to rekindle their relationship.

https://www.kensingtonbooks.com/9781496731067/much-ado-about-nauticaling/

If you’d like a door hanger and/or a signed book plate for your book, drop me a line at gabbyallanwrites@gmail.com

You can find me lots of places but here are a few to start!

 

Newsletter sign up  http://eepurl.com/bjDYYX

Website www.gabbyallan.com

Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/GabbyAllanAuthor

Facebook Group Merry Sleuths https://bit.ly/2UWZida

Amazon Author Page https://amzn.to/3inb08R

Instagram @gabbyallanspeaks

Goodreads https://bit.ly/3ioqHg3

Bookbub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/gabby-allan

Thanks for having me!

(From Victoria - I have read this book and it's a blast! I highly recommend it!)

Behave!

  

It's Been A While...

It's been almost 3 weeks since I posted! Sorry about that! 

We went from That Man being away on his fishing trip to loading up the car and taking a half cross country trek. Many hours driving through horrible rain and butthead drivers to see my aunt and uncle. We hadn't seen them for over two years so when the timing came up, we went for it. 

We had a blast hanging out with them. Basically, we just visited and laughed. My aunt has been taking care of my uncle post surgery - it was last year, but he's still recovering and adjusting medications - so we pampered her a little and took care of some house stuff she hasn't had a chance to get to, made dinner and lunch, and took care of the dogs. Killed some poisonous spiders, and fought ticks. The uncle is looking good though. Still a little wobbly at times, but his mind is sharp again, and he looks well. All good stuff. 

Down the street from their house is a little market - you can get ice, beer, booze, smokes, and a wide range of probably expired food stuffs. Ha! Inside that building is a bar/restaurant. I've been to their house three or four times now and never knew that! We went there to listen to a blue grass band one night and had a blast. There weren't very many people, but the band, the appetizers, and the small crowd were awesome. The guy bought an old Victorian house and incorporated it into the space. The second floor is a bedroom, bathroom, and sitting room and they are all period appropriate. It was cool, but you can't get closer than looking at it from the first floor. We essentially listened to the band from the back porch of the house. That was a highlight for sure. 

Got to see a cousin I haven't seen in forever. We had that awkward silence at first - you know the one where you're not sure you have anything in common even though you're related and you remember hanging out as kids. And then you realize you all fell from the same tree. It was fun and we talked for a long time. It was good. 

We braved more rain on the way home. Coming home is definitely harder than going out. We're still recovering. I think we're just getting too old to stay up that long and sleep in the car. Ha!

Back to work on Monday. Exhausted and trying to get into our new routine. This is the first we've both been in the office all week since I went back. We've had to alter our Hello Fresh deliveries and our old routine. But we'll figure it out. K4 has a different schedule now, too, so that adds an additional adjustment. We'll get there. 

I haven't written much lately, but that will come back, too. I have a lot of research and ideas to put into the book, which is a good thing. Being where we were gave me a lot of terrain and locations to add, so that is also very good. 

Now we're scheduled for home things for the next few weeks. Weeds need pulled. Sheds need cleaned out. Cars need prepped for inspection. Blah. Blah. Blah. It is what it is. 

That is all! 

Behave! 

Feel Good Friday on Saturday!

It was a very long week!

The good things:

1. Signing my contract and the amazing and wonderful things my editor says about my work!

2. Cursed Fate being up for presale! Official release date is August 4th!

3. That Man getting some much needed away time on his annual fishing trip with the guys. They go to one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen and have a blast. He'll be home later. I have missed him a lot.

4. Getting Jeep "ducked". Basically a rubber duckie given by another Jeep owner. It's fun. K4 and I had gone to the garage to pick up her Jeep and we were in tandem on the way home. A red Jeep was in front of us. When we got to the light, there was much hooting and hollering as the ladies in the red Jeep got out and ducked both K4 and me. It was fun. (K4 got ducked earlier this week, too, with a giant stuffed yellow duck) 

5. As much as I'd rather be working from home, being back in the office has been fine. It's nice to see coworkers and be able to talk to them instead of waiting on an email or a call back. 

6. Sleeping in this morning. Very nice and much needed. 

7. Writing time this morning!

8. The quiet of my house currently. The cats are watching the water dish. I don't know why. I just cleaned and filled it, but I guess they think it's going to do something? The dog is chewing on her star treat toy on the couch. It's nice.

9. Fun stuff coming up! 

That's all I have! 

Behave!

Back Home & Father's Day

I got home around 11-ish. Didn't get much writing done this morning, but that's typical for me on the last day of retreat. 

After unloading, I hit the grocery store. That Man wanted fried chicken for dinner. I went to the store and grabbed some of theirs, which is really good. Stuck it in the fridge until time for dinner. (Put it in the oven. Made mashed potatoes, gravy, and cole slaw) Did laundry. K3 and A came over for a while and we had a good time talking and hanging out with them. 

That Man talked to K5. She was on her way home from Harry Potter World and filled him in on all of her adventures, including holding a crocodile and riding in a pontoon boat. She's a hoot! 

My huge surprise when I got home was a contract for the book I sent Friday night. Awesome! I love this book so much and I'm so happy my editor was happy to receive it. I also got my galleys for Cursed Fate! Coming Soon! Yay! 

So it is Father's Day. I appreciate my husband so much. He's an awesome father even though our kids are grown. His interactions with our spawn always make me laugh. And they call him for advice and stuff all of the time. I love that. 

I also appreciate all of the dads in my life - my brother, brother's-in-laws, uncles, friends, nephews, nephews-in-laws. 

I miss my dad. It's been six Father's Day since he was here. Almost seven years since he's been gone. I miss him. A lot. He would get a kick out of his great grandkids and what his grandkids are up to these days. He was always so proud of them. That Man's dad has been gone around ten years? And he would also have loved to see what his grandkid and great grandkids are up to. 

This week is crazy! Next week is too! 

Behave!

Retreat! Winding Down!

 There are mere hours left! 

I haven't gotten anything done this morning yet. I was awakened by the smell of burning toast a few hours before I'd planned to get up. Ha! I stayed in bed a little while longer, but gave up and made my way to the common area. 

From there, I have proceeded to goof off. Though I did strip my bed, made sure my towels were where they are supposed to be, packed some stuff, ate a bagel, drank some coffee, blah blah blah.

Now I'm finally sitting down to get some work done before I head for home. It's been a super productive time for all of us. And nice to get to hang and talk. 

I am looking forward to getting home though. Considering we weren't home last weekend, I'm looking forward to just sitting on my porch. 

And that is all...

Behave!

Retreat! Last Night!

It's the last night of retreat! 

It's been an amazing time! It's been too long since I've been with these creative brains and awesome people. We have laughed, talked, brainstormed, argued a little (about dumb stuff), and supported each other. 

I made a pretty damned good dinner. Chicken stir fry with egg rolls. Of course, I made enough to feed all of us despite the fact that I was the only one eating it. Yes, I offered it around, but it appears I'm the only one with my tastes. Ha! I will take it home as leftovers for lunch this week. That's what we do here though. We all take care of our own meals. If you want to cook, you cook. If you want to make a frozen dinner, then do it. If you just want to snack, then go for it. The only meal we do together is the first night and that's nachos. We all bring an ingredient, but we all make our own. It works. 

There was napping today, which was beautiful. And rain. Also beautiful as we sat at the table on the porch listening to it. It's very quiet here. There was also brainstorming and a major good start on my new story. I'll get back to it in a few. 

Tomorrow is Father's Day. That Man is currently enjoying being home all by himself, which is something that rarely happens for him. I'll head home mid-morning and then will take care of dinner. 

I don't think I'll get to do another retreat until after the first of the year, but we'll see. There's a lot going on the rest of the year and a lot of expenses, so I won't know until we get closer. 

That is all. 

Behave! 

Retreat! Saturday!

It's the last full day of retreat!

This has been a pretty productive time. I finished my edits and sent them off. I figured out what I am doing with the next story and will start writing that in a few. 

Sleep has been good. The shower is decent. The weather has been good. Currently it's threatening rain, but that's okay. We've got an awesome screened in porch to sit on. Though it's supposed to get hot today. We'll see. I do predict a nap in my future. 

That's all I have for now...

Behave!

Retreat! Official Day One!

Good Morning!

I arrived early yesterday afternoon. Our hosts alerted us that the house was ready earlier than our expected arrival, so I buzzed out of the day job and was the first to arrive. Which is funny because I was sure I was going to be the last one here. 

It's the cutest little house near the lake and in the woods. The screened in porch is amazing with a huge table, cool seating, and two double doors to get into the house. The kitchen is tiny, but workable. The dining room seats the four of us and there's a fireplace in the living room. I chose the blue room for sleeping. It was comfy and the air conditioner kicks. 

I slept in, which I needed. Now we're in the living room with the fireplace going. Yeah, it's a little chilly out there at the moment. The talking has been non stop, despite the fact that we all have goals to meet. But we haven't seen each other since the last retreat, so that's to be expected.

I'd better get on it! More later...

Behave!

Off to Retreat!

So I went back to the office this week... The official return day is Monday, but since I'm off starting tomorrow after lunch and since I am covering for accounts receivable, I felt like I needed to get back this week. 

That's a mixed bag of feelings right there. I mean, it's nice to have the space and the organization, and to have that schedule. But it's also so very different. I've been home since last March, so I've gotten used to being able to do laundry, do little cleaning things, start dinner as soon as my work day is done and pet my puppy anytime I want. But I will adjust. I think I'm already adjusting okay. 

Tomorrow I head out to retreat with my writing pals! I haven't seen them since January, except for seeing one of them once or twice. We do talk everyday, so there's that. I need this retreat so very much! I am deep in edits for a book that I need to send to my editor asap, and I need to get my Sector Two groove on. And I need the time! The time to be an author and nothing else! 

Last weekend we went to a Jeep festival. We had an absolute blast! Trail rides, volunteering, hanging with Jeep people. It was so much fun. I took a women's only course and learned a whole lot about off roading and gained a lot of confidence. I did rocks, tires, mud, and huge hills. More than once! I also did trails other than that, and it was so much fun. Volunteering was fun. We met a lot of great people and even though we had no idea how to play poker, it was a blast. We also had a blast just hanging out with each other. We ate out, hung out at our hotel, and generally just had a really super nice time. It was nice to be away and be together. 

So I should be posting during retreat! And hopefully I will adjust to being back in the office and regain a new schedule for writing and posting so it's not so very long in between blogs! 

Behave! 

Whoa! That Was a Long Time!

Dang! Sorry about that! 

I can't even say I've been crazy busy. I think it's more of an apathy. But yeah, I was busy a bit, too. 

We went to The Wilds for the holiday weekend. It was miserable and rained almost the whole time. Though we were cozy in our camper and had our awning and a pop up rain cover that at least kept us from getting soaked. It was cold, too. Mr. B came to camp with us on Saturday. He had a blast even though he couldn't swim in the creek. He did a lot of fishing with Pappy and played games with his aunts and uncles. K3 brought a game that was a riot. We all played and had a great time. It was a good weekend, despite the rain. 

Other than that... things continue to run status quo around here. We have some stuff coming up that I'm really looking forward to. June is going to be an absolute blur, but that's okay. We need it. 

My new release didn't do so great out of the gate, but I continue to be hopeful. The free book ended up doing well and continues to, so I guess that's something. I'm in the middle of editing something I think will fit right in with the series. Once I get that off to my editor, I'll go back to writing the second book for the Sector series. I have some better ideas now, so at least there's that. 

And that's all I have!

Behave!

Release Day!

It's release day for The Shadow Guide! 

I didn't think this day would ever come! Yes, this book is a re-release. It was formerly called For the Love of Isaac. But when my rights reverted back to me, I talked to my publisher and they were more than happy to take a look at it. 

A new cover, updating, and another three rounds of edits and here it is again. Shiny and new!

You can also get Into the Fire for free through today! 

Both (and my other books) can be found on Amazon. Just search the title and my name! 

I'm excited to share these books with you! I hope you like them!

Behave!

Don't Forget!

 You can get Into the Fire for free until May 12th! 

And The Shadow Guide releases on May 12th (tomorrow)!

I hope you get both and that you love them!

Behave! 

 

Into the Fire – Victoria Smith – Free Digitally - May 8^th-12^th

In Olivia Sanders’ world, people like her don’t survive very long. Special abilities are a threat to the corrupt government. 

Olivia and those with similar abilities struggle to keep their secrets as new laws threaten them daily. Though hiding isn’t enough for Olivia. A healer and firestarter, she works with the resistance to ensure the safety of the people of her sector, toiling in an unforgiving world without freedom or hope with the goal that someday they will find
both.

Poisoned by someone she should never have trusted and betrayed by her godfather, the former governor, who is using disturbing methods to control the population and grow his army, Olivia is forced to seek help from Luke Jamison, the leader of the resistance. They join forces with his brother, Matt, and Jillian Derrick, a hard-as-nails woman leading a band of "undesirables" to safety.

As conditions in the sector deteriorate and the death toll climbs ever higher, Olivia and Luke, along with Jillian and Matt, cling to the miracle of found love while facing the horror of a future without each other.

https://www.amazon.com/Into-Fire-Victoria-Smith/dp/1682916332

RELEASE DAY!! May 12^th! The Shadow Guide; Challenging the Fates; Book One – Victoria Smith (This book was previously released as For the Love of Isaac)

When evil comes for Alaina, bringing with it a destiny she can’t deny, can love stand against the forces of darkness?

When Alaina inherits her grandmother’s house, she gets far more than just the eccentric woman’s massive knickknack collection. Desperate for help with the increased paranormal activity around her, she calls the one person she thinks can provide it—despite the memory of the night he rejected her.

Patrick doesn’t want to get involved with Alaina and her demonic inheritance. He’s lost enough to the demons already, and so has she. If he refuses, she could be murdered just like her grandmother. Just like his wife and child. And he can’t live with that either.

Together they must find a way to restore the balance of good and evil, while coming to terms with emotions neither of them thinks they want.

https://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Guide-Challenging-Fates-ebook/dp/B08TX52QQM/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=The+Shadow+Guide+Victoria+Smith&qid=1620084664&s=books&sr=1-1

Thank you!

Behave!

Feel Good Friday on Saturday...

The first week of May is done. 

Time is so weird still... It's so hard to believe it's even May. Let alone that an entire week is gone. 

Tomorrow is Mother's Day. Still a very hard day for me. I miss my momma so much. It's been 6 years for Mom and 7 years for Dad. Sucks. 

So here's the list:

1. Seeing my grandboys. We got to play a little and talk and hang out. It was a quick visit, but my heart was full. Especially when little B came in and saw me. His face lit up and he ran to me. 

2. Living through the work week. It was a rough one. 

3. My flowerbeds growing and looking pretty decent.

4. Rain. I know that's unpopular. We had a crapton of it, too. Though, I am wishing for warmth and sunny skies today. 

5. The Shadow Guide releasing on the 12th! Watch for it! Into the Fire is going to be a free digital download starting TODAY!!! (Find it on Amazon!) That will last for a week. Hopefully if you decide to get it and you read it and like it, you'll think about leaving me a review on Amazon. That would be awesome and I would so appreciate it!

6. No idea what's going on tomorrow. I have made no plans. But at the same time, I haven't been asked what I want for dinner. So maybe everyone forgot or something. Whatever. 

7. Plans to hopefully see the old work crew soon. 

8. Camping coming up! I'm so looking forward to it! 

That's all! 

Behave! 

Feel Good Friday - The Last Day of April

Holy Crap! April is done!

Such a quick and long month! 

This week:

1. Another "Celebration of Life" event for us today. The mother of a dear friend of ours. Well, most of the family are dear friends. She was 96 and she was a trooper. She fought her cancer until the very last day. The service was beautiful and so was the fellowship. 

2. We have gotten rid of the dirty ugly stumps left from ripping our the front shrubs. What a pain. And since we couldn't grind the stumps out, we put huge flower pots out there. They are screwed to the stumps and filled with rocks so they don't blow away and can't be stolen. The front of the house is looking pretty damned decent. We still have stuff to do, but it's coming along. 

3. Into the Fire is going to be free in two weeks. For about a week. And then The Shadow Guide releases. I did my first foray into real marketing so we will see how it turns out. I have some write ups to do for blogs, but you'll probably see that here, too. 

4. Seeing That Sister this weekend. It's been freaking forever! 

5. Camping is in less than a month! Whoo Hoo!

6. This wind is freaking insane! It's kind of scary, too! It's supposed to be done by 2am, but we'll see. 

That's all I have! 

Happy May! 

Behave! 

Feel Good Friday

And here we are at Friday...

I know I haven't done a Feel Good in a while...

But here we go! 

1. Hello Fresh. It is so nice not to have to think about what to make for dinner three nights a week. Honesty, I think we would spend way more at the grocery store if we had to make the three meals on our own. But, at the same time, I would get it delivered every night if it felt cost effective. So there you go...

2. We had to go to a "celebration of life" for a former coworker today. Yeah, a freaking funeral. It sucked. He had leukemia and he died within a year of his diagnosis. He was a good guy and it was terribly sad to hear his mother say that it shouldn't be like this and hear the stories from his brothers, cousins, and friends.

3. The sunburns are peeling. My feet itch like crazy and my forehead is like four different colors. It's a small problem for sure. Ha!

4. I am writing every day. Yeah, most of those words don't make any sense, but there are still on the page. 

5. Camping coming up soon. I can't wait. I am so ready. 

That's all I have for now. It's a decent list for the week. I think?

Behave! 

Almost Through April...

Yeah, it's been two weeks. 

What can I say? There's just not a lot going on...

Though, That Man and I went to the beach. Just the two of us. 

This was the trip we had planned last year, but was cancelled because everyone was on lock down. There was a bit of a struggle to get the reservation carried over, but it was totally worth it. 

Our place was a tiny little 'cabana'. One room and bathroom. The kitchen was a decent size. There was a couch and this bed that came to my chest. I had to climb up using the ladder. It was comfy though. We had a loft deck where we could go up and watch the ocean, and a lower deck for if the wind was too much. Also, we could park our car right under the house, which was really nice, too. 

We were literally steps from the beach. It would take me about three minutes round trip to go back to our place to use the restroom while we were on the beach. We fished, talked, and walked the shoreline. We planned ahead for dinner and I put it in the oven on one of my bathroom trips so it would be ready when we were done for the day. 

Oh and sunburn! I sunscreened. Like a freak as usual. But my face got burnt. So did my knees and feet. That Man got a little red on his head. He used the same sunscreen I did and looked nowhere like the lobster I turned into. 

Anyway. It was an amazing getaway. Now we're back in the real world. Same old. Same old. We do have stuff upcoming. We'll see if they happen. Two things have already been cancelled. 

That is all! 

Behave! 

First Week of April...

April just jumped right in here...

We had Easter. We got to see some of the family. Not many. And yes, we were safe. And we had a blast. Way, way too much food though. I think I'm still full! Ha! 

I got to see my great niece for the first time in over a year. She is so freaking cute. She ran around picking up sticks and stepping over dogs. No fear and the dogs didn't even flinch. 

We did manage to see most of the grandkids Easter weekend. We missed only one because he was taking a nap. 

I did get my new cover. I will post it very soon. It's lovely and I'm excited about it. I already did my first round edits on the book.  

Looks like I'll be going back to the office within the next month or so. I'm not sure how I feel about that yet. I've been home for over a year. It's going to be an absolute huge adjustment on so many levels. 

But the writing is going well. I am a bit lost in the story right now, but am working hard to get it back. 

That's all...

Behave! 

Mid Week

So it's Wednesday...

No more calls from Molly at Amazon, which is good. Though a friend of mine started getting them the day after me. She wasn't dumb like me though. She didn't hit "one" to dispute the charges. I just can't not though. I feel the need to rebel. 

This week has been pretty quiet. The weekend was also quiet. We needed that quiet weekend. We worked on the camper, did the shopping, dropped off the car for inspection & to have the emergency brake checked. I took naps. We made good food. And we cleaned the house. 

I have been writing a lot. I also got a draft of my new cover for the book coming out later this year. I am waiting for the final and hope it is awesome. I will share it as soon as I'm able. 

That's about it. We'll see what this weekend brings...

Behave!