Thursday 25 July 2013

Boomer Lit Friday!


Welcome to the Boomer Lit Blog Hop. This is my first time joining up and I'm happy to be participating.  It's already Friday morning where I am so I'm getting a 'jump' on it.

Here's a 'quick peek' into my novel, Mental Pause (from chapter 11):



“Abbie, you’re wanted on suspicion of murder back home,” Conrad caught her just as her knees gave out, and eased her onto the step and sat down next to her. “Your friend was found dead in a motel bathroom yesterday morning and you were the one who was last seen with her.”
            “Oh my God!” Abbie leaned over the side of the step and retched. “Oh God... How did it happen? I swear I didn’t do anything,” she sobbed.
Conrad rubbed her back. “I believe you baby but they’re going to have to bring you in. Don’t say anything until I get you a lawyer. Abs, you’re in huge trouble. You’ve crossed state lines. This is going to get ugly. Promise me you didn’t have anything to do with this.”


 ... there are more excerpts in previous posts and if you're hooked you can pick up a copy on Amazon! Don't forget to visit the other authors participating in Boomer Lit Friday :)

Monday 15 July 2013

The Mood Swings

"I'm out of estrogen and I have a handgun... any questions?" This is on the front of a t-shirt my big sister gave me when I started 'flashing'. It appears in the first chapter of Mental Pause and I read that particular excerpt at a recent author reading in my hometown of Halifax, NS. It got a great laugh:


I guess we all feel that way occasionally (at least those who are in the throes of menopause, peri-menopause, or what's euphemistically called the 'change of life'). My sister-in-law said to me the other day that she wished there was an official slap day! Then we could get it all out and return to our normal, sweet selves the next day. Hmmmm.

How are you handling the swings? I wrote a book! No matter how crazy I was feeling, Abbie was always having a much harder time. I highly recommend writing... it doesn't have to be a book and you don't have to share it with anyone if you don't want to. It's just a great release that doesn't hurt anyone (especially you) and you'll feel so much better. I'm working on my next novel because the first one felt so good! And, I will keep sharing a rant or two here on Mental Pause!

Here's the actual t-shirt:

I have been told that reading the book is even a release, so feel free to order a copy and share your feedback and comments here or, if I may be so bold as to ask, do a review on Amazon!  And, don't be afraid to talk about it... especially with the male members of your family. They'll never really understand but if you try to explain how it feels at least they can be empathetic. I guess part of the fear is that if we talk about it, we have to acknowledge that we're of a certain age. Well, as my wise mother (fondly known as MT) always says, "You're not too old for the years you've been born!" By the way, she's 89, soon to be 90, so I can't really complain to her about getting older, can I? However, I'm very fortunate that she's a great listener... and my best friend :)

Happy Flashing!


Tuesday 2 July 2013

Nerves or Hot Flashes?

Honestly, I really thought that since I started having peri-menopausal symptoms so early that it would end early too! A couple weeks ago I noticed that the night sweats and hot flashes seemed to have petered out a bit. I thought Hallelujah...  it's over! Well, the last couple of days they seem to have returned with a vengeance! As a matter of fact, they seem to be happening on the hour today. Then it dawned on me... maybe it's just nerves.

See... I have my first author reading/book signing tonight and the butterflies have begun. I guess the little fellas were cold because the hot simmer under the skin is joining the party. Oh well, I'll have lots of copies of the book to fan myself with (hopefully a lot fewer at the end of the evening).

If you're in Halifax, NS and want to 'come go mental with me' tonight (July 2nd) I'll be at the Keshen Goodman Library (in Clayton Park) at 7 pm.

Tomorrow night (July 3) I'll be at Stayner's Wharf from 4-6 pm signing books and raffling off goodies as well.  Everyone's invited.

Here's a little tune to entertain you whether you're coming or not. I've decided it's my Mental Pause theme song ... love Boy George!: