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Mystic Capers, First Review!

3/29/2014

MYSTIC CAPERS VERY VERY FIRST REVIEW IS IN....AND...IT'S A FIVE STAR!!!!!! Thank you Reviews By Crystal Coe-Benedict......WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

"By Reviews By Crystal
Mystic Capers is the second book I have had the pleasure of reading by Grace Augustine. She has created a wonderful series with fun characters, great places to visit, and touching story lines. I have to say that Grace Augustine's characters are so well developed that it seemed like I was visiting old friends when reading Mystic Capers. I had the chance to meet most of the characters in the first book Bittersweet. I'm a huge fan of series, because I do like to catch up with friends with each new book.

Mystic Capers is Ginger Farnsworth's turn for us lucky readers to learn her story. She has quite a story to be told. I loved that Grace Augustine not only told us her present day story but told us about her past as well. I sometimes feel that I have a hard time keeping up with an author that tells about the past as well as the present in such great detail. I have to say I had no trouble at all Ms. Augustine has done a fabulous job of telling Ginger's story.

I really liked Ginger, she is such a likable character and I have to say that some of the foods described certainly made me hungry. You see Ginger is a great Chef and we hear about some of the fabulous foods she makes in this story.

I really enjoyed watching Ginger and Jordan meet and get to know each other in this story. They have such a touching relationship. I don't want to tell you too much but this couple has a very sweet story to be told and I really enjoyed it.

If you enjoy romance series books that involve great friendships, a wonderful romance, some touching moments and as well as some humor then I think you will enjoy this book. If you have not had a chance to read Grace Augustine's work yet you may want to start with Bittersweet but I really don't think you would have a hard time reading Mystic Capers as a stand alone book first.

I will be anxiously awaiting which of the wonderful friends from Acorn Hills that Ms. Augustine is going to tell us more about next. I know I will be looking forward to her next release.

I received this wonderful book as a birthday present. I can't think of a better present for a reader like me than a book can you all? However I wanted to share my thoughts with you on Mystic Capers. As always it has been my pleasure to share my thoughts with you"

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Movement...

3/26/2014

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Only a few days left of the month of March, and we still have winter-like weather. I'm not too sure who made Mother Nature upset, but I really wish they'd knock it off! I'm ready for green grass, leaves on the trees, and daffodils in bloom! I know, all in due time...

With this being National MS Awareness Month, I've been thinking a lot about movement. Maybe it is because my own movement has been impeded somewhat lately.

There are so many different things that pop into my head when I see the word "movement." Leaves fluttering in the breeze, curtains waving in the breeze of an open window, marching bands, dancers, scenes on tv or movies, music as it crescendos and fades... our bodies as they exercise, our fingers as they type, our lips as they smile, our feet as they take us from one point to the next...moving forward.

We cannot go forward without moving. Pretty profound statement, I think. In order to GO forward, we have to MOVE. Whatever form that takes for us, we have to MOVE if we want to progress, advance.

Movement is so difficult some days for those with MS. (I choose this particular disease because I happen to be one who has it.) I'm not sure why, but lately it is so difficult to move my legs. They feel like a cell phone on vibrate...constantly. It's very annoying, very restricting.

When I think back on what I used to do 10 years ago, I'm amazed at what I can no longer do, but how I've found a new normal to do it. While that may not make sense to some of you, those with autoimmune disorders have to constantly re-invent themselves, finding a new normal to live life to its fullest.

I am one who doesn't, as a rule, focus on the negative. I am the cheerleader, half-full glass, yeah/rah person. I am the encourager, the edifier, the girl people count on for that extra shot in the arm when they are down on their luck, or have a genuine crappy attitude.

I do have my days, however, when I am in the mud in the trenches and I can't seem to grasp onto the hope of someone extending that branch to me to pull me up.

I have a great group of sister-authors...and I appreciate them so much for allowing me to vent the negative the other night. I have amazing people who surround me with their encouragement and support and their unconditional love....regardless of where my attitude is on any given day.

Thank you! Thank you sister-friends, brother-friends, sister-authors....you all mean so much to me and make my life so much richer, so much brighter. I'm just a guppy in a pool of beautiful dolphins, but I'm so excited that I get to be alongside that beauty!

Please remember to join the Crazy Lady Stalkers authors group this weekend at the Ain't Nobody's Fool Author/Reader event as we spend time with our readers. Each has a one hour slot from Saturday, March 29th through April 1st. If you are interested in meeting some awesome authors, please stop by...remember, too, to register for the rafflecopter....a 7" Kindle Fire HD. Click the link on my Upcoming Events page.

Until next week, I wish you warmth and peace in your homes and hearts. Sending hugs and love your way....G

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Mystic Capers Release a Success!

3/16/2014

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Thank you all so very much for making the official release of Mystic Capers a huge success!

Ms. Vicki Rose Stewart was the hostess with the most-ess last night and in charge of the chaos! I hope everyone who attended had a great time. I know I did! We had virtual drinks and snacks, there was tons of conversation, and lots of laughter! My heart is filled and my soul humbled beyond words.

Mystic Capers is available for sale on Kindle. I should be receiving the actual books within the next couple of weeks. So, those of you who won signed copies of Mystic Capers, hang on a while, I WILL get the books to you. And please, remember to leave a review...I want to know what you think...good, bad, or ugly...the reviews help us authors to grow in our art and be better writers!

Another snowstorm hit last night, dropping 3 inches of new white powder...the sun is shining brightly this morning and with its warmth, I pray we are returned to the dingy brown of early spring. I did notice that I have hosta peeking out of the ground from under the mulch of last fall. The hard maple has atleast 6-8 inches of new growth...spring isn't far away, is it???

Tomorrow is the Wearin' o' the green! Do you celebrate St. Patrick's Day? Will you have a special Irish meal? Go to your local pub? There isn't an ounce of Irish in me, but on Saturdays and Sundays, my life is filled with Celtic music! Tomorrow I work, there won't be any celebrating and I will be having leftover chicken for my dinner when I get home.

I do wish you all the Luck of the Irish tomorrow and the rest of the year...May your hearts be filled with the monkeyshines of the Leprechauns! Hugs and love to you all.

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Tooting my own horn

3/12/2014

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Mystic Capers released on Kindle this week. Saying I'm excited is an understatement!

The one thing I did find out, though, is that when paperback books are purchased, they are better purchased through Createspace estore than through Amazon.

Authors write to tell stories and for entertainment and because, well, because it's in our blood. It's really a part of who we are. We make very little from the sales, unless we become NYT best sellers (one million sales or more). The royalties through Createspace are a better average for authors...Amazon royalties are less than half of what Createspace offers. Please think about this the next time you purchase paperback books. Buy to support your indie authors so they can continue bringing you wonderful stories that take you into a different world, even if only for a little while. Another way would be to buy direct from the author or attend signing events in your area.

I was asked what my books are about, and when I tell people, they seem interested that there is actually a category now for the over 50 year olds. I DID classify them as an 18 or over read on Amazon because of the explicit sex scenes and one or two swear words here and there.

This is a whole new romance category...one for the over fifty crowd... Books that focus on life adventures, positive outcomes, and fun. Just because readers are over fifty doesn't mean life stops...we still enjoy our days to the fullest, we still like to go out and have a good time, we are still sexual, sensual beings who have the same longings those younger than ourselves have. We want to make a difference. That is what the Acorn Hills series is about...a group of close friends who stand by each other through the adversities, as well as the joys of life.

Bittersweet is available in paperback and on Kindle
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_14?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=bittersweet%20by%20grace%20augustine&sprefix=Bittersweet+by%2Cstripbooks%2C167&rh=i%3Astripbooks%2Ck%3Abittersweet%20by%20grace%20augustine

Mystic Capers just released on Kindle and will be available in paperback soon
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_32?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=mystic+capers+by+grace+augustine&sprefix=Mystic+Capers+by+grace+augustine%2Cstripbooks%2C253&rh=n%3A283155%2Ck%3Amystic+capers+by+grace+augustine

With that said, I realize not everyone will enjoy this genre...and that is great. I totally understand, because there are genres that I don't read because I don't like them. However, for those of you who do venture into the realm of Acorn Hills...I hope you will want to become a part of it. Thank you for taking a chance on reading life stories with a dash of romance...stories that remind you of your own life...stories that tug at your heart...stories that make you want to read more.

Wishing you a wonderful week filled with the monkeyshines of the Leprechauns as we ready for St. Patrick's day....also, remember, those of you who listen to Wee Dan's Hoose on Bluesandrootsradio.net, this Sunday it will be broadcast from Scotland! What a way to usher in St. Patrick's week!!!

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MARCH IS NATIONAL MS AWARENESS MONTH

3/4/2014

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MARCH

It's coming in like a lion, too, with fatigue, muscle spasms, and decreased mobility.

If you don't know what MS is....here is the Reader's Digest version.

MS=Multiple Sclerosis. There are several different forms...Primary Progressive, Secondary Progressive, Relapsing/Remitting.

MS is an autoimmune disease....

It isn't "caught" like you catch colds or flu...it isn't from a bacteria or a virus, it isn't communicable.

I will use me as an example....

My body is attacking itself. I have rogue T-cells and B-cells that see perfectly healthy tissue and nerves as foreign bodies. They eat the myelin sheath off of the nerves, leaving them exposed. It would be like cutting the plastic coating off of a wire and expecting it to work without shorting out. It doesn't happen. Once that myelin is eaten away, the nerves are damaged. There is a chink in the chain of command from the brain to the damaged nerve. The brain tells the foot to move and it doesn't understand its instruction.

The main evidence of this is seen in MRI images of the spinal cord and brain. Lesions appear. If they are active, they glow when enhanced by a radioactive serum injected into you while the tests are done. If they are not active, they show scarring...meaning damage has been done but there is nothing current to worry about.

Flare ups, or exacerbations, are brought on by stress, temperature change of even one degree or less either direction, lack of sleep, poor diet, or viruses and colds.

MS takes many things from a healthy person...the ability to walk, the ability to see, the ability to speak, the ability to enjoy life. MS patients have to time and again find their "new normal." I've had to several times since 2003, when my diagnosis was given to me.

I challenge you to go to the National MS Society website, or to wikipedia or to Mayo Clinic websites....learn something new about MS and other neurological autoimmune disorders.

MS is not Muscular Dystrophy. MS affects the neurological system of the body. Muscular Dystrophy is a dystrophic disease that attacks the muscles of the body.

With knowledge we have power to one day squash this disease like a bug...and with it many others.

Thank you for researching this for yourselves. I know some of you will and some won't. I can guarantee, you, though, that one, if not all, knows someone who is suffering with MS, MD, Lupis, fibromyalgia, or a list of other neurological disorders.

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Mystic Capers, First Review!

Movement...

Mystic Capers Release a Success!

Tooting my own horn

MARCH IS NATIONAL MS AWARENESS MONTH

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