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Standing Still or Still Standing

“Still” is a word with a variety of meanings. The one NOT in play here is a device to distill alcohol. This ain’t Hazzard County and I ain’t a Duke (The occasional “Yeehaw” notwithstanding). “Still” can refer to being motionless and quiet, as one would to listen or to try to calm down after something upsetting. That could apply here and I’ll get to that in a minute. “Still” can also mean that despite the occurrence of something potentially destructive.  From the “Star Spangled Banner,” the phrase “our flag was still there” comes to mind.

star spangled banner

I couldn’t find the quote (because I can’t remember the exact verbiage) from Bear Bryant or Tom Landry or some other legendary football coach  admonishing his players who celebrated  touchdowns with dances unless they were going to celebrate their fumbles as well, they should knock it off (Well, “knock it off” was a favorite phrase of my late father. After he babysat my nephew one afternoon, the kid would tell Ira, the family cat, “Knock it off, Ira.”)

Ira

Ira knocking it off

Under this rule, I offer the following link to a review that wasn’t so enthusiastic:

“At Last” review by Online Book Club

In short, the reviewer said there were mistakes throughout the book and she didn’t like the open ending.

Can’t do much about the ending at this point and I really don’t want to do anything about it, anyway. I’ve lived with these people for over 12 years and frankly, I’d like a break from this particular story.

The mistakes, though…

I’m waiting to hear what she has to say. I learn the hard way; from my mistakes. In order to turn out a better product (and yes, these are products. I will be pushing you, Dear Reader, to buy copies, but that’s in a few minutes) , I need to know what went wrong so that I don’t repeat them. And then I need to beat up the editor withe them because she was supposed to catch stuff.

go to jail

That’s an error. She’s the cop.

I’m a fan of full disclosure, something that’s in short supply in all walks of life lately. In addition to being a hope junkie (See “Tis the Season“), I am an information junkie. I want to learn all the time. I also believe that the more information one has, the better the choices that can be made. In my case, including this review shows that not everyone may have such a great opinion and for good reason.

So, I am standing still in order to listen.

Still Standing: this will not stop, deter, or destroy me.  Failure is not getting back up after you’ve taken a hit.

And for the “Dukes of Hazzard” version of a still: Drinking has never been a coping mechanism for me (Food has that honor). I do, however, have a lovely single-malt Scotch and some Makers Mark 46 that make for some nice sipping.

makers46_brick

Yee Haw.

Promotion/Offer: Still (this is known as a “callback”) making the following offer: If you use the Buy Now link to get SIGNED copies of both books, I will refund $4.00 shipping and throw in a lovely, handmade beaded bracelet. I can do this because I use USPS Media Mail to ship in the US (least expensive option). I cannot guarantee delivery by Christmas Day at this point (Unless you’re in Southern California), but I can guarantee that I will get that sucker out the door ASAP and give you the tracking number.  (This offer is only good for areas served by USPS Media Mail)

Christmas tree

Have a merry and BUY MY BOOKS

They Like Me! They Really Like Me!

Another review in, this one from Deliza’s Dirty Dramas:

Blog Tour – “At Last” by Susan Thatcher

AtLast131022_bookcoverCVR6

And while Deliza gave me some chaff about a couple of things (and threatened to punch me in the throat. The scary thing is, she’s in a position to do it. Or have her minions do it. She has minions), overall, she liked the book (4 smooches out of 5) .  She also liked “These Foolish Things” (4.5 out of 5 smooches):

TFTbookcover6

Deliza’s Review of These Foolish Things.

Maybe I’ll keep plugging away at this writing thing…

For today, “These Foolish Things” is a free download on Smashwords (reintroducing it to Nook, Kobo and other e-reader platforms). December 10-31, it will be $.99 on all e-reader platforms.

The reviews coming in make Exhibit A

sphinx pose

And me

author photo

Feel like this

happy-dance

(Grooving to Christmas jazz)

Louis Armstrong – Zat You, Santa Claus?

Big Updates, Big News.

First order of business:

AtLast131022_bookcoverCVR6

Has itself another 5 Star Review:

It Started With A Book review of “At Last”

tftbookcover

Is available for Nook, IBook, Kobo, Sony, and other readers through Smashwords (previously Kindle exclusive. Look for “At Last” at the end of January 2014):

These Foolish Things on Smashwords

It’s Christmas season and tomorrow is another signing:

santora building

Santora Building at 207 N Broadway in Santa Ana, CA 92701

which houses:

green door

The Green Door Gallery

which is where this kind of thing happens:

2013-09-07 18.16.38

(Parrots not guaranteed)

From 5 PM to 10 PM tomorrow, Saturday, December 7, 2013 (Really? It’s December?)

I will be signing and selling both books AND bead bracelets.

PLUS:  I accept cash, credit cards and now…Paypal*

CUSTOMERS BUYING BOTH BOOKS WILL GET  A DISCOUNT ($14.50 instead of $15.98) and a bracelet. 

(As soon as I figure out how to work the furshlugginer Paypal Here app. I think you, as the customer, need to have it on your phone and functioning).

COME ON DOWN!

On a Roll!

banner

Going on through Dec. 10

snoopy dance

Got another positive review from Nicole over at Author Groupies:

Author Groupies Review

Go read it!

Here’s my current offer: Buy both books through this website (Buy Now link right here) and I will rebate $4.00 in shipping AND add in a handmade beaded bracelet

For $19.98, you get autographed copies (AUTOGRAPHED IN GOLD) AND a bracelet (plus thank you notes, a business card and if he doesn’t get his butt out of the way, an orange cat)

Udacity study buddy

And, since it IS the Christmas season, I’d like to leave you in the mood:

Christmas Wrapping – The Waitresses with homemade animation