A Poem

My 28 year old nephew was killed in a car accident this week in Florida. He's featured in the above photo with his parents and sister. He left behind a 2 yr old son.

I won't be able to attend the funeral, I'm stuck in Michigan, so I wrote this poem for him. I hope my family likes it.

Joshua
The Hebrew form of the Greek name Jesus.
The name by which Jesus was known by His friends.
Meaning God is Salvation.

Joshua
A son, a father,
A nephew, a cousin,
A friend, a leader.

Joshua
Our Josh
A toe-head boy
With shining blue eyes
Hugs for all
And a never ending smile.

Joshua
Our Josh
A teenager with dreams
The love of baseball
Flirtatious banter
And a never ending smile.

Joshua
Our Josh.
A generous man
Willing to lend a helping hand
A kind soul
And a never ending smile.

Joshua
Our Josh.
Chosen by the Lord,
A guardian angel to his son
Leader of souls on the baseball team in the sky,
And a never ending smile.

Joshua
A leader, a friend
A cousin, a nephew
A father, a son.

And he is still smiling.

Indie Bookstores Press On Despite Economy

A look at what independent bookstores in Michigan are doing to keep sales up in a tough economy.

by Jennifer Guerra

Independent bookstore fans who live in the Ann Arbor area have probably heard that Shaman Drum Bookstore might close. Well, there's good news from bookstore owner, Karl Pohrt:

"I'm going to move ahead and continue to do this store."

The store will look a little bit different - the top floor for university text books is gone. Instead, there's one main floor for trade paperbacks and hard covers, and it could become a non-profit. Down the street Borders isn't doing so well. The Ann Arbor-based bookstore posted a 57% drop in 4th quarter earnings, and it plans to cut expenses by $120 million this year. So Michigan Radio's Jennifer Guerra went out to find how others Michigan bookstores are doing.

The tiny town of Mason, Michigan is located between Jackson and Lansing. There's an independent bookstore there called Bestsellers Bookstore and Coffee. When I visited on a Tuesday morning, it was surprisingly busy for a Tuesday morning: there's Bill the local minister, Rollin Dart whose family owns the local bank, and a group of ladies in the corner doing Bible study.

At the center of it all is Jamie Robinson. She's the owner. She opened the independent bookstore 12 years ago, back then she only sold books. About four years ago she bought a bigger building and added an espresso bar and some breakfast snacks, which she says has done wonders for business:

"Oh yeah, before maybe you'd have 40 people a day, now we're probably running 150 people a day through the doors, yeah."

She says about every other person that comes in for coffee buys a book. But book sales are still pretty flat. Plus, she's competing against Google books, Amazon.com and to a lesser extent Kindle and other digital books. So you'd think, given the recession, she'd be nervous about the future of indie bookstores. But you'd be wrong.

"No, I'm really not. It's a great niche. Most generally if people want to stop local, they still are very conscientious that we have a brick and mortar building. That when school groups come and say can I sell Girl Scout cookies here...Amazon has never hosted an author reading, Amazon has never had a book sale for a local community charity. People that realize the value of independents, they'll wait a couple days for a book."

Turns out Robinson's experience isn't the exception.

Jim Dana says "for the most part they're doing alright."

Dana is executive director of the Great Lakes Independent Booksellers Association. It's a kind of umbrella organization for indie book stores in Michigan, Ohio, Illinois and Indiana. He says it's hard for any business to do well in a recession.

"Our stores actually got through the holidays better than they thought, I think. So they came out of the holidays with a sense of confidence that they could get through this is. For the most part, there are a few exceptions."

As far as new independent bookstores go, last year was pretty much a wash for Michigan: 7 stores opened, and 7 stores closed.

In the early 90s, there were around 4,500 independent bookstores nationwide that were members of the American Booksellers Association. Now there are about 1,800.

The ones that seem to make it have turned their bookstores into community centers. They hold open mic nights, sell coffee or wine, and offer writing classes.

Lara Zielin is a Michigan author. She has a new book coming out for young adults coming out in August. It's called "Doughnut Days." She's rooting for the 1,800 indie bookstores to survive. She says, like a lot of first time authors, she's going to rely pretty heavily on indie bookstores to get the word out about her book, because getting her foot in the door at a big bookstore chain is pretty hard.

"There's usually 1 buyer at the top for the big bookstores, and so if the buyer at one of those big bookstores doesn't like your book, they won't carry a lot of copies. But with indie bookstores, for example, someone who might just work the cash register might get a hold of a galley that comes in. They'll read it, love it, and then tell the owner that they love it. And it's much more likely for the bookstore to carry it. So it's not just one person who is the decider. There's lots of deciders.

And it seems like the deciders in Michigan's independent bookstore world are determined to stick around.



Special thanks to Michigan Public Radio for featuring this outstanding and positive article!!!!!!

Tormented Soul Excerpt

Blurb -
Erick McAlister is known as London’s Most Dangerous Bachelor; he enjoys scotch,women, and spending time in the London underground club, The Skunk’s Den.He’s never had a real relationship; women only want him for one thing- he desires more.

When the one he vowed he would never toy with, Lynn Westmore, gives him an unexpected proposition, his life takes an enjoyable turn. Just as he is beginning to find happiness, tabloids headline him, a woman from his past announces she’s expecting his child, someone is trying to kill him, and he finds himself questioning his relationship with the young courier he’s hired to teach him to ride his new motorcycle. Even though his life is in torment, he begins to believe in love, something he never thought he’d feel.

Unfortunately, Lynn doesn’t think Erick could ever be faithful to one woman, let alone be in love with her, so when she finds herself in love with him she runs. Erick falls into a spiral of depression, and it takes his brother and closest friends to bring him to his senses.

When he finds out a magazine has rated him as the World’s Most Dangerous Bachelor, he agrees to do the interview only if Lynn is the photographer and he uses the opportunity to let Lynn know
how he feels; he offers his heart to her one more time...



Excerpt #2:

Erick stretched out his legs as Penny rushed up the stairs. He found himself becoming very attached to his four-legged friend: it was easy to care for her and even worry about her. After he hired a dog walker to take her out around lunchtime for a stroll, he had a peace of mind.

The phone rang and he raced up the steps.

“McAlister,” he answered.

“A large crate arrived for you today,” Andrew’s voice came through the line. “Would you care to elaborate what is going on?”

“Do you know what it is?” Erick puffed.

“Bloody hell, I do! Are you nuts?”

“Only as much as you are.”

“Fair enough.”

“Go ahead and open it if you want.”

“What? And spoil your fun! Never! When are you coming to Sussex?”

“I’ll leave tomorrow. Can you send your driver to get me?”

“No problem. How do you intend to get this beast back to London?”

“I’ve hired a courier to teach me to ride. I’ll bring him with me.”

“A courier! Those creatures are lunatics who are more intended for motor sports rather than driving on the streets of London!”

“Oh, I think you’ll like Duncan. He reminds me of someone. You’ll see what I mean.”

“Argh!” Andrew groaned.

“You enjoy riding. You own a motorcycle.”

“I own a Harley. A piece of art. This is an engine with a saddle!” He paused. “You’re going to love it, mate.”

“Thanks.” Erick smiled. “We will see you tomorrow night.”

Erick relaxed and put his feet up in the Rolls Royce. Penny was curled next to him, dreaming what dogs do. He looked out the back window and saw Duncan following on his motorcycle. He had passed a note to the courier when he arrived in the morning. Life had become busy for Erick between business and the occasional dinner with Peter and Abby; he only saw Duncan at work and occasionally was joined by him on an evening jog with Penny.

They traveled past the gatehouse and up to the entrance of Hampton House. Penny jumped out with excitement when Andrew, Elizabeth and Lady greeted them. Duncan turned off his engine, took off his helmet and looked around as he slowly dismounted his bike. Erick took his sister and Andrew over to meet him.

“Duncan,” Erick called to him. “I’d like you to meet my sister, Elizabeth and her husband Andrew.”

Elizabeth drew her breath when Duncan looked at her.

“Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Somerby.” Duncan broke the spell and held out a hand to Andrew. “Mr. Somerby.”

“Please, call us by our first names,” Andrew said.

“You are really him.” Duncan couldn’t take his eyes off Andrew’s stripe. “You’re Puzzola!”

“Yes.” Andrew raised an eyebrow.

“Oh, wow!” Duncan stomped his booted foot and spun around with excitement. “I love your work. I could never afford your work, so I framed your publicity posters. Oh, man! I cannot believe I’m standing here with you. Wait until I tell my friends!”

Andrew and Erick looked at each other and laughed.

“I think I like this kid.” Andrew teased. “Say, do you want to take a look at your box or eat first?”

“You have to ask?” Erick took off with long strides to the garage.

Andrew had a crowbar with a bow tied on it waiting for Erick. Erick laughed, grabbed it and began to open the crate. Andrew stood behind Elizabeth with his arms wrapped around her watching Erick and his younger twin tear at the wood. The sides fell down to expose the sleek, black and chrome machine.

“Yes!” Erick caressed it as if it were a naked woman. “Beautiful, and all mine. What do you think, Andrew?”

“She’s a beauty all right.” He looked it all over with scrutiny. “She’s ready to go. I had my man from the local shop come over and service it. Then we nailed it back up. Why don’t you start the engine?”

Erick threw his leg over and sat in the saddle, then turned the key. He revved the engine and looked at everyone. Elizabeth was laughing at him, Andrew nodded his approval, and Duncan walked around checking out the features on the bike.
“
Give it a go!” yelled Duncan.

Free Reads

Hi everyone. My publisher just released a Free First Chapter Chapbook as a promotional tool. So if anyone would like to read the first chapters of my books for free, simply send an email to me:

maryquast@yahoo.com

and enter the word, Chapbook, on the subject line, and I’ll send the pdf file which includes the first chapters from
Painted Soul, Tormented Soul and the soon to be released Lonely Soul.

I'm really excited about my books and would love to share a sampling with you.

- Mary

Irish Cream Brownies

4 oz. semisweet baking chocolate, coarsely chopped
1/2 c. butter
1/2 c. sugar
2 eggs
1/4 c. Irish Cream
1 c. all purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
Irish Cream Frosting (recipe follows)

Oven 350F

Preheat oven to 350F. Grease 8 inch square baking pan. Melt chocolate and butter in medium heavy saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Stir in sugar. Beat in eggs, one at a time, with wire whisk. Whisk in Irish Cream. Combine flour, baking powder and salt in small bowl; stir into chocolate mixture until just blended. Spread batter evenly in prepared pan.

Bake 22 to 25 minutes or until center is set. Remove pan to wire rack; cool completely. Prepare Irish Cream Frosting; spread over cooled brownies. Chill at least 1 hour or until frosting is set. Cut into 2-inch squares.

Yield: 16 brownies

Irish Cream Frosting:

1/4 c. (2 oz.) cream cheese, softened
2 tbsp. butter or margarine, softened
2 tbsp. Irish Cream
1-1/2 c. powdered sugar

Beat cream cheese and butter in small bowl with electric mixer at medium speed until smooth. Beat in Irish Cream. Gradually beat in powdered sugar until smooth.

* For fun, I tried a variation. I used a box of Betty Crocker Brownie Mix and substituted the 1/4 cup of water with a 1.4 cup of Irish Cream. Baked the brownies according to the directions on the box. Once cooled, I cut the brownies into squares, placed on a plate, topped with ice cream and drizzled with Hershey's Chocolate Syrup.

Happy St. Paddy's Day

Many sites will tell you that the little trefoil known as the shamrock was once known as "seamróg", pronounced "Seamroy", meaning "little clover". They also mention the fact that it is a very common clover that grows heartily in Ireland.

Many agree that the ancient Druids honored it as a sacred plant. The Druids believed the shamrock had the power to avert evil spirits. Some people still believe the shamrock has mystical, even prophetic, powers. It is said that the leaves of shamrocks turn upright whenever a storm is coming.

According to Lady Wilde, the shamrock "enlightens the brain and makes one see and know the truth".

The ancient Irish Celts also revered the shamrock because it has three leaves, and they considered "3" to be a sacred number. The ancient Celtic Druids believed many numbers held mystical powers.

The three leaves shaped like hearts were associated with the Triple Goddess of Celtic mythology, otherwise known as the "Three Morgans". The Triple Goddess represented the Triple Mothers, the hearts of the ancient Celtic tribes.

This Celtic tradition of honoring "3's" continued in Ireland for millennia.


Buy this Print @ AllPosters.com
Great things do come in threes, after all...


past, present, and future


land, sea, and sky


love, valor, and wit


faith, hope and charity

Three was also sacred to devotees of the goddess, Brighid, signifying totality. And the Irish bards continued the significance of "3's" by using triple repetition in their storytelling rhythms.

Actually, many spiritual belief systems, ancient and contemporary, find the number "3" to have mystical properties. The shamrock was considered a sacred plant to ancient Iranians, for example. They knew it as "shamrakh" and honored it as a symbol of the Sacred 3's.

Shoes, shoes, and more shoes!

"He slipped the high heeled sandal off her beautiful foot. Carefully holding it in one hand, he poured his scotch over her toes with the other. She squirmed with delight as he sucked the golden liquid off each digit."

Sigh. In my reality, shoes are small, dirty, smelly, and scattered all over the floor. On cleaning day, I took inspiration from the Asians. Asian cultures have removed their shoes before entering a home for thousands of years. Every family should have such a practice. Not only does it cut down on the amount of dirt in the house - which translates into sweeping and vacuuming,but it also helps prolong the life of your carpets and rugs. Leaving your shoes at the door will keep daily toxins and pesticides that linger on the soles of shoes from being left all over the home.

I have a cute but heavy braided rug by the front door for visitors and family members to leave their shoes. A rubber boot mat comes in handy during the winter months. I've even seen some people use a shoe tree by their door to collect and air out shoes. Personally, I love a little basket with a variety of slippers placed near the door. Guests are invited to wear the cozy footwear while their shoes remain in their place.

"He tugged the knit slipper off her slender foot. She soon felt the coolness of the peppermint cream as he gently massaged the tender spot under her heal. His fingers with all their exquisite talent sent her along waves of minty bliss." -ahhhh....
Which do you prefer... toe sucking or a full foot massage?

Tormented Soul - Excerpt 1

EXCERPT 1

“British Airways’ Flight 112 to New York will be boarding through gate sixty-five momentarily.”

Lynn quietly reached down and picked up her flight bag. She looked at the boarding pass in her hand. Funny that she didn’t feel like she was going home, but more like she was leaving home. This last trip had been so different from all the others and had taken an emotional toll on her. Perhaps an uneventful stay at her father’s would be just what she needed before returning to finish her photo shoot.

Erick McAlister reached out and adjusted the strap on her shoulder. He glanced toward the gate Lynn would be going through and noticed a young couple saying their good-byes. They spoke softly in between tender kisses, holding each other in a tight embrace. His black heart thudded in his chest. He wondered if that would ever be him; if he was capable of loving, or being loved.

His best friend, Andrew, had been a tormented soul like himself, and against odds found love and happiness with his sister, Elizabeth. Erick thought back to a time when he tasted the sweetness of comfort and contentment. Andrew had been determined to pay Elizabeth and Lynn a surprise visit at Hampton House and persuaded him and his brother Michael to join him.

Through Erick’s life, Lynn Westmore was the only woman to affect him like she did, and he didn’t like it. The night he was changed, he drank himself to oblivion to avoid his uneasy feelings. Unknown to him, his sister had put her best friend in his room during her stay. After retiring in a drunken state to his old bed, he woke in the morning with Lynn in his arms.

She had become a first of sorts. The first woman to sleep with him in his bed at Hampton House, the first to wake with him in the morning, and the first woman to share a bed and not be ravished. As tempting his lustful desires were that morning, he enjoyed the quiet conversation and her presence more than any sexual conquest. With Lynn he found a small piece of serenity he’d only dreamed of.

“Well, it’s almost time,” Lynn’s voice brought him back to the present. “I’ve been gone from the States so long; I hope I haven’t forgotten where I live.”

“Well if you can’t find it, Erick said, “you know you are always welcome at Hampton House. When did you say you will be back?”

“Some time in the spring; depends on the weather. I have a couple of locations I need to go back to. These books on English gardens are scheduled to go to press during the summer, so I have a time factor to work with.” She tilted her auburn head, her brown eyes sparkled, her smile teased. “Are you going to miss me?”

“Yes. I will.”

Lynn put her arms around his waist to give him a hug before she boarded. She felt his arms tighten around her and wondered what it would be like to be loved by him. She felt she could never compete with the beautiful women he surrounded himself with; he was just out of her league. She knew he was a man with worldly knowledge of women, a man capable of incredible passion; a man with such sexual prowess and confidence he would never find satisfaction in someone with her lack of experience.

Erick wanted the moment to last forever. He felt faint stirrings in his black heart. He had broken hearts and strained some marriages. Over the years his reputation grew as a lover, a prince of seduction and passion. To him, women couldn’t be trusted and were nothing but a sport. But he refused to get involved with Lynn because he couldn’t bear to hurt her. Lynn was too good of a person to be played with. He trusted her and her friendship.

He ran his hand up her back, along her neck and cupped her face. He looked deep into her eyes.

“Sweet Lynn,” his voice was a husky whisper. “These last few months have probably been the best as well as my worst. You have heard my secrets and you know of the monster that lives inside me, yet you’ve been a good friend to me. I want you to know I trust you as I would trust my own sister. Thank you.”

He caressed her cheek with his thumb. Her lips were so inviting. He remembered the shock he had felt when he kissed her on New Years Eve. Only a few days had passed and he still felt their heat. He dipped his head and brushed his lips across hers.
“Good bye, Lynn.” He pulled away from her. “Have a good flight.”

It took everything Lynn had to remain on her feet. On the inside, she shook head to toe, from his touch and his kiss. Looking into his green eyes, she saw sadness. She smiled as she bade him farewell, then turned toward her boarding gate.

What a lousy way to start the year, he thought. All alone. His best friend had married his sister over the holidays and they were honeymooning in the American Southwest. Lynn was gone. His father and brother would be leaving in a few days. Perhaps he should visit the Underground Clubs as soon as he returned to London and find someone to warm the cold winter nights. For some reason, the thought didn’t sound very appealing at the moment, but would surely change by the time he dressed in his favorite leathers and disappeared into the London night.

Purchase Tormented Soul now.

Come to a party!!!!

My publisher, Vanilla Heart Publishing is really getting into Love this year. On Valentine's Day, they are hosting their own first Annual Love Festival of Books in the forum.

Drop by between 12:01 am and 11:59 pm February 14, 2009, start a discussion (or add to one), introduce yourself, leave a favorite recipe, chat about favorite characters - just about anything, really - and win an entry to the 1st Annual VHP Love Festival of Books Gift Basket drawing!

I'll be there too. My second book in the Soul Series, Tormented Soul, is being released that day with many other VHP titles!

Erick McAlister is known as London's Most Dangerous Bachelor; he enjoys scotch, women, and spending time in the London underground club, The Skunk's Den. He s never had a real relationship; women only want him for one thing- he desires more. When the one he vowed he would never toy with, Lynn Westmore, gives him an unexpected proposition, his life takes an enjoyable turn. Just as he is beginning to find happiness, tabloids headline him, a woman from his past announces she s expecting his child, someone is trying to kill him, and he finds himself questioning his relationship with the young courier he s hired to teach him to ride his new motorcycle. Even though his life is in torment, he begins to believe in love, something he never thought he d feel. Unfortunately, Lynn doesn't think Erick could ever be faithful to one woman, let alone be in love with her, so when she finds herself in love with him she runs. Erick falls into a spiral of depression, and it takes his brother and closest friends to bring him to his senses. When he finds out a magazine has rated him as the World's Most Dangerous Bachelor, he agrees to do the interview only if Lynn is the photographer and he uses the opportunity to let Lynn know how he feels; he offers his heart to her one more time...


To purchase books of the Soul Series visit Amazon.com for special prices today

Hot Soup for the Soul... and the body!

On cleaning day, this writer doesn't like to cook. I'm simply too whipped out to slave in the kitchen so I usually find a nice recipe for my crock pot. This not only adds nourishment to the body but also adds a wonderful calming scent into the air. In today's busy world that is full of the "take a pill" mentality, it's nice to know that we can still find peace and comfort in a simple pleasure our ancestors also enjoyed... soup.

Today, I woke up ill at 3am. When it came time to put the boys on the bus, I knew I wouldn't get much cleaning done, perhaps just the laundry, so I immediately reached for the crock pot and some beef soup bones. Through my weary eyes, I couldn't find a recipe that struck me. I put away my cookbooks and thought of how Grandma would put it together.

A couple large soup bones with water. I added a can of beef broth and a can of fire roasted tomatoes. Chopped up an onion. Added basil, oregano, sage, parsley, garlic, a bay leaf and six peppercorns... wait, I think I added seven. Then I dropped in a shot of whiskey; figured that would help my soar throat. The pot is set on low. I'll add some freshly cut veggies later in the day. I might even throw in some barley too.

On cold winter days the boys like a cup of soup for a snack when they get home from school. I look forward to sipping the broth throughout the day as I "taste test". It will rejuvenate my soul and aid my body in healing. Thanks Gram!

Perhaps I'll cut up some oranges as well... hmmm...