Go Barefoot!

How many times a day do I hear, "Mom, where are my shoes?" or "Mom, Nathan's barefoot again."? I feel like I'm on an endless search for shoes or chasing after a three year old who insists on not wearing them. Even at church, within a few minutes the shoes and socks miraculously disappear!

Today, I've been on the go getting the two older boys ready for school. I entered the house to be greeted in a thrush of hugs, snuggles and two adorable bare feet. Even when they are dirty I love to tickle those toes. Like a blast of air, he was off and running to join his brothers in play.

Finding myself in a quiet moment, I sat and took off my shoes. The wood of the floor felt cool against my feet. So I decided I too would be barefoot for the day.

Have you ever noticed how good the grass feels in between your toes? Walking through the yard takes me back to my childhood when I was barefoot most of the time. As an adult, when I have naked feet I feel a child-like spirit speaking to my heart. I find myself enjoying the little things such as butterflies, worms, and flowers.

In a religious sense, I thought about when the voice from a burning bush told Moses to take off his shoes because he was standing on Holy ground. He realized God was speaking to him. When we take off our shoes and feel the greatness of nature, is God perhaps speaking to us?

So let's take off our shoes, wriggle our toes and take the time to enjoy the small things in nature and in life!

Clear the Clutter

Is your desk piled high with papers? Is your purse disorganized? Does your closet look like a tornado hit? Does clutter make your life feel like a constant obstacle course?

Clutter and disorganization can distract you and waste your energy.

Take a deep breath and make the decision to begin clearing the clutter in your life. Start small; organize one small area such as a shelf, a drawer, or your purse. You don't want to overwhelm yourself! Work your way to the big things.

As you clean that desk or the closet you may also be clearing the clutter of old attitudes, grudges, and negativity. This simple cleaning will also cleanse your spirit.

When you clean out a closet, attend to paperwork, organize your personal life, you'll find you have more energy to focus on the things that are important to you.

I find that after cleaning my desk, I have a burst of creativity, my writing muse is happy, and I write like crazy.

Don't get me wrong... I still wish I had a maid!

Check out this Diva Basket

The Montrose Blueberry Festival is in full swing! The museum in town is having a used book sale that has been labeled as the State's Largest due to the 30,000 books up for sale. They are nice books too!

Anyways, I made up a "Diva Basket" for the museum to raffle off. Other than a signed copy of Painted Soul and bookmark, the winner will receive a brass heart-shaped candle holder, a pink tapper candle, pink nail polish, a rose scented sachet, "romance" scented lotion, a pink notebook, and a pink feather boa.

I had fun putting it together for the folks at the museum. They loved it when I dropped it off. The raffle will run Friday - Sunday. So if you are in Michigan this weekend stop in Montrose for the Blueberry Festival for a ton of fun, food, and a chance to win this basket!

For more information about this festival www.montroseblueberryfestival.net

I'll be working the pancake breakfast Saturday morning. See you there!

Interesting Book Finds

I love collecting books as much as reading them. Recently I found a few I'd like to share the titles with other writers.

"The Right to Write" by Julia Cameron. This is a good book for those who are in a writer's block or simply afraid to put pen to paper and write the story floating around their head. A few exercises are included and I found the book to be a bit spiritual: "Writing is sensual, experiential, grounding." I saw writing in a whole new light and it was beautiful.

"On Writing Romance" by Leigh Michaels. Another eye-opening book that takes the reader from the origins of the romance novel to how to establish the framework for one's own work. Great advice on getting one's work ready for submitting. Reading this gave me the sense of doing the right stuff and gave me ideas to better myself as a writer.

"Writing for Self-Discovery" by Myra Schneider & John Killick has become my bible of writing. The simple personal exercises in this book brought me out of a major writing slump. I highly recommend this book to be on every writer's shelf as medicine for the mind when it is infected with severe writer's block.

I know there are many great books out there. But these are a few I found at a used bookstore. I'm always looking for old cookbooks and antique children's books, but can't help myself and always check out every inch of the shop. Being in summer and the time of garage sales, a writer may find books like these for $1 or less!

Congrats to contest winners!

Congrats to winners of an autographed copy of Painted Soul.

*Lura Kubitz won a copy during the Not Going To Conference Conference on RomanceDivas.com

*Rebecca Johnson won a copy from Book-A-Day Giveaway on The Romance Studio

*Paulette Wurdock won a gift basket containing a copy of Painted Soul, an original watercolor painting (by me), bath stuff, a candle, and chocolate at the booksigning.

Special thanks to all those who put their names in the pot.

Book Signing

At first I was a bit disapointed with the turn out at my first book signing until other author pals told me I did ok, then I felt better.

Around 20 ladies showed up for my talk, reading and book signing. I sold 7 books. But I made some new friends and fans! It was fun meeting people and chatting with them. I had a blast! My mom was in her glory. I think I am very lucky to have a mom who has always supported my creativity.

Just as I was leaving the show, my editor (Tricia Gingras) called my cell. She was in town from Minnesota. So she & I and our hubbys went out for drinks and food. I was introduced to an adult beverage called Frog Piss. I loved it!

Today is the day!

Today is my first book signing! Yeah! I'm so excited. The event will take place today at 2pm at Swanhaven Manor. This is the luxury retirement community where my mom lives. I dedicated the book, "Painted Soul", to Mom so I thought it would be fun to kick off my book signing there. My mom, her friends, and the manor are excited about the event. 500 invitations were sent out!

This is not a nursing home, this place is awesome and full of vibrant, active people who enjoy life to the fullest. I can't wait until I'm 55 and I can move in!

I'm going to give a little talk and a reading as well. There is even a really cool gift basket to be won by some lucky lady.

Ack... gotta go and get ready. You should see my new shoes!

Calling All Michigan Authors

I am trying to organize a book signing party and looking for 3-5 other authors living in Michigan to participate with me. The event will take place in September 2008 at the Barnes & Noble on Tittabawassee in Saginaw. It would be fun to have a variety of genre represented; however I am willing to share the spotlight with other romance writers.

This is a great opportunity and a chance to have a ton of fun!

Please contact me if you’re interested.

- Mary Quast
maryquast@yahoo.com

A Confession

Okay, you got me. I'm a junker. Or is it Junquer? My hobby is traveling with Hubby to garage sales, rummage sales, estate sales, flea markets, Goodwill, antique shops...

My sister, Ann, is a very creative person and can find treasures while garbage picking. Yes, you read that right. Come on, how many of you pass a trash pile in someone's yard and say, "Why are they throwing that out? It's perfectly good, just needs..." Well, that's my sister; she turnes trash into treasures. I learned from the master!

Hubby and I managed to decorate close to 90% of our 4600 sq ft home with findings from sales. Even the boys have fun and find treasures of their own.

I have been recording findings, treasures,and ideas on another blog. Finders Keepers. Check it out if you're a junker too or if you are open to fresh, new ideas. www.xanga.com/finders.

Painted Soul

EXCERPT 4


Her blood boiled with sexuality from his touch. He placed hard kisses along her neck. Forgetting her brother was sitting near by, soft moans escaped her.

She felt the limo swerve to the side of the street. She looked out the window as it pulled up to The Place. Puzzola helped her to her feet. A familiar, but older, elf greeted them and Elizabeth noticed the sparkle in his eyes. He either remembered her or was expecting her when he greeted her by name.

“They’re here,” she saw him speak into a small microphone as she stepped aside to let her brother pass.

“Me ole friends, welcome,” Tucker Tripp placed a kiss on her hand. “An’ to the lady, Elizabeth, whose beauty grows ere time me eyes see her. Candy to me own eyes, she is.”

She smiled at him as he led them through a corridor she had never seen. Puzzola held her tightly as Erick looked back at her. They paused before going through a door. Elizabeth looked in the direction Erick pointed. A black and white sign read, “The Skunk’s Den.”

“You are in my realm now,” Puzzola’s voice was raspy as he opened the heavy door. “Welcome to my kingdom. It’s time you met my subjects.”