What Remains True Blog Tour #Romance #Summer Read

Welcome again to USA Today Bestselling author Nancy Naigle, who's talking about her latest homey, comfy, small town  read,  What Remains True. 

* Be sure to check out the Q&A, giveaway, and follow the blog tour below for more! 

About the Book: 

Working at a little shop on Main Street in a small town is exactly the break that executive Merry Anna Foster needs following her divorce. She’s made a bet with her ex-husband that she can live on the amount of money she’s giving him in alimony. If she can do it, then Kevin will have to stop complaining and leave her alone. But after three months of this new life, will she even want to leave Antler Creek? 

Adam Locklear, bull rider and owner of the local feed store, is having the best year of his rodeo career. He’s also a bit distracted by the pretty new neighbor living in his old bunkhouse. Then an old girlfriend shows up with a surprise - and leaves five-year-old Zan—the daughter Adam didn’t know he had—in his care.  Does the future hold a life even better than what Merry Anna and Adam had each dreamed of? 

BUY: Amazon -  Goodreads 

Find Nancy at: Instagram - Twitter  *** Get a free bookmark download and more!

REVIEW: Remember that TV makeup commercial that starts, "Easy, Breezy...?" That's this book. A fun, breezy, summer read you won't put down until the last page. It's easy to get caught up in Merry Anna's world as she adjusts to a new life in a quaint small town, the type of town we'd all like to run away to! You're gonna love seeing how it all turns out! 5 stars! 

** Interview with Nancy Naigle:

What inspired the story?

 The small town of Antler Creek, which I first wrote about in Christmas Angels, had been popping up in my mind over and over again. I loved the characters, and the barn quilt trail, it was just such a great place that I couldn’t resist setting a new story there with new characters and old friends too.

 

What made you decide to set the book in the rodeo world? How did you research the details? 

I’m a huge rodeo fan, not just bull riding, but all of the events, but bull riders are facing great danger when they get on the back of the big bull. I’ve had first-hand conversations with bull riders, and I was excited to bring that experience to readers who may not know that much about it. In my research about injuries I was surprised that there are a few sports doctors in the sport who used to ride broncs or bulls, and that just possibility made my character even more interesting. The most surprising thing was my personal experience with mutton busting. That’s when kids ride on the back of a sheep. It’s hilarious to watch, and I’d seen it as a spectator hundreds of times, but my stepson actually competed in the mutton busting a few years back and let me tell you…it’s terrifying when it’s your loved one out there! Even on a sheep.

 

Is there a favorite area for you in a small town you like to write about? Why? 

Small towns have personalities, traditions, and most everyone knows everyone else’s business. I feel like the town itself is another character.

 

Who/what inspired the main character - and her fun renovating neighbor?  

My characters are never based on people I know, but rather characteristics that make them unique or engaging. Tara, the fun renovating neighbor, is a widow who is very handy with tools and I just love that she’s taken on this huge project. She’s a little old school, so her friendship with our heroine Merry Anna is perfect timing with technology as she tries to shop online for the special lighting and other things she needs for the house. She and Merry Anna have a really lovely friendship.

 

What is the takeaway you hope to leave readers with? 

 That even when we think we know exactly what we want and are laser-focused on the goal, life has a way of changing our direction. It’s a story of change, adapting and pivoting when things go haywire. It’s also a story of friendship.

 

Do you plan on another book with any of your main characters - or even the sub-characters? 

Yes! I love this town. There will most definitely be more stories set in Antler Creek. There could even be a wedding coming soon. The cast of characters is growing and there are countless holidays, traditions and stories to tell.

 

And... what's next?

 

I have two more books coming out in 2022. They are both on pre-order now.

Mission: Merry Christmas (releases 9/6) is a Christmas novella with a Caribbean setting.

The Wedding Ranch (releases 12/6) is women’s fiction about family, forgiveness and second chances.

 

Is there a certain other interest or hobby you're drawn to?

 I don’t quilt. I love anything crafty though. The last few years I have been painting barn quilts. Barn quilts can be found all across the nation. There are websites that list barn quilt trails across America and I’ve been on several across the nation.

These aren’t quilts like grandma used to sew, which by the way I love and am so envious of the talent that quilters have! These are quilt-like geometric designs that are drawn on plywood and painted with exterior paint. You affix them to your barn, outbuildings, house, fence or if you’re like me and running out of buildings I’m painting some small 12x12 barn quilts to hang under my mailbox.

 

I first became interested in them when I wrote the first Antler Creek book, Christmas Angels. Since then, I’ve taken a few classes and painted a bunch of them! It’s such a relaxing craft, and if you mess up, you just paint right over it. I like forgiving art, lol. Readers have been asking me to do a video how-to about it. It’s on my list of to-do’s. So stay tuned.

* Thanks again, Nancy, for visiting and sharing some of your world with us! 

 

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* Giveaway: *

What Remains True

H Lobby #miniatures sale & Good News/Bad News!

 

Can't resist a sale! I'm mostly doing half scale these days so thought this little kit could come in handy if the size is close enough. The kit was $7.99; electric tape $16 down to $3.99; LED lite was $3.24. Just a few things I bought. Yeah, I got a few more electric things, the splices and lead wires, and a second light. Won't see that price again!

Good news is I got a few more things done on The Fairfield: Not much picture-wise but the 2nd floor fireplace is papered now. Cutting pieces to make the wood mantles next. I think this floor will be more wood as also have wood flooring cut. I might do some faux wainscoting and some fake ceiling beams since the left room here has a dragon print orange paper. Thought the wood could be a nice contrast and give it a warmer look.

Also got the 1st and 2nd floor porch wood cut; light is in on front porch; 2 floor lights in for the pumpkins, too! (What's a porch without lit pumpkins?) Added another light in kitchen. In-order process: had to get a couple pieces of siding cut and painted, then measure and glue on one piece to get the exterior light on...

Oh, and speaking of that! UGH! Must've taken the lights off an old house and didn't realize the one was a bare wire. Well.... a piece of wire stuck out and shorted.... had to take it apart and have the dollhouse electrician install the second light - after I coated the wire with nail polish to be safe!

BAD news -- shorted out 2 transformers!!! My BIG Mistake!!! Worse was my very large big transformer I've had for years! UGH!!! Those are very expensive now!!!! Should've left it on the big house. Should've, should've. Live and learn....

Well, hopefully will have better news next time! See you then!

New #Miniatures Find: Mystery Medieval-Tudor Box

 

I just had to share!

While I am doing mostly half-scale dollhouses these days, once I saw this box, I knew I had to take it home. It's so different! I just fell in love with it; very excited!!! (Click images for full size.) No matter what, I'll find a place to display it. The box has a lacquer-painted surface. The size is 15" h, 14" w, 7" d.

What do you think it is???

I just thought it was so cool and unique. I immediately pictured setting it up as the Tudor/Medieval scene I'd set aside for ages. I have a queen doll and I think a couple others (or I'll dress them). I'd also made a clay meal, complete with boar's head, a loooong time ago, and I'd gotten some other food items from a previous swap some years back.

The images look to be a mixture of medieval, maybe Crusades-Middle East, maybe colonial even? haa! So it really doesn't matter what I mix, it seems. 😀

Right side:

Left side: Middle East? Crusades? Who knows?

Top:

Colonial? (How this fits with the others I don't know! haa!)

Did you guess what it is yet????

I should leave you hanging but....

Ta-dah! It's a cd case holder. Just have to figure how to get the inside wall out. The sides can be covered. I think I'll make egg carton stone, like a castle interior. 

This will be fun! Stay tuned, it may be a while until I get to it. (Project #999. haaaa!) 

Let there be Light! #Fairfield HS #Dollhouse

 

Yes, it's been a little while since the last post, but... I've been kind of busy!

Actually got a few lights in, and in case you wonder what takes so long, well.... it took most of yesterday to figure out this light for the living room/parlor. An old Illinois Hobbycraft kit, it  contains quite a few pewter pieces, plastic sconces and a small metal tube. A too small tube I learned after trying to fit in four wires from two lights.

The lamp originally called for three lights, so I omitted one (and glad I did.) Cut the tube as it was too long, then realized it was also too small. And then realized after I got a slightly bigger tube that it would be too low so just scrapped it. Yeah, after all that. haa! I like the final look of it; added a rhinestone on the bottom.  I really love this room!

On to the dining room light, with more problems, of course!  I got this light with fake candles a while back I think from the Ionos Half Scale Group swap. I painted it black, put chains on, and added the green leaves around it. Then... oh had to match up which wires went together to each of the three candle lights after I struggled to pull them through the ceiling hole. haa! Lucky, hubby  is the electronics whiz with his tester and such. But I think it works well with the room, don't you?

I love the black/white themes in these two rooms but I will be adding color in the bedrooms. One is an orange dragon theme wallpaper I've also had for a while. The other will be red stripe as I've had this zombie-clown-circus theme in my head for a bit since I have some small resin figures to use. Yes, it sounds weird but I think it'll be cool!

Bathroom: For weeks, I had the small wall (which butts up on the left) put aside, all papered and ready and now... of course, I couldn't find it! So had to take another unused piece of wood, cut a new wall and paper it. (Not shown here.) Then I had to paper the inside walls. The back wall had to be glued halfway, put a hole through the paper, attach inside bath wall light, then solder it in back before folding paper over and gluing it. 

I have to add another light above the stair opening across the hall and will probably add another light on the ceiling near the window here since the spiral stairs will on the right. I'll add a small corner molding  since despite creasing it, the corner paper split. The bumps from the wires won't be as noticeable once everything's in place as you really only get a glimpse of the light through the bathroom barn door.

Kitchen: Yes, ceiling lights are up. I used the metal bead caps and metal findings again like in the other Haunted House as I think they have a vintage look that goes good with the kitchen.  (I have to add  piece of molding on the top back of the stairs yet.)  I decided to put an older piece of ivory textured paper on the ceiling and also used it for the tower ceiling.

More doors and windows are painted and I have to glue in the bay window on right next. Want to get the moldings in before I do that. Also have to add the inner trim on the bay inside edges. I glued a painted piece of cardboard on the inner top which works well.

I know, not many photos and it may not seem like much, but this was a lot of work getting to this point. haa!

That's it for now! I wanted to get more done today, but between all the looking around and then doing lights, I've done enough for now! So, until next time! 

Thanks again for looking and stopping by! Stay tuned for the next updates!

#Romance #Mystery Perfectly Arranged Blog Tour

Perfectly Arranged, (Hopeful Hearts Book 1), Liana George - 

Short on clients and money, professional organizer Nicki Mayfield is hanging up her label maker. That is until the eccentric socialite Katherine O’Connor offers Nicki one last job.

Working together, the pair discovers an unusual business card among Ms. O’Connor’s family belongings that leads them on a journey to China. There the women embark on an adventure of faith and self-discovery as they uncover secrets, truths, and ultimately, God’s perfectly arranged plans.

 * Be sure to enter the giveaway below and follow the blog schedule on Instagram!

BUY: Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Goodreads

REVIEW: Good mystery, though the socialite can be a bit too snotty and over-the-top at times. Good story with a nice twist which isn't overwhelmed by the faith part of the story. Looking forward to seeing how Nicki's life changes in book two. 3.5 stars.

Coming July 5: 

 Perfectly Placed (Hopeful Hearts Book 2) 

Nicki’s tasked with making New Hope the perfect place for orphaned children. So why has everything gone wrong?

Six weeks after leaving China, Nicki Mayfield returns to complete two critical tasks: restore order at New Hope Orphanage and re-connect with Lei Ming, the little girl who stole her heart. However, a stonewalling supervisor, missing documents, and personal tragedy ensure Nicki faces challenges at every turn. Is she the best person to bring order – and longevity – to the place these children call home?

Then, with the help of an unexpected ally, Nicki makes a life-altering decision. One that has the potential to upend her well-planned life and the lives of those around her. Will she lose it all, or has she found a way to save what matters most?

 

BUY: Amazon - Goodreads 

About the Author: 

 Before pursuing a career in writing, Liana George was a professional organizer and former owner of an organizing business. Her debut novel, Perfectly Arranged, was inspired by one of her eccentric clients and Liana's love for China, where she lived for two and a half years. When she's not putting things in order or scribbling away, you can find her reading, traveling, or playing tennis. * Find her on Instagram - Facebook  - YouTube, Organizing videos

Perfectly Arranged 

 *

 

#Fairfield #Dollhouse: More Progress

 

I've been steadily (ok slowly) getting a few things done on the Half Scale Fairfield Dollhouse. (Photo: Yeah, it's taking so long, it's looking like a desert around here full of dried bones. haa!)

But, so far, so good! (* Update: 7/1  - yes, still working on things. Will have a new post soon! Hope to get some lights installed next and top floor glued in.)

Remember I showed the cool gothicy parlor fireplace in the last post? Now I'm figuring out the opposite fireplace in what will be the dining room, right next to the parlor. (Click photos for full size.)

I had this skull piece I bought from a previous Michael's Halloween sale, and have been saving it... (surprised I found it!) though I wasn't sure what to do with it. I thought it might be a doorway mantel, but I think this will work for the second fireplace. 

Dining room fireplace pieces:

This is just a test so it's not straight yet, but I think it looks kind of cool. The pieces are positioned below but not glued yet. The oval shapes are the bottom pieces cut off the face beads on the front of the parlor fireplace. I painted them a light coat of white so they'd match the skull piece better.

 Another thought: I wanted to use the bead pieces to coordinate with the other fireplace but I'm thinking this might look better without them. I could use the pieces then in the upper bedroom fireplace as I'd thought of perching small skull heads on top of them, which might look better. You can't have too many skulls around, you know. heh-heh.

Almost forgot! In keeping with the skull theme, I painted this metal deer skull I found at Hobby Lobby (Timeless Treasures). I think it will look cool above the fireplace. 

The Kitchen:

Back to the kitchen (next to the parlor.) I didn't like how the inner doorway looked since it had three layers -the wall and two doorframes, so I cut some wood to fit. I cut and painted a top inner piece from mat board since the wood didn't want to bend enough. It looked best to paint the edges to match the rooms on each side though the door jamb/floor piece looked best black.

Dining room side:

Kitchen side doorway: The floral paper by the right doorway goes into the front tower/front hall. As the large doorway into the kitchen is open, I extended the floor to match. Wall trim is next and the ceiling before I can glue the alcove to the right side kitchen wall (not shown.) Also have to add the kitchen door and trim in before I close it up. 

The stairs go along that wall so have to figure that out, too, and trim those. I eliminated the outer wall that enclosed the stairs as I think it looks better to have the stairs open. I'll put one of the kitchen pieces in the space under the back of the stairs, maybe the Tootsietoy metal  fridge. Love how it looks against the paper!

Also got the two walls enclosing the second floor bathroom done. Haven't glued them in yet as it's kind of tricky to line up and the ceilings have to be marked first. (So many things you have to pre-plan in this house!) 

Decided to use the sliding barn door (originally from MiniEtchers.com) on the front side of the wall. The wall butts up to the second floor window, leaving space at the end of the hall (so far) for the spiral stairs, unless I think of a better place to put them. The bath will use the faded blue Victorian-style scrapbook paper so I painted the door to bring out the blue though only a portion of the inside will be visible. I tend to re-use the same scrapbook papers in different houses since they look good and I like them, so why not? (Yes, the hall paper below is also in the sitting room in the other more haunted house.)

More doors:

I'd decided to have the  second floor window in the tower cut out for a door instead so I can use the small roof as a second porch instead. I also changed the main door (again) since the door I had didn't open. I like this one better. I also filled that small hole on top of the door with wood since it seemed silly as it didn't really do much. I put a tiny black sequin (cut off some decorated fabric) behind the main doorknob for some contrast. The doorway will be filled in with wood strips and I'll piece the interior paper on the other side and trim it. The colors so far, and I'll be adding other colors for contrast. I decided to do a different color scheme. There will be brick and part siding plus other trim on the exterior.

Testing 1, 2:

I'm also testing out making a mold of the skull piece since it'll never be found in the stores again. Hoping it works. Using Amazing Mold Putty (www.moldputty.com) which I bought a while back. Also trying out PermaStone mix to make the new copy though I  do have a big jar of plaster I can use, too. Will let you know how it works out.  Okay, that's it for now!

Thanks again for visiting. Come back for more updates and projects soon!

#Fairfield #dollhouse: Some Progress!

 I've been working on and off, but I am making progress on the Half Scale Fairfield Dollhouse. (See previous post and also search in left column search box for more posts. Click photos for full size.) * Progress after that - post here.

The Parlor:

I'm pretty happy with a few things I got done. Especially this: the fireplace in the black/white parlor. Parlor on left; dining room on right.

Now for the front of the fireplace: I just love how this came out!

The sides were those beads I found at a Ren Faire some time back. I knew someday I'd use them for this. (And luckily they weren't in that "safe place" where I can't find things! haa!) The bottom was cut off and I layered painted wood strips underneath for the surround. The middle gold piece was cut off a broken metal bench and painted. I was testing to see what picture will fit there though I kind of like the larger frame.

Here's a picture showing the ceiling decoration. I also trimmed around the fireplace top and bottom edges, plus put flat pieces to divide the two floors. I added trim pieces on the doorway inner edges too as the line bugged me.  I wish the flash didn't wash out the colors but I didn't feel like reflecting the flash.

The Kitchen, so far:

The kitchen, which is the room next to the dining room, (enter by the dining room door), is also going to be interesting. I fell in love with this orange floral scrapbook paper and figured it'd be perfect for a Hall0ween-flavored house. It's not going creepy or worn like the other house but will have both Halloween and "normal" furnishings. The "better" relatives will live here. (Like the Munsters except this would be Marilyn's house! Haa!) The walls here are papered, but I have to add door trim and frames yet.

Here's the kitchen window alcove with the curtain/shades done. Isn't that cool paper? 

Steps: 

As this house has to be thought out in steps, the inner alcoves had to be finished. I had wanted to attach the alcoves but... I realized I  have to do the floor and ceilings before I glue the alcove on so I can get my hand in there. ha! Then I have to add trim on the outside of the alcove, which I decided will also have some brick paper with trim to contrast with the red-painted windows.

This is the kitchen floor pattern, which also extends into the front hall. The front hall walls are a large botanic print scrapbook paper. I'll show that later. (The colors are darker and brighter then shown here since the flash bleached it out.)

Yes, it's busy, but I like busy. Adding to that, so far I have a pebble print paper that I painted a light orange for the ceiling. The floor print gives an old-fashioned feel since I want to add older appliances. I have a metal Tootsietoy icebox, and am using the stove and sink kit from TMC/Teresa's Miniature Creations. (Stove/sink photo from Terri Shuping Correll, FB Half Scale Miniatures group.)

And.... yay! I got my sink kit! I figured why reinvent the wheel and make one when she did the work already? So I ordered one and she shipped it to me. 

Also in the Works:

Pictured: the third floor and 2nd floor hall with staircase opening - stairs coming from the first floor kitchen. The roof pieces are only placed to see how they go.

The idea:

I keep looking at the second floor, deciding what to do. There is a wall that fits there with a door at the end nearest to the edge facing you, but it makes this a very narrow space for the bathroom. I am thinking of using part of the wall, cutting it off by the window, and maybe having the door on the side facing the stairs or maybe facing outward. That would leave me a space at the end (again facing you) to put a spiral staircase to go upstairs.

 I could forgo the stairs as I usually do, but I'm enamored with these spiral stairs.  ha! I could put the stairs in the back of the hall in that right corner but then if I add a bathroom you won't see them - and they'll be pretty. Only about half is done here in the picture. Will decide once I have a better idea of how it'll look since the ceiling/floor has to be cut out then.

I'm assembling the half scale spiral staircase kit from Alpha Stamps. Once I finally figured out how this works, they go together nicely. I'm deciding on a black and copper finish, or a dark brown with gold, not sure. Still have to decide on a rail, though. One of their design team used spindles and wood connectors on the 1"  scale staircase here. I'll have to do some other searches. I didn't want to get so complicated but there may not be much choice on this. We'll see how it goes.

Inspiration and Staircase Rail Ideas - Stairs made from wood fans

Bentley House Minis staircase, YouTube

Emily Morganti used spindles and a suede necklace cord for a HS staircase.

Thanks again for visiting. Stay tuned for more to come!

New #Mystery The Dead of Autumn

If you like reading mysteries as I do, then check out the blog tour post today on my other blog for the new fifth book in the Piper Maxwell mystery series, The Dead of Autumn, by USA Today Bestselling Author Jean Rabe.           

     

 

 About the book:

A teenager dressed as Tinker Bell never made it to the Halloween party.

Her murders sends a ripple of fear through Piper Blackwell's rural jurisdiction.

Investigating the crime, the young sheriff and her detective are drawn into an underworld they didn't know existed.

 Can the pair survive the trip into the dark heart of once idyllic Spencer County? Can they find the killer before more lives are are destroyed and he strikes again?

BUY: The Dead of Autumn on Amazon: mybook.to/DeadofAutmn

BUY: The Dead of Autumn on Amazon: mybook.to/DeadofAutmn

Dead of Winter on Amazon: mybook.to/DeadofWinterAudio

The Piper Blackwell Series on Amazon: http://mybook.to/PiperBlackwellSeries

May Flowers!

 Or in this case, nature's flowers. Yes, they're real!

I  couldn't resist. The lilacs are blooming! Sadly, they won't last long in this heat.