THE SNOWBIRD MONOLOGUES PART I

It's official. My husband and I are snowbirds. For those who are not aware, a snowbird is an individual of approximately middle-age or older who leaves the ice-capped tundra of the north to descend upon the State of Florida for the winter. We arrive in flocks, following the lead bird down I-75, stopping only for fast food, gas, and visits to the lady's and gent's.  As a unit, we all flip on our blinkers the  moment we cross under the sign that says, "Welcome to the Sunshine State!" and don't turn them off until we head back north in the spring. You will recognize us by our plumage - thick, white sneakers worn with socks (even on the beach,) colorful shirts printed with palm trees, and cardigans draped over our shoulders in restaurants because "they keep the air conditioning turned up too high!" But, before one officially becomes a snowbird, one must, as with any journey, prepare.

"I've only got four months to pack! Better get on it!"

BOOK 'EM DIVA: SOME KIND OF MAGIC - Review Tour

Look at me! Part of a blog tour! Eeeeeee!!!

If this cover doesn't make you reach for this book, then you are dead inside.

One thing I love about reading novels is getting invested in characters. This is one of the reasons I enjoyed Mary Ann Marlowe's debut in contemporary romance. Of course, without a solid plot, plenty of conflict, and a twist or two, I would have tossed the book aside. Fortunately, Marlowe is a skilled writer who incorporated all the makings of a good romantic tale, plus added a steamy scene  (or three or four) to make us all wish we were Eden for at least a moment.

BOOK 'EM DIVA - THE FALL GUY

I love a good story of intrigue, so The Fall Guy by James Lasdun was the perfect reading choice for a cold winter's night when I could, if needed, hover under the blankets. It is a novel in the noir genre, so from the onset, the reader is left with a sense of unease. After all, it's just a story of two cousins, Matthew and Charlie, and Charlie's wife, Chloe, who are going to summer together at the wealthy cousin's home in upstate New York. What could go wrong?

BOOK 'EM, DIVA - HILLBILLY ELEGY

And now, for something extra. Weekly book reviews from The Invisible Diva. Read 'em and weep (or laugh, or think, or smile...)

With the long stretch of holiday time ahead, it's time to get in some reading. This week, I recommend Hillbilly Elegy by  J.D. Vance.

ADVICE FROM MISS PEARL CLUTCHER: CHRISTMAS EDITION

As I am busy preparing for the upcoming holidays, I asked my kind friend, the advise columnist, Pearl Clutcher, to share her social media expertise. Heed her wise words for a happier Christmas Facebook experience.

THE ELEPHANT AND THE TURKEY

Hoo boy! In case you've forgotten, what with all the election hoopla, tomorrow is Thanksgiving. Now, if this were any other year, I'd be lecturing on why bringing a can of jellied cranberry sauce as your contribution to the big meal is as thoughtful as offering a sleeve of Saltine Crackers at the neighborhood potlock.

They say you can tell the age by counting the can rings on the base!

ALL HALLOWED OUT

For some reason, my small Ohio town decided to hold Trick-or-Treat night (aka: the true meaning of Halloween) on Thursday, October 27 (aka: NOT Halloween.) I have no idea what that nonsense was about, nor was I made aware of this information until after 5 p.m. on Thursday evening. I happened to catch the local news, and glanced, indifferently, at the listing of Trick-or-Treat times in the various communities. While I expected some to hold theirs over the weekend (which sucks for parents who want to go to Halloween parties, but is the best for kids who can stay up all night and eat their loot,) I never expected any adult fools would force the youngsters to go a-begging four full days ahead of the rest of the world. Therefore, I was lying on the sofa in sweatpants and an old hoodie, make-up free, hair in a high pony reserved for shampoo-free days, with nothing that resembled candy in the entire household. If the kids around here were into tricks, I was screwed.

"No candy? Redrum her! Redrum!!"