Showing posts with label christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label christmas. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 21, 2021

Christmas in July: Two Girls and an Oven book review

 

Who's ready for Christmas in July?

Janine's Cool Cats and Reviews did me the honor of sharing my new release on her blog!

Two Girls and an Oven is a story that revolves around a small bakery during the Holidays. Please take a look at what Janine had to say about my book:

Janine's Cool Cats and Reviews

 To purchase a paperback or Kindle copy today, visit my Amazon Author Page 

Tuesday, December 22, 2020

On Strike for Christmas book review: 12 Days of Bookmas / Blogmas

 

I read this book every year! On Strike For Christmas by Sheila Roberts has something for everyone. I laugh and I cry every time I read this book. There are many relatable characters that keep me wanting to read it over and over again.

It may be an older book, but it is one I will keep forever.

On Strike For Christmas 

At Christmastime, it seems as though a woman's work is never done. Trimming the tree, mailing the cards, schlepping to the mall, the endless wrapping—bah humbug! So this year, Joy and Laura and the rest of their knitting group decide to go on strike. If their husbands and families want a nice holiday—filled with parties, decorations, and presents—well, they'll just have to do it themselves. The boycott soon takes on a life of its own when a reporter picks up the story and more women join in. But as Christmas Day approaches, Joy, Laura, and their husbands confront larger issues in their marriages and discover that a little holiday magic is exactly what they need to come together.

Sheila Roberts gives the best gift of all in this funny, heartwarming novel that touches the very core of Christmas spirit.

What is Blogmas? 

Book release: Picture This

Thursday, December 17, 2020

Christmas in July book review: 12 Days of Bookmas / Blogmas

 


Let's look at Christmas in July by Debbie Mason for 12 Days of Bookmas...

Grace Flaherty had given up hope of ever seeing her husband again. After all, it'd been over a year since he went missing in combat. So when he strides through the door of her bakery in downtown Christmas one sunny afternoon, she can hardly believe her eyes. But her happily-ever-after is going to take some effort - because Jack has no memory of his family.

All Jack Flaherty remembers about Christmas is that he couldn't wait to leave town. Now he's a local hero with a wife and son he doesn't know. Even as he struggles to rekindle the romance with his wife, he knows in his heart what he wants: a second chance at love.

Christmas in July on Amazon  

 I read this book years ago and never wanted to put it down. After all, any book pertaining to a bakery and love is right up my ally! 

 

 

Wednesday, December 16, 2020

Blogmas: My favorite Hallmark/Lifetime Christmas movies


 

 I have to confess, I watch Christmas movies on the Hallmark channel every chance I get! 

I do have a few Hallmark / Lifetime favorites I would like to share with you...

1. Comfort and Joy

2. Trading Christmas

3. Mrs. Miracle

4. Good Morning Christmas

These are my top 4, although every year they reveal so many new movies so, this is subject to grow in years to come. 

What is Blogmas?

Tuesday, December 15, 2020

Christmas Get It Organized book review: 12 Days of Bookmas / Blogmas

 

Ready to get organized and have a relaxing Christmas? It's not too late! This book will help guide you and provide you with recipes to make it happen!

Kindle

Softcover 

Do you find yourself dreading the Holiday season? Does the word Christmas make you cringe? Christmas…Get It Organized by Deanna Martinez provides easy steps to be ready for the Holiday without all the stress, crowds and expenses. Learn easy ways to stay organized, spend less and have more time to spend with the people you love, doing the things you love. 

Deanna will show you how to make lists, shop ahead of time, have parties, bake treats, create drinks, add new family traditions and much more. Gifts do not have to be things we buy. They can be things we make or time we can give.Put Deanna’s organizing ideas into practice this year and find yourself laughing instead of crying this Christmas. Simply click to purchase and download your copy of Christmas…Get It Organized, now!

What is Blogmas? 

Book release: Picture This

Sunday, December 13, 2020

Blogmas: Top 5 Christmas movies you have to watch

 


I love Christmas movies and have my top 5 favorite that I would like to share with you...

1. National Lampoons Christmas Vacation

2. A Christmas Story

3. Elf

4. Home Alone 2

5. The Grinch

 

Runner Ups:

1. Christmas with the Kranks 

2. Mrs. Miracle

3. The Santa Claus

4. Funny Farm 

 

Try a family movie night...pick a movie, pop popcorn, and make hot cocoa. Laugh and enjoy!  


What is Blogmas?

Blogmas: Christmas gift wrap alternatives 

Blogmas: Family Christmas traditions

Friday, December 11, 2020

Blogmas: Family Christmas traditions, Part 2

 


Traditions are not just for family...create new traditions with your friends too! Here are 6 more traditions for you to try:

1. Caroling

Pick a few of your favorite songs and visit some neighbors.

2. Christmas movie night

Pick a Christmas movie on Netflix, Hulu or on demand. Pop some popcorn and make hot cocoa.

3. Counting trees

Count each tree you see on top of a car and compare everyone's numbers after Christmas. 

4. Christmas folders

Create Christmas folders with stickers to decorate and fill with recipes, decorating ideas, and all things Christmas.

5. Cookie house

Bake or buy a kit...decorate a cookie house together.

6. Advent calendar

Buy one filled with chocolates or buy a fabric calendar and fill it with goodies yourself. 


Blogmas: Family Christmas traditions, Part 1

Blogmas: Christmas gift wrap alternatives, Part 1

What is Blogmas?


Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Blogmas: Family Christmas traditions, Part 1

 


Would you like to start new family traditions this Christmas? Blogmas is here to help! Here are 5 new ideas...

1. Elf on the shelf

Even if the kids do not believe, it's still a fun time!

2. Baking cookies

Spend the day baking.

3. Share with your neighbors

Take some cookies to the neighbors!

4. Take a drive

Hop in the car one evening and go looking at Christmas lights in the neighborhood.

5. Go shopping

 Go out together in search of a new Christmas tree ornament. Maybe get one with the year printed on it so every year you decorate the tree you can remember each one and where you bought it.

 

What is Blogmas? 

Blogmas: Christmas gift wrap alternatives, Part 1 

Blogmas: Christmas gift wrap alternatives, Part 2

 Photo: Happier.com


Monday, December 7, 2020

Blogmas: Christmas gift wrap alternatives, Part 2

 


Ready for more gift wrapping ideas? Here are 6 more...

1. Tissue paper

Use 3 or 4 sheets of tissue paper to wrap your gifts.

2. Tins

That tin collection that is collecting dust...wash them off and use them to give your gifts this year!

3. Baskets

Most people have baskets sitting around. This year use them! 

4. Newspaper

 Wrap gifts with newspaper or magazine paper and adorn with ribbons and bows.

5. Dishtowels

Place gift inside and secure on top with ribbons.

6. Leftover wallpaper


Tip: Our of ribbon? Use yarn!

Photo taken from Amazon 

 

What is Blogmas?

Blogmas: Christmas gift wrap alternatives, Part 1


Sunday, December 6, 2020

Blogmas: Christmas gift wrap alternatives, Part 1


 

 It's beginning to look a lot like Blogmas! Today, we will take a look at 5 gift wrap alternatives...

1. Fabric

Wrap your gifts in leftover fabric. Adorn the gifts with shiny ribbons.

2. Glass jars

You can buy inexpensive glassware from Goodwill or consignment store OR use what you already have!

3. Stockings

If you have a box of Christmas stockings sitting around the house, use them for gift giving this year!

4. Parchment paper

Wrap your smaller gifts with parchment paper and adorn with ribbons.

5. Aluminum foil

Shiny and bright! Wrap gifts with foil...no tape required for smaller items and tie with pretty ribbons.

 

Save money and get creative with these gift wrap alternatives! 

 Photo taken from Pinterest

 

What is Blogmas?

Writers Corner: Fall writing tips

 Blogmas: Christmas gift wrap alternatives, Part 2


Friday, December 4, 2020

What is Blogmas?


 

I have recently learned about Blogmas. It is when a blogger writes on their blog every day for the month of December...much like an Advent Calendar! Only, there is no candy involved. 

So, here I am, making a solid effort to participate this year. I may be a few days late, but I have always said...Better late than never!

Who's in? Will you join me?

When we share our Blogmas posts on social media, we must add the hashtag #Blogmas, this way we can all support one another. 


Covid 19 writing 

Writers Corner: Fall writing tips 

Friday, July 24, 2020

Christmas in July: Christmas Organizing Book


https://www.amazon.com/Deanna-Martinez-Bey/e/B00N4O44QK/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1


Are you enjoying all of the Christmas in July posts? I have been! Let me introduce you to a book I have written, it's called, Christmas, Get It Organized. I wrote it several years ago and just updated it on Amazon.

It is now available on Kindle or soft-cover. Both are super affordable!

Christmas, Get It Organized: Kindle 

Christmas, Get It Organized: Soft Cover 

Let me share a description of my book:
Do you find yourself dreading the Holiday season? Does the word Christmas make you cringe? Christmas…Get It Organized by Deanna Martinez provides easy steps to be ready for the Holiday without all the stress, crowds, and expenses.
Learn easy ways to stay organized, spend less, and have more time to spend with the people you love, doing the things you love.
Deanna will show you how to make lists, shop ahead of time, have parties, bake treats, create drinks, add new family traditions, and much more.
Gifts do not have to be things we buy. They can be things we make or time we can give.
Put Deanna’s organizing ideas into practice this year and find yourself laughing instead of crying this Christmas.
Simply click to purchase and download your copy of Christmas…Get It Organized, now!

Christmas in July: Tips for writers

Christmas in July: Christmas folders

https://bookwriterdeanna.blogspot.com/2020/07/christmas-in-july-christmas-folders.html

Monday, July 20, 2020

Christmas in July tips for writers



Happy Christmas in July, authors! I have come up with a July to-do list for writers. Here you will see things that we can do now to prepare for the upcoming Holidays.

1. Start writing your Holiday e-books now. These can be fiction or non-fiction books that pertain to the Holidays. Create, edit, design them, and get them uploaded into KDP (or platform of your choice) to release in time for the Holidays. (I am a copy editor, so please reach out for your editing needs.)

2. Develop a Holiday themed blog, Facebook group, or website. By creating these now, you will have time to grow your following for when you start posting Holiday related posts. These sights will help you share the Holiday e-books you have for sale.

3. For freelance writers, start sending queries to magazines and websites. It is time to send in your Holiday themed articles and material.

Christmas in July: Christmas Folders

COVID-19 Decluttering: Organize your books

Wordy Writer Workbook: Great Christmas gift

Friday, July 17, 2020

Christmas in July: Christmas folders



It is that time of the year again...Christmas in July! This craft idea is perfect for writers because it requires research and we all love research, right? In all fairness, I do! It is one of my favorite parts of the writing process.

You can make the folders by yourself or with your children. I made mine with my daughter and bought all our supplies from The Dollar Tree. I may have spent $8 on our supplies, but you can get more elaborate with your folders if you want to.

Supplies:
  • Pocket Folder
  • Stickers
  • Old magazines
  • Scissors
  • Computer and printer, optional
  • Markers, optional

Fortunately, I have a collection of Holiday magazines, ranging from Good Housekeeping to Women's Day and then some.

First, we decorated our folders with a Christmas theme.
Then, we flipped through the pages of the magazines and clipped Christmas ideas. We clipped recipes, decorating ideas, gift ideas, and anything else we wanted to try out this Christmas.

If you don't have magazines, you can search for ideas online and print them out.

Then, add all of your clippings to your folder. It's that simple. 

Fiction writing: Character living space

Fiction writing: Nature settings