Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Santa Sighting...

Well, it's true. He's here, at least in Michigan.

This made me smile when I heard it. My daughter and her husband were on their way to see a Warren Miller movie in Royal Oak, a town not far from here. In case you don't know of him, Warren Miller is famous for his ski movies, and watching one of his flicks really puts you in the mood to ski. I have to say I have a great fondness for his earlier movies, the ones that show beginner skiers getting into funny situations on skis. And I really love Warren Miller's voice. Just hearing it gives me a lift.

Anyway, back to Santa. My daughter Angie was in the passenger seat of their car, and when they slowed coming to the light, she saw a red van in front of them, and on the license it read, "Santa One." Curious, they pulled beside the van, and sure enough there was Santa in full costume. And what was he doing? Well, he had his list, of course, and was checking it out. My daughter was thrilled, as he really looked like Santa, extremely authentic.

We're thinking he reserves the sleigh for Christmas Eve, so he can give his reindeer a good rest before they head out. I'm hoping I get a chance to see Santa too, and I'll sure be watching for that red van. I'll also be watching the skies on Christmas Eve.

Talk to you soon.

Visit my website to read a FREE EXCERPT of my mystery-romantic suspense novel, Her Last Letter.

http://www.nancy-cjohnson.com/

Books are available online at Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and can be ordered through most bookstores.

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Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Cross-country skiing

I can't believe the kind of winter we're having. It reminds me of winters I enjoyed as a kid, lots of snow, cold enough to ice skate or go sledding any time you want. I am actually feeling the Christmas spirit more than usual.

We went to a Christmas party Saturday night, one a friend of ours holds every year. Everyone must bring a dish to pass and a toy to give to charity. At least sixty people or more show up. I know a few of these people since a lot of the guests live in the neighborhood. One good friend I saw there likes to cross-country ski, as I do, and she invited me and a couple other people to go out on Sunday. We are fortunate to have a heavily wooded park not far away, with lots of trails, enough that you can easily get lost in the woods if you're not careful. It couldn't have been a nicer day out, sunny and not too cold. Once we got going I actually worked up a sweat. We saw a few other skiers on the trails, all smiling and mentioning what a great day it was to be outside. Some of the trails are really hilly, as the park is also used a lot by mountain bikers in the summer. We avoided most of those and stuck to the wider less radical trails. We had a little girl with us, three years old, but she rode in a back pack. Tom, her father, is very athletic, but still I worried (as he must have) that he might fall with her. We took some tricky little descents through narrow corners in a few places. Fortunately, he was very steady on his skis and handled it well. Nothing I'd like to see him do again though.

We were only out for about an hour, which was just enough as my daughter and her husband invited us over to watch a world cup ski race on t.v. , then join them for dinner. We arrived right on time.

Enjoy the holidays!

Visit my website to read a FREE EXCERPT of my mystery romantic-suspense novel, Her Last Letter.

http://www.nancy-cjohnson.com/

Books are available online at Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and can be ordered through most bookstores.

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Sunday, October 19, 2008

Premature Lover???

I can't stop laughing... :)

Amazon has done a great job of helping me sell my novel, and I am very grateful. But being that Amazon is such a huge operation, the wires are bound to get crossed from time to time.

I recently ran across my novel in a list of recommended books Amazon posted on the web. Great news, of course! The list included a cover of each novel, plus a short passage detailing the plot. I have to believe the resulting weirdness must have been a computer malfunction of some sort, for how else could the description have become so garbled? I don't think even human error could have produced something this weird or funny!

First, here is the descriptive passage as it was supposed to be written:

In the Colorado mountain town of Glenwood Springs, not far from Aspen, artist/photographer Gwyn Sanders discovers a cryptic letter her sister Kelly left behind. The victim of a deadly hit and run, Kelly reveals she was sexually involved with her sister's boyfriend and is scared for her life. Both Gwyn and her remaining sister Linda have since married their boyfriends, so either of their husbands could be guilty of murder. The sisters received a large inheritance before meeting these men, and know little of either man's background. Worse, both Gwyn and Linda love their husbands deeply, but steps must be taken to find the truth. And the truth is complicated. Is it one of the two men, or another previous lover? Or none of them? Danger abounds and everyone is a suspect as Gwyn tries with the help of a gifted private detective to track a killer....

And here is the new adulterated version, word for word: (PS - My apologies to nuns or anyone else this may offend.)

In the Colorado heaps townsfolk of Glenwood Springs, not interahamwe from Aspen, artist/photographer Gwyn Sanders discovers a inscrutable letter her nun Kelly left-hand ass. The unfortunate of a devilishly touch on and guide, Kelly reveals she was sexually inplicated with her nun's lover and is afraid for her life history. Both Gwyn and her left over nun Linda hurt since matrimonial their boyfriends, systematic either could stay fault of mutilate. Worse, some Gwyn and Linda make love their husbands profoundly, merely steps necessary stay appropriated to line up the truth. The sisters normative a declamatory heritage in front geographical point these men, and secernate diminutive of either man's downplay. And the truth is complex. .. .. Is it unity of the ii men, hospital room other premature lover? Or time of day of them? Danger abounds and everyone is a fishy as Gwyn tries with the amend of a precocious snobbish policeman to selection a somebody

Hmmm, this could lead to a whole new line of plot ideas, I'm sure.... :)

Visit my website to read a FREE EXCERPT of my mystery romantic-suspense novel, Her Last Letter.

http://www.nancy-cjohnson.com/

Books are available online at Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and can be ordered through most bookstores.

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Friday, September 26, 2008

Not much going on...

Not much going on today. It's quiet out on the lake, and even though the sun still feels warm and the leaves aren't falling yet, you know it's fall. The shadows hit the lawn a lot earlier in the afternoon, and whereas before I used to open the umbrella out on the deck to protect me from the sun, I don't need to now. I really enjoy these last warm days, even though it's a little too quiet. When the jet skis stop jetting around, and the boats start disappearing from the docks, I feel the urge to spend more time outside. Soon I'll have to close the windows and start thinking about things like furnace filters and changing the timers so the lights go on earlier, and earlier. Even though I like winter for the most part once it's here, I hate to see it grow dark at five in the afternoon.

Anyway, it's Friday and we're heading out to eat tonight. I'm looking forward to that, probably going to an Italian restaurant. There's a couple good ones nearby. I feel like having some shrimp scampi and angel hair pasta with tomatoes and lots of garlic. That sounds good to me, and possibly some really crusty bread. Maybe a little wine would be nice too, though I'll probably end up the designated driver so it will really have to be a little wine.

Okay, well that's about all I have to say. I did do a book signing last weekend that turned out really nice, but I'll save that for another time.

Visit my website to read a FREE EXCERPT of my mystery romantic-suspense novel, Her Last Letter

http://www.nancy-cjohnson.com/

Books are available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and can be ordered through most bookstores.

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Monday, September 8, 2008

Things happen...

Hello,
Haven't posted a blog since May. I guess I haven't felt like writing. They say things happen in threes, and I hope they're right, because I wouldn't want to experience more of this.

Three people I cared about have died since May. First, our water skiing buddy, John, went into the hospital with what looked like a curable lung cancer, then died three weeks later. Then our neighbor across the street, Mike, a young man who had been battling leukemia for several years, died also. Then one of our very, very best friends, Eric, had a heart attack while driving home from work. This was in July.

We had just seen him on a Saturday, two days before it happened. Luckily, though he crashed into the back of a truck, no one else was hurt. They took him to the hospital, but it was too late.

So, I hope that's the end of it.

I guess I must be coming out of the doldrums, or I wouldn't be writing now.

I'm sorry to see summer ending, even though it was not the best for me.

Nice day out today. I plan to take a walk.

I'll try to check in soon...

Visit my website to read a FREE EXCERPT of my mystery romantic-suspense novel, Her Last Letter.

http://www.nancy-cjohnson.com/

Books are available online at Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and can be ordered through most bookstores.

Friday, May 9, 2008

Amazon's Listmania! lists - A thank you...

Like I said, I don't know who reads these blogs (wish I did!) but I suppose I should assume at least a few are those who've bought my book. If you happen to be one of that group, I thank you very much, and I sincerely hope you enjoyed it. As I've mentioned before, I loved writing it, loved being in that exciting make-believe world for a while. But you can't go back, you can only go forward with a new book, a new adventure, but that's always fun too...

I did want to thank those who've helped promote my novel on Amazon, people I've never met, but who were kind enough to add me to their Listmania! lists. For those of you not familiar with this feature on Amazon, it is a list anyone can make who has bought a book there. It can be a list of favorite books in any category: mystery, romance, suspense, any type of fiction or nonfiction. The categories are endless...

I hope I haven't missed anyone, but if I have, I'll edit this and reprint. Thanks to all of you for including my novel, Her Last Letter, on your Listmania! lists. :)

Issy ... In The Mood Romantic Mysteries

Barb White ... Super Reading

John Savoy ... Fiction

Staci Harman ... Shakes and Shivers Mystery Books

Hellen Troy Hollingsworth ... Books You'll Enjoy Reading Many Times!

Anita Mitchell ... I Think You Might Like These

Miami Danger ... Sit, Stay, and Read a good Book!

I really, really do appreciate that you thought to include my book!!!

Visit my website to read a FREE EXCERPT of my mystery romantic-suspense novel, Her Last Letter.

http://www.nancy-cjohnson.com/

Books are available online at Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and can be ordered through most bookstores.

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Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Me and My Desk Top...

Well, I'm sitting here writing this blog and looking at my messy desk. I can see only about three square inches of actual desk top. Oddly, I can still find what I need, when I need it, but the look of my desk and therefore my office really bothers me. It's not like I've never cleaned it before; I have, but somehow it always ends up like this. All of the important papers (that I consider important anyway) end up on top of the desk. Certainly, some of this could be tossed.

The rest of my house is not messy. I hate a messy kitchen, and make sure I get all of the dirty dishes in the dishwasher before relaxing in front of the t.v. for the evening. I do have a few books scattered around the living room, but not many, so it's pretty organized too. And my bathrooms are clean, sink shiny, bathtub and toilet pretty decent too. When they start looking in the least grim, I have to grab the cleanser and do something about it. I've often thought it would be great to hire a house cleaner to come in once in a while, since vacuuming is one chore I could do without, but I know I would have to vacuum beforehand anyway (can't let anyone see it with cat fur on the rug or crud in the corners). I would hate to have anyone see my closet too, especially before I've done my spring cleaning and bagged the clothes I inevitably give to one of the charities. I usually have a bag or two and one or two of my daughter's bags. She always offers to let me dig through her stuff before giving it away. She has nice taste, and usually gets tired of her clothes long before they wear out.

So, I don't know why I don't clean up my desk more often. It would probably not take that long to organize. I even bought some new folders just for that purpose, plus I have room in a file drawer. Maybe psychologically it feels as if I am accomplishing something with all these papers in front of me, even when deep down I know I'm not.

Hmm, maybe this dissatifaction with my desk top is actually about a deeper issue. Guess I should make the effort to clean it up and see what happens... But maybe not today.

Visit my website to read a FREE EXCERPT of my mystery romantic-suspense novel, Her Last Letter.

http://www.nancy-cjohnson.com/

Books are available online at Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and can be ordered thought most bookstores.

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Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Jackson Hole Skiing - Record Snowfall Year

Just got back from a vacation in Jackson Hole a couple days ago. Whoa, I've never seen so much snow! Never. One night we got thirty inches, another night sixteen, and on and on. Avalanche guns went off almost every morning ... booming, triggering avalanches so we wouldn't end up in one. I brought the same skis I usually use up at Boyne, knowing I would likely demo skis depending on the conditions. I expected to be renting "all mountain" skis, but decided instead in favor of "powder" skis, the type most of the locals were using. I'd never tried a pair of fats, but was glad I did. My own skis threw me all over the place, and I couldn't bring the skis to a stop easily. It wore me out. The powder skis, on the other hand, seemed to float down the mountain. I used a lot less energy. Unfortunately, by the time I rented the skis, three days in, I was almost too exhausted to enjoy them. But that's me, trying to save a few dollars. Silly. The whole idea is to enjoy the vacation.

I don't consider myself a powder hound. This probably has a lot to do with the fact that in Michigan we don't get much powder. I actually was hoping more for sun and groomed slopes and maybe some soft forgiving moguls. I love to ride chairlifts on a thirty or forty degree day, relaxing and soaking up the warmth. Makes me feel like singing John Denver tunes about Rocky Mountain highs. But it wasn't to be. I knew this, after all it is Jackson Hole, famous for sub zero temps. Fortunately, I was spared the coldest temperatures. For Jackson, it was somewhat balmy, cold in the early morning (I think one or two degrees) but warming up to twenty or thirty most days. The problem was the flat light and sometimes blizzard conditions. At one point I could see about two feet in front of me, and only the pines on either side of the slope kept me on course. On two of the days they closed the chairlifts on the upper parts of the mountain because of dangerously high winds. Since it was also windy on the lower slopes, I didn't venture over there on those days. I have experienced chairlifts during high winds, not fun at all, especially when the lift stops and you're blown horizontal, your feet dangling over the tree tops, the wind sounding a lot like a locomotive.

I did enjoy the vacation though because a lot of my friends were on the trip, and really, how many times do I get a chance to ski that much powder? It was a record snowfall year for Jackson Hole, over five hundred and seventy-five inches, and I was there to see it happen. Think I'll be talking about this trip for a while...

Visit my website to read a FREE EXCERPT of my mystery romantic-suspense novel, Her Last Letter.

http://www.nancy-cjohnson.com/

Books are available online at Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and can be ordered through most bookstores.

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Tuesday, March 11, 2008

More on the Races...

Goggle is amazing. I wrote a blog yesterday about ski racing up at Boyne Mountain, and mentioned my daughter Angie, who raced this past weekend with me and the rest of the gang. She calls me up about a half hour after I posted the blog, and tells me she just typed in "Angie" and "ski" on Google (she was looking for something related to the races) and my blog came up. Somehow Google grabbed onto those two words and found my blog that easily. I find that truly amazing. I, of course, had to try it myself, and yes, she's right. It did.

I have no idea how many people actually read this blog. I enjoy writing it, and that's enough for me. Hopefully, it brings some enjoyment to others. It does remind me of when I used to keep a journal, and wrote about anything and everything that interested me. Of course, this is the Internet, so I can't be quite as personal as I was then.

But let me finish up about the races. We had three days of racing over the weekend, a slalom race on Friday, a giant slalom race on Saturday, and a race we call the Cantor Cup on Sunday, in honor of Larry Cantor, a former racer and an extremely nice guy. I knew him well. He died during a race. I was gate keeping his course when it happened. He had a heart attack, had a heart condition, and wasn't supposed to be racing at all, but he loved it. He was in his early sixties, I believe. When it happened, the day had been cloudy and ugly, but after he passed, the clouds parted and the sun broke through. A lot of us figured Larry was letting us know he was okay. So his relatives built him a bench that sits on the deck of the race shack, and we honor him each year with a race on the last day.

So, to finish up, we had the three races, and as a result, Angie was a finalist for the year, and won the third place World Cup in her class. Marty, her fiance, won his first race, the Cantor Cup, dual slalom elimination style. He was the last man standing ... literally (very icy course). And Bruce (husband) had good results for the last half of the season, but missed out on a World Cup. Not a problem. He won his class the past four years running, very difficult to do. I had the two trophies from previous weekends, but didn't finish one race this time. I'll be buying some new race skis very soon.

Visit my website to read a FREE EXCERPT of my mystery romantic-suspense novel, Her Last Letter.

http://www.nancy-cjohnson.com/

Books are available online at Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and can be ordered through most bookstores.

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Monday, March 10, 2008

Ski Race Season over for the Year

Well, the race season is over for another year, but it was fun. I actually managed to get two trophies, a second and a third place, in my Vet A Women class. I think it had a lot to do with the fact that my daughter can watch my races this year. Before, we ran at the same time, but she's moved up to Elite II Women, a step above my class (a big step) and now she can watch my race. It has to be the reason I won something, because my skis are five seasons old; I didn't train, and though I usually work out extensively over the winter, I slacked off there too. But I wanted to ski well for her, and so concentrated very hard on my technique and was extra agressive.

We just got back from Boyne last night. It was really cold all weekend, but the sun stayed out. I will take sun and cold over warm and gloomy any day. The flat light on a cloudy day really takes away from the experience for me. I, like most skiers, like to be able to see the terrain. And on a super cloudy day, even the best goggles don't help much.

But we had three days of sun. The snow squeaked it was so cold, I think a minus one on Friday morning, but no wind. The slopes were perfectly groomed, and easy to ski, except once you stepped into the race course. That was solid ice, so solid even the best racers could not even begin to put a dent in it. I've never seen so many really great skiers slide out, or heard so many complaints. It really tested your ability, and your balance. Every racer out there sharpens and waxes their skis diligently before each race. You could cut yourself on their edges, but it was as if no one had done anything. We stood and watched as one skier after another fell on their behinds. One second they're upright, the next they're not. Like watching bowling pins go down.

I took two runs on the Giant Slalom course, the first not so bad because a little snow remained, the next run I slid out about a quarter of the way down and missed the gate. It was too far to climb back up; I would have interfered with the next racer, so I just skied the rest of the course the best I could. I was okay about it though. I did think seriously of buying new equipment for next year.

More on the races later....

Visit my website to read a FREE EXCERPT of my mystery romantic-suspense novel, Her Last Letter.

http://www.nancy-cjohnson.com/

Books are available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and can be ordered through most bookstores.

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Tuesday, March 4, 2008

A Great Day for a Signing

I thought you might like to hear how my latest book signing turned out. I have to admit I was nervous about the weather, worrying that the roads would be covered with snow and ice on my drive to Fenton. But it was a beautiful sunny day, the roads clear and dry. The journey didn't take as long as I thought it would, about forty-five minutes, and I tend to be a cautious driver, rarely exceeding the speed limit.

The owner of the Little Professor Book Center stationed all of us at the front of the store. Previously I mentioned six authors would sign, but actually it was eight of us. And I liked everybody! They were all so friendly! Two were children's book authors; the others wrote non-fiction. I bought of few of their books, and they bought a few of mine also. I've read each and thought them wonderfully entertaining!

Normally, a signing would last at most two hours, but this one was scheduled from 11:00 to 4:00, and most of us stayed, enjoying talking to each other when business slowed. I had a great time!

My daughter Angie stopped by and took pictures of us, and brought me something to drink, which was sweet of her. She stayed about a half hour, bought one of the author's books, and chatted with everyone.

All and all, it was a very good day.

Visit my website to read a FREE EXCERPT of my mystery romantic-suspense novel, Her Last Letter.

http://www.nancy-cjohnson.com/

Books are available online at Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and can be ordered through most bookstores.

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Friday, February 1, 2008

Book Signing(s)

I'm happy to say I have three book signings coming up soon, two scheduled, and one in the works. One is at the "Little Professor Book Center" in Fenton, MI, and scheduled for Mar. 1st. It should be a big event, since I believe it will involve about six authors, one of them me. I'll be the only one with a mystery romantic suspense novel. I think two of the other authors write children's books, and I'm not sure what the other three write. I should be getting an email soon giving me the information. I'll send it to everyone I think might be interested.

The second signing is more informal, at my local chapter meeting for Romance Writers of America. That is on the third Tuesday in February I believe, the 19th. I and others will be signing during the break before they announce the speaker for the evening. I was told to bring about ten to fifteen books.

The last signing will be at a local Barnes & Noble, still waiting on the date for that one. At this point it looks like I will be by myself. Other than any advertising they might do, a mention in their newsletter possibly (I'll have to ask) the rest will be up to me. I plan to make some posters and flyers, and do everything I can to let people know about the event. I did read that the purpose of book signings is not just to sell books, but to get to know the staff and let them know about you and your book so they will be more inclined to mention your novel to book buyers. That makes sense to me. Since I like talking to people that should be a no brainer. I also plan to wear a pin which has a picture of my book cover and my name on it. Angie will design a nice one for me. B&N suggested I do the signing on a Saturday or Sunday, and that's fine except that a few of those weekends are already taken, especially in February, so it could end up taking place in March. That actually wouldn't be so bad as it would give me more time to promote the event.

I am excited about all three signings, and plan to buy a nice oufit to wear. I'm thinking a brown tweedy sort of suit, with a brown turtle neck shirt, brown hose, and nice shoes ... sort of Sherlock Holmes, but feminine. I may not be able to find what I'm looking for, but I'll know it if I see it.

Visit my website to read a FREE EXCERPT of my mystery romantic-suspense novel, Her Last Letter.

http://www.nancy-cjohnson.com/

Books are available online at Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and can be ordered through most bookstores.

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