Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “dict.” Find a word that contains “dict” and use it in your post. Have fun!
I am an addict
A stationery addict
A chocolate addict
A book addict
A hug addict
The first means I am always prepared with pens and paper, fancy highlighters, stickers and post-its, and all manner of markers and pencils, washi tape and journalling stickers. The problems arise when I don’t want to use them because they look so good!
The second, well, I know I am not alone…, and it’s an addiction that hurts no one else. Only me when I stand on the scales… Oh, and sometimes chocolate overload makes me itch, but I can handle a bit of scratching for that yumminess!
The third may hurt my pocket a bit, but it’s a sacrifice I am willing to make as I always have something to entertain me!
And the last – my favourite! Hugs make so many things in life better, don’t you think?
Above all else, each of these things make me feel good, so I am not holding back!
Today I am delighted to have my dear Blog Sis, Colleen Chesebro over to tell us about her newest book, Fairies, Myths & Magic, part two!
Many thanks to you, Ritu, for the opportunity to share the news of my new book, just in time for the winter solstice and Yule.
I often write about spirituality and faith in my poetry. In Fairies, Myths, & Magic II, I concentrated on some of the more mystical aspects of faith. It’s not unusual for me to use the symbolism of a tree to represent a connection between the different cosmic zones. There is always an upper, middle, and lower level the mystic travels to arrive at a mystical revelation. In the story poem “A Prayer to the Rowan Tree,” I share the legend of the Rowan tree as it connects to Paganism. It’s interesting how these myths and legends endure. The Rowan tree is still recognized as protection against witchcraft and enchantment. The physical characteristics of the tree contribute to its protective reputation. If you examine a berry from the tree, you will see a small five- pointed star or pentagram on the bottom of the fruit. The pentagram is an ancient protective symbol.
(Image by H. Hach from Pixabay)
Another attribute of protection was the colour of the berries—red! Ancient people believed the vibrant red protected them against magic!
I’ll share the poem portion of the story “A Prayer to the Rowan Tree” here:
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Fairies, Myths & Magic book 2, as it brought a sprinkling of mysticism to the darkening nights. Colleen Chesebro has woven her poetic verse and stories within recounts of various myths and legends, all things fae, and it won my heart! The first story, about the changeling, was my favourite read. These things fascinate me, and if you are looking for something to add a little magic to your life, then you should really pick up a copy of this!
About the Book:
In this second book in the Fairies, Myths, & Magic series, step into a world where dark fairies, and other magical beings converge in a collection of poetry and short stories inspired by winter and the celebration of the winter solstice. From Autumn’s scary fairies to the forgotten female characters of Yule, prepare to embrace the magical winter solstice myths from around the world. Meet Frau Holle in the Wild Hunt, Befana—the Christmas Witch of Italy, and the Japanese goddess Ameratasu who controls the springtime. Prepare to embrace the Scottish trows, The Irish Goddess of Winter—the Cailleach Béara, and Snegurochka—the Snow Girl. Learn how to make Yuletide rituals part of your celebration by embracing the symbols of Yule by decorating with evergreens and crystals.
An avid reader, Colleen M. Chesebro rekindled her love of writing poetry after years spent working in the accounting industry. These days, she loves crafting syllabic poetry, flash fiction, and creative fiction and nonfiction. In addition to poetry books, Chesebro’s publishing career includes participation in various anthologies featuring short stories, flash fiction, and poetry. She’s an avid supporter of her writing community on Word Craft Poetry.com by organizing and sponsoring a weekly syllabic poetry challenge, called #TankaTuesday, where participants experiment with traditional and current forms of Japanese and American syllabic poetry. Chesebro is an assistant editor of The Congress of the Rough Writers Flash Fiction Anthology & Gitty Up Press, a micro-press founded by Charli Mills and Carrot Ranch. In January 2022, Colleen founded Unicorn Cats Publishing Services to assist poets and authors in creating eBooks and print books for publication. In addition, she creates affordable book covers for Kindle and print books. Chesebro lives in the house of her dreams in mid-Michigan surrounded by the Great Lakes with her husband and two (unicorn) cats, Chloe & Sophie. Find Colleen here: Word Craft Poetry: https://wordcraftpoetry.com Colleen M. Chesebro, Author, Poet & Unicorn Cats Publishing Services: https://colleenmchesebro.com
Happy Monday, Peeps! We only have two weeks of term left! I don’t know where this year has gone, but I can’t believe that we are trying to put together the Christmas Nativity show and get things geared up for the end of the term, too!
I have my chai Latte this morning. I need comfort!
If we were having chai, I’d tell you that it is always strange going back to school after an unexpected time away. The week went fine, including a visit from the soon-to-be new CEO of our Academy Trust and a luncheon he held. We have also begun practising the play in earnest, singing Christmas songs in my sleep now! The children have been unwell. attendance has been low because of so many viruses, and this new Strep A that is going around and has been responsible for the deaths of some Primary aged children is also a worry. I forsee that I will be stepping in to say the lies of. a few characters…
If we were having chai, I’d tell you that things at home have been a little calmer, but my unwell child from the past week is still not 100% or wasn’t during the week. Fingers crossed, we have overcome the worst of these horrible bugs now.
If we were having chai, I’d tell you that I had a little feedback from my sensitivity reader, and he’s not finished reading yet but said, “Honestly, it’s looking really good. I’m getting triggered by the family cultures, the comedy of intergenerational and cross-cultural communications – too authentic! The gay bits are writing are coming off good and well, too!” I think I can take that!
If we were having chai, I’d say that, as you knew, the cover reveal was happening at the weekend, and it has gone so positively! I hope you like it!
If we were having chai, I’d say that the Bookapalooza event I took part in seemed to go well, and there was lots of interaction on my post, considering there were 50 authors taking part! How many copies of books were sold, I don’t know, but hey, it’s all good promotion!
If we were having chai, I’d smile and say that the Christmas tree is finally up, too, so Christmas is here in the Bhathal household! We bought a few new choice ornaments to add to our collection… what do you think?
If we were having chai, I’d have to mention Sonu Singh. Of course, he was the first to try and be helpful when it came to getting the tree decorated… and began chewing it at the first chance he got! We have been spraying it with a behaviour spray, which is meant to deter him… let’s see how long it works for!
This week I have more Christmas rehearsals for the kids’ nativity, as well as our panto rehearsal for the children’s panto we staff are putting on during the last week of term! Dear God! We have data meetings and reports to get ready for the children as well. I have a night out to look forward to on Saturday, too, so that will be fun!
And while you’re here, did you sign up for my mailing list? I am in the middle of writing an exclusive Chickpea Curry Lit story for my subscribers, and there will be news, tips and even recipes! You know you want to join… go on! Click the pic below to sign up!
“A new book is like a friend that I have yet to meet.”
Abraham Lincoln
Yes, Spidey, it’s bookish again this week!
So, if you missed any of my myriad posts across social media yesterday (if so, where were you?!?!) I had the book cover reveal for book two of the Rishtay Series, Straight As A Jalebi!
This has been another labour of love for me.
When I wrote Marriage Unarranged, I never, in my dreams, thought it would become anything more than that one book they say we all have inside of us. And yet, here I am with a series on my hands! The characters were so close to my heart, and they all wanted their stories written, so I complied! The second one is written, and the third has been started. Who knows if a fourth will end up coming out!
However, the difference with this second one is that there is a major part of the plot with which I have no personal experience. It is always hard to write in that situation, however, I needed to write this story. To help me out, I have had a couple of specific sensitivity readers read the manuscript, to make sure I have health with all aspects of the story in a sensitive, realistic manner. So far feedback has been extremely positive!
Micro Blurb
Who knew that an innocent trip to India in the year 2000 would have such an impact on his life?
Sunny had only gone as a chaperone for his sister and her best friend, and to attend to a few business matters while out there.
He ends up with a deal that will change the shape of his professional future, and possibly his personal one, too. But how would he be able to explain that to his family, who are gearing up to get him married off?
The road to love isn’t always straight…
But, for now, let me share the cover with you here. Please let me know what you think of it!
Straight As A Jalebi is out on 1st June,2023, to coincide with Pride Month!
And, if you remember for last week, today is the day I am in the My Book Friends Group with a giveaway, if you are interested. in joining! There are lots of other authors there, too!
´¨)¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•`
CALLING ALL BOOK LOVERS! JOIN THE FUN with LOADS OF AUTHOR GIVEAWAYS on December 4th as over 50 authors will be visiting with readers in the Season of Giving Bookapalooza! Don’t forget to join us in My Book Friends. #MBFBookapalooza2022 https://www.facebook.com/groups/yourbookfriends/
GIVEAWAYS ALL DAY! FREE BOOKS, I SAY! TELL YOUR READER FRIENDS!
And YOU are invited! #MBFBookapalooza2022
(¯`•.•´¯)¸•´¯`☆`•.¸¸.•´••
Be sure and click over to the group, answer the easy questions, and you’re in. You won’t want to miss this event on Sunday, so join us TODAY.
So, tell me, will you be joining us in the My Book Friends Group?
But I Smile Anyway... 
