Wordless Wednesday | Crazy Cat Lady Strikes Again

Wordless Wednesday is supposed to be about posting a photo(s) without any words. But, I'm a rule breaker, so here are a few words:

1 - Is there anything cuter than a kitten on a sailboat? 

2 - I wonder how they got the kitten to hold still long enough with that hat on to get this picture? 

3 - Maybe Scott and I should get sailor hats? Or maybe a kitten? Okay, the kitten is happening, but I can see the hats in our future.

What words does this picture(s) bring to your mind when you look at it? 
 
For more Wordless Wednesday fun, click here and here.

Thanks for stopping by our blog - we love it when people come visit! We're also on Facebook - pop by and say hi!

The latest Mollie McGhie cozy sailing mystery is releasing this Friday! 

Pre-order >>Poisoned by the Pier<< on Amazon | Barnes & Noble Nook | Apple Books | Google Play

Find out more at ellenjacobsonauthor.com

Saturday Spotlight | Release Of Windy Hollow & An Author Interview With Tara Tyler

In addition to the usual blog posts every Monday and Wednesday about our travel adventures and day-to-day life living aboard a sailboat, I also occasionally post on Saturdays, focusing on things related to writing such as cover reveals, book launches, reviews, interviews with authors etc. So if you're a bit of a book nerd like I am, check in on Saturdays - you never know what might pop up.

Today, I'm featuring an interview with Tara Tyler to celebrate the release of Windy Hollow, the third book in her Beast World middle grade fantasy series. It's a really fun book, perfect for readers of all ages - you can read my review here.

Grab your favorite beverage and a snack, sit back, and find out what Tara has to say about writing, cookies and penguins.

Author Interview

1 - What inspired you to write this book?

Way back when I used to do the A-Z challenge, one year I was promoting Broken Branch Falls. For Z day I came up with a new character name Zolaf, and he was a were-ogre... he was causing trouble because he was an outcast and I built an entire story) WINDY HOLLOW) around him.

2 - Do you have any writing rituals?

I always write my first drafts on paper. I buy a dedicated notebook and go to town!

3 - What's more important - character or plot?

It depends on what kind of story you’re trying to tell. For my adventure stories the plot is very important, but with my middle grade series, the character is also very important in how he deals with everything that happens. and if readers don’t like the characters the plot won’t even matter!

4 - What do you like best about being an author? What do you like the least?
 
The best part is meeting readers and knowing me I have touched their lives hopefully for the better! The worst part is all the waiting and insecurity, blech.

5 - What's your favorite cookie? If you don't like cookies, what's wrong with you? Oops, sorry, scratch that. My follow-up question was meant to be far more polite - "Why don't you like cookies?"

Chocolate chip cookies are my favorite dessert in the world! I agree, who doesn’t like cookies?!

6 - A penguin walks through your front door wearing a sombrero. What does he say and why is he there?

“Which way to Mexico?”

It was Cinco de Mayo of course!

7 - What else would you like us to know about you?

I used to be afraid of dogs and bees. Now I love dogs and I tolerate bees...

About Windy Hollow

In BROKEN BRANCH FALLS, Gabe and his friends go on a quest to save their school, blowing up all the rules, and discover their origins.

Then they go to CRADLE ROCK and meet some real live humans, scaring them into attack mode. The Beasts realize they have to spread the truth ASAP.

Now, school's out, and Gabe is ready for a break from all the drama...

Gabe and his friends fly over the Great Sea for the wedding of the century: a dragon prince and a beautiful harpy. But Gabe can't relax on this vacation. Besides competing in rigorous wedding events, he overhears the nearby human village WINDY HOLLOW is in danger from an evil human scientist and a vengeful were-ogre experimenting on beasts. Gabe and his friends risk crossing the mountains to help, despite several warnings.

Maybe he's going too far this time, but he's in too deep to quit. It's do or die, hopefully not die!

Pick up a copy on Amazon - Ebook and Paperback

About the Author 
  

Tara Tyler has had a hand in everything from waitressing to rocket engineering. After moving all over the US, she now writes and teaches math in Ohio with her husband and one boy left in the nest. She has two novel series, Pop Travel (sci-fi detective thrillers) and Beast World (fantasy adventures), plus her UnPrincess novella series where the maidens save themselves.

She's a commended blogger, contributed to several anthologies, and to fit in all these projects, she economizes her time, aka the Lazy Housewife—someday she might write a book on that... Make every day an adventure!

You can connect with Tara on her Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Newsletter


EDITOR'S NOTE: Thanks for being on the blog, Tara! You have excellent choice in cookies. I hope that penguin made it back to Mexico in time for the Cinco de Mayo celebrations.

What's on your reading list? Have you ever been to a dragon wedding? What's your favorite cookie?

Thanks for stopping by our blog - we love it when people come visit! We're also on Facebook - pop by and say hi!

Poisoned by the Pier, the latest Mollie McGhie cozy sailing mystery, is coming soon! 

Pre-order on Amazon | Barnes & Noble Nook | Apple Books | Google Play | Kobo

Find out more at ellenjacobsonauthor.com

Wordless Wednesday | Geography & Maps

Wordless Wednesday is supposed to be about posting a photo(s) without any words. But, I'm a rule breaker, so here are a few words:

1 - I love looking at maps and nautical charts and daydreaming about traveling to exotic destinations.

2 - When we're in the car, my job is Chief Navigator. I'm not very good at  it. Probably because I can't tell my left from my right. I have to physically turn the map around in my hands to try to figure out which way is which.

3 - Why yes, our car is really old and we don't have a built-in GPS navigator thingamajig. So we rely on my map-reading abilities. Let's just say that we would be wise to leave early for our destinations so that we can factor turning around time.

What words does this picture(s) bring to your mind when you look at it? 
 
For more Wordless Wednesday fun, click here and here.

Thanks for stopping by our blog - we love it when people come visit! We're also on Facebook - pop by and say hi!

The latest Mollie McGhie cozy sailing mystery is coming soon! 

Pre-order >>Poisoned by the Pier<< on Amazon | Barnes & Noble Nook | Apple Books | Google Play

Find out more at ellenjacobsonauthor.com

An Ode To Libraries & A Request

How many of you love libraries? How many of you frequent your local library? How many of you think it's important for communities to support and nurture their libraries?

If you answered yes to any of the questions above, you're my kind of person. A library person. A bookish sort of person. A person who thinks there are treasures to be discovered inside the covers.

I know some of us don't get to libraries much these days. Maybe you read ebooks instead of checking books out. Or you're a full-time traveler and don't have a local library to call your own. Or you're just plain busy. I get it. I can relate. But regardless, I bet you still think libraries are important. What is it that Albert Einstein said?

Apparently he was smart guy so he must know what he was talking about, right?

On the subject of libraries, I have a favor to ask. I'd love to get my books into more libraries so that people can check them out and enjoy them for free. I know that not everyone can afford to buy books. When there's a new author I want to try out, I often check my local library first. It's a no-risk way to see if they're my cup of tea (if they are, I might go on to buy other books for them), plus it helps me save money, because when you live on a money pit, aka a sailboat, every penny counts.

If you'd be interested in helping get the Mollie McGhie Sailing Mysteries into your local library (ebook, paperback and/or large print), you can download all the information you need HERE. Many libraries have online forms you can fill out or you can print out a copy of the info sheet and give it to your local librarian.

And if you library does get one of my books, I'd be thrilled if you'd send me a picture of it on the shelves! Here's a picture of Murder at the Marina at Central Library in Portland, Oregon. Squee!

If you can help out, thank you, thank you, thank you!

Thanks for stopping by our blog - we love it when people come visit! We're also on Facebook - pop by and say hi!

The latest Mollie McGhie cozy sailing mystery is coming soon! 

Pre-order >>Poisoned by the Pier<< on Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Apple Books | Google Play  | Kobo

Find out more at ellenjacobsonauthor.com

Wordless Wednesday | Evil Popsicle Sticks

Wordless Wednesday is supposed to be about posting a photo(s) without any words. But, I'm a rule breaker, so here are a few words:

1 - The thought of popsicle sticks makes me shudder and break out into a cold sweat. I freak out at the thought of putting wooden sticks in my mouth, whether that be a popsicle stick, chopsticks, or a bamboo skewer.

2 - Thanks to the trusty internet, I've self diagnosed myself. I have xylophobia. No, that's not the fear of xylophones, it's the fear of wooden objects. Don't believe me? See for yourself here. Fortunately, my phobia is limited to evil popsicle sticks and their cousins. I can happily touch wooden objects and hug trees.

3 - No, that doesn't stop me from eating a popsicle or an ice cream bar. I just eat around the edges and leave the middle part untouched. Bonus: you save calories that way.

What words does this picture(s) bring to your mind when you look at it?

For more Wordless Wednesday fun, click here and here.

Thanks for stopping by our blog - we love it when people come visit! We're also on Facebook - pop by and say hi!

The latest Mollie McGhie cozy sailing mystery is coming soon! 

Pre-order >>Poisoned by the Pier<< on Amazon | Barnes & Noble Nook | Apple Books | Google Play

Find out more at ellenjacobsonauthor.com

Books About Sailing

It's crazy busy right now for me in the run-up to the publication of the next book in my sailing mystery series, but I wanted to take a break and share some great resources for finding sailing-related books that you might want to check out. Even if you're not a boater yourself, you'll still probably find something you enjoy whether it's a travel memoir, historical fiction, thriller, kids books etc.

Charlotte Kaufman has lists of sailing-related books broken down by age groups. If you aren't familiar with Charlotte and her family's experience losing their boat, Rebel Heart, check out this essay she wrote for HuffPost. Charlotte has written a memoir about this tragic event which I'm looking forward to reading when it's published.

Sailing Book Suggestions for Adults
Sailing Book Suggestions for Tweens & Teens
Sailing Book Suggestions for Children


Check out SisterShip Press for another great list of sailing-related books written by women, including books published by their press. The team behind this organization--Shelley Wright and Jackie Parry--are responsible the relaunch of SisterShip Magazine and the annual Women Who Sail Australia Gathering on the Bay.

SisterShip Book Club


The Boat Galley has a podcast on books for people who are getting ready to cut the dock lines and head off cruising. If you're not familiar with The Boat Galley, it's a wonderful resource about all aspects of boating. And if you don't already have a copy of The Boat Galley Cookbook, that's well worth checking out. I can't imagine cooking on our boat without it.

Best Books for Soon-To-Be Cruisers


The American Sailing Association (ASA) has a list of books about sailing voyages and adventures.

8 Great Sailing Books


If you're looking for books to do some armchair sailing during the off-season or to stock up your floating library Waterborne has you covered.

20 Sailing Books Every Sailor Should Read


Thinking about cruising? Cruising World has a list of books to read to get prepared.

Top 10 Books to Prepare You for Cruising


What have you been reading lately? If you know of any other lists of sailing-related books that you think I should add, leave a comment below with a link to it and I'll check it out.

Thanks for stopping by our blog - we love it when people come visit! We're also on Facebook - pop by and say hi!

The latest Mollie McGhie cozy sailing mystery is coming soon! Pre-order >>Poisoned by the Pier<< on Amazon.

Find out more at ellenjacobsonauthor.com

Other eretailers and paperback / large print coming soon.

Saturday Spotlight | Hoosier Dad By Elizabeth Seckman

In addition to the usual blog posts every Monday and Wednesday about our travel adventures and day-to-day life living aboard a sailboat, I also occasionally post on Saturdays, focusing on things related to writing such as cover reveals, book launches, reviews, interviews with authors etc. So if you're a bit of a book nerd like I am, check in on Saturdays - you never know what might pop up.

Today, I have the pleasure of celebrating the release of Hoosier Dad written by my wonderful blogging friend, Elizabeth Seckman. 

I'm about halfway through reading Hoosier Dad and can't wait to see how it ends. The quote below is a perfect example of the great banter and humor between the characters. If you like sweet romances, then you'll love this book! But don't take my word for it, check out these great reviews on Goodreads.

Sarah Andrews can hold her own in a courtroom, but when it comes to love, she’s 0-3 and Rich Cooper was her biggest loss to date. 

Hoosier Dad is available!

 Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Smashwords / kobo.com

Elizabeth is a mom, a wife, and the caretaker of far too many pets, all of whom her children swore they'd take care of. But they went off to college leaving fur babies in their place. She is a multi-published author of women's fiction and romance. 

Blog / Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram