Sunday, January 28, 2024

Charity Sunday - We Rise by Lifting Others

 




Many times, when I speak with readers or when I'm interviewed, I am asked how I start writing. It all started at the Center for Hope & Safety. When I served on the board, I was not an author, nor 
had I ever thought of writing a book.

I became good friends with Deny, the woman who was the board secretary during my tenure as board president. She was a physicist and told me she was writing a book. I asked what it was about she told me she was writing a romance story.

I was excited to be with an aspiring author, and I offered to brainstorm, beta read, and help in any way I could. To make a very long story short, we decided to both write a book and package them as a duet. While her heart was with the books we were writing, she had other obligations. Aside from a full work schedule, she needed to take her daughter college hunting, and she had to train for the New York Marathon. While we continued to do our work for the shelter, on a personal note, Deny was the person who encouraged me to continue writing my book. She is the one who celebrated with me when it was published. She is the one who encouraged me to write more stories.

Center for Hope & Safety (formerly Shelter Our Sisters) is dedicated to assisting Bergen County, NJ, victims and survivors of domestic violence and their children by turning fear into safety, helplessness into strength, and isolation into hope.

For a full disclosure, I can proudly say I am a former board member and board president. Working together with the men and women on the board, we continued to develop the programs to fulfill the needs of the adults and children victimized by domestic violence.

During my tenure on the board, I met dedicated people who worked tirelessly, driven by the belief that every person has the right to be safe, empowered, and free from violence and fear. 

501(c)(3) nonprofit agency founded in 1976 they strongly believe that every person has the right to be safe, empowered, and free from violence and the fear of violence. Their mission is to help you heal and grow through a wide range of services that give the tools needed for a victim to leave the violence and empower them and their children for new beginnings.

The only private, non-profit agency dedicated to sheltering Bergen County families and individuals who are affected by domestic violence, the Center for Hope & Safety provides a comprehensive umbrella of support services to help adults attain safety, build a strong foundation for healing, gain self-reliance, and stop the cycle of violence.

Their services include:

  • 24 Hour Emergency Hotline that operations 365 days a year.
  • Safe House/Emergency Shelter Program, safe confidential housing with basic needs as adults and children escape violence 
  • Children's Programs designed to stabilize a child's environment and counteract the effects of abuse.
  • Transitional Housing provides the interim step toward self-sufficiency for survivors graduating from the Safe House
  • Community Services to help with diverse needs, such as counseling, support groups, case management, risk assessment, safety planning, and more.
  • Economic Empowerment helps people with career counseling, job development, and housing counseling services
  • Project CHILD provides weekly individual and group therapeutic treatment to support children ages 4-12 who are victims and/or witnesses of domestic violence.
  • The Domestic Violence Liaison Program provides expert consultations to the NJ Division of Child Protection & Permanency (DCPP) as needed.
  • The Center for Hope & Safety Legal Services is Bergen County's only free in-house legal services for victims of domestic violence with staff attorneys available for legal representation as well as providing advice when appropriate.

Financial contributions make it all happen. Here is where you can donate:  https://www.hopeandsafetynj.org/

 I will donate two dollars to the Center for Hope & Safety for every comment I receive.


Meanwhile, to thank you for joining me today, I have an excerpt from the book that started my writing career, Knight of Runes

"Friends. FRIENDS. Oh my gosh, listen to me. If you only pick up one book this upcoming summer, it needs to be Knight of Runes. Imagine Game of Thrones and Outlander having a lovechild whose nanny was Jane Austen. Yes, I am serious. No, I am not kidding. It's that good." - Stacie Tyson  ~ Pursuing Stacie


Rebeka Tyler, a distinguished expert in medieval and Renaissance studies and a casual martial arts enthusiast, never envisioned herself as a warrior. However, thrust into the 17th century, she finds herself caught in the conflict between two powerful druid masters. While deciphering ancient runes and unraveling a family secret to secure her return, Rebeka engages in battles for survival against in a society she knows well from her studies, as well as against the malevolent druid, Bran.

Amidst the struggle, emotional complexities arise with Lord Arik, the druid knight, as long-buried truths about their shared past come to light. The key to triumph lies not in individual efforts but in a partnership between Rebeka and Arik. Yet, this alliance comes at a steep price - her heart and, if fate favors her, her rightful future. In this riveting tale, the boundaries between love, destiny, and sacrifice blur as Rebeka navigates a world of ancient mysteries and profound connections.

Excerpt

England - May 1605

I should not have stayed away so long.

Unable to shake the ominous feeling of being watched, Lord Arik kept the small group moving quickly. On high alert, his eyes continually swept the underbrush bordering the rain-slicked forest trail. He and his three riders escorted the wagon with the old tinker and the woman quickly through the forest. At length, he slowed the pace, the horses winded as they neared the Stone River.

“The forest is flooded,” he said. “I suspect the Stone will be as well. Willem, ride ahead and let me know what we face at the crossing.”

Willem did his lord’s bidding and quickly returned with his report. “The river ahead runs fast, m’lord. The bridge is in ruins and cannot be crossed.”

Arik raised his hand and brought the group to a halt. “We must make repairs Doward,” he said to the old tinker, “there’s no room for the wagon at the river’s edge. You and the woman stay here and set up camp. Be ready to join us at the bridge when I send word.”

Logan, Arik’s brother, spoke up. “I’ll keep watch here and help Doward and Rebeka.”

Arik nodded and, with the others, continued the half mile to the bridge. “I am not pleased with this new delay.”

“It can’t be helped, m’lord,” Simon said. “We would make better time without the wagon.”

“We cannot leave Doward and the woman in the forest on their own, not with what we’ve heard lately. We’ll have to drive hard to make up the lost time,” Arik said as they came to the crossing.

The frame of the bridge stood solid, but the planks were scattered everywhere, clogging the banks and shallows. Arik leapt from his horse onto the frame to begin the repairs. “Hand me that planking.” Arik pointed to the nearest board.

Simon grabbed the nearest plank and examined it. “Sir, these boards have been deliberately removed.”

Arik reached for the board just as an arrow whooshed out of the trees and slammed into the plank’s edge. Willem pulled his ax from his belt. In a fluid, practiced movement, he spun and sent his ax flying. The archer fell into the river and was swept downstream, Willem’s ax lodged in his forehead.

A dozen or more attackers broke through the stand of trees. Poorly dressed fighters carrying clubs and knives moved toward them. There was only one sword among them, held by the leader—Arik’s target.

Arik tossed the board into the river and readied his sword. “They plan to pin us here at the river’s edge. Come, we’ll attack before they form up.”

Arik and his men surged forward, driving a wedge through the enemy’s ragged line, forcing what little formation they had to scatter and fight, each man for himself.

A man, club in hand, rushed at Arik. Before the attacker could bring his weapon into play, Arik pivoted around him. He raised his sword high and slammed the hilt’s steel pommel squarely on the man’s head and moved on before the man’s lifeless body collapsed to the ground.

Willem and Simon, on either side of Arik, advanced through the melee. Their swift swordplay moved smoothly from one stroke to the next, whipping through the air. They slashed on the down stroke and again on the backswing, sweeping their weapons into position to repeat the killing sequence as Arik and his soldiers steadily advanced, punishing any man who dared to come near them.

“For honor!” Logan’s war cry carried from the small camp to Arik’s ears.

Arik stiffened. Both camps were now under siege. He pulled his blade from an enemy’s chest. The body crumpled to the blood-soaked ground. Arik breathed deeply, the coppery taste of blood in the air.

“For honor!” he bellowed in answer. His men echoed his call, arms thrown wide, muscles quivering, the berserker’s rage overtaking them.

The remaining assailants fled headlong back into the forest.

Motioning to his men to follow, Arik raced toward Logan and the camp. He could hear shouts and cursed himself for not seeing the danger earlier. He crested the hill and came to an abrupt halt.

Logan’s sword ripped through the air as he protected Doward. The tinker drew his short blade and did as much damage as he could. But it was the woman Arik noticed. Her skirt hiked up, she twirled her walking stick like a weapon, with an expertise that left him slack-jawed. She dispatched the enemy, one by one, in a deadly well-practiced dance.

A man rushed toward her, knife in hand. The sneer on his face didn’t match the fear in his eyes.

She stepped out of his line of attack, extended her stick to her side and, holding it with both hands, swept the weapon forward, striking the intruder across the bridge of his nose. Blood exploded from his face in an arc of fine spray as his head snapped back. Droplets dusted her face, creating an illusion of bright red freckles. As he fell, she reversed her swing and caught him hard behind his knees. He went down on his back, spread-eagled. The woman swung her stick over her head and landed a precise blow to his forehead that knocked him unconscious.

As the woman spun to face the next threat, her glance captured Arik’s and held. In the space of an instant, time slowed to a crawl. Her hair slowly loosened from its pins and swirled out around her. His breath caught, and his heart quickened as a rapturous surge raced through his body. Something eternal and familiar, with a sense of longing, unsettled him.

In the next heartbeat, she tore her eyes away, leaving him empty. Time resumed its normal pace. Another fighter lay at her feet.

Arik joined the fight.

*****

Buy Link: Amazon

*****

Please don't forget to leave a comment to help the Center for Hope & Safety. Thank you!

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Tuesday, January 23, 2024

Happy Birthday! I hope you enjoy this special day.

  I will. It's my birthday!!



And I am not the only birthday girl. I share the day with Mariska Hargitay, Chita Rivera, Gil Gerard, Nora O’Donnell, and others.

Celebrating this year may be a bit different. No lunching with the women, or dinner with the family. There will be time enough for that in the Spring. 

Here are ten happy facts about birthdays.


Where it all began
… Romans were the first people to celebrate the day of their birth. The special date was celebrated with banquets, gifts, and prayers.



Children’s Birthdays
… Birthdays were mostly celebrated by adults. It wasn’t until the 19th century that celebrating children’s birthdays came into fashion. 

Milestones… In the 20th century, recognizing life rituals and birthdays, in particular, helped children adapt to the changes in their bodies and relationships as they grew older.


Cakes and Candles… Various cultures lay claim to the origin of this ritual. In ancient Egypt, candles were used in their coronations. They raised the status of the human to a god. To honor the goddess Artemis, ancient Greeks put candles on moon-shaped honey cakes. They believed the smoke from the blown-out candle lifted their prayers to the top of Mount Olympus.

Happy Birthday to You… The sisters, Mildred and Patty Hill, wrote the song Good Morning to You in 1893. They were part of the progressive education movement. New lyrics Happy Birthday to You with the familiar melody appeared in 1912.

When is yours? Every person has one. So, I'm asking, when is yours??


January Birthdays    

  • 01 Jan 1919 - J. D. Salinger, author of Catcher in the Rye
  • 03 Jan 1892 - J. R. R. Tolkien, author of The Hobbit & The Lord of the Rings
  • 08 Jan 1824 - Wilkie Collins, author of Woman in White
  • 14 Jan 1898 - Lewis Carroll, author of Alice in Wonderland
  • 19 Jan 1809 - Edgar Allan Poe, author of The Tell Tale Heart
  • 27 Jan 1832 - Lewis Carroll, author of Alice in Wonderland

January Facts:

  • This full moon this month is called the Wolf Moon. It appears wolfs howl at this moon more than others.
  • A dreaded day, Plough Monday in the fifteenth century marked the start of the agricultural season and time to go back to work after a reprise from the last harvest.
  • This month is named for the Roman god Janus, the protector of gates and doorways.
  • Folklore: A favorable January brings us a good year.



Saturday, December 9, 2023

Historical Romance Cookie Hop


 First my tidbit... Mistletoe

 The mysterious KisStory of Mistletoe


Mistletoe is a semi-parasitic plant that produces small white berries and grows almost exclusively in trees. Our KisStory begins in the 1st century A.D. The consensus among experts is that the use of Mistletoe in ritual form started with the Celtic Druids. This ancient civilization lived on the British Isles in what is now Ireland and Scotland. The Mistletoe became a sacred symbol of vitality and fertility after the Druids saw it blooming in the trees during the harsh winters. It later become a central focus of the Ritual of Oak and Mistletoe (in which the Druid Grand Master climbs the sacred oak tree and removes the mistletoe with a golden sickle and distributes it to the people) that led the Romans to call call the Druids barbarians. 

The kissing tradition as we know it appears to have started in 18th century England where it first became widely used as a Christmas decoration. The tradition spread quickly throughout the world. Beginning as a custom among the lower classes, it made its way to all classes, becoming a universal holiday ritual.

In the Norse mythology, the mistletoe plant was a sign of love and peace. The goddess Frigg lost her son, the god Baldur, to an arrow make of mistletoe. After his death, she vowed whoever stood beneath the mistletoe would be offered a kiss and forever be protected. 

The tradition continues. A person is allowed to request a kiss from a person standing beneath a sprig or bouquet of mistletoe. If the kiss is refused, bad luck will befall the person who said no.

Blatant promotion! FREE BOOK  My holiday story in Druid Knight Tales 1, Mistletoe and Magic, is available for free if you join my newsletter.

http://bit.ly/RuthsNewsletterSignUp

Now... to cookies and a treat!

I found this recipe and absolutely fell in love with it. Reindeer Paw (ok - a bear paw, but I took poetic license) cookies with thanks to Rebecca. You can find her full article here.  


Reindeer Paw Cookies 

Reindeer Paw Cookies are made with Peanut Butter Cookie dough and topped with a chocolate wafer and plain chocolate chips to form a bear paw treat.

Prep Time: 15minutes mins

Cook Time:  8minutes mins

Ingredients

½ Cup Butter Softened

½ Cup Peanut Butter

1 Egg Large

1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

¾ Cup Granulated Sugar *Divided

½ Cup Brown Sugar

1 ¼ Cup All Purpose Flour 150g

½ teaspoon Baking Soda

½ teaspoon Baking Powder

48 Ghiradelli Candy Wafer

½ Cup Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375 and prepare baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. Cream Softened Butter and Peanut Butter in a large Stand Mixer or use a Hand Mixer. Scrape the sides of the bowl as needed.
  3. Add ½ cup Sugar and Brown Sugar with Vanilla Extract together.
  4. Cream Egg into butter and sugar mixture.
  5. In a separate bowl, mix Flour, Baking Soda, and Baking Powder.
  6. Add Flour Mixture to Butter Mixture and mix to combine.
  7. Use a Small Cookie Scoop size #60. Roll cookie dough in reserved sugar to coat and place on baking sheet 2 inches apart.
  8. Bake at 375 for 7-9 minutes or until edges turn golden brown. Do Not Overbake.
  9. Remove from oven and immediately place chocolate wafer and chocolate chips on hot cookies. Allow cookies to cool on the cookie sheet.
  10. Move cookies to the cooling rack to fully cool. Store in a sealed container for up to a week. Best if enjoyed within 2-3 days.

Notes

This recipe will make approximately 48 cookies in a small size #60 cookie scoop or approximately 30-32 Medium size #50 cookie scoop cookies.

* * * * *

BONUS RECIPE
        
        I make these every year, and there is never anything left over.

       NUTS – Sugared and Spiced Nuts

Ingredients

1 pound whole blanched almonds  

1 pound pecan halves (could use cashews, walnuts, or other nuts if you want) (fyi – 2 C nuts =  ½ lb.)

¼ tsp salt (can use ½ - 1 if you want more salt)

4 egg whites

2 tsp. cinnamon

2 C sugar

½ pound sweet butter, melted

Directions 

  1. Preheat to 350
  2. In a very large, shallow baking pan, combine nuts and salt.  For a full recipe, it may be best to use 2 baking pans with sides. 
  3. Roast nuts for about 10 minutes or until lightly toasted.  Cool
  4. Reduce heat to 325 
  5. Beat egg whites until soft peaks are formed. 
  6. Add cinnamon to the sugar and gradually beat into the egg whites. 
  7. Continue to beat till the mixture is the consistency of soft meringue. 
  8. Pour the butter over the nuts.
  9. Fold them into the meringue. 
  10. Spread the combined mixture on the pan in which you toasted the nuts. 
  11. Bake 325 for about ½ hour.  
  12. Place in the center of the stove. (don’t bake too close to the bottom heat as the butter may burn) 
  13. Turn the nuts over at least 2 times.  The white disappears. 
  14. Let nuts cool and store them in tightly covered jars or cans or baggies.  

Historical Romance Authors Cookie Hop Link List 2023

Heather McCollum

https://www.heathermccollum.com/kitchen/

Alanna Lucas

https://alannalucas.com/

Allison B. Hanson

https://allisonbhanson.wordpress.com/

Anna St.Claire

https://www.annastclaire.com/contests

Tara Kingston

https://www.facebook.com/TaraKingstonAuthor

Celeste Barclay 

Www.celestebarclay.com 

Michelle McLean

https://michellemcleanbooks.com

Katherine Bone

https://www.katherinebone.com/

Kathryn Le Veque

https://www.facebook.com/kathrynlevequenovels

Terri Brisbin

https://terribrisbin.com/news/2023/12/09/its-the-holiday-historical-cookie-sweets-hop-2023-grab-your-biscotti/ 

Melanie Rose Clarke

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1159564541120841

Brenna Ash

www.brennaash.com/parlor

Gina Conkle

https://ginaconkle.com/

Deb Marlowe

https://www.debmarlowe.com/historical-holiday-cookie-hop.html

E. Elizabeth Watson

https://eelizabethwatson.com/holiday-hops/

Jane Charles

https://www.janecharlesauthor.com/christmas-fun

Amy Jarecki

https://amyjarecki.com/historical-romance-holiday-cookie-hop-2023/

Collette Cameron

https://facebook.com/collettecameronauthor

Lauren & Devon Royal

https://www.laurenroyal.com/3.0/contest/

Maeve Greyson

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMaeveGreyson

Aurrora St. James

https://www.aurrorastjames.com/contests 

C.H. Admirand

https://www.facebook.com/CHAdmirandAuthor 

Emily Royal

https://www.facebook.com/eroyalauthor 

Margaux Thorne

https://www.facebook.com/groups/6874808775895296/

Jennifer Seasons

https://www.facebook.com/people/Jennifer-Seasons-Romance/100089138023579/

Aubrey Wynne

https://www.aubreywynne.com

Elizabeth Ellen Carter

https://elizabethellencarter.com/dreaming-of-white-christmas-traditional-australian-treat/

Sara Adrien

www.saraadrien.com

Eliza Knight

https://elizaknight.com/news/

Ruth A. Casie

https://ruthacasie.blogspot.com/2023/12/historical-romance-cookie-hop.html

After you collect the names of all 30 recipes, e-mail the list of authors with their treats to Heather@HeatherMcCollum.com with the subject line: Historical Romance Authors are Sweet. One winner will be chosen on Wednesday, 13 December and announced on the FB event page and on my website: https://www.heathermccollum.com/ .

Friday, October 27, 2023

Trick or Treat Hop - October 27 - 31 - Win $150 Amazon Gift Card

 TRICK OR TREAT HALLOWEEN HOP


October 27 - 31

Join 30 historical romance authors as they celebrate Halloween with an awesome four-day event! Not only do you have the opportunity for the Halloween Hop's $150 gift card, but I will be giving two readers a digital copy of my story, The Maxwell Ghost. 

Find Ruth's Halloween Candy


Somewhere on this awesome cover design of The Lady and Her Secret
which was released on Oct 11, is my candy. Can you find it? 

What do I do now?

Carefully follow these directions for the Halloween Hop. 

Hop to each historical romance author’s link below and find their Halloween candy. Using the Halloween candy/Author form (grab your form here - https://fb.me/e/2QZxHg1XM match the candy to the author by:

1) Drawing a line between them (you may want to print & tape pages together) or

2) Writing the author’s name next to their candy or

3) Write the candy next to the author’s name.

When you have all 30 candy matches, either e-mail a picture of the form/list or send an e-mail with the author’s name list with their matching candy to Heather@HeatherMcCollum.com by 11:59 PM on October 31, 2022.

Submitting your list will enter you into the $150 gift card giveaway! A randomly drawn winner will be picked out of all the entries. The grand prize winner will be announced by noon on November 1. The winner will have 24 hours to claim their prize.

While you are hopping to collect candy, don’t forget to like, follow, or sign up for the author’s newsletter to keep up to date on their new releases and author wanderings.

I am giving away, 2 digital copies of The Maxwell Ghost. The winners will be randomly selected from the comments left here.

The Maxwell Ghost


Their destinies are intertwined with hidden passions and
a love that will last for eternity.

Traitors, deception, murders, and ghosts run rampant at Caerlaverock Castle. Jamie Collins and Laura Reynolds, long-time friends, find their destinies intertwined with hidden passions, but all is in jeopardy when Laura becomes the murderer’s next target. Jamie will find he needs some ghostly assistance to save Laura and declare his love.

No magic here...it's a love that lasts an eternity

Two people will be randomly selected from comments here or on my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/RuthACasie/ ) for a chance to win a digital copy of The Maxwell Ghost.

I will be hopping around to announce the winners on my Facebook page on November 1.


Thanks for hopping! Wishing you a lovely and safe Halloween.

**No purchase or sign-up up necessary to enter. Participation is completely voluntary. Your e-mail address will not be shared or added to any lists unless you specifically sign up for a newsletter list. The winner must be at least 18 years of age and have an e-mail address to accept gift card.**

 Historical Romance Trick-or-Treat Hop

Link List

Alanna Lucas

www.alannalucas.com

Alexa Aston

https://alexaaston.com/

Allison B. Hanson

https://allisonbhanson.wordpress.com/

Amy Jarecki

https://www.facebook.com/groups/246831395899469

Anna Markland

https://www.annamarkland.com/post/trick-or-treat-hop

Anna St. Claire

https://www.annastclaire.com/contests

Aviva Orr

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAvivaOrr/

Brenna Ash

https://www.brennaash.com/parlor

Deb Marlowe

https://www.debmarlowe.com/

E. Elizabeth Watson

https://eelizabethwatson.com/holiday-hops/

Eliana Piers

http://www.facebook.com/groups/ElianasBeauMondeReaderGroup

Elizabeth Rose

http://www.elizabethrosenovels.com

Gina Conkle

https://ginaconkle.com/

Heather McCollum

https://www.heathermccollum.com/fun-for-readers/

Jane Charles

https://www.janecharlesauthor.com/holiday-books

Jennifer Seasons

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089138023579

Jessica A. Clements

https://www.facebook.com/JessicaAClements

Karla Kratovil

https://www.karlakratovil.com/

Katherine Bone

https://www.katherinebone.com

Katherine Grant

https://www.katherinegrantromance.com/halloween-hop/

Kathryn Le Veque

https://www.facebook.com/kathrynlevequenovels

Lana Williams

https://www.facebook.com/LanaWilliamsBooks

Lori Ann Bailey

https://loriannbailey.com/

Maeve Greyson

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMaeveGreyson

Margaux Thorne

https://www.facebook.com/groups/6874808775895296

Melanie Rose Clark

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1159564541120841

Ruth A. Casie

https://ruthacasie.blogspot.com/2023/10/trick-or-treat-hop-october-27-31-win.html

Sandra Sookoo

https://www.facebook.com/sandrasookooauthor

Tara Kingston

https://www.facebook.com/TaraKingstonAuthor

Terri Brisbin

https://www.terribrisbin.com