Daddy Long Legs: Fire-Breathers and Criticism

Author’s note: I recently reread the novel Daddy Long Legs and loved it yet again. It reminded me of the wonderful musical I saw a few years ago. How I miss NYC theater! I am reposting this and wishing the cast my best during this difficult time when New York’s theaters are all dark. Take heart, we are thinking of you all.

by Diana Belchase

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How Naked Should Your Book Cover Hero Be?

by Diana Belchase I’m a bit more conservative than most authors.  Gorgeous guys on book covers are not my personal style.  Still, this gorgeous cover for Gwen Hernandez’s Blind Fury, the first in her Men of Steele series, really has me thinking.  Do I really need to be that shy about my heroes best physical assets? I was once asked to contribute a photo of a … Continue reading How Naked Should Your Book Cover Hero Be?

What is a Facebook Party? or Aching for Nora Roberts

A friend read the previous post about how Facebook parties work and still didn’t get it. “What the heck is a Facebook party?” she asked. Here goes: Imagine you are a fan of the lovely, incredible, wonderful Nora Roberts. You want to meet her, you ache to meet her. She has been your lifelong idol. You might even take a bus trip up to her Turn … Continue reading What is a Facebook Party? or Aching for Nora Roberts

What I Really Want for Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day seems to get bigger and bigger every year. It’s a day that never seems to turn out well. When I was single, I dreamt about it and cried that I had no one to share it with. Now that I’m married, I have different priorities and it seems my husband can’t get it right. . The truth is, it’s entirely my fault. I’m … Continue reading What I Really Want for Valentine’s Day

Inspiration at the Met: China Through the Looking Glass

Possibly one of the most frequent questions I get as an author is: Where does your inspiration come from? The answer: From everything, and everybody, everywhere.  An example of this is from a recent trip to NYC’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. The fantastic exhibit, China Through the Looking Glass, had all the hamster-wheels in my brain running at full speed. In possibly the world’s best curated exhibit, the amazing … Continue reading Inspiration at the Met: China Through the Looking Glass

Palms and Traditions: Celebrating Palm Sunday

Today is Palm Sunday, a holiday that many Americans overlook. But in churches around the world, people gather, pray, and use palm fronds during the mass to commemorate Jesus’ triumphal entrance into Jerusalem. Among Italian-Americans this day is a whole lot more. I remember my father making us go to a second church service if the palm fronds at the first church weren’t to his satisfaction. … Continue reading Palms and Traditions: Celebrating Palm Sunday

Ten Fingers Touching & Victorian Fairy Tales

I wanted to let you all know about a real treasure of a book I recently came across. It’s called Ten Fingers Touching. What makes it unique is that it’s a fable for everyone. Ellen Roth spins a tale that has excitement for adults and kids alike. The illustrations by John Blumen are breathtakingly beautiful.   I love that Roth is reviving a tradition of story-telling … Continue reading Ten Fingers Touching & Victorian Fairy Tales

Feed Your eReader

Happy New Year! For those of you who have gotten lovely eReaders, many with matching gift cards or even traditional gift certificates to your favorite book stores, here are a few recommendations. There are enough categories here to please everyone, I hope. Enjoy! Cozy Mystery: Lethal Black Dress by Ellen Byerrum   When does a little black dress become a lethal black dress? When it … Continue reading Feed Your eReader

Celebrating Heroes on Veteran's Day

November 11th is Veteran’s Day. There will be ceremonies at Arlington Cemetery and at the White House. Some government offices and banks will be closed. But, unfortunately, a great number of the men and women who’ve served our country will wake up today and feel forgotten. Let’s change that. I’m running this post early so that when they wake up on Tuesday the 11th, there … Continue reading Celebrating Heroes on Veteran's Day

How Jane Porter Changed My Life

Jane Porter takes my breath away.  Not only does she write the most fantastic fiction — characters that are so real you remember them years later and wonder how they’re doing — but she extends the raw, vibrant honesty of her writing into her real life. Jane shared with me her philosophy about how surfing is like life and how to manage low tide, navigate … Continue reading How Jane Porter Changed My Life

Why Karna Small Bodman Scares Me

Okay, I admit it, Karna Small Bodman intimidates the heck out of me. She’s had more high profile government jobs than anyone ranking under Secretary of State.  And to be honest, there are a few Sec’s that she’s run rings around.  This is a woman who knows first hand how the White House and National Security really works.  She’s been thrust into emergency situations and the … Continue reading Why Karna Small Bodman Scares Me

Flirting, Surfing and Porter's Good Wife

Jane Porter takes my breath away.  Not only does she write the most fantastic fiction — characters that are so real you remember them years later and wonder how they’re doing — but she extends the raw, vibrant honesty of her writing into her real life. Jane shared with me her philosophy about how surfing is like life and how to manage low tide, navigate … Continue reading Flirting, Surfing and Porter's Good Wife

More Great Summer Reads!

Here are some of my favorite books I’m currently reading and loving.  Hope you will, too. Hush.  A romantic suspense novella from award winning author Carey Baldwin. Coming home has never been this sexy…or this dangerous. Reformed bad boy Charlie “Drex” Drexler returns to his hometown of Tangleheart, Texas hoping to make peace with his dark past and make amends to those he’s wronged. He’s … Continue reading More Great Summer Reads!

Dark Secrets, Possible Discrimination, and the Wild Ponies of Chincoteague

One of the world’s most beautiful sights is the wild pony swim from Assateague Island to Chincoteague every July.  It sets the heart thrumming in a universally spiritual moment that brings about 50,000 people* to the tiny island nestled in the waters between Maryland and Virginia. Who knew that this event is possibly laced with the rankest discrimination against women in a darkly guarded secret … Continue reading Dark Secrets, Possible Discrimination, and the Wild Ponies of Chincoteague

Great Summer Reads!

Seven of my friends have books out this month.  Here they are listed below with links to excerpts and reviews.  Enjoy! Jax and the Beanstalk Zombies, is a fun read:  “Avery Flynn leads us into a shimmering magical world with a sexy twist that is pure, unadulterated fun. I loved this story!” said NY Times bestseling author, Darynda Jones. Brought together again by their dying … Continue reading Great Summer Reads!

Brad Meltzer Kills

Bestselling author, Brad Meltzer, sat down with Diana Belchase on the night his newest novel, The Fifth Assassin released at Politics and Prose bookstore in Washington, DC.  Find out how Brad came up with the idea for a Presidential serial assassin, the scoop on his TV show, Decoded, and how he ended up consulting for the Department of Homeland Defense. For a look at the Everybody Hates Brad Meltzer funny … Continue reading Brad Meltzer Kills