POINT OF VIEW by Judy Fowler

In romantic fiction, opposing points of view often threaten a couple's future. Here are three real-world point-of-view obstacles. Will romance prevail? Answer key at the bottom.

1. Hanging pictures 

A widower new to dating offered to hang wall art in his ladyfriend's apartment. 

She: "I've had bad experiences with men helping me hang pictures. I'm very particular about the height of each piece."

He: Don't worry. I've brought a level and a pencil. Show me how high you want them."

She watches as picture after picture goes up. "They're all too high. I have to crane my neck to see them."

He: "I hung them at eye level." 

She: "Not my eye level." 

He: "I marked the top of each where you said to mark it."

She: (under her breath) "I'll have to paint that whole wall to cover the holes."

He (gruffly): "Don't forget to buy spackle." 

2. Purchasing power 

Two singles about to merge family lives walk on the beach in summer. The couple hold hands and stare out at boats on the water.   

"You know, at the end of the season, we could get one of those for three hundred dollars."

"Really?" the other asks. "How great would that be? We could have all the kids on it for parties. We could swim off the sides. They could invite their friends!"

"What the hell are you looking at?"

The other points to a pontoon boat.

"I'm looking at that rowboat!" 

3. Wedding day priorities

"Chris wanted a band," my balance instructor Jacqui said last week. "I thought that was great, even if it ate up a lot of our budget. I looked for things to cut back on—like flowers. I'm repurposing artificial bouquets for table arrangements."

She showed me a photo of her arrangements. "And here's a picture of Tucker trying on his tuxedo." 

I've never met Chris but have spent many hours in the Cova Church gym with the pretty bride-to-be and her Brittany spaniel. I'd just thrown Tucker a chew toy to chase. "What does Chris think of you spending money dressing Tucker for the wedding?" I asked. 

"You can't go naked to the wedding, can you, Tucker?" Jacqui cooed. "It was Chris's idea to make him Best Dog."

Jacqui worried she wouldn't get everything done, and Chris needed to be sure tablecloths were a vital line item. I worried about the dog, a pointer that's always in motion. "I doubt he can walk calmly down the aisle even on a leash, Jacqui," I said.

"No worries," she assured me. "He's practicing every day. He'll be fine."

"Does Chris have a best man?"

"Of course. He'll stand next to Tucker."

At that moment, the 'best dog' held a spit-slathered toy in his mouth. 

"He's not holding the ring, is he?" I asked.

I swear Tucker gave me a dirty look. 

Answers. Romance prevailed in all three scenarios. 1. When she realized she should tell men where she wanted the bottom of the picture rather than the top, the woman apologized. We're still dating. 2. Twenty years later, whenever financial reality testing is needed, one or the other will say, "Never mind. It's a three-hundred-dollar boat." 3. The wedding is today. I hope Tucker's ready.

 

THE REAL VALUE OF A WRITING CONFERENCE by Guest Blogger Penny Hutson

Whether you’ve attended many conferences in the past or none, if you’re on the fence about going to one this year, let me reveal a little secret to you. Although individual writers may have specific reasons for participating, such as searching for an agent or publisher, networking with other writers, learning more about craft or marketing, having their work critiqued or even entering a writing contest; the truth is that the real value of any kind of conference is its power to motivate and inspire us.

KREWE OF BOO!: HALLOWEEN AND THE SPIRIT OF MARDI GRAS by Guest Blogger NOLA Nellie

The Krewe of Boo!

Around the world, Carnival—a/k/a the Mardi Gras season—starts on January 6^th—the Twelfth Night—and continues until Fat Tuesday. EVERYONE knows about the “official” Mardi Gras. What many people don’t realize, however, is that the Spirit of Mardi Gras is a year-round phenomenon in New Orleans.

In March, it’s St. Patrick’s Day (New Orleans St. Patrick's Day Parades (stpatricksdayneworleans.com)). In spring, it’s the Krewe of Cork’s Royal Street Roll (Home - krewe (thekreweofcork.com)). And throughout the year, if you’re lucky you catch a random Second Line. Wow!

But come October, it’s the Krewe of Boo!

Beginning at dusk (around 6:30 p.m.) today, October 21, 2023, is THE premier Halloween Event in the Big Easy (and maybe the world)—The Krewe of Boo! Parade. (Krewe of BOO! New Orleans' Official Halloween Parade).

Since 2007, the Krewe of Boo! has been the official Halloween Parade in New Orleans. The parade launches at Elysian Fields in the Marigny and progress through the French Quarter, passing along N. Peters and Decatur Streets, to Jackson Square and then towards the Warehouse District, all the way  to the Convention Center. With 450 riders, 15 floats, and 35 marching bands and dance krewes, Krewe of BOO! has grown from a single parade into a weekend full of events. Krewe of BOO! is the official Halloween parade of New Orleans.

 

Halloween themed throws include candy, plush toys, and beads. So, get ready to yell, “Throw me something, Monsta!”

And if you can’t make it in person, maybe you can catch the Krewe of Boo! on live stream at one of the internet cameras focused on the French Quarter, like:

earthcam.com/usa/louisiana/neworleans/bourbonstreet/?cam=catsmeow2 or  (earthcam.com/usa/louisiana/neworleans/bourbonstreet/?cam=bourbonstreet). 

Can’t do that? Take a look at the Krewe of BOO!'s cameo in the Tom Cruise film "Jack Reacher: Never Go Back."

IS THE PEN STILL MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD? AGATHA CHRISTIE - PART 2: POISON MY DEAR! By Kimberly Thorn

Strychnine, arsenic, morphine, atropine, cyanide, oh my

You’ve probably seen those tea cups that have the writing that says ‘you’ve been poisoned’ inside the bottom of them. So, that after you have finished your lovely cuppa afternoon tea (otherwise known as your treat) you get your trick! Yes, even mystery lovers need a source of amusement once in a while.

I don’t think it’s a surprise to Christie’s fans that poison was her absolute favorite means of murder. In sixty-six stories, forty-one were as a result of one of these poisons: strychnine, arsenic, morphine, atropine, or cyanide. Her favorite? Cyanide, which she used to kill off eighteen characters. 

GET YOUR SLEUTH GAME ON! By Yvonne Saxon

Are you and your mystery-loving friends looking for a fun way to challenge your investigative skills? Want to solve a murder without leaving the comforts of home? Or maybe you secretly desire to be the villain every now and then—without committing a crime of course! Why not gather one or more likeminded friends around a tabletop board game and find out which one of you is the best detective? (Or villain, as the case may be!)

 ** For the Victorian sleuth in you **

1. Mysterium by Asmodee is a great group game where players work together to figure out who committed the murder at Warwick Manor, a haunted mansion full of ghosts. Can you and your friends beat the clock to solve the murder while ghosts send messages that may help or hinder you?

2. Also by Asmodee, in Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective, you can step back in time to help Scotland Yard solve ten cases that get

Stalking The Orient Express By Maria Hudgins

I love Murder on the Orient Express. 

I have read the book more than once, seen the 1974 movie starring Albert Finney as Hercule Poirot, seen the 2017 movie starring Kenneth Branagh as the same character, and in my own travels I have stalked the train (or what's left of it) itself. In the early 20th century the Orient Express carried the well-heeled of Europe from Paris to Istanbul in high style. Today, the Venice Simplon-Orient Express now owned by Belmond, takes well-heeled tourists from London to Venice in nostalgic Art Deco luxury.

IT’S COMING! COASTAL CRIMES, VOLUME II By the Sand in Our Shorts Gang

Ready to continue the adventure?

If you liked Coastal Crimes, Volume I: Mysteries by the Sea, you have a treat in store. Members of Mystery by the Sea (MBTS), the Virginia Beach chapter of Sisters in Crime, are hard at work on a sequel: Coastal Crimes, Volume II: Death Takes a Vacation. True to our by-the-sea vibe, this next anthology features short stories by some of your favorite local authors, centered around a common theme: mysterious deaths involving a vacation destination in the Coastal Plain of Virginia or North Carolina east of Interstate-95. 

So, for those tourists among you who come here to enjoy a respite from the hustle and bustle of your ordinary lives? BEWARE! And for locals? Maybe it's time to call a moving company...  

As this blog goes to press, our chapter's wrapping up the submissions process. We anticipate approximately fifteen stories averaging around 5,000 words each. Soon, we’ll start our internal editing process, with Teresa Inge and Yvonne Saxon leading the way. Wildside Press has agreed to publish Coastal Crimes, Volume II, with an anticipated release date in late winter/early spring 2024.

More details to follow, including a cover reveal, as we progress. Stay tuned!