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*Heavy Sigh*

The whirlwind that is the holidays, for the most part, is over.
The traditional Italian fish feast Christmas eve is slacking, due to my mom's age, and my reluctance to learn how to make 'fish salad', baccala, and stuffed squid. I want to introduce new dishes, such as, fried striped bass, scallops, and perhaps shrimp parmesan.
Next year.
I didn't get to watch much of 24 hrs of A Christmas Story this year. Only 30 minutes. It's a Wonderful Life still remains MIA.
My nieces and family all arrived at my home in the evening and we drank and ate while carolers sang outside. It was a lovely night. The next day my sons came over, and my mom, and we dined on honeyed ham, sweet potatoes with apricots & apples, carrots and a big salad.

Now the cleanup begins...yuk!
Duty calls...and laundry.
Happy New Year!
Ella

Yesterday I attended my book signing at Bluemoon Enchantments. It was a wonderful experience. So many people came to celebrate the holiday season, and purchase books, sample some meade, munch on cheese and crackers, veggies, and much more. I was able to meet a few Myspace friends, as well.

This was my first time tasting meade, I must say it's different than I expected. It's a wine made from honey and various flavors. The samples there were; peach, vanilla, and raspberry. I enjoyed the raspberry. Also on the list of favorite holiday drinks is wassail, which I love, and eggnog! Wassail is made with, or without alcohol, and apple cider, cloves, cinnamon, and any other spices you like. Serve it warm and enjoy!

Afterwards, my husband and I had our own celebration and went out to dinner. All in all, it was a marvelous day and evening. I especially cherish going out at this time of year when many businesses and homes are dripping with brilliant rainbow colored lights. I often wonder what is going on in the living rooms of the warmly lit homes as we'd drive by, TV's are sometimes on, and holiday trees are sparkling.

I've officially got three book signings under my belt. I enjoyed everyone of them and look forward to doing more. The people are friendly, warm, and either book lovers or know a book lover.

I just finished reading a lovely book, Garden Spells, by Sarah Addison Allen. It's a Giving Tree type story about a family's apple tree and the magic it bestows when someone bites into one of its apples. If you enjoyed the book, Practical Magic, by Alice Hoffman, or Nora Roberts, Dance Upon the Air--Three Sisters Island Trilogy, you'll love Garden Spells.

I think that it's important that everyone is able to express their own opinions, but I feel it is equally important that we try to stop lumping stereotypes together. I have considered myself an ecclectic wiccan and have read many and written a few books.
I don't believe that anyone can or should judge a person's devotion based on length of time of a ritual. A hollow heart can pray all day, but that does not make him/her anymore devout than a sincere person who walks his/her talk, and doesn't perform any rituals. It's what's in a person's heart and soul that counts.
In my many years of study, I think the most important thing I've learned is that we're all still learning, still evolving... and a rose by any other name, would smell as sweet.
My reasons for incorperating different pantheons comes from past life connections. So, yes, I will have statues of Isis, Kuan Yin, and Ganeesh in my home. If I had to chose one it would be Isis. She speaks to my soul, and yet I am not Egyptian (not in this lifetime).
I say, it's the journey that counts, not the color horse you ride. Personally, I really don't like labels and that's another reason 'eclectic' works for me. Basically, as I've said in my bio, "I'm a spiritual being having human experiences."~ Wayne Dyer.
Of course these are just some of my thoughts on the subject.

With love and respect,Ella

The Yule trees have been put up all around the house and now I'm preparing for next week's book signing. It's at BlueMoon Enchantments in Patchogue, NY. December 15th is the date.

The shopping season is in full swing and as usual I have many to still shop for, but I had to get my novella finished before the holidays.

Any special plans?

Ella

Well, the wheel of the year keeps spinning. I am thankful that Thanksgiving is a memory. Recently the holidays have become my responsibility for hosting. It gets a bit much celebrating 'my' holidays, Imbolc, Samhain, etc. and the family ones.

As always, I dread their approach and I'm happy at their conclusion. The odd thing is I do love to entertain.

Now the countdown begins until the next round...Yule, Christmas Eve, Day, New Years.

I think I'll get lost in my writing until spring.

Ella

WooHoo!!!! Today I am guest blogging on one of my favorite authors blog, Yasmine Galenorn. It's at http://witchychicks.blogspot.com

I am so honored that she invited me to blog today. This week is bringing many blessings. I've lined up two book signings, both on Long Island, and I have my new book marks ready to be laminated. I also won a contest at my writers group, Absolute Write, for a non-fiction piece.

I'm at the end, hopefully, of editing Blood Pool, my vampire book and then I finish an anthology. Well, it's a part of an anthology. AND THEN I can get to work on the third installment of the Angelica Kane series. Plus, shop for Turkey Day, and cook, clean...I'm tired already. :o)

Blessings!

Ella

This month I attended the Eyes of Learning Fall Festival. It's Long Island's oldest non-profit metaphysical organization. I had worked at these fairs years ago doing psychic readings and this time I was there selling my book, and music. I had a wonderful time and look forward to the Spring Fair. I was able to see friends that I haven't seen in a long-long time. Next time I may even do some readings.

Ella

Renaissance Fair!

Friday we went to my favorite minstrels first US city tour of this year. Blackmore's Night played in CT and what a fabulous show it was. With all the craziness of the summer slowly fading it was wonderful to go and relax and enjoy a night out. It was sorely needed and flew by much too fast.

Now I'm back at the computer determined to finish In the Name of Love--or--Blood Pool. Can't quite decide what title I like best. I may go with the former. It's a vamp story with a twist and I'm tickled with the way it's telling itself.

Yes, that's right...my characters along with Miss Muse tell the story and I just write it down. As with Every Witch Way But Dead, the characters came to life and the plot went in a totally different direction than what I had planned for them.

Next weekend I'll be in Levittown, NY at an Eyes of Learning Fall Fair signing Every With Way But Dead. If you live on Long Island--come on by!

BB
Ella

Monday wasn’t such a great day. This summer has been extremely busy. Days have been spent unpacking boxes, painting walls and endless trips to Home Depot. There hasn’t been much time for writing.
Later in the day Monday, I went home to pick up my youngest son to help unpack yet more boxes. Stabbing them with scissors to cut the miles of packing tape I got out my frustrations, daily. I was sick of seeing the tan hide of cardboard.
That is until I stepped on my porch and saw a slender box with the Samhain return address. Jumping for joy, I screamed for my son to come outside. I could hardly contain the ecstatic emotions coursing through me. I tenderly guided the scissor across the top and opened the treasure chest. There it was—my book. Every Witch Way But Dead.
I know other writers can appreciate this next sentiment. It’s funny—not ha-ha funny—because I worked really hard on this book, read and re-read, wrote and rewrote and re-read some more. To the point that I thought I couldn’t do it anymore—BUT, last night I sat in bed with my little reading light and opened it up and relished each page as if I’d never lay eyes on it before.With book two finished, I look forward to more adventures with Angelica Kane and friends. Fall Festivals are popping up all over and I’ll be attending as many as I can doing book signings. It’s a dream come true! The book is out--it's at Amazon.com--today!
Blessings~Ella

Wow! It's September already, where did August go?
School starts tomorrow and although it's been many years since
I graduated I still get the end of summer blues when the yellow
school buses start their journey to pick up sad back-to-school kids. My son
included.
Every Witch Way But Dead comes out Sept.25th in book stores and The Upside
of Karma has a release date of Fall of '08. That means I must get cracking
on my Vamp book and then on to #3 in the Angelica Kane series, tentative title--The Hanging Tree.

Where does the time go? With days spent at Home Depot and painting walls, ripping up carpet, gardening and rescuing 20 year old sons who break down on the Expressway, who has time to write! Not I.
Abandoned by her brother who was supposed to help with all this construction on their mother's new home, our heroine loses what's left of her mind. That is until hunky Jake Striker, local handy man, arrives. His muscle shirt clings to him like socks in a dryer.
"You need me to check your pipes, m'aam?" Jake asks.
"Why yes, that's an excellent idea."
He leans over her, capturing her in a corner. His lips slightly spread in a mysterious smile. She feels the heat between them, I'll show you th-the way," she stutters nervously.
"I think I know my way around," he says seductively, wiping the paint from her cheek. Their lips so close...."

Back to Home Depot...grrr. To be continued...
At least I'm writing.

BB
Ella

THREE OF SWORDS will be re-released in ebook format from The Wild Rose Press next Friday, July 27th! Keep tuned, gang! Whoo hoo!

Joanna
www.myspace.com/joannakmoore

Hey all!
Sorry I've been MIA, but mom's staying with me and she just closed on a house. Now we start the process of moving her in. She's 79 and has been through lots of changes lately.
At least she will be two minutes from me and not an hour away.

Be back soon!

BB
Ella

Even more good news! Here's the new cover for the sequel to THREE OF SWORDS, entitled SEVEN OF CUPS, featuring Selene's (the heroine of TOS) younger sister, Izzy. Aren't these covers amazing? Wild Rose Press is a fantastic publisher. I'll post as soon as I have a firm release date for both books! Until then,

Joanna K. Moore

Hello, all, and welcome to LunaChicks! After a period of time where I wondered what would happen, the way has cleared ahead. My paranormal romantic mysteries THREE OF SWORDS and SEVEN OF CUPS will be re-released by my new publisher, The Wild Rose Press, this summer! AND, I'm currently working on a new paranormal romance trilogy that I hope will be a thrill ride for all readers.

Hugs to Ella and Mad! LunaChicks rule!

Joanna K. Moore

I have been working for a few days on my book trailer. TaDa!!!The luncheon was a wonderfu experience. I sat with editors from St. Martin's Press and Harlequin. Donald Maas was there and many other agents.Big news. Kensington bought Samhain. That's great news.I also met Bertice Small!New title for book number two.The Upside of Karma.

Tomorrow is the day I get to meet a few of the folks I work with at
Samhain Publishing. I'm so excited to meet my editor! I've never been to
a writer's luncheon before. It is taking place near my home, and there will be
agents from NYC--a few I submitted to in the past.
This has been a crazy busy week, not much writing--lots of babysitting. My gorgeous
great-niece. She's such a joy, my sister's first grandchild. I'm sort of a surrogate
grandma.
To be continued...

Sex sells.
I know I may be a bit slow on the uptake, but I've just realized that little tid bit of info.
It may not be my cup of tea, not to say I'm a prude--I'm not--but I enjoy more than soft porn.
Lately though I think perhaps I need to reevaluate my writing style. Do my books have sex in them? Yes, but not in every chapter. Those stories that are sold at the same site as my book, the hot sellers, all have lots of sex in them. Sex with two or more people, with toys...batteries not included.
So, what do you think?

I just found out book number two in the Angelica Kane series was accepted for publication. I'm so thrilled. Like other authors out there know, some characters really resonate with their co-creators. And Angelica is a real spit-fire kinda witchy woman. I'm tickled that her story will continue and will it ever...Betrayals, lust, jealousy, spirits, and surprises.
Things get hot under- the-collar in Oceanview, enough to melt the snow in The Dead of Winter. (working title)

It was a beautiful day today. Blues skies, warm breezes and lots of outdoor chores to do. Weeding being number one on the hit parade. We have an outdoor pond in the front yard and it's surrounded by all my lovely plants. Iris, daises, marigolds, sage, thyme and many more. Unfortunately there are a ton of weeds, well, there used to be. This year I vowed to take control of the weeds rather than they taking control of my garden. So far, so good. But the mosquitoes haven't arrived yet.
Not much writing was done today, okay none. Tomorrow I promised myself to get some done, that is if the weeds don't plan a revolution!

The Blue Moon is cinsidered the goal moon and is a time to set goals and accomplishments for yourself. It happens when two full moons occur within the same calendar month. Many magickal practitioners believe this is a most powerful time and anticipate it with great excitiment.
The Blue Moon is a time for healing and new beginnings. It's a time to manifest powerful changes and heightened communications with the higher realms. It can bring suprises and wonderful delights. The energies are calming and healing.
So set some goals for the coming season, light a candle and work with the energy of the mighty blue moon!

The 24th was the Big Day. Yes, with caps. Every Witch Way But Dead arrived on magickal wings of things that go bump in the night. Its synchronistic birth echoed whispers from those beyond the veil.
Let me explain. Two years ago this coming August I lost my sister to breast cancer.In an effort to soothe my mother's broken heart—and mine—we went to see a well-respected psychic. Not John Edward, but one just as talented. The psychic 'picked up' on my sister's energy as soon as we sat down. She told us things that she had no way of knowing, named my sister's daughters exactly, and told me to keep writing. I would be working with someone named Sam. I was just in the beginning of the editing phase at the time, and had only begun to think about submitting Every Witch Way But Dead. I hadn't a clue who Sam could possibly be. Fast forward to the present and here I am. Today is my sister's birthday and I now know who Sam(hain) is. I know it's pronounced Sow-en, but to me you'll always be Sam.For those of you out there that believe in the immortality of the soul I hope you'll read my book. I think you'll enjoy it. I know my sister thought it good enough; after all, she pushed me from beyond the veil to get it done.
Brightest Blessings!Ella

It's so exciting and anxiety provoking all rolled up into one frazzled ball of energy. I put my heart and soul into my baby, as all authors do. Like Sally Field expressed, 'They like me,they really like me?'
I hope they like me. As a practicing witch I read through all the books out there, hungry for more. I wasn't particularly interested in sleuths that cooked, unless they used a cauldron.
I only hope my story holds up with the best of them, and that they are read, enjoyed and shared.

Spring Fever
I should be working! Ugh.
I guess I'm antsy with spring around the corner, but book two awaits to be edited and Blood Pool (#3) is waiting in the wings. Another Vampire book whispers to me in my dreams, asking when will it's time come.
I guess I should get to it then, before the really warm weather comes.
More coffee first~

My cover is done as you can see! I've been working on book two, Dead of Winter and started a new novel. Blood Pool is its working title. Vampires, Fae, and Shape-shifters are some of the characters.
I've also gotten some positive feedback from author M.R. Sellars! He's written the awesome Rowan Gant Investigation series.
"Passionate, steamy, and magickally intense. -- M. R. Sellars, Author of the Rowan Gant Investigations"
Whooo Hoooo!!!!