Debra Sennefelder, Author at Debra Sennefelder

Coffee & Chat, Fit Writer, New Book Releases, Writing

Coffee & Chat #20

Happy Wednesday! We’ve had nice weather for the past few days and now it’s all downhill – back to high levels of humidity. Not gonna lie, I’m counting down the days until fall. Beautiful, cool, crisp fall. The photo below makes me very happy.

While we wait for fall to arrive, there are some brand-spanking new cozy mystery releases from my friends and fellow Cozy Mystery Crew authors. Shari Randall’s AGAINST THE CLAW is the second book in her Lobster Shack Mystery series. MIDNIGHT SNACKS ARE MURDER is the second book in the Poppy McAllister Mystery series. If you’re looking for some end of summer reading here are two really good options.

I’m finishing up THE SUBWAY GIRLS. I shared that read with you a couple of weeks ago in this post. I’ve been trying to carve out reading time in the evening but I’m not always successful. Another thing I’m trying is using my Fitbit Alta HR again. I’ve been remiss about wearing it primarily because it’s been so hot and I don’t like wearing any jewelry or a watch. Yuck. I feel like I’m melting and then to have jewelry on just makes it feel worse. My gold stud earrings have become my go-to everyday. But, I do feel I need the reminder of the Fitbit to make sure I get up and move. I didn’t realize how difficult it would be to do that. I never had a problem in my old day job. But now? I get really into what I’m writing and I don’t want to leave, to miss what happens next or forget how I want to rearrange the sentence if I happen to be editing.

Anyway, I started wearing my Fitbit again on Saturday and on Sunday I selected a solo challenge, Vernal Falls Trail. It’s 15,000 steps and I completed it early Tuesday morning. Along the way, I was sent notifications of photos of th trail to mark the landmarks I would be passing if I actually was walking the trail. When I finished the trail I got a badge from Fitbit. Cool, right? It was fun and different. I’ll definitely do another challenge.

From My Desk:

I’m moving forward on book 3 in the Food Blogger series. It’s due to my editor November 1st. This part of the process is slow and at times seems neverending but I know there’s a light at the end of the tunnel and it includes two little words – the end. Yeah, this writer’s favorite phrase. I should be done with the manuscript at the end of this month.

One question authors get frequently is whether or not we work on multiple projects at the same time. I do. But I’m not writing two or more books at the same time. Each project is in a different phase. Along with doing this final pass through on book 3, I’m brainstorming a new book idea. Next week I’ll share the two new books on plotting I’m using.

Thanks so much for visiting with me today. It’s kind of dreary here right now with rain and of course, humidity. A good day to stay inside and write. What are you up today? Let me know in the comment section.

Newsletter Signup!

Sign up today to receive regular updates from Debra about her Food Blogger mystery series and Resale Boutique mystery series, exclusive content and the recipe for her Divine Dark Chocolate Brownies.

Email

Name

Please wait...

Thank you for sign up!

Baking, Christmas in July, Cookie Recipes, Kitchen Snapshots

Double Chocolate Crescent Cookies

Merry Christmas in July!!!

Today is July 25th and I thought I’d bring a little merriment to the day and share a cookie recipe I bake at Christmas. I bake several types of cookies for Christmas but this one is a favorite.

I’m not going to waste time. It’s like a zillion degrees today with matching humidity so I’m going to get right to the recipe.

What’s your favorite holiday cookie? Stay cool & bake on!

Friday Reads

Happy Friday! The weekend is just a few hours away and here in Connecticut we’re going to get another slap of humidity and rain for an extended duration, like all the way to next Thursday at last check. That’s way too long for oppressive humidity. Way too long. So my big plans for the weekend includes air conditioning and reading.

The premise of this book captured my imagination and interest. It’s been a long time since I’ve read a book that wasn’t a mystery or suspense. So immersing myself in this book has been a welcomed break from my usual reading. And this is the first book I’ve read that takes place in two eras – 1949 and present day.

I’m cheering for Charlotte, she’s standing up against her parents because she wants to do something they oppose. She’s determined to make a career for herself in advertising when all she really can expect to be is a typist, maybe a secretary if she gets lucky. Olivia is trying to save her job at the upstart advertising agency she joined after they lost an major account.

Their lives will intersect and I’m almost at that point in the book. Maybe instead of bemoaning the impending weather I should be grateful for the opportunity to stay inside curled up with this book.

What are you reading this weekend?

Coffee & Chat, Pets, Writing Updates

Coffee & Chat #19

Happy Wednesday! We just got through a few days of horrible high humidity. Not pleasant at all but we woke up this morning to much lower humidity and it’s absolutely beautiful. So sipping my cup of hot coffee while chatting with you right now is very pleasurable.

Thanks to my writing partner, Susie, I kept on track with the writing of the first draft of SILENCED IN SEQUINS. I began writing the manuscript on June 11th and finished on July 15th. During that period I had 27 writing days and finished with a draft of 61,090 words. WooHoo!!! That’s something I can definitely work with when I dive in for the second draft.

As I was coming the end of the manuscript I decided to take a week off from writing. During this week I’m not working to meet a daily word count goal or working on an editing deadline. Gotta admit, it’s nice not having a looming deadline. It’s time to tackle some projects around the house, enjoy some long walks early in the morning (see above, I love that path) and brainstorm a new project. Next week I’ll be back to work on the third draft of book 3 in the Food Blogger series. I’ve gotten the manuscript back from my critique partner and it’s time to start preparing the manuscript for submission this fall.

Getting out has been so much enjoyable since getting Billy his stroller. He does so well in it and seems to really like it. It gets all the benefits of being outside without any of the work. LOL. That’s okay. In the photo he looks so shaggy, it was just a week before his grooming appointment. I sense Susie is enjoying the walks more too because she can keep her regular pace of speedwalking and not be slowed down because of Billy. It looks like a win-win for all of us.

Last week I managed to squeeze in a visit to my friend Carolyn’s house to visit her dog’s puppies! Here’s Penny with her three week old puppies. They are so freakin’ cute. Holding them was so sweet. They were just starting to teeth so my hand was their chew toy. I didn’t care. They wiggled and squeaked. I just wanted to play with the puppies all day. All day!

I found some time to test a scone recipe. It’s my basic recipe with a little change. Very yummy. I have to bake them them one more time and then I’ll share the recipe. I promise.

If you haven’t had the chance to read THE UNINVITED CORPSE it’s available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble in print, e-book and audio book format. Because of my amazing readers I was able to hit 50 reviews on Amazon. Thank you!

I’m in need of a refill so I’m going to sign-off and get more coffee. Thanks for visiting with me today. I’ve shared my plans for the week with you and I’d love to know what you’re up. Drop a comment and let me know.

Newsletter Signup!

Sign up today to receive regular updates from Debra about her Food Blogger mystery series and Resale Boutique mystery series, exclusive content and the recipe for her Divine Dark Chocolate Brownies.

Email

Name

Please wait...

Thank you for sign up!

Friday Reads

Happy Friday! The weekend is just a few hours away and I’ll be easing into the weekend reading the final chapters of Pawprints & Predicaments. Yes, I’m reading a book set in the deep cold of winter out on my lounge chair in near ninety degree weather. And, let me tell you, I’m loving every moment of it. From it’s frigid lake dive to the snow covered ski trail to the adorably huge St. Bernard. I’m all in and looking for my mug of hot cocoa.

This this the third installment in the Lucky Paws Petsitting mystery series and made even more fun by the addition of big, sweet Bernie. He’s the St. Bernard who is a mystery into himself.

I adore cozies with animals in them and of course in my series I have to add pets. Life is far too quiet and boring without a pet or two. Don’t you think?

What’s your Friday Read? Do you like pets featured in the books you read? Are you a seasonal reader? Only summer themed books in the summer, Christmas in July (it’s a nice way to feel cool and want to bake cookies), or doesn’t it matter?

Thanks for stopping by today!

Debra

Newsletter Signup!

Sign up today to receive regular updates from Debra about her Food Blogger mystery series and Resale Boutique mystery series, exclusive content and the recipe for her Divine Dark Chocolate Brownies.

Email

Name

Please wait...