Kim's Musings

Chapter One A New Beginning Lottie Baldwin glanced in her rearview mirror and frowned. Red flashing lights reflected from the revolving dome atop a sheriff's car, trailing directly behind her. After driving four hundred miles, the final hundred with the afternoon sun glaring in her eyes, the last thing she needed was a speeding ticket. Why hadn't her tarot cards foreseen this? She eased off the accelerator and pulled into the breakdown lane of the small, two-lane highway. The sheriff's car stopped behind her and a tall, muscular man in a black uniform got out. Lottie watched him in the mirror, patting her tousled blonde curls into place absentmindedly, fascinated by the lithe way he moved. She'd never been interested in the law-and-order type, but this one might be the man who could change her mind. She opened her window, letting in the unseasonably mild early December air. He leaned down and removed his sunglasses. "May I see your license and registration, please?...

For your Christmas pleasure I am posting an excerpt chapter from one of the stories included in ENCHANTED HOLIDAYS. This sample chapter is from the novella FATE'S LITTLE TRICK - a story by Sheryl Hames Torres, a very talented author. Enjoy! Jared clicked off the radio. The incessant Christmas babble and hokey country Christmas songs were beginning to grate on his already-frayed nerves. He looked down at the restless child lying in his lap and wanted to bawl like a baby. The seat belt stretched at an odd angle across Emily's little body. She had to be uncomfortable, but he didn't have the heart to wake her. She was completely exhausted. He watched her signing nonsense words in her sleep and touched the back of his hand to her pale brow. At least her fever was lower. He cursed the reasons for having to drag his little girl across the country. They should be home decorating the tree and making out Christmas lists. He shouldn't have to do this. He shouldn't have to run....

I can't believe it's less than a week away. Yes, Christmas is almost here and I've finished shopping (except for food--to do tomorrow). I hope everyone else is ready. My husband and his brother went to visit their mother Monday and Tuesday while I stayed home to take care of our dog and cat. My husband and I are going back to see her after Christmas while my brother-in-law takes care of our pets. We don't like leaving them alone and they wouldn't do well at a kennel or traveling. But that's another subject. My decorating is all done, finally. We did some last week, but I finished tonight with the small nativity scene and the kitchen table with center-piece (one word or two, not sure) and table cloth. I need to do more winter cleaning, and except for the cooking for Christmas Day everything should be done. I even mailed out Christmas cards this year. This is something I haven't done in a while--probably 2 or 3 years, except for one to my mother-in-law who ins...

Thanksgving is one of my favorite holidays. A day set aside from all others to be thankful for what you have, and not for wishing you had something different or more. I would also like to recommend an audio book, Thanksgiving: A Time to Remember by Barbara Rainey about the first Thanksgiving. Barbara Rainey majored in History in college. So, I wanted to take this time to wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving. God Bless You All!!! Kim Cox

Update for Enchanted Holidays Romantic Paranormal Mystery Anthology Coming in Print December 2007 Cerridwen Press Add spice and a touch of magic to your life with ENCHANTED HEARTS, an intriguing collection of romance, mystery, danger and paranormal encounters. Popular authors Kim Cox, Elizabeth Delisi, Chris Grover, Elaine Hopper, Maureen McMahon and Sheryl Hames Torres provide them all!

This first picture was taken from my front yard. We have to enjoy it while it lasts. Soon all the leaves will be gone. I wanted to go up on the parkway and take pictures but I didn't make it this year, so I stood in my yard and took some pictures. I hope you enjoy them. I love my home and the gorgeous scenic view surrounding it. This isn't to say that I wouldn't love to have some changes of my house, but it's so expensive. In this picture from my back yard, the leaves are in gorgeous color. Up at the top of the hill is our winter garden, not really viewable by this photo. If I go up to the parkway next month, the leaves will be gone, and I'll actually be able to see my backyard--not really the house, but our outside storage shed and Lee's carving area. This time of season is a huge tourist attraction here in Asheville. We had visitors to our home just yesterday from Michigan who wanted to look at Lee's art. They bought 3 pieces. This next picture is also fr...

Today my husband and I celebrated our 22nd wedding anniversary. Nothing fancy, we had a steak dinner here at home. He gave me a loving card and he cooked dinner. What did I give him? Not much, though when I'm getting ready to go to school, work, or shopping--in other words, when I get ready to leave the house--I put on makeup, fix my hair and wear nice clothes. He always asks, "Who are you looking good for?" So, I did that for him. I got out of my lounge around the house clothes, showered, and spent hours on my hair and makeup just for him. It usually takes me 30 minutes to get ready to go anywhere, but I took my time just for him. He was gone to the store much of this time, and I'd planned to make a banner thing and a card for him, but he came back home too soon, and I didn't have time to do anything more. But we don't just do things for each other on special days, we live to do anything we can for the other. We never let a day go by without meaning and sayin...

Cerridwen Press has agreed to publish our newest anthology, titled: One Touch Beyond. This isn't a new anthology, it was previously titled: Shivers and Screams, Visions and Dreams. Besides the new title, it will have a new cover. My story, Get Out or Die! is my second Lana Malloy (Psychic PI) paranormal mystery. The release date will be announced at another time. Thank you for your support.

Enchanted Holidays is soon to be released in print, sometime between now and the end of December. This anthology was put together by six incredible authors. It includes 2 each of 3 different holidays, starting with Christmas, and then New Years and Valentine's Day. Put it on your holiday gift list for that book lover in your family. You can purchase it in downloadable formats right now at Cerridwen Press . Once it's release in print form, you'll be able to purchase it right off the shelf or by order at Borders, Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, etc. I will post an update once I know Enchanted Holidays is in print.

After being laid-off because my job was relocated to Honduras, I decided to take advantage of the government program allowing me to go back to college and get a degree. At the age of 50+, it’s going to be hard enough to get a job that pays well, especially without a degree. I have to admit it’s not as hard as I thought it was going to be. Let’s face it, my memory isn’t what it used to be and so I thought there was a good possibility it would be too hard. But so far, so good. I’m taking five courses, finished one (keyboarding) early, about 3 weeks ago and the semester ends December 17, 2007. But I’ve been typing for about 30 years off and on, and the last 20 years pretty steadily. I’m also taking Introduction to Computers, Text Editing and Formatting (another typing class), Expository Writing and Professional Development. And what is really a shock for me is that my least favorite class is Expository Writing, and I love to write. But I love to write what’s in my head, two to three genre...