Monthly Archives: August 2017

My book baby, Demon Rising, is soon to be released into this world by Black Opal Books. No one told me about the gut wrenching nerves that would accompany a book release. It’s one thing to write, draw, or even sing in the confines of your own home. In the shower, I can belt it out like Beyonce. Behind closed doors, you can revel in your art, whatever form that is. Somehow when you open those doors and allow the public to see your work it becomes a whole new ballgame. One I don’t think I’ll ever feel ready for.

How did I take that step? I took a whole lot of baby steps.

1. Support Group – I needed more than family members telling me I’m amazing, cause they’re obligated by blood. I found critique groups and other professional writers to help me navigate the path to publishing and encourage me when I need it.
2. Ignore the negative voices – The voices never leave all together, but I find when I replace them with positive words they shut up for a little while.
3. Jump – Sometimes you can climb that hill inch by inch, but you eventually have to take that plunge.
4. Good Food…I mean Stress Relief– Find some kind of stress relief, whether it is walking, swimming, yoga or cookies, and make sure to treat yourself. We are more than our art and have to remind ourselves of that. I have a great healthy cookie recipe below, if you’re like me and one of your stress reliefs is food.

Despite the editors, beta readers, and more, it still is scary publishing a book and putting yourself out there. Maybe that is part of the thrill of writing, not only creating a world for yourself, but having the chance to share it with others. So I’m pushing back the fear, and trying to embrace this new step in my life. My novel, Demon Rising is released mid-August, and I’d love for you to join me on this journey. Keep reading below for my other stress relief…cookies with no guilt.

Thirty years ago, dark magicians unleashed new power on the earth fueled by demons. Governments toppled, millions died and magicians ended up on top of the food chain.

Twenty-four-year-old Becca survives these dangerous times by relying on her wits, her fists, and the limited goodwill of her boss, a local crime lord. When news comes of a fire back home and the family she left behind dead, she realizes her dark past has finally caught up to her.

On the hunt for her missing sister, she must rely on Darion, a treacherous ex-boyfriend with ties to the local coven for back-up. Problem is he’s a pyromancer that can’t be trusted, especially with her heart. Becca’s forced to navigate a dangerous web of deceit and must decide what’s she’s willing to sacrifice to save her sister.

Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Guilt-Free Oatmeal Chocolate Cookies

Ingredients

• 1½ cups rolled oats
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ cup of almond meal
• ½ cup almonds, finely chopped
• 1 cup Cacao Nibs (or other options: Dairy free chocolate chips, raisins, or dried fruit)
• 3 ripe bananas, mashed
• 2 eggs
• ¼ cup melted coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a large bowl, combine all dry ingredients until well mixed.
3. In another bowl, mix together the mashed bananas, eggs, oil, and vanilla. Stir into the dry mixture.
4. Place approximately 2 Tbsp of the mixture on the cookie sheet for each cookie. I used a round cookie cutter to make them, lightly pressing it into the cutter for each one.
5. Bake for 18-20 minutes, just until they begin to brown.

About the Author

DeAnna Browne graduated from Arizona State University with her BS in Psychology. She finds it helps to corral those voices in her mind and put them to paper. Her debut novel, A DEMON RISING, will be out in 2017 with Black Opal Books. An avid reader and writer, she has a soft spot for fantasy with a touch of romance. Despite her love for food and traveling, she always finds her way back to Phoenix, Arizona with her husband, children, and pet dog.

To contact her and for free extras check out:

www.deannabrowne.com

www.facebook.com/deannabrownebooks/

https://twitter.com/BrowneBooks

deannabrownebooks@gmail.com

Real Estate agents talk about curb appeal and how important it is to have an attractive front entrance. Which hasn’t always been the case here, in fact several friends wondered if they needed a machete to approach through the front overgrowth. I’m sure it comes as no surprise that I can’t find any pictures of this area. Except one from last Hallowe’en, with a giant black spide…well you probably remember!

One of the problems with dressing up the front is the seriously poor quality of the soil in front of the walkway. It took, sadly, ten years for me to think waaay outside the box, and use the EarthBoxes I had in the back. Although most everyone else manages amazing success with vegetables in these clever planters, they don’t do much for me. However, with annuals…those flowers that can be found inexpensively pretty much anywhere…hmmm.

I needed quick results since people were going to be driving up the private lane, and I really wanted something to show off. Soooo. I continued the concept of found materials, dragging pieces of carpet, and cut sections of railroad ties around to the front (gotta love those hand trucks) to help boost the EarthBoxes.

Earthboxes on RR ties on carpet. Ready for planting.

Yellow and cream…looks pretty good

I hauled a wood bench out of the house, where it had been covered in ‘stuff’ for ten years. And, yeah, it needs to be outside.

Add A Guardian

And a bench…come sit a spell

THANKS for being a part of this journey. More pictures coming soon. Stick around, you’ll be learning about a new book, from a new Black Opal author!