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Ponderings, reflections, and musings

Hello October!

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It was a pretty ride into school, on this first day of October.

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Signs of the season are all around…like this wild apple tree, loaded with fruit, that I spotted alongside the road I drive to work.

imageSomething must have been going on in the Amish community near my school, because this buggy was one of four I saw in the span of less than 10 minutes this morning.

The sun didn’t stay for long, but I’m looking forward to the cooler days and nights, perfect for tea, the pumpkins and mums on the porch, and the golden and red-burnished leaves of the maples and oaks all around.

How about you – what do you love about October? 🙂

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Pumpkin Stand

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imageIt’s that time of year again…pumpkin stand time! I love seeing places like the one pictured as I drive back and forth to work – regular homes in the country – who put out their surplus of pumpkins for sale to anyone who wants to stop and put their money in the bucket.

It’s all done through an honor system, which I love as well. I’ve lived in or near the country all my life, and I wouldn’t trade it for all the glamour, shopping, and entertainments more metropolitan areas can offer. I’m definitely a Country Mouse! 🙂country mouse

Happiness on a Cool Autumn Morning

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As I’ve shared before, I love autumn in Upstate New York. It’s been my favorite time of year for as long as I can remember.

imageToday, “Happiness” is the cooler morning air and the chance to use the cinnamon and clove stuffed teacup rest my mother gave me as a gift, to hold my oversized autumn mug filled with a double dose of steaming, honey-sweetened “Pumpkin Spice Chai” Tazo Tea.image

The simple pleasures mean so much in a busy, time-driven life, and this is one of my favorite ways to just stop for a minute and breathe. ❤

What are some of yours? Please share in the comments (I’m always looking for new ways to decompress for a few minutes!)

Happy Friday, everyone!

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Welcome September!

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September poster1This photo was taken five days ago when I was on my way to visit my mother at the old Homestead. It was a field just a couple miles away, up the street from where my childhood best friend lived. I’ve always loved wildflowers!

I’ve Started Writing A New Medieval…

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Well, it’s a novella and not  full-length book.

But it’s in response to numerous reader requests over the years, related to the main characters of one of my medieval romances, originally published with HarperCollins/Avon and then released under my own imprint Teabury Books with a new cover and revised contents, once rights reverted.

The Crimson Lady, originally released in 2003 and re-released in 2012

The Crimson Lady, originally released in 2003 and re-released in 2012

Here’s the book that the novella will be based around.

Anyone want to guess what the story will be about? (Hint: because of the context of this story, and in order to be honest to the characters and circumstances, this novella will probably end up being a bit more “intense” than my usual romances – and it’s certainly not a romance in and of itself). 😉

It feels good to be writing again!

New Covers for the French Editions of My Templar Knights Trilogy!

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11834885_876029062450367_2637383930381154010_oHere are the lovely new covers from my French Publisher, J’ai Lu, for their reprint of my Templar Knights Trilogy!

Book I (Beyond Temptation in English) was released in July, with Book II (Sinful Pleasures in English) coming later this month and Book III (The Templar’s Seduction in English) coming in early September.

These are my favorite covers for my trilogy in any language so far. 🙂 The style, the correct hair colors…even Book II, which is Alissende and Damien’s book, conveys perfectly the setting from the book’s Prologue. It’s set outside Montivilliers, on the coast of France near the English channel, with Alissende pacing and anguished at learning that her former lover, Damien, whose heart she had broken years earlier, is in the hands of the Inquisition – and wondering if he will ever even consider helping her thwart her corrupt cousin’s betrothal plot once she arranges for his rescue.

What do you think?

Controversy About “Fun”

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I saw this today and it really hit home.

Although I’m not promoting the corporate sponsor, I think the content and message is thought-provoking enough that I felt compelled to share it.

It’s short – only a few minutes, regarding what the older generation (60-somethings +), my generation (30-somethings – 50-somethings) and then the teen and younger crowd define as what they do (or did) for fun as children.

Please let me know your thoughts if you decide to watch. In some ways, it made me want to cry, because I often hear and see the same thing from my kids and the students (high school aged) I teach in school.

“Mother” Moment

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I rarely post “braggy” things, but as I did once before last autumn, I want to share a short video of my younger daughter singing a portion of “On My Own” from Les Miserables at the conclusion of a “Broadway Camp” that she attended, taught by Broadway professionals, this past week. That’s why she’s not in costume or otherwise “in character”.

My daughter is 14 and was the youngest participant, but she got so much from the program. And yes, I’m her mom, but even if I wasn’t, I’d love the maturity and tone of her voice. She’s really a soprano (I’ll do another short video of her singing in some of those ranges later this week) but you’d never know it from this performance.

Thanks for letting me indulge in these occasional “mother” moments. 🙂 And if you decide to click and listen, I hope you enjoy.

Goodreads Profiles

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goodreads-logoSo, I just posted a BLOG on my original “Historical Author” profile page on Goodreads, telling everyone about my new “Contemporary Author” profile page. I had to create it because Goodreads doesn’t allow authors to link different pen names under one profile at this point – and my contemporary name is different enough, even though it uses the same basics as my historical name.

So, if you’re interested in or part of Goodreads, please check it out through the link on the word BLOG above…and make sure you connect with me on BOTH profiles! 🙂

Signing and Book Talk Event!

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Please see the following press release and come on out if you’re in driving distance!

Writers Circle to host M. Reed McCall

GLOVERSVILLE – Novelist M. Reed McCall will be the visiting author at The Writers Circle’s Author Luncheon on Friday, July 17 at 11 a.m. at the Gloversville Senior Center. 

McCall is the author of the recently published “Moose Tracks on the Road to Heaven,” a humorous, quirky, and poignant novel about family, friendship, love, loss, and coming to terms with what it means to keep living when someone you love dies.

The author will discuss her work from 11 a.m. to noon, when a light lunch will be served. Copies of her book will be available for signing. The public is invited. $5 payable at door. For further information, call Ellen DiScioscia at the center, 725-0923.

FINAL COVER MOOSE TRACKSAs Mary Reed McCall, she published seven historical romance novels with HarperCollins Publishers. “Moose Tracks on the Road to Heaven” is her first work of mainstream contemporary fiction. Born in Rome, NY, Mary makes her permanent home in Upstate New York with her husband and children. When she is not writing or involved with family activities, she teaches high school and college-level English.