Jamie Quinn Series gets a shout-out! :-)

A happy end-of-the-year surprise for yours truly--a shout-out for my Jamie Quinn series on the blog : http://gbmysteries.blogspot.com! 

Check out their latest post, "It's a Mystery", to see if you've read their favorite books of 2016. I found some great recommendations. Thanks, Gayle!

"Teatime with Mrs. Grammar Person" is free on Kindle through 1/1/17!

Care for a spot of tea with your grammar? Download my humorous grammar book, "Teatime with Mrs. Grammar Person", free on Kindle through January 1st. :-)

Fear not, Gentle Writer, Mrs. Grammar Person is here and she has the answers to all of the questions you never thought to ask. As a dedicated and serious grammarian, she will do what it takes to be entertaining and enlightening, but never vulgar or coarse. Heavens, no! Where are her smelling salts? Warm and witty, Mrs. G.P. makes grammar interesting with rhyming, wishful thinking, story-telling and a champagne toast. You are cordially invited to join her for a spot of tea!

https://www.amazon.com/Teatime-Grammar-Person-Barbara-Venkataraman-ebook/dp/B00RUQY6B6/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1482930686&sr=8-4&keywords=barbara+venkataraman

You Think You Know a Person...:-)

This essay is excerpted from my (award-winning) book,  "Quirky Essays for Quirky People"

YOU THINK YOU KNOW A PERSON...

I just read something disturbing but, if I tell you about it, then we'll both be disturbed. Remember--YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

Did you know that bacteria living in our bodies outnumber human cells 10 to 1?
10 to 1! That means, for each human cell in your body, there are ten microorganisms, which may include bacteria, fungi and archaea. I don't even know what archaea are--and I've read the definition! The only part I understood was that they produce methane, which stinks, both literally and metaphorically. In fact, the number of different bacteria species living on your skin alone could approach five hundred. And that's not just your skin we're talking about, it's mine too! And fungi! Do we have mushrooms growing out of our ears, or what?

And the news gets worse: each of us hosts thousands of types of bacteria with different body sites that have their own distinctive communities. For example, your belly button (an area I assume you never think about, unless you are one to contemplate your navel) can host any number of 1,400 strains of bacteria that call it home.

So, it turns out you can live in a gated community, but you can't be one. You have no say in the matter: you are a microbiome, an aggregate of microorganisms that live in your skin, your eyes, your mouth, your gut, and other places which I can't talk about in polite society.

Before you completely freak out, let me tell you that some of these organisms are beneficial, like gut bacteria that aid in digestion, and others that help maintain our health in different ways. The most unsettling news is that we have no idea what the majority of them do. But, have no fear, we (well, not me, of course, it's the 200 researchers in the Human Microbiome Project) are studying them in an effort to figure out what the little buggers are up to.

Of course, since they outnumber us 10 to 1, it seems that we ARE the little buggers! 

****************************************************************************************************

Here is a news update on what's happening in the world of the microbiome--short answer--more than you ever dreamed!

http://www.salon.com/2016/12/25/disrupting-daily-routine-of-gut-microbes-can-throw-off-your-circadian-rhythms_partner/

Check out the new blog "Oscar Buzzed" :-)

Check out the new blog, "Oscar Buzzed", and enjoy the latest news and commentary about Oscar-worthy movies and the actors who appear in them. Every year, a select few are nominated to win the highest honors for film-making. And every year, we cinephiles-on-a-budget must decide what's worth it and what's not. This is your guide to the award season films.

https://academyawards.tumblr.com/

"Engaged in Danger" free on Kindle thru 12/10! :-)

Hey everyone!

My 4th Jamie Quinn Cozy Mystery, "Engaged in Danger", is free on Kindle right now through 12/10, so why don't you check it out? It's free! Lol

Blurb:

Finally, life is good for reluctant family law attorney, Jamie Quinn--her father may get his visa soon, her boyfriend is the bomb, and her law practice is growing like crazy--but when she agrees to take on a high-profile divorce case, everything falls apart. What looked like an opportunity to work with her friend Grace and make some serious bucks has turned into a deadly game, one that could destroy their friendship and tear their town apart. Why couldn't Jamie just leave well enough alone?

Link:

https://www.amazon.com/Engaged-Danger-Jamie-Quinn-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0159LGVHA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1481040569&sr=8-1&keywords=engaged+in+danger

Cutest baby wombat ever! :-)

As you may know, I have a fondness for wombats--even if they are the reason my poor protagonist Jamie Quinn can't be with her boyfriend, Kip. Check out this short video of the cutest baby wombat ever, you'll see why. :-) 

https://youtu.be/-OOiUy6iXio 

Jamie Quinn Cozy Mystery Collection free through 12/3 :-)

If you're looking for something to read, my Jamie Quinn Cozy Mystery Collection is free on Amazon Kindle through 12/3. Check it out!

https://www.amazon.com/Jamie-Quinn-Mystery-Collection-Books-ebook/dp/B00NB78KDS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1480433639&sr=8-2&keywords=barbara+venkataraman

Book of the Day! :-)

Very excited that "Engaged in Danger", my 4th Jamie Quinn Mystery has been featured as The Book of the Day. 

Check it out here:  
http://bookoftheday.org/engaged-in-danger-jamie-quinn-cozy-mystery-book-4-barbara-venkataraman/ 

A beautiful rendition of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah"...

A beautiful rendition of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah":

https://www.facebook.com/samrochfordmusic/videos/777510939055437/

Pet adoption video that will make your day! :-)

My son, Josh, made a very sweet video about pet adoption for an NYC rescue group called Pillows for Paws©, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The mission of the RescueMen© campaign is to raise awareness to adopt, not shop for companion animals and showcase how wonderful and loving shelter/rescue animals can be.

Here is the link to the video on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/RescueMenUSA/videos/576628049198223/

Donations to the campaign are used to bring essential material items needed on a monthly basis to NYC homeless cats, dogs, and rabbits at the city's animal shelters. This includes, beds, toys, treats, grooming and behavioral enrichment supplies.

Homeless animals come into a shelter having been abused, abandoned, or neglected, with most of them beyond frightened. Supporting their emotional stability is important to the overall well-being of an animal as they spend time in a traumatic shelter environment. Healthy, stimulated and relaxed shelter animals are more likely to be adopted. This is everyone’s goal!

Check out my article and ad in November's "In D'Tale Magazine"! :-)

Check out my article, "Everyone Is A Character", in the November issue of the beautiful In D'Tale Magazine. The article is on page 23 and my full-page ad is on page 26. :-D

http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/2016/november/#?page=0

Check out these great reviews from Ocean Pearl Books! :-)

Check out these great reviews from Ocean Pearl Books! A big thank-you to Bushra at www.OceanPearlBooks.wordpress.com!

"Death by Didgeridoo"

https://oceanpearlbooks.wordpress.com/2016/10/30/death-by-didgeridoo-by-barbara-venkataraman/

"The Case of the Killer Divorce"

https://oceanpearlbooks.wordpress.com/2016/10/30/the-case-of-the-killer-divorce-by-barbara-venkataraman/

"Peril in the Park"

https://oceanpearlbooks.wordpress.com/2016/10/30/peril-in-the-dark-by-barbara-venkataraman/

The Joker Journal--Perfect for Halloween!

In case you haven't seen it yet, you should check out "The Joker Journal" on YouTube. Only 15 minutes long and perfect for Halloween! Sweet dreams! Ba ha ha!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3saW2-1F7gs

Engaged in Danger (Jamie Quinn Mystery #4) is free 10/20-10/24 :-)

"Engaged in Danger (Jamie Quinn Cozy Mystery #4)" is free on Amazon Kindle 10/20-10/24 :-) 

Check it out here:

https://www.amazon.com/Engaged-Danger-Jamie-Quinn-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0159LGVHA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1476975202&sr=8-1&keywords=barbara+venkataraman

Here is the link on Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26401450-engaged-in-danger

Blurb:

Finally, life is good for reluctant family law attorney, Jamie Quinn--her father may get his visa soon, her boyfriend is the bomb, and her law practice is growing like crazy--but when she agrees to take on a high-profile divorce case, everything falls apart. What looked like an opportunity to work with her friend Grace and make some serious bucks has turned into a deadly game, one that could destroy their friendship and tear their town apart. Why couldn't Jamie just leave well enough alone?

If I lay here--or is it lie? :-)

Check out this very informative article about when to use lay and when to use lie. It is excellent and Mrs. Grammar Person would never lie! :-)

https://www.hitsend.com.au/lay-or-lie/

Mrs. Grammar Person couldn't agree more :-)

According to Josh Bernoff in The Daily Beast, there is a fundamental inefficiency at the heart of American business. It is right in front of all of our faces, and yet we fail to recognize it.

It’s the fuzzy, terrible writing we slog through every day at work. And it’s costing American businesses nearly $400 billion every year.

He makes a convincing case. To read more, check out his article:

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/10/16/bad-writing-costs-businesses-billions.html

Free audio-book download codes! :-)

Happy Fall! If you're in the mood to relax with some funny stories, then I have an audio-book download code for you! The first twenty people to message me will receive an audible download code for my award-winning book "Quirky Essays for Quirky People", narrated by the wonderful actress, Carrie Lee Martz. Don't forget that all of my books are available for free download on Kindle Unlimited. :-)

Quirky Essays for Quirky People:

For the first time, all in one place, the award-winning books A Trip to the Hardware Store & Other Calamities and I'm Not Talking About You, Of Course plus seven bonus essays. What a collection! If this doesn't make you smile, then you're not even trying.

A Trip to the Hardware Store

These humorous essays explore such quirky topics as: disastrous home repairs ("A Trip to the Hardware Store"), an unfortunate dinner party ("Dinner Is Served"), the truth about lazy people ("Lazy Bones"), the weird life of a debt collector ("Your Account Is Past Due"), and obsessions with gadgets ("Gadget Girl"). Other essays examine how surreal the aging process is ("Where Did the Time Go?"), why you shouldn't judge a person by his or her job ("Beyond Belief"), and how to complicate simple transactions ("High Finance").

I'm Not Talking About You, Of Course

A collection of humorous insights into important topics ranging from annoying pet people ("I'm Not Talking About You, Of Course") to analyzing your inner child ("Irrational Fears") to living like the Amish in the aftermath of a hurricane ("A Jolt of Electricity"). Other essays examine just how much damage a sneeze can cause ("It All Started with a Loud Sneeze"), why it is so complicated to buy a tube of toothpaste ("Ask Me No Questions"), how a parent's obsessive hobbies can become an inescapable vortex ("Crazy Hobbies"), and why spending the night in a sleep clinic is like being abducted by probing aliens ("Nightmare at the Sleep Clinic").

If you don't see yourself in each of these entertaining essays, then I'm not talking about you, of course.

https://www.amazon.com/Quirky-Essays-People-Complete-Collection/dp/B00S8O6UIG/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1475246739&sr=8-10&keywords=barbara+venkataraman

Spotlight and Giveaway--"Engaged in Danger" :-)

Check out this wonderful Spotlight of my Jamie Quinn Mystery "Engaged in Danger" and enter the Giveaway on the beautiful blog, Tome Tender. Thanks, Dianne!

http://tometender.blogspot.com/2016/09/barbara-venkataramans-engaged-in-danger.html

  

At a Loss For Words :-D

Can you guess how many words there are in the English language? I bet you can’t. 

According to the Global Language Monitor, the number of words in the English Language is 1,025,109. Even more surprising, a new word is created every 98 minutes for an average of 14.7 words per day. The average English-speaking adult has a vocabulary of about 20,000-30,000 words. For myself, as an attorney, writer, English major and geeky logophile, I like to think I'm above average but, too often, I find I'm at a loss for words. Not technical terms or high-brow concepts, but plain old words. I could blame my age (I just turned 55) or I could blame my iPhone (where Siri is at my beck and call to answer any silly question, day or night), or I could blame myself for not trying hard enough. A myriad of concepts, movies, books, and people have decided my brain was too darn crowded, so they hit the road leaving me with my only two vague and useless phrases: That…thing, you know what I mean and that…guy, you remember him…

 I believe the true culprit is convenience. For example, I remember every important phone number from my childhood, including my grandparents' number--and they have been gone twenty-five years. Today, the only phone number I am confident I know is my own; every other number is stored on my phone. Here is another example, say I want to know the definition of a word I've typed, I can simply right-click on it. What's more, I can translate it into dozens of languages including Hindi, Swahili and Mandarin. Just now, I right-clicked on the word number and learned that its synonyms are: amount, quantity, sum, figure, numeral, digit, and integer. Sure, I could have come up with those words without a lot of effort, but why would I bother? I have better things to do, even if I can't think of any at the moment…

There is a second culprit I blame for my diminishing vocabulary, for rewriting my life story into a mystery I call "The Case of the Purloined People, Places and Things". Rats, I meant nouns, of course. That culprit is the pictograph, a pictorial symbol for a word or phrase. You know them as emojis. The endless supply of clever emojis has led me to forgo words and replace them with pictures: hearts, fireworks, sad face, mad face, caterpillars--you name it, I've used it. If you think about it, the oldest cave painting in the world is 40,000 years old (pre-dating the oldest known alphabet by 36,000 years) and we have been perfecting spoken and written language ever since. Or so we thought. Given my reliance on emojis to communicate, I realize we have come full circle. Maybe there was nothing to perfect, we had it right from the beginning and all this time we have been chasing our tails. I don't know about you, but I feel so much better knowing that I don't need to scrounge around for the perfect word anymore. A symbol works just fine :-D 

My book is a finalist, woo hoo!!

I am very pleased to announce that my Jamie Quinn Mystery, "Engaged in Danger" has been chosen as a finalist in the Chanticleer Mystery & Mayhem Novel Writing Contest! SO excited!

http://www.chantireviews.com/2016/08/18/the-mms-chanticleers-mystery-mayhem-novel-contest-official-finalist-list-for-2016/

Stories from Strange Places--my guest blog-post. :-)

Check out my new guest blog-post, "Stories from Strange Places" on the fun blog, connect.chicklitclub.com. Thanks for the hospitality, Jody!

http://connect.chicklitclub.com/wp/2016/09/05/stories-from-strange-places/

Great interview about "The Joker Journal"!

For those of you not familiar with the creepy indie film, "The Joker Journal", check out this interview and then watch the film--if you dare! It's only 15 minutes long, but it will stay with you longer than that. Ba ha ha!

http://www.comicbookandmoviereviews.com/2016/09/the-joker-journal-heath-meets-clown.html?m=1

Jamie Quinn Collection free on Kindle through 9/5!

Need a book to read? Well, you're in luck! My Jamie Quinn Mystery Collection (Books 1-3) is free on Amazon Kindle through September 5th! 

Here's the link: 

https://www.amazon.com/Jamie-Quinn-Mystery-Collection-Books-ebook/dp/B00NB78KDS/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1472739051&sr=8-1

If you want to follow Jamie's adventures, there's a fourth Jamie Quinn Mystery you can check out:  "Engaged in Danger".

https://www.amazon.com/Engaged-Danger-Jamie-Quinn-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0159LGVHA/ref=la_B007B20LOK_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1472739188&sr=1-2 

Audio-book giveaway! :-)

Do you need a laugh? Something to entertain you on your commute? I have just the thing--a free audio-book download of my award-winning book "Quirky Essays for Quirky People". Comment on this post with your e-mail and I will happily send you a download code for an audio-book.

Here's the link if you want to check it out: 

http://www.audible.com/pd/Bios-Memoirs/Quirky-Essays-for-Quirky-People-The-Complete-Collection-Audiobook/B00S7L2GEC/ref=a_search_c4_1_8_srTtl?qid=1472646842&sr=1-8

Here's the summary:

For the first time, all in one place, the award-winning books A Trip to the Hardware Store & Other Calamities and I'm Not Talking About You, Of Course plus seven bonus essays. What a collection! If this doesn't make you smile, then you're not even trying.

A Trip to the Hardware Store

These humorous essays explore such quirky topics as: disastrous home repairs ("A Trip to the Hardware Store"), an unfortunate dinner party ("Dinner Is Served"), the truth about lazy people ("Lazy Bones"), the weird life of a debt collector ("Your Account Is Past Due"), and obsessions with gadgets ("Gadget Girl"). Other essays examine how surreal the aging process is ("Where Did the Time Go?"), why you shouldn't judge a person by his or her job ("Beyond Belief"), and how to complicate simple transactions ("High Finance").

I'm Not Talking About You, Of Course

A collection of humorous insights into important topics ranging from annoying pet people ("I'm Not Talking About You, Of Course") to analyzing your inner child ("Irrational Fears") to living like the Amish in the aftermath of a hurricane ("A Jolt of Electricity"). Other essays examine just how much damage a sneeze can cause ("It All Started with a Loud Sneeze"), why it is so complicated to buy a tube of toothpaste ("Ask Me No Questions"), how a parent's obsessive hobbies can become an inescapable vortex ("Crazy Hobbies"), and why spending the night in a sleep clinic is like being abducted by probing aliens ("Nightmare at the Sleep Clinic").

If you don't see yourself in each of these entertaining essays, then I'm not talking about you, of course.

How to Split Infinitives With Confidence :-)

Mrs. Grammar Person is thrilled to share this explanation of how to split infinitives, to boldly go where no one has gone before...cue the Star Trek theme song.

From writingforward.com:

http://www.writingforward.com/grammar/grammar-rules/grammar-rules-split-infinitives

My flash fiction story--"Luck is a Lady" :-)

LUCK IS A LADY

            Sam wasn't sure if it was a wonderful sign or a sign of impending disaster but he knew it was definitely a sign and to ignore it would be foolish indeed. His mother had taught him the importance of paying attention to signs--like the time when he was five and the chickens wouldn't eat, she just knew something terrible was about to happen. Sure enough, her brother Vern wound up in the hospital the next day more dead than alive. The fact that he had started a brawl with a motorcycle gang while blind drunk didn't factor into it as far as Mama was concerned. A sign was a sign and you ignored it at your peril. Another time when the clouds formed a dollar symbol in the clear blue sky, she made Papa buy her a lottery ticket and--praised be to God--didn't she win fifty dollars? She used that money to buy Sam a new suit for church as a thank-you to her sweet lord and savior. It didn't matter that Sam wanted to buy the silver race car in the window at McCrory's, Mama couldn't have cared less. Funny thing about it, now that he was a grown man with a good job he had plenty of money to buy himself a racecar, but he didn't want one any more. Just like he didn't want to stay up all night watching TV while he shoveled candy in his mouth until he felt sick. Times change.

            But this sign was a tough one to figure out and Sam knew everything depended on getting it right. A wrong decision could ruin everything. He wondered why it couldn't be something simple, like finding a penny heads up or walking under a ladder. At least then he'd know what to expect. Of course, not every sign was reliable. One time, a bird flew straight into the window and killed itself and Mama went crazy waiting for the tragic news that someone had died. Weeks went by and nothing happened but she never relaxed her guard until she heard that Earl, their old mailman who was in his 80s and living in a retirement home across town, a man who used to keep stones in his pocket to ward off vicious dogs and who liked to shoot baskets with the boys in the park, had died. That afternoon, Mama threw open the curtains, breathed a sigh of relief and said well, finally that's over with, thank-you, Jesus. Sam thought that one was a bit of a stretch, but he didn't say so.

            Now that Mama was gone, Sam had trouble reading the signs; he couldn't tell good omens from bad and it had left him befuddled. Mama could always explain everything by reading the signs and she made perfect sense. But there were no signs the day she died, no warnings at all, no howling dogs or dead crickets, nothing. In the evening, Mama had sprinkled salt in front of the doors to keep evil spirits away, just like she always did. Then she had baked a chocolate mayonnaise cake for the Church bake sale and put it on the sill to cool--that's what she'd said anyway. Sam knew she did it to stop him from snatching a slice of his favorite cake. Later on, with the aroma of chocolate cake swirling through the air and the sound of his mama humming softly to herself, Sam had been lulled to sleep. But when he got up in the morning, she was already gone. She just went to bed and never woke up. They saved her chocolate cake for the funeral, of course. Sam didn't want any, didn't want to eat at all, but he broke down and ate a piece in honor of his mama. Usually, you don't know when it's the last time you'll ever do a thing. This wasn't one of those times. As Sam savored the cake, taking small forkfuls to make it last, he knew his mama would've been tickled to know she'd catered her own funeral reception.

            In the three months that followed, it was all Sam could do to take care of the house and the chickens by himself and make it to the marina by eight. There was no time to think about signs or anything else. Then, one morning, he found a ladybug on the roof of his truck. He knew good luck was coming his way. Carefully, he moved her to a leaf and made sure she was safe, but before he could get in the truck, a black cat ran out from between the tires, darting right in front of him. Sam shook his head. That meant bad luck for sure--or, if he was lucky, it just canceled out the ladybug. He drove more carefully than usual, unsure as to what fate had in store for him. He barely made it to the marina on time and had to run straight to the dock to prep the boats for the tours scheduled that day. As he stacked the life jackets, he was startled to discover that he wasn't alone. A woman in cutoff shorts with streaked brown hair was stocking the boats with drinks. She turned around and gave him a dazzling smile.

            "Hi, I just started working, today's my first day. Did you see those fish jumping out there--amazing! And the sun sparkling on the water, isn't it just beautiful? Oh, I forgot to introduce myself, I'm Samantha, but call me Sam. What's your name?"

            As the fog in his head cleared away, Sam laughed out loud. He knew this was the last sign he would ever need. And it wasn't confusing at all.

A Visit to the Doctor, à la Dr. Seuss

I have a funny story to tell

It starts out bad but ends up well

How it happened, I cannot say,

Such a crazy mixed-up day!

Yesterday, while in my yard,

Playing ball, I fell down hard!

I cut my leg, it was a mess!

I cried out loud, I must confess.

I went to see my doctor quick

I told him that I wasn’t sick

I pointed at my leg so sore

He shook his head, “Son, say no more,

The problem’s there, it’s plain to see,

Your finger’s crooked as can be!”

“Don’t look so glum, I have a plan,

Dr. Bonejoint, he’s your man.

He’ll fix you up, he’ll give you care,

He’s right next door, I’ll take you there.”

I did explain-it was no use,

These doctors could be so obtuse!

And then I yawned, mouth open wide

Dr. Bonejoint peeked inside,

“The problem’s there, it’s plain to see,

Your tooth needs work immediately!”                                                

“Don’t look so glum, I have a plan,

Dr. Toothright, he’s your man.

He’ll fix you up, he’ll give you care,

He’s right next door, I’ll take you there.”

I did explain-it was no use,

These doctors could be so obtuse!

And then I coughed, mouth open wide

Dr. Toothright poked inside,

“The problem’s there, it’s plain to see,

You need a tonsillectomy.” 

“Don’t look so glum, I have a plan,

Dr. Sorethroat, he’s your man.

He’ll fix you up, he’ll give you care,

He’s right next door, I’ll take you there.”

I did explain-it was no use,

These doctors could be so obtuse!

I was so mad, stuck in that place,

Then Dr. Sorethroat saw my face.

“The problem’s there, it’s plain to see,

You have a rash, obviously!

“Don’t look so glum, I have a plan,

Dr. Skinclear, he’s your man.

He’ll fix you up, he’ll give you care

He’s right next door, I’ll take you there.”

I did explain-it was no use,

These doctors could be so obtuse!

I had enough and couldn’t take much more,

Then Dr. Skinclear looked at the floor

“The problem’s there, it’s plain to see,

Your leg is bleeding, it’s red as can be!

“Don’t look so glum, I have a plan,

Dr. Stitchem, he’s your man.

He’ll fix you up, he’ll give you care

He’s right next door, I’ll take you there.”

I was almost brokenhearted,

When I ended up back where I started!

Dr. Stitchem looked confused,

Then sewed my leg where it was bruised,

He ruffled my hair and patted my knee        

Then gave me his apology.

That was my crazy mixed-up day

I finally left to go home and play,

I thanked Dr. Stitchem for making it stop,

And also for the delicious lollipop!

Choose your holiday! :-D

It's a long time to go without a holiday from the 4th of July to Labor Day and we need something to take our mind off the heat, so I offer you a choice of real holidays you can celebrate today:

August 8, 2016 is Assistance Dog Day! 

August 8, 2016 is Happiness Happens Day! 

August 8, 2016 is International Cat Day! 

August 8, 2016 is National Frozen Custard Day! 

August 8, 2016 is National Zucchini Day!

I plan to celebrate two holidays at once: National Frozen Custard Day and Happiness Happens Day since the first one is the reason for the second. 

I don't anticipate finding a zucchini custard though, so National Zucchini Day is off the table, ha ha. ;-)  Speaking of vegetables, does anyone agree with me that pumpkin pie is a vegetable?  

Isn't it interesting how the cats get an INTERNATIONAL day?  

Tomorrow is another great day to celebrate and the choices are even better:

August 9, 2016 is Book Lovers Day! 

August 9, 2016 is International Day of the World's Indigenous People! 

August 9, 2016 is National Hand Holding Day! 

August 9, 2016 is National Polka Day! 

August 9, 2016 is National Rice Pudding Day! 

 

So, go ahead and hold someone's hand, do the polka, eat some rice pudding, read a book that you LOVE, and say hello to some indigenous people.

Review of "My Only Story" :-)

I must confess that I just finished reading "My Only Story" for the second time. Why does it strike a chord with me? Is it because it's about the complicated relationship sisters have? (I'm the oldest of four sisters) Is it because I love the narrator/protagonist Rita and wish I could meet her? (Yes) Is it because Monica Wood is the writer I strive to be--poetic, succinct, humorous, natural, and filled with heart? You bet! And also because she tells a great story. I'm glad it's not "her only story" :-)

Rita wants to help people, heal them, and she's good at it. Little does she know, she needs a healing makeover herself. She's in a rut: divorced, yearning for a child, and fighting a fight she can't win to save her town. When she thinks she's found happiness and purpose after dreaming of a crippled dog she needs to help, she learns she's only half-way there. Fixing other people isn't enough, you still have to fix yourself, and forgiveness goes a long way. Life is a glorious trip!

Check it out: 

https://www.amazon.com/My-Only-Story-Monica-Wood/dp/0345442938/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1470522128&sr=8-1&keywords=my+only+story

I Art New York! (Video for artsy people) :-)

My son Josh and his friend Diego made a short documentary about people in the arts in NYC. The film has been accepted to three New York film fests (so far). Woo hoo! It's fifteen minutes long and very enjoyable. If you like it, you can follow Josh on Vimeo. Here is the link:

https://vimeo.com/165617998

Spotlight and Jamie Quinn giveaway :-)

Spotlight and giveaway! Check out the beautiful Tometender Blog and enter to win. :-) Thanks, Dianne!


https://tometender.blogspot.com/2016/08/barbara-venkataramans-jamie-quinn.html?showComment=1470226723044#c3758128498088143074

Help correct a terrible injustice by signing a petition...

Check out this article by Pulitzer Prize winner Leonard Pitts and help correct this terrible injustice by signing the petition. Thank-you!!

http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/leonard-pitts-jr/article36702204.html

Here's the petition link: https://www.change.org/p/exonerate-the-groveland-four

Check out my guest post and spotlight! ;-)

Check out my guest post and spotlight on the wonderful blog, "Between the Lines". Thanks, Cathy!

https://betweenthelinesbookblog.com/

The Joker Journal...

The Joker Journal

Before he became the iconic Joker, Heath Ledger spent a month in a hotel room trying to find the character. This 15 minute film explores that event. Well worth watching, but not for the faint of heart...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3saW2-1F7gs

Please feel free to share the link if you like it. :-)

Summer giveaway--e-book or audiobook :-)

It's summer, it's hot and we could all use a little pick-me-up. That's why I'm giving away 5 copies of my short story, "If You'd Just Listened to Me in the First Place". Each winner has the choice of an e-book or audiobook. To enter, just comment on this post. Drawing will be July 31. :-D

Book blurb:

"Nagging just sounds so negative, and I am not a negative person. Truth is, I’m the kind of person you'd ask for directions if you were lost, or tell your life story to while waiting in line at the grocery store, which has happened on more than one occasion, believe me."

Sure, Ella Boudreaux is great at nagging--in fact, she’s the best---but where has it gotten her?

Nowhere, that’s where.

She can’t hold onto a job and she can’t find her true calling, but she knows it’s out there. Could a handsome stranger help her find her destiny? Or maybe he was her destiny...

Engaged in Danger--fabulous review! :-)

Check out this fabulous new review of "Engaged in Danger", the 4th in my Jamie Quinn cozy mystery series. Thanks, Tam!

https://mystereity.wordpress.com/

My latest author interview at Debra's Book Cafe. :-)

Visit Debra's Book Cafe Blog and check out my author interview. Thanks, Debra!

http://debrasbookcafe.blogspot.com/2016/06/auithor-interview-barbara-venkataraman.html?m=1

A wonderful review for Jamie Quinn & a giveaway!

Thanks to Ramona at "Create with Joy" for a wonderful review, spotlight and giveaway!

http://www.create-with-joy.com/2016/07/jamie-quinn-mystery-collection-books-1-3-audible-book-review-giveaway.html

Check out my guest post & giveaway! :-)

Check out my guest post and enter the giveaway for my Jamie Quinn collection on the wonderful blog "My Reading Corner"! Thanks, Karen. :-)

http://www.myreadingcorner.co.uk/2016/07/jamie-quinn-mystery-collection-books-1-3-barbara-venkataraman.html

Mrs. Grammar Person is having a banner week! :-)

Mrs. Grammar Person is pleased to announce that she is having a very good week indeed. Not only is her book "Teatime with Mrs. Grammar Person" coming out in paperback next week, but, in addition, she was featured in not one, not two, but three blogs this week! Check out these fun blogs and don't forget to order your copy of Teatime next week!

Thanks, Sally!

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2016/06/09/five-star-treatment-teatime-with-mrs-grammar-person-by-barbara-venkataraman/

Thanks, Bee!

https://beehalton.com/2016/06/09/the-bee-talks-with-barbara-venkatamaran/

Thanks, Annie!

http://www.editingpen.net/adverbs/

Mrs. Grammar Person Admires Adverbs :-)

MRS. GRAMMAR PERSON ADMIRES ADVERBS

Fear not, Gentle Writer, Mrs. Grammar Person is here and intends to make adverbs perfectly clear.

Adverbs are our versatile friends that answer the question: how, where, why or when (but not who).

They modify verbs, adjectives, other adverbs as well; Mrs. G.P. will explain if you sit for a spell.

Adverbs work alone and with others in a number of ways; if there's no verb or subject, it's an adverbial phrase (during class, to the moon).

Mrs. G.P. will try to clear the haze; sometimes an adverb is an infinitive phrase (to catch the train, to see her father).

Now that you are in a daze, Mrs. G.P. will explain the prepositional phrase (under the bed, behind the dresser).

This next rule may give you pause but if there's a verb and a subject, it's an adverb clause (when she arrives, after we eat).

More and less, least and most, comparative adverbs allow one to boast.

The most familiar adverbs all end in -ly, like the dog ate his treat happily.

Extremely, quite, just, almost, very, too, and enough are adverbs of degree.

Being punctual is an uphill climb without early, late, now and first, our adverbs of time.

Some adverbs are superfluous, which is rather sad, but very, extremely, and really have nothing to add.

Adverbs are grand and we use them like crazy, but use them too often, readers think you are lazy.

And adverbs of frequency, like every day, let Mrs. G.P. know when you'll be passing her way. (Do drop by for tea, won't you?)

The Fourteen Longest Words in the English Language :-)

Mrs. Grammar Person just had to share this blog post from Grammarly.com:

See if you know the fourteen longest words in the English language. Now spell them if you dare. :-D

https://www.grammarly.com/blog/14-of-the-longest-words-in-english/?AT3389=1

Enjoy Silver's Tea Party :-)

If you haven't checked out Silver's Tea Party, you should. This monthly tea sharing event is full of interesting news about books, gardening, guests, and, of course, tea. This month's event features a post by our own Mrs. Grammar Person. Thanks for the hospitality, Colleen!

https://silverthreading.com/2016/05/29/silvers-tea-party-a-monthly-tea-sharing-event/