Merch store! :-D

Happy almost 4th of July! I wanted tell you that my wonderful publisher, Next Chapter, now has a merch store with lots of cool stuff.

Have you ever pined for playing cards, plush blankets, or 1,000-piece puzzles adorned with my book covers?

Have you ever thirsted for shot glasses, coffee mugs, wine glasses, sports bottles, frosted pint glasses or tumblers splashed with images of my book covers?

Have you ever tried on a t-shirt and thought: "If only this shirt had a picture of my favorite Jamie Quinn Mystery?"

Then, good news! You can now satisfy all of those whims by visiting: https://www.litmatter.com/collections/barbara-venkataraman?page=1

Check it out. :-D

Dog Days of Summer :-D

When the temperature rises and the sweat begins to pool, it's that time of year, the “Dog Days” of summer, July 3rd through August 11. But why Dog Days and not, say, Camel Days? The reference is to Sirius, the Dog Star, the brightest star in the sky. During the “Dog Days” the sun occupies the same region of the sky as Sirius, part of the constellation Canis Major, the Greater Dog.

Because Sirius is so bright, the ancient Romans believed it radiated heat, adding to the Sun’s warmth and causing the sultry weather. They referred to this time as diēs caniculārēs, or “dog days.”

How can we beat the heat? By staying inside and reading a book, of course! Have I got a book for you: Dog Days of Summer: Flash Fiction. Stories of exactly 100 words that evoke childhood memories and make you forget the heat, leaving you with a smile on your face.

All for 99 cents! Such a deal! Sample story below.

Check it out: https://www.amazon.com/Dog-Days-Summer-Fiction-Shorts-ebook/dp/B095J998Q9?ref_=ast_author_dp

CHANGE OF SEASONS By Amy Reade

It was the first day of first grade. The teacher asked Gordie and his classmates to go to the front of the classroom one by one and share one thing they had done over summer vacation. When it was Gordie’s turn, he stood up and told his classmates his dad had taken him fishing at the lake in August. He concluded his presentation by saying “But I hate summer.”

That afternoon as the students waited to be picked up from school, a pretty young woman walked up to Mrs. Haines and introduced herself.

“Hi, I’m Gordie’s stepmother. My name is Summer.”