⛱___ Crafty Authors at the Beach ___⛱ with special guest Hildie McQueen

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Welcome to Books Coffee and Crafts News’ first “Crafty Author’s Coffee Hour”.  This is a new feature that I’m super excited about “Authors that Craft”.  Our On the Beach segment, will be for Coastal Magic Convention 2017 “Featured Authors”.  As one of CMCon17’s “Featured Bloggers” I have the honor of hosting one or more “Featured Author” each month.  I arranged (bribed) to get crafty ones.  😏

Today we’re in  Daytona Beach, Florida at a lovely little coffee shop I’ve conjured in my head.  My guest this afternoon is the lovely, and extremely talented Hildie McQueen.  She is the first CMCon17 “Featured Author” to join me.  I will be hosting a different author each month until the convention in February.    

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For those of you who might not be familiar with the bestselling author. Hildie McQueen loves action, love and unusual settings. Author of western historical, Highland historical and contemporary romance, she writes something every reader can enjoy.

Most days she can be found in her pajamas hiding from delivery men while drinking tea from her David Gandy coffee mug. In the afternoons she browses the Internet for semi-nude men to post on Facebook.

Hildie’s favorite past-times are romance conventions, traveling, shopping and reading.

She resides in beautiful small town Georgia with her super-hero husband Kurt and two unruly Chihuahuas.

Visit her website at www.hildiemcqueen.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HildieMcQueen
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HildieMcQueen
Instagram: @HildieWrites

She writes paranormal as H.M. McQueen.

Here comes Hildie now.  Looking bright and cheerful, wearing jeans, a loose fitting multicolored top and of course a Kate Spade tote with her planner in hand. Once the hugging and fangirling is over.  Hildie is one of my favorite author type people.  Hildie, sweetheart that she is compliments me on my summer dress, and I ask where she got her adorable blouse, we place our order.  She gets an Earl Grey Latte sweetened with honey.  Then asks for a large cup and offers to split a toasted bagel with me.  I happily accept, and order an Iced Caffè Americano for myself.  Once our drinks arrive we settle in for a cozy little chat.

 

ProfilePicThreeI want to thank you for joining me today, and for being the first “Featured Author” from Coastal Magic, first “Author who Crafts” (Crafty Author), as well as my very first visitor to join me online for a Coffee Time Chat.  Wow!  That’s a lot of firsts.

Speaking of firsts, last February was my first Author/blogger/reader convention.  Coastal Magic Convention 2016.  I’m thankful I choose that convention, because it was so fun and casual.  I had so much fun, I decided before it was over, that I would be returning for the next one.  You couldn’t imagine how thrilled I was when I was chosen as one of the “Featured Bloggers”.  That means not only do I get to do spotlights for you and the other “Featured Authors”.  I get to help out at the convention.  I wish I had heard of CMCon17 sooner.  I could have been going for years.

What about you, Hildie?  How long have you been attending?  What has been one of your favorite experiences at Coastal Magic.


1496913_1263397550343205_2519799645491758359_n I am one of the lucky authors who attended the very first year.  It was called Old City, New Blood then.  Those of us who were there will never forget the parrots in the lobby.  It was a riot, but boy did we have fun!

My favorite event at CMC was that first year, when four of us hosted a Caribbean candy party.  It was a last minute throw together, and an absolute hit!

Every year I enjoy the laid back attitude of the convention, not only that, but who can resist books, fun people and the beach?

Tamye Davis Whitener

Tamye Whitener

Hildie and I will be heading to Daytona Beach, Florida next February for the Coastal Magic Convention. It’s a super casual, author/reader event, right by the beach. As a “Featured Blogger” I’ll be moderating, while Hildie will be on some fun panels, doing a meet & greet or two, and generally hanging with fantastic readers like YOU! If you love urban fantasy, paranormal, or any variety of romance, this is the place for you.

 

 

With panels designed to start interesting discussion, and meet & greets with fun themes, we’ve got something for just about every reader. While there IS a schedule, there is also ample time for authors and their fans to just hang out together, this is what we’re here for! Join us for reader, blogger, and author shenanigans.

Saturday’s charity book sale and signing is open to convention attendees, and also FREE to the public. We’ve got a Featured Author lineup, over 50 amazing storytellers, that showcases not only bestselling favorites, but debut and “new to you” authors that are sure to catch your attention. Come take a bite out of the beach with us!! Feb 2-5, 2017

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Link to all books by Hildie McQueen   

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The Montana Cowboys!

Spend time with heroes in blue jeans.  Not only that, you’ll get to experience every inch of their delectable bodies as three of the books are steamy.

Click on the titles to start reading!
Montana BachelorMontana BossMontana Beau
They are free on KU!!  Or just $1.99 to own!

 

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Montana Beau

A sexy modern Cinderella type story with a humorous twist.  Except, there’s no glass slipper, just an ugly dog and a prince who is anything but charming.

When Sunny Stilton gets the job to decorate millionaire Beau Forrester’s new house, she is way over her head.  To make matters worse, not only is her new client drop dead gorgeous, but he’s also a total ass.

Beau Forrester, a confirmed bachelor does what comes natural after sleeping with the beautiful interior designer…he fires her.

You’ll keep turning the pages to see what happens next in this fun and touching story.

BUY:  Amazon

 

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Montana Boss

Shannon Aldean’s excitement after a great one-night stand quickly fizzles when her entire family shows up the next morning…while the guy is still there. Stress soon turns to panic when her date turns out to be the her new boss at the local ranching supply company.

Drew Emerson wants to simplify his life, move on from under his deceased brother’s shadow by buying his own ranching company in small Longview, Montana. Soon he finds out how hard it is to move forward without first reconciling his past.

BUY: Amazon

 

Montana Bachelor Print Book

Montana Bachelor

The morning after Amy Leigh Paisley, from Pine Oak, Montana is left behind in Las Vegas, she wakes up with not only a huge hangover, but with a husband who happens to be Trent Baxter, Billings’ most eligible bachelor.

His father thinks she’s a gold-digger, her mother wants her to be one and all Amy Leigh wants, is to stay married to the hot man for just a bit longer and maybe another night of great sex.

BUY: Amazon

 

Montana Born will be part of the Love & Grace Anthology, which is sweet, so in the Anthology it will be a very different version than the one to be released on its own later this fall.
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This collection of sweet and inspirational novellas has an uplifting love story for everyone. These stories bring a touch of grace to romance, and a touch of romance to your heart.

Our twelve authors have collaborated to bring together this collection. Each story relates to dyslexia in some way, and the full proceeds from all the stories benefit GRACEPOINT – A School for Dyslexia. This box set is our collective gift of love and support to you and the children GRACEPOINT serves.

Can a town save a marriage? Will a high school reunion offer a second chance at love? Can a man with a secret and a woman afraid of being hurt learn to trust? Can a girl running from her past escape her heart? Will a woman trapped in the past discover the true importance of family? Can unexpected love become the best present ever?

You’ll find hours of enjoyment as well as a satisfying ending to each story. No cliffhangers and no partial novels are offered here, just an escape into worlds of love, families, and grace.

 

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The guiding hand bringing this project to fruition is USA Today Best Selling Author Ciara Knight.

The foreword is New York Times Best Selling Author, Sherrilyn Kenyon.
Contributing authors include:  Lindi Peterson, Hildie McQueen, Sally Kilpatrick, Linda Joyce, Airicka Phoenix, M. K. Smith, Lori Freehand, Alexandrea Weis, Nicole Zoltack, Kirsten Fay, and Walt Mussell.
Here’s your chance to share in giving back to others who need your support. Pre-order will be available on August 1st with a release date of August 30th

iBooks: http://apple.co/2aA5MWl
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2a4Yiv7
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/love-grace

JOIN OUR FACEBOOK EVENT FOR FUN GAMES, PRIZES, AND GIVEAWAYS
https://www.facebook.com/events/1793812920838778/

ENTER OUR GIVEAWAY
Love & Grace Giveaway Book Bundle

 

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Crafty Author’s Coffee Hour

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Now for the crafty part of our hour.  Besides the excellent stories you weave, what else do you craft, Hildie?

 

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I’ve done some crafting.  Scrapbooking and card making and I’ve dabbled a bit into beading, but that didn’t last.  Little beads were everywhere and I hated stepping on them.  Finally I fell into the whole colorful mesh wreath thing, friends gathered at my house and made them for every season.  I don’t even use them, they were just fun to make.

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Wow!  I’ve never tried working with mesh, or making wreaths.  I’ll have to give it a try this fall.  I can see making an purple, orange, green, and black one for Halloween.

I noticed you mentioned papercrafts, but not your decorative planning.  I know that might not be the first thing that comes to mind when someone mentions crafts, but I definitely consider it a craft.

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I love using paper planners and even make videos for planner people!

 

 

ProfilePicThreeI just recently started decorative planning.  I stumbled upon your video’s while surfing YouTube for “How to planner videos”.   I love your videos.  Not only did I learn a lot about planning, but about yourself as well.

Hildie promised to share a video with us, if I posted a picture of one of my planning pages.  So here’s a picture of one of my weeks.  Not near her level, but I’m a newbie.  I still decorate one week at a time, as I’m still figuring out my style and what works for me.  But I’m thoroughly enjoying it.  The happy side effect of decorative planning…..  I actually write things down a lot more.

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You’re in luck.  At your request, I made one just for this event.

Hildie McQueen chats about Coastal Magic while decorating her planner for the week of the event.

ProfilePicThree Oh wow!  That was a wonderful video.  I love how you pull everything together.  So organized, yet pretty and fun.  You’ve given me some great ideas.  I’m going to have to check out some of the Etsy shops you mentioned.

I loved that you planned out the week of Coastal Magic for us.  I guess it might be a good idea to go ahead and do my planning for that week also.  Today has been so much fun and I’m so glad you were my first guest here on Books, Coffee, and Crafts News.  I look forward to seeing you again in Daytona Beach this coming February.  It’s going to be a blast.

Thanks everyone for joining us today.  I hope you enjoyed Hildie’s visit as much as I did.  And I really hope to see you all at Coastal Magic Convention 2017.

Please feel free to comment on this post.  I’d love to know if you are going to be attending #CMCon17 or if you have gone in the past. What you thought of Hildie McQueen’s video and/or decorative planning in general.   Also, what or who you would like to see on here in future.

Be sure to catch us next month for another CMCon17 Featured Author Spotlight.

 

 

New Release by Cynthia St. Aubin

 When who’s your daddy is a
multiple choice question…
Paranormal Psychologist
Matilda Schmidt is one client away from fa-la-la-la-losing it. Holiday cheer is
in the air, gun-toting fruitcakes are in her office, and she’s spinning through
mood swings fast enough to make her toss her cookies–even without the morning
sickness.
When Ol’ Kris Kringle goes
AWOL after a nervous breakdown, his disgruntled elf is convinced that only
Matilda can get him back on his sleigh in time to keep humans from tearing each
other apart quicker than couponeers at a Black Friday sale.
But their efforts hit the
skids when the men in Matilda’s life show up and demand to know which of them
is responsible for the bun in her oven: the hot hit man who’s likely to stuff
her stocking with ammunition, or the delicious demigod who’s made Santa’s
naughty list a couple centuries running.



I like gravy.
This has nothing to do with the rest of my bio,
but I thought you ought to know.
About the writing thing…
I wrote my first play when I was six and made my
brothers perform it for my parents. I charged gum wrappers for admission (a
steal, in my opinion, considering I had handed out the gum wrappers ahead of
time). While I seriously doubt you’ll be seeing any of my formative work on
Broadway anytime soon, I can credit these early experiments with the first of
many important lessons I learned about writing: no matter how brilliant your
manuscript is, some kid can go streaking butt-ass nekkid across the living room,
and totally undermine your vision.
Everyone watches the naked kid because running
across the living room with your cheeks flapping in the breeze is friggin’
hilarious.
Cue the lightbulb moment. People like funny stuff!
I never quite gave up on the writing thing, even
as I tried my hand at being a dusty academic turned Executive Assistant (they
paid me to nag! How cool is that?), but in those quiet moments when expense
reports had been filed and to-do items checked off, the funny people in my head
kept talking to me.
Yes, I know they have medication for that. It’s
called vodka.
Since they discourage drinking at work, I
started writing instead. What came out was an amalgamation (vocabulary!) of all
the things I love: funny stuff, art, psychology, food, people, and
paranormal critters!
Et voila! The Case Files of Dr. Matilda
Schmidt, Paranormal Psychologist were born.
When I’m not sitting in my office watching cat
videos and pretending to write, I like cooking, knitting (badly), and reading
anything that makes me laugh (like my bank statements).
I live in Colorado with my brilliant husband and
three surly cats.

  
Want to catch up on the rest of this Amazing Series?  Well here is your chance!

Unlovable – http://amzn.to/1xoo9mg













Cover Reveal – Unexpecting by Cynthia St. Aubin

Title: Unexpecting
Author: Cynthia St. Aubin
Series:  Book 7 – The Case Files of Dr. Matilda Schmidt
Paranormal Psychologist
Genre: Paranormal Romantic Comedy
Release Date: December 19th, 2014

When who’s your daddy is a multiple choice question…
Paranormal Psychologist Matilda Schmidt is one client away
from fa-la-la-la-losing it. Holiday cheer is in the air, gun-toting fruitcakes
are in her office, and she’s spinning through mood swings fast enough to make
her toss her cookies–even without the morning sickness.
When Ol’ Kris Kringle goes AWOL after a nervous breakdown,
his disgruntled elf is convinced that only Matilda can get him back on his
sleigh in time to keep humans from tearing each other apart quicker than
couponeers at a Black Friday sale.
But their efforts hit the skids
when the men in Matilda’s life show up and demand to know which of them is
responsible for the bun in her oven: the hot hit man who’s likely to stuff her
stocking with ammunition, or the delicious demigod who’s made Santa’s naughty
list a couple centuries running.
I like
gravy.

This has
nothing to do with the rest of my bio, but I thought you ought to know.

About the
writing thing…
I wrote
my first play when I was six and made my brothers perform it for my parents. I
charged gum wrappers for admission (a steal, in my opinion, considering I had
handed out the gum wrappers ahead of time). While I seriously doubt you’ll be
seeing any of my formative work on Broadway anytime soon, I can credit these
early experiments with the first of many important lessons I learned about writing:
no matter how brilliant your manuscript is, some kid can go streaking butt-ass
nekkid across the living room, and totally undermine your vision.
Everyone
watches the naked kid because running across the living room with your cheeks
flapping in the breeze is friggin’ hilarious.

Cue the lightbulb moment. People like funny
stuff!

I never
quite gave up on the writing thing, even as I tried my hand at being a dusty
academic turned Executive Assistant (they paid me to nag! How cool is that?),
but in those quiet moments when expense reports had been filed and to-do items
checked off, the funny people in my head kept talking to me.

Yes, I
know they have medication for that. It’s called vodka.
Since
they discourage drinking at work, I started writing instead. What came out was
an amalgamation (vocabulary!) of all the things I love: funny stuff, art,
psychology, food, people, and paranormal critters!
Et voila! The
Case Files of Dr. Matilda Schmidt, Paranormal Psychologist were born.
When I’m
not sitting in my office watching cat videos and pretending to write, I like
cooking, knitting (badly), and reading anything that makes me laugh (like my
bank statements).
I live in
Colorado with my brilliant husband and three surly cats.



Catch up on the rest of the series!
Reading Order:
Unlovable only $.99! – http://amzn.to/1xoo9mg
Unbearable – http://amzn.to/11lEhXV
Unassailable – http://amzn.to/1vw749C

Dysfunctional: A Matilda Schmidt, Paranormal Psychologist Trilogy

If you want a outrageously funny paranormal action/adventure. You will love Dysfunctional: A Matilda Schmidt, Paranormal Psychologist Trilogy by Cynthia St. Aubin.

Available on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KJ0NE8G

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(The Case Files of Dr. Matilda Schmidt, Paranormal Psychologist)

Meet Matilda Schmidt, Paranormal Psychologist…

Unlovable
When Cupid gets stupid…
It isn’t every day a sexy demigod throws a pissed-off Cupid onto psychologist Matilda Schmidt’s couch and informs her the fate of the world depends on her ability to get him off his diapered ass and back to helping people fall in love. But first, she’ll need to convince a seductive hit man he’s snatched the wrong woman before he convinces her he might be the right man—for a night.

Unlucky 
When luck runs out…
Accused of stealing gold from an infamous Irish street gang, Paranormal Psychologist Matilda Schmidt will die in exactly five days if she doesn’t cough it up—guilty or not. With minutes ticking away and her office overrun by a leprechaun who’s loopier than he is lucky, Matilda makes a deal with a demigod—give him one night in her bed and he’ll help her locate the missing gold.

Unhoppy
When there’s not a hop in hell…
The day is going to hell in a hurry for Paranormal Psychologist Matilda Schmidt, and that’s *before* a suicidal Easter bunny shows up for treatment. Hunted by two jealous goddesses who would gladly use her intestines to lace up their strappy sandals—and with her full-time hit man sometimes lover nowhere to be found—Matilda will have to save herself, or the world will be up River Styx without a paddle.

 

Biography

Cynthia St. Aubin wrote her first play at age eight and made her brothers perform it for the admission price of gum wrappers. A steal, considering she provided the wrappers in advance. Though her early work debuted to mixed reviews, she never quite gave up on the writing thing, even while earning a mostly useless master’s degree in art history and taking her turn as a cube monkey in the corporate warren.Because the voices in her head kept talking to her, and they discourage drinking at work, she started writing instead. When she’s not standing in front of the fridge eating cheese, she’s hard at work figuring out which mythological, art historical, or paranormal friends to play with next. She lives in Colorado with the love of her life and three surly cats.Cynthia loves to hear from her readers! You can find her here:
https://www.facebook.com/cynthia.saintaubin
https://www.facebook.com/cynthia.st.aubin
https://twitter.com/CynthiaStAubin
http://www.cynthiastaubin.com