Let’s Talk with Debra H. Goldstein Archive

Should Have Played Poker is Back!

Most of you know me as the author of the Sarah Blair Mystery series, but there was a mystery book before this, SHOULD HAVE PLAYED POKER. I’ll start out with the publication timeline of that book, and you can see that while it was successfully published, it endured a downsizing company and the pandemic…Keep reading […]

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Most of you know me as the author of the Sarah Blair Mystery series, but there was a mystery book before this, SHOULD HAVE PLAYED POKER. I’ll start out with the publication timeline of that book, and you can see that while it was successfully published, it endured a downsizing company and the pandemic…Keep reading […]

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National Library Day

Let’s celebrate! Today is National Library Day, which is part of National Library Week. This week, especially today, is when, since its 1958’s inception by the American Library Association, we give special recognition to libraries and librarians. Personally, I appreciate libraries and librarians every day. As a child, my mother took me to the library […]

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Let’s celebrate! Today is National Library Day, which is part of National Library Week. This week, especially today, is when, since its 1958’s inception by the American Library Association, we give special recognition to libraries and librarians. Personally, I appreciate libraries and librarians every day. As a child, my mother took me to the library […]

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Happy Birthday, Daddy! Thanks for Teaching Me to Love Words

Today would be my father’s ninety-seventh birthday, but he died at seventy-seven. I don’t write about him as often as I do my mother. Part of the reason is because her background as a Holocaust survivor, assimilation into American culture and English (without a trace of an accent), fierce protection of family and possessions, and […]

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Today would be my father’s ninety-seventh birthday, but he died at seventy-seven. I don’t write about him as often as I do my mother. Part of the reason is because her background as a Holocaust survivor, assimilation into American culture and English (without a trace of an accent), fierce protection of family and possessions, and […]

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New Year Thoughts

For 2023, our author collective resolves to take positive actions to make the world better in some way. There’s so much we can do for the people we already know and for those we haven’t met yet. Here are a few thoughts about how one kindness often begets another. First we shouldn’t worry about what […]

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For 2023, our author collective resolves to take positive actions to make the world better in some way. There’s so much we can do for the people we already know and for those we haven’t met yet. Here are a few thoughts about how one kindness often begets another. First we shouldn’t worry about what […]

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Happy Holidays to All of You from All of Us!

Happy Holidays to all of our friends, fans, and writing communities! Our authors are here to share their self-care tips that help them make it through the busy holidays. When your schedule gets overloaded, remember to take time for yourself. It will get better. Plus, what fun it is to de-stress with us! Maggie Toussaint: […]

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Happy Holidays to all of our friends, fans, and writing communities! Our authors are here to share their self-care tips that help them make it through the busy holidays. When your schedule gets overloaded, remember to take time for yourself. It will get better. Plus, what fun it is to de-stress with us! Maggie Toussaint: […]

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Deadlines and Delay

Who hasn’t had a deadline to meet, but been afraid it will be missed? In most cases, even if it takes an all-nighter, the task is completed on time. Sometimes, though, it simply can’t be done. A family crisis, personal illness (can you spell Covid), mechanical failure of the printer or computer, or “the dog […]

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Who hasn’t had a deadline to meet, but been afraid it will be missed? In most cases, even if it takes an all-nighter, the task is completed on time. Sometimes, though, it simply can’t be done. A family crisis, personal illness (can you spell Covid), mechanical failure of the printer or computer, or “the dog […]

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Why I Celebrate National Literacy Day

Today, September 8, is National Literacy Day. It is a day that I can’t let pass without commenting on as a writer, reader, and mother/grandmother. As a writer, I hope people will find and embrace my books to escape from the moment. My writing goal, especially with the Sarah Blair series, is that my books […]

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Today, September 8, is National Literacy Day. It is a day that I can’t let pass without commenting on as a writer, reader, and mother/grandmother. As a writer, I hope people will find and embrace my books to escape from the moment. My writing goal, especially with the Sarah Blair series, is that my books […]

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When Is It Time To Stop?

I’m a Type A personality. That’s the one where the person is considered highly motivated and competitive. For as long as I can remember, other than needing four to six hours of sleep, I tried to cram as much as I could into my waking hours. That is, until a bout of Covid in late […]

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I’m a Type A personality. That’s the one where the person is considered highly motivated and competitive. For as long as I can remember, other than needing four to six hours of sleep, I tried to cram as much as I could into my waking hours. That is, until a bout of Covid in late […]

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Celebrate June 2’s Holidays Per the National Holiday Calendar

When in doubt what to write, the easy brainstorming approach is to grab a topic from whatever national day in question falls on the day the blog will appear. Brain blocked, I went to the National Day Calendar and discovered that June 2 is National Bubba Day, National Rocky Road Day, National Rotisserie Chicken Day, […]

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When in doubt what to write, the easy brainstorming approach is to grab a topic from whatever national day in question falls on the day the blog will appear. Brain blocked, I went to the National Day Calendar and discovered that June 2 is National Bubba Day, National Rocky Road Day, National Rotisserie Chicken Day, […]

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From Beginning To End, You Can Read-A-Long With Me

Once upon a time, a character, Sarah Blair, a woman who finds being in the kitchen more frightening than murder, came into my mind. I instilled Sarah, her family, and her friends, with the many of the same characteristics and traits that my family, friends, and I possess. To intrigue and amuse readers, tidbits of […]

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Once upon a time, a character, Sarah Blair, a woman who finds being in the kitchen more frightening than murder, came into my mind. I instilled Sarah, her family, and her friends, with the many of the same characteristics and traits that my family, friends, and I possess. To intrigue and amuse readers, tidbits of […]

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Give me February 1 over February 14

by Debra H. Goldstein I am not a fan of Valentine’s Day. Hearts, cards, chocolates, flowers, and being taken out to dinner are nice, but February 14 has nothing on February 1. The truth is that Valentine’s Day, much like Christmas, has become commercialized. It has become a holiday of the masses with the vendors […]

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by Debra H. Goldstein I am not a fan of Valentine’s Day. Hearts, cards, chocolates, flowers, and being taken out to dinner are nice, but February 14 has nothing on February 1. The truth is that Valentine’s Day, much like Christmas, has become commercialized. It has become a holiday of the masses with the vendors […]

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Let’s Talk with Debra H. Goldstein

Posted on November 4, 2021 by Debra H. Goldstein

Changing Colors by Debra H. Goldstein When we moved into our house a year ago, the trees outside my office window were luscious and full of leaves in stark contrast to one dead tree that stood proudly in the midst of the greenery. In the Fall, the leaves fell, and all the trees more closely […]

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Let’s Talk with Debra H Goldstein

Posted on September 9, 2021 by Debra H. Goldstein

Teddy Bear Love by Debra H. Goldstein Do you love fuzzy wuzzy cuddly teddy bears? Does simply seeing a stuffed bear evoke feelings of happiness or comfort? If any of this is true, this is your day to celebrate. Why? Because September 9 is National Teddy Bear Day. Although I have gifted many teddy bears […]

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Let’s Talk with Debra H Goldstein

Posted on July 22, 2021 by Debra H. Goldstein

Saying Nothing in Five Hundred Words or Less by Debra H. Goldstein When you already write a minimum of four blogs a month (Booklovers Bench, the Stiletto Gang, Writers Who Kill, and It’s Not Always a Mystery) and then, as part of the promotion of a book that just released, create content for at least […]

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Let’s Talk with Debra H Goldstein

Posted on June 3, 2021 by Debra H. Goldstein

Once Again by Debra H. Goldstein I did it again. I don’t mean being the proud mama of the fourth Sarah Blair book, Four Cuts Too Many, which Kensington released on May 25. Nope, I managed to have another kitchen disaster. Only this time, I wasn’t the only one who knew about it. It was […]

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Let’s Talk with Debra H Goldstein

Posted on February 25, 2021 by Debra H. Goldstein

Chili and Chips or Clam Chowder? by Debra H. Goldstein I need you to explain something to me. Today is both National Chili Day and National Clam Chowder Day. Yesterday was National Tortilla Chip Day. Like the protagonist in my Sarah Blair mysteries, I am kitchen challenged, but even I know chili and tortilla chips […]

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Let’s Talk with Debra H Goldstein

Posted on January 7, 2021 by Debra H. Goldstein

Following the Rules and Missing All the Fun by Debra H. Goldstein My Sarah Blair mystery series is considered by its publisher to be “cozy.” That may work for where it is placed on the shelf in a bookstore or for many of my readers, but as one reviewer remarked, “it is an edgy cozy.” […]

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Let’s Talk about Resolutions

Posted on December 31, 2020 by Terry Ambrose

We hereby resolve to… by Debra H Goldstein, Nancy J Cohen, Lois Winston, Cheryl Hollon, Diane A.S Stuckart, and Maggie Toussaint I’ve given up resolving to do things like exercise, lose weight, or be a kinder person; so, my resolutions for 2021 (beyond hugging family and friends again) are 1) embrace my tendency to procrastinate […]

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Let’s Talk about Light

Posted on December 24, 2020 by Terry Ambrose

Happy Holidays to All! What a strange year 2020 has been! And there’s good news-we’ve all survived the pandemic thus far. Keep up the great work of protecting yourself and your family by wearing masks and social distancing until we get through the vaccination process. Meanwhile, your friends at Booklover’s Bench want to help shine […]

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Let’s Talk with Debra H Goldstein

Posted on November 12, 2020 by Debra H. Goldstein

Touchdown for Me by Debra H. Goldstein Yay! The election news is over. The hullabaloo of our local Alabama news cycle has quieted. The constant political ads for Doug Jones and Tommy Tuberville have ceased. Now, it is time to get back to what really matters in Alabama. College football. We all want to know […]

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Let’s Talk with Debra H Goldstein

Posted on October 1, 2020 by Debra H. Goldstein

October 1 – Let’s Play a Game to Celebrate it! by Debra H. Goldstein It’s October 1. Do you know what that means? To me, it means fall, pulling a jacket out of the closet, college football, and thinking about what kind of Halloween candy I want to buy that I like, but promise myself […]

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Let’s Talk with Debra H Goldstein

Posted on August 20, 2020 by Debra H. Goldstein

Anticipation by Debra H. Goldstein Anticipation. It’s a word that rolls easily off my tongue. For me, the concept of anticipation conjures up tingling feelings of being on pins and needles; of being so excited I can’t sleep; of holding my breath waiting for an outcome. The waiting is what’s key. The chorus of Carly […]

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Let’s Talk with Debra Goldstein

Posted on July 9, 2020 by Debra H. Goldstein

National Stay Out of the Sun Day vs. National Bikini Day by Debra H. Goldstein When I write conflict into a story or chapter, I must balance different viewpoints, how varied characters react to the same stimulus, and show that the conclusions and behavior of the characters may reflect each one’s personal beliefs. A good […]

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Let’s Talk with Debra H Goldstein

Posted on May 28, 2020 by Debra H. Goldstein

Driving Creatively by Debra H. Goldstein During the past weeks of social distancing, my husband and I fell into the habit of taking a daily drive. We didn’t need masks, gloves or any other personal protective equipment because we stayed in the car – just the two of us. The beauty of the drive was […]

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Let’s Talk with Debra H Goldstein

Posted on April 16, 2020 by Debra H. Goldstein

Surviving the Kitchen in Any Month by Debra H. Goldstein Last week, Cheryl talked about comfort food. The concept amused me because I don’t think she would necessarily consider dark chocolate, pizza, and ice cream to fit that category on an ongoing basis. In our house, we’re not looking at comfort food – it’s more […]

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Let’s Talk with Debra H Goldstein

Posted on March 5, 2020 by Debra H. Goldstein

Beginnings and Relics by Debra H. Goldstein Let’s talk about new beginnings and aged relics – lately, I’ve had an opportunity to see both up close. March heralds not only the first day of Spring, but it also marks the month during which I appeared on this planet. Consequently, I always anticipate both with an […]

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Let’s Talk with Debra H Goldstein

Posted on January 23, 2020 by Debra H. Goldstein

How are you doing on your 2020 New Year’s Resolutions? by Debra H. Goldstein Have you managed to stick to your 2020 New Year’s resolutions or, now that we’re almost at the end of January, have you given up? I’m going to let you in on a little secret. I always keep my New Year’s […]

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Holiday Let’s Talk

Posted on December 19, 2019 by Terry Ambrose

Happy Holidays! Today, we’re sharing how holiday traditions changed over the years. New birth and Hanukkah for Nancy. December holidays for our family in the earlier days meant gathering around the menorah each evening in the dining room, lighting the candles, and then watching our kids open one of eight or more gifts for Hanukkah. […]

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Let’s Talk with Debra H Goldstein

Posted on November 28, 2019 by Debra H. Goldstein

Wasting Time by Debra H. Goldstein I waste a lot of time playing Solitaire, Spider Solitaire, FreeCell, Pyramid, and TriPeaks. These games came with my laptop and I consciously chose not to disable them. Sometimes I tell myself, I’ll play one game of solitaire and if my score is over 6 points, whatever I’m thinking […]

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Let’s Talk with Debra H Goldstein

Posted on October 17, 2019 by Debra H. Goldstein

Alone or Not by Debra H. Goldstein Being alone. Is it something you treasure, or does it frighten you? My husband and sons can’t stand it. They run from one activity to another – from being with one friend to being amid a stadium of people. The idea of quiet solitude makes their skin crawl. […]

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Let’s Talk with Debra H Goldstein

Posted on September 26, 2019 by Debra H. Goldstein

Gearing up by Debra H. Goldstein It’s coming! Will I survive? The mass market paperback and e-book versions of Two Bites Too Many, the second book in Kensington’s Sarah Blair cozy mystery series, have been available for preorder for several weeks, but today the book is in the store, the e-books will download, and preorder […]

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Let’s Talk with Debra Goldstein

Posted on July 25, 2019 by Debra H. Goldstein

Good Humor Trucks and Books from My Favorite Authors by Debra H. Goldstein Do you remember white Good Humor trucks coming through your neighborhood? Their heyday was in the 1950’s, but the trucks, with their musical tones, were around into the 1970’s. How did you react when you heard a truck’s bells on your street? […]

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Let’s Talk with Debra H. Goldstein

Posted on June 13, 2019 by Debra H. Goldstein

My TBR Shelf is Growing and Growing by Debra H. Goldstein   I love to read. For years, before I started writing, I divided my To-Be-Read books between the top of a short bookcase in my home office and the corner of my dresser. When the books reached the middle of my dresser and my […]

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Let’s Talk with Debra H Goldstein

Posted on May 2, 2019 by Debra H. Goldstein

Breaking the Tedium – What I do by Debra H. Goldstein Ever wonder what novelists do when they want a break from the tedium of trying to reach eighty-thousand words? Some go to the gym or take a walk, but I look for a short story submission call. Concentrating on writing a piece that ranges […]

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Let’s Talk with Debra H Goldstein

Posted on March 21, 2019 by Debra H. Goldstein

New Kid on the Blog by Debra H Goldstein Do you remember being the new kid at school? You weren’t sure how to get around the building. You were sure your mother sent you to school in an outfit none of the other kids would be caught dead in. You were petrified no one would […]

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