My Annual Valentine Post

Love, Serendipity, and Chocolate

by Amber Polo

Indulge me as a republish my annual Valentines Day post.           

Once upon a time in1994. I was the marketing manager for a Boston conference taping company and my boss’s Polish wife decided to throw a party. Registered for a weekend regional Mensa conference at a hotel west of Boston, I was more interested in getting away from my co-workers than socializing with them. But, when your boss has a party, you go, even if the weather is awful and you know traffic to the west suburbs will be hell.

            So I ate Jolanta’s thick potato soup and dark bread and waited for the earliest polite moment to leave. At last, blocking the door, she told me I must take sweet treats with me. I opened my briefcase and she dropped in a handful of candy. I smiled and ran down the steps to head into Friday rush hour traffic.

            At the hotel Regional Gathering on Friday evening I met old friends. On Saturday morning I had my first ever tarot card reading. Still trying to make sense of the intricate cards, I walked into the Clear Thinking Workshop. I was not particularly interested in thinking; Thinking meant questions and I wanted answers. What did the future hold for me, my career, my fortune, and, most of all, my love life? Was it too much to hope to meet the love of my life? And soon?

            Sitting next to me, with obviously a more serious interest in clear thinking, was Vince Polo, an attractive, age-appropriate man from Maryland with a big smile. Vince and I left the workshop and over the next six hours drank a lot of coffee, discussed our lives, and shared personal stories and feelings. Vince’s intelligence, sense of humor, good looks, honesty, and his intense interest in me were irresistible. He stayed for the evening banquet, returned for sessions on Sunday and decided to stay in Boston for another day so we could have dinner on Monday evening.

            Sunday night, as I was unpacking my weekend luggage, I up-ended my bag and out fell two “Prince Polo Krunche wafel z kremem Kakawym oblewane naturalna Czekolada” candy bars in gold foil wrappers.

Had I found my prince?

Here's a photo from our Arizona wedding!

            A Polish deli near Sedona’s Well Red Coyote bookstore stocks Prince Polo chocolate-covered wafer candy bars. And like all the Polish people I've questioned, the deli owners agree the candy bars have been around forever and the name has no significance.

See what Wikipedia says 

Oz the Great Reviews Recovered!

Welcome, Oz the Great, and thank you for being my first canine reviewer. I hope you didn't consider the biscuits I sent to you a bribe. That was not my intent.

OZ: No, not at all.  Now, had you sent a pound of bacon, that would have been considered a bribe.

Amber: Oz, the Great and Powerful Blogger, tell me a little about yourself.

Oz: I am a Cairn Terrier like Toto from the movie The Wizard of Oz.  It was Ma's favorite movie as a child, and it remains her all-time favorite, hence my name.  I am 9 years young and true to my terrier nature, I love to chase everything.  I also love to go camping, hiking and canoeing and you can read about some of those adventures on my blog.

Oh...and I fancy myself a poet.  My friends like it when they inspire one of my limericks but I think my best poem to date is my "Ode on Bacon."  It is drool-worthy. http://www.oztheterrier.com/2010/09/ode-on-bacon.html - just in case you would like to read it)

Amber: I did read that poem and found it the best bacon epic poem ever. That's makes me even more thrilled that you enjoyed my book Recovered. I wonder did you identify with the dog-shifters? Who was your favorite character?

Oz: I can identify with the shifters when they are in their dog form, sure, but not when they are in their human form. I do love that the dog-shifters are the guardians of all books. If I was a character in your The Shapeshifters' Library series, I believe I would be the librarian in the poetry section.  I would love to be able to share some of my favorite poets, like Walt Whitman or Longfellow, with visitors to the library.

My favorite character was Harry.  As a terrier, I can be loyal and kind but like most terriers, I am very independent and have a killer nature.  It can be a struggle to be a "good dog" some of the time which is why I really identify with Harry.  He struggles to fight his werewolf nature and be a "good dog" too;  I was rooting for him through the whole book!

Amber: Have you ever met a dog-shifter?

Oz: No, I have not. I would love to though. Maybe I need to visit my local library. *wink, wink*

Amber: What would you do if you met a werewolf?

Oz: Well, I am afraid I would probably pick a fight.  I have a tendency to start arguments with big dogs because they usually just want to ignore me and I will not be ignored.  Though, if I met a werewolf and it went in for a kill, well let's just say that werewolf might be surprised at the size of the fight in this little terrier.

Amber: Well, Oz you are one brave terrier! And I hope besides your great blog someday I'll have a chance to review a book of your poetry.

What Oz said about Recovered:

Recovered - The Shapeshifters' Library: Book 3 has a little bit of everything for the reader (and dog lover) - wonderful characters, animal rescue and conservation, lost ancient places and artifacts, a quest for knowledge and a love story.  Once I started reading, it was hard to put it down (except at mealtime, because you know I will not pass up food).  The story grabbed me from the first page and at the end, left me begging for more!

Here's the link to Oz's complete review 

Check out Oz's blog:  

The great and powerful Oz the Terrier, 

poet, humorist and traveler...

living the good life in South Florida.  

Finalist for Petties 2013 "Funniest Blog"
Oz's the Great's Poems and limericks
Adventures

Helping dogs & cats find forever homes

Reviewer of doggy pet products & treats

Bacon aficionado

Flash Fiction - How to Dig Up a Bestselller

  The Story Farm by Amber Polo

     The farm cottage wasn’t charming or particularly cute, just a step up from ordinary. She didn’t even know if anyone lived in it. The crone’s hand-drawn map indicated this house was the only building on the Story Farm. The old woman had promised her, that if she buried her writing here, the story’s memories would forever be cast off from her heart. And her life would at last move forward.

    Behind the cottage, mounds of fresh soft dirt dotted the field as if gophers mined for gold beneath her feet. Urged on by Desperation, she could not go back now. Choosing a serviceable spade from an assortment of shovels, she began to dig in an untouched spot. The soil was harder than she’d expected, but after a couple of tries, her shovel pierced the surface. When the hole was a foot deep, she lifted a thick sheaf of papers from her bag and smoothed them flat to the hole’s bottom. Refilling the hole, she patted down the dirt, let out a loud sigh of relief, and left the farm.

    An hour after the woman left, a man walked into the field. He moved with purpose, led by what he called Inspiration, took up his usual shovel, strode to the freshest mound of earth, and harvested the papers. Holding the sheets up, he shook off the dirt. Here on Story Farm there was only one rule. Once touched, the papers could not be put back, nor could the finder return for a year and a day. But the man had learned to trust in his first selection and today, as he scanned the smudged pages, he knew he’d chosen well. This woman’s story would become, like each of the others, a best-selling novel.

************************* 

Short fiction isn't usually the form I'm drawn to, but this little tale wouldn't leave my mind.

My flash fiction story was printed first by Paula in Flurries of Words blog on December 6, 2013.  Flurries offers Book reviews, flash fictions, interviews and x of free and bargain ebooks.

Shapeshifters' Library Series Free on Kindle & a New Release!

I Love Receiving...
and Giving!

This week I received a special Christmas present.

As some of you know I spent a part of my life in libraries. I worked in quite a few libraries, often as an Acquisitions Librarian. One wonderful memory was of my time in Arlington, Virginia where I had the opportunity to work with two of the finest librarians in the country. These amazing women were true book people. They knew books and knew how to build a wonderful library collection. Acting as their assistant I learned a lot about books and book reviews.

In those days, besides a few respected newspapers and literary journals, Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, and Virginia Kirkus Service book reviews were the mainstays of libraries and bookstores. A bad review in one of those powerful forces could doom a book.

Since I never expected to actually write a book myself, I didn't understand reviews from the author’s point of view. But now I have my own Kirkus review!
s

And I’m thrilled!

a

Recovered, the third in my Shapeshifters’ Library series, was reviewed by Kirkus.
And here’s what it said: 

“Author Polo does an excellent job organizing the details of her inviting series for new and returning readers... At its core, the narrative illustrates how… kindness can heal humans and dogs—and maybe even cats… A fanciful read that remains loyal to its noble principles.” – Kirkus Reviews 

To celebrate:

All Kindle books
in The Shapeshifters Library are Free !
Released (Book 1) Free Decmber 26 only
Retrieved  (Book 2) Free December 26-30
Recovered (Book 3) Free December 26-30
and
Heads in the Clouds - Introductory Price $.99 until January 1

More NEWS:
I have revised and republished Flying Free, one of my Arizona romances, as Heads in the Clouds. I added another dog (it's like cooking & adding more wine). And Connie Fisher created a gorgeous new cover. Heads in the Clouds is available for Kindle readers at an introductory price of $.99 until January 1, 2014.

Thanks for reading
and stay tuned for Book 4 as dog-shifters try to shut down book-pirating werewolves.
Amber

_________
And a Goodreads Giveaway
-
Heads in the Clouds
an Arizona Aviation Romance
(print copy)

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Heads in the Clouds

by Amber Polo

Giveaway ends January 05, 2014.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

The Magic Trees of Sedona

The Magic Trees of Sedona

     Something magical happens in Sedona every December.  Well since it’s Sedona, let’s say something more magical happens in December.  Along Highway 179, between Bell Rock and the Town of Sedona, Christmas trees appear along the road.  They just appear.  One day they’re not there and the next morning they are.  Not ordinary Christmas trees, these are heavy with thick tinsel garlands and bright round balls.  Each tree is different but they all seem to be decorated in the same style, as if there were a plan.  This year among the reds and greens, silvers and golds, and purples and blues, there are many covered with red, white, and blue garlands and ornaments. 

          Since the trees appear on Coconino National Forest land where federal regulations require visitors to stay on the trails, decorating trees isn’t allowed.  It is rumored that families sneak along the road late at night with boxes of decorations, but that rumor is harder to believe than magic.

          Wherever these magic trees come from, they disappear as mysteriously as they appear.  On New Year’s Day there are no trees.  If you look carefully you might find a few shards of a red or silver ornament or a bit of glittery purple tinsel, but the trees are gone.  The red rocks and the green trees are still there and still magnificent, but they seem a little drab for a few days.                               

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

I wrote this in 2001. Since then the trees don't appear. The nature-loving people of Sedona have stopped decorating forest trees for fear birds will be attracted to the glittering decorations, eat, and die. So let's keep our trees indoors or with animal friendly decorations.

The Wassail Gingerkuchen Excerpt

The Wassail Gingerkuchen Excerpt

   “May I escort you, Mistress?” He led her into the Reading Room alight with glowing candles and whispered, “Don’t they look real? The only bad news is the man you hired to play St. Nicholas came down with the flu.”

“What will I do?” Alarmed, Liberty fumbled in the brocade pouch at her waist for her cell phone. “We can’t do this without St. Nicholas.” 

 “You will have your St. Nicholas, madam.” Gregory stepped close to her side and smiled down at her. “I have experience.” He gently placed her arm on his. His St. Nicholas outfit was no rented Santa costume. The smooth velvet of his red jacket caressed her bare arm. The ruffled shirt, tight black pants, and high black boots complemented his masculine form perfectly. 

Before Liberty could speak, Lily announced, “Wassail time.”

Aldwyn, in a dinner jacket, entered carrying a steaming silver punch bowl, followed by Emma and Rebecca holding platters piled high with spicy, fragrant gingerkuchen.

Liberty whispered to Gregory, “Is it safe for you here?”

“Perfectly safe. This is a magic night.”

Outside the window, a flash of lights illuminated the huge outdoor tree and they heard the loud “Ah” as the people of Shipsfeather gasped in pleasure.

The strains of “Greensleeves” floated from the Local History Room. Liberty didn’t remember hiring a quartet. 

Within moments the library doors were thrown open and guests paraded in. Gregory served wassail and Liberty passed out warm gingerkuchen, greeting smiling Shipsfeather residents and their visitors. Many of Liberty’s regular library patrons passed by. Gregory embraced members of old Shipsfeather families. An elderly gentleman called him Chronus and a woman with a British accent curtsied and addressed him as Sir Gregory. Replying to foreign visitors in their own languages, Gregory was the perfect host. He looked handsome, courtly, and comfortable in ruffled shirt and velvet jacket and each guest lit up at his attention. 

Read more excerpts and the complete

Chapter One of 

"Released"

Book One of "The Shapeshifters' Library"

Buy Released 
Read "Researching St.Nicholas Eve" for my personal remembrance of the celebration.

Prescott Library Displays Professional Writers of Prescott Books

Thanks to the Prescott (AZ) Public Library for displaying 85 books published by 36 members of the Professional writers of Prescott (PWP). Special thanks to the library for agreeing to add the books to their collections!

Photos and publishing biographies of each author are posted on the wall behind the books.

Thanks to PWP and especially President Jeannie Leighton; Secretary Carole Bolinski; Membership Chair Marian Powell; Bulletin Creator Susan Lanning; and Members Cathleen Cherry, Jessie Lincoln, Ronny de Jong, Connie Johnson and David Ganci for setting up this great showcase of books!

What a great way to show off local authors. 

On display for the month of December.