Blog - Page 11 of 31 - Bestselling Author Sharon Michaels

Childhood Holiday Memory

Favorite Childhood Holiday Memory

Beautiful Sweet Alice
Originally written December 25, 2017

Earlier this month on my Sharon Michaels Author Facebook page I posted a writing challenge. I took up the challenge and spent last Friday afternoon jotting down ideas. Writing this story, I found myself mixing fiction with real life memories. I guess I’d call this a fictional-bio childhood holiday memory short story.

I had to be five or six years old. My mom and I would walk to the drug store, grocery store and dime store at least a couple times a week. I loved our quiet time together. We’d talk about silly things, sometimes we’d have ice cream at the soda fountain in the drug store and we’d always find time to browse the aisles of the dime store.

I didn’t grow up rich, but we weren’t poor either – I’d say we were somewhere in between. Expensive toys were an extravagance. That year I was experiencing a growth spurt so keeping me in clothes and shoes took precedence over fancy toys.

I think it was late September or maybe the beginning of October. It was still warm enough in the Midwest to walk to the store with just a sweater over my dress. I remember how much fun it was to hear the brittle orange, red and gold leaves scrunching under my feet as mom and I walked the half mile to the stores.

Before we went into the A&P for groceries, I remember dragging mom into the dime store. I could see they were getting in their Halloween costumes and I wanted to pick mine out early.

Sweet Alice

As we walked toward the toys I saw her. She was the most beautiful doll I had ever seen. Golden long curly hair, blue eyes that opened and closed, a pretty blue dress with a white pinafore, fancy white stockings covering her legs and on her feet were the cutest little shiny black shoes. She took my breath away.

You have to know I was not a doll person. I would have rather had coloring books and crayons or story books. But this doll was different – I was drawn to her like a magnet. I knew she had to be expensive because she was so beautiful. Her name was Sweet Alice.

A doll like Sweet Alice was way out of my league – I didn’t even want to get my hopes up. That didn’t stop me from talking about her all the way home. Mom listened and didn’t say anything. The next week I went back to look at her again. The following week when I went to visit her, she was gone. I asked the sales lady where Sweet Alice was and she told me someone bought her.

I tried not to cry or be disappointed. She wasn’t mine. I hadn’t even held her. I’d only looked at her through the clear cellophane box top. I hadn’t even taken the box off the shelf for fear I’d break her or maybe fall more in love with her.

Every year the dime store hosted a visit with Santa Claus party. I showed up bright and early with my mom and dad the Saturday before Christmas. When it was my turn to sit on Santa’s lap and tell him my Christmas wish I wasn’t sure what to say. I whispered in his ear so no one else would hear, “I want the Sweet Alice doll.”

He smiled, laughed hardily and handed me a candy cane. I knew in my heart of hearts Santa wouldn’t be able to make my wish come true.

Christmas Morning

Christmas morning I was excited to see that Santa had eaten all the cookies I’d left him and even made time to write me a personalized thank you note. He’d also left some beautifully wrapped gifts under the tree. Together dad and mom handed me a big box wrapped in bright red paper. I remember they were smiling and excited to watch me open my present. Dad was ready with his camera to capture the moment.

Yes, it was Sweet Alice. My beautiful Sweet Alice with the golden curly hair and blue eyes that opened and closed. She was so beautiful and now she was mine.

Years later I found out mom went back to the dime store and put Sweet Alice on lay away. Every week she made a payment until the week before Christmas when Sweet Alice was paid in full. I have to confess, as I’m writing and remembering this I have tears in my eyes. I’ll never forget the thoughtfulness of my parents and the excitement we all felt that Christmas morning.

I don’t know what happened to my Sweet Alice doll. I guess she got replaced by Nancy Drew books and ballet classes. One thing I know for sure, that Christmas and that doll will be a precious holiday memory I’ll keep in my heart forever.

Happy Holidays!!!

*****

Here’s the link to all my books on Amazon:
https://author.to/AmazonSharonMichaels
Amazon bestselling author Sharon Michaels loves writing cozy mysteries filled with suspense, mature characters, smart animals, a bit of paranormal and, later in life romance. Her short reads are sweet, clean, and fun.

You can find fun books to read on this page:
https://sharonmichaelsauthor.com/cozy-fiction/

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Affirmations for Authors

Amazon Bestselling Author Sharon Michaels shares her five favorite affirmations for authors, writers and bloggers.

I keep these affirmations in front of me and read them daily – sometimes several times a day.

What would you add?

Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Happy writing!

Here’s the link to all my books on Amazon:
https://author.to/AmazonSharonMichaels
Amazon bestselling author Sharon Michaels loves writing cozy mysteries filled with suspense, mature characters, smart animals, a bit of paranormal and, later in life romance. Her short reads are sweet, clean, and fun.

You can find fun books to read on this page:
https://sharonmichaelsauthor.com/cozy-fiction/

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What’s a Cozy Mystery?

When you think of a cozy mystery, what’s the first thing that comes to mind?

How about:
– A setting that’s far from city life; typically, along or near the coast
– Small town characters who are easy to relate to
– A protagonist who makes friends easily but is also independent
– Solving local crimes
– A quiet, laid-back tone that allows readers to take it slow – not too fast paced or confusing

I discovered cozies about ten years ago and it quickly became my favorite genre for a relaxing read. Six years ago, I published my first cozy mystery, The Prickly Pear Murder staring Oscar the Doxie Detective. I’ve been writing and publishing them ever since.

Here’s what I discovered about cozy mysteries:

A cozy mystery is a fast-paced book genre set in a small town or city where the main character is mysteriously drawn into events they don’t understand.

The goal of most cozy mysteries is to keep the reader guessing as to what will happen next.

Cozy mysteries are usually read for entertainment, with characters who make the reader feel like you could be friends with them. It is a great way to spend some time by yourself reading a book that isn’t too serious yet still keeps you interested.

There are many different things that can lead to an atmosphere of mystery in a book, including detective work, possible supernatural occurrences, and documents that have been lost or have been misfiled.

Most cozy mysteries feature an amateur sleuth as the main character and the focus of each book/story. Cozies also feature many other characters – including other police officers, private investigators, lawyers, doctors, professors and more – who help out with the investigation.

There are some cozy mysteries where the amateur sleuth is the only character involved in the case; however, these books tend to have a different feel than traditional cozy mysteries.

For me…

the best part of reading a cozy mystery is the combination of the entertainment and relaxation factors. The story keeps me guessing, but it is not an on the edge of your seat scary.

I write what I like to read, and that’s a fun mystery with lots of twists and turns and a surprise ending.

Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Happy reading!

Amazon bestselling author Sharon Michaels loves writing cozy mysteries filled with suspense, mature characters, smart animals, a bit of paranormal and, later in life romance. Her short reads are sweet, clean, and fun.

You can find fun books to read on this page:
https://sharonmichaelsauthor.com/cozy-fiction/

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Paranormal Cozy Mystery

Excited to share the video book trailer I created for the Witch’s Creek paranormal cozy mystery series. Perfect reading for October!

Witch’s Creek is a paranormal cozy mystery series without a murder. This series has suspense and a “what’s going on here” factor. The mystery in each book is more about finding answers than finding dead bodies. Both stories will have you cheering for the mature main characters and their later in life romance. These stories make fun reading on a cozy Fall evening.

Book 1 The House on Whitmore Road
Book 2 The House on Warwick Pond
are available on Amazon in Paperback – Kindle – KU.
You will find the cozy mystery series here:

The Witch's Creek Paranormal Cozy Mystery Series

Amazon bestselling author Sharon Michaels loves writing cozy mysteries filled with suspense, mature characters, smart animals, a bit of paranormal and, later in life romance. Her short reads are sweet, clean, and fun.

You can find fun books to read on this page:
https://sharonmichaelsauthor.com/cozy-fiction/

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Writing a Book Review

Are you a bookworm like me?
If yes, then chances are you’ve considered writing a book review or two on Amazon, BookBub or Goodreads.

And why not?
A well written book review can be great way to share your thoughts with potential readers and, potentially boost the visibility of that book you’ve enjoyed. Writing a book review for Amazon, BookBub or Goodreads is fairly easy. All you need is an account with the reviewing sites and a few minutes to compose your thoughts.

What did you like about the book?

The best reviews are helpful to both the author and potential readers.
Please though, take into consideration that most authors have put their heart and soul into the words written on those pages. It is important to be both honest and thoughtful.

If you had some “general” issues with the book, mention them. I’m a believer in keeping reviews positive. A site like Amazon is not the place to air your grievances with an author or the book. Instead, go to the author’s website and contact them directly.

When writing a book review, be concise and to the point.

Reviews do not have to be long or detailed book reports. They do though have to be readable and convey your message clearly. All and all, a couple of sentences may be enough to get your point across.

A brief summary of the book is fine, but please don’t give away too much of the plot, the ending, or any surprises the author may have sprinkled in. After all, it’s not fair to spoil the fun for future readers.

Would you recommend this book to others?

Readers want to know your opinion of the book. Again, keep the comments concise and to the point. Would you recommend this book to others? Was there anything you found particularly interesting or intriguing?

When you’ve finished writing the review, take a minute to proofread what you’ve written. Does it read well? Does it convey your thoughts clearly? Are there any misspelled or missing words, etc.?

Leave an overall rating.

You are able to rate a book with stars on Amazon and Goodreads. On those sites, five stars is the highest rating, one star the lowest. Ratings are extremely important, so think carefully before you rate. Those stars can make a huge difference to an author and a potential reader.

Final thoughts from me, as an author.

Bottom line: Be honest. Book reviews help book sales. Be thoughtful. Someone looking to buy a new book may very well decide to purchase or not to purchase a book based on your review and rating. Be kind. They mean the world to every author – they mean the world to me.

Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Happy reviewing!

Amazon bestselling author Sharon Michaels loves writing cozy mysteries filled with suspense, mature characters, smart animals, a bit of paranormal and, later in life romance. Her short reads are sweet, clean, and fun.

You can find fun books to read on this page:
https://sharonmichaelsauthor.com/cozy-fiction/

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