My Say What Blog Archives - Page 22 of 54

Apr 21st Earth Day 2020 – Climate Action – Fun Facts

Ever wonder how Earth Day got started? We all know I have an insatiable curiosity that has been known to get me into trouble along with my overactive imagination. So of course, I did some digging and this is what I discovered on the eve of Earth Day:

Earth Day - Hands holding the earth

In 1963 Senator Gaylord Nelson arrived in Washington looking to make a fledgling conservation movement. The idea sparked by Rachel Carson’s New York Times Bestseller Silent Spring. The book which warned against the harmful effects of widespread pesticide usage.

Did you know that in 1963 Gaylord Nelson proposed a “conservation tour” to then Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and Arthur Schlesinger, a member of President Kennedy’s cabinet? Ultimately, the tense nuclear situation with the Soviet Union became the focus rather than environmental issues.

Senator Nelson didn’t give up. After he witnessed the aftermath of an oil spill in California in 1969, he doubled his efforts to raising environmental awareness enlisting support from both sides of the political spectrum.

Did you know Earth Day was inspired by Vietnam war protesters? The date April 22nd was chosen to appeal to college students intentionally by Senator Nelson and grad student Denis Hayes (who went on to internationalize the holiday and start the Earth Day Network, among other foundations). They strategically selected April 22 in order to attract more college students, who were known for being politically active during that era of protest. The date fell between spring break and final exams.

A strange combination of boisterous rallies and sober reflection on the state of the planet marked the first Earth Day. Twenty Million Americans took to the street to celebrate.

Just eight months after the first Earth Day, the Environmental Protection Agency was born, approved by Richard Nixon.

In 2009 the holiday became internationally known as Mother Earth Day. That same year during the Apollo 14 moon mission, Astronaunt Stuart Rossa, a former smokejumper for the U.S. Forest Service, brought with him hundreds of tree seeds including Loblolly Pine, Sycamore, Sweetgum, Redwood, and Douglas Fir. Upon their return to earth, these trees were planted around National Monuments, as well as in sites all over the world. After decades of growing side-by-side with their Earth cousins, the Moon Trees showed no differences. On Earth Day 2009, NASA, in partnership with the United States National Arboretum and American Forests, planted a second generation Moon Sycamore on the arboretum’s grounds in Washington, D.C.

Every year since 2016, there has been a new theme attached to the holiday. In anticipation for its 50^th anniversary in 2020 the theme is “Climate Action”. Despite the social distancing necessitated by the coronavirus pandemic, demonstrations and conferences are still happening virtually rather than in person. To learn more, visit Earth Day 2020 website.

Check out nine ways to celebrate Earth Day everyday.

Have a Happy Earth Day tomorrow. I’ll be planting a tree as I have for years, what will you be doing?

For fun – check out a fantasy alternative tale of the enchanted earth. Mystic Maples.

Click on the cover to read more or purchase!

Posted in My Say What Blog and tagged 50th Anniversary, April 22, Earth Day, Mystic Maples, Tena Stetler by Tena Stetler with 4 comments.

Apr 15th #L&SR’s #Wednesday’s Blog Challenge 4-15-20. Characters I’d Invite to a Dinner Party.

Welcome to #L&SR’s #Wednesday’s Blog Challenge 4-15-20. Characters I’d Invite to a Dinner Party. Wow this is an interesting topic. Do we mean TV, Movie or Book? Please have a seat, grab a hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookie. Lets get started.

Starting with books, I believe Bruce and Angie from A DEMON’S WITCH would be an interesting and entertaining addition to any dinner party.

Keelin and Flynn from Wild Irish Hearts by Trisia O’Malley. She’s a new author for me and I love her fun quirky characters and descriptive scenes. Of course the book is set in Ireland, so the dinner party would have to be there. RIght?

TV Characters I’d invite to a dinner party.

From When Calls the Heart (Hallmark movie) Lucas Bouchard and Elizabeth Thatcher. Interesting and challenging characters.

All Rise a new TV drama, Judge Lola Carmichael and Deputy District Attorney Mark Callan. Entertaining characters set in difficult but often humorous situations would bring stimulating topics to the party.

Moving to movies –

Okay it’s for selfish reasons that I would invite Aquaman, Jason Mamoa to a dinner party. Have you seen him dressed up in a suit and tie? I rest my case. LOL

Wonder Woman – her lasso of truth would provide for an entertaining dinner party experience and conversations.

So there you have it, Characters I’d Invite to a Dinner Party. I’d love to hear from you. Do you have characters you’d invite to a dinner party? List them in the comments below.

Alas, I must return to my writing cave where deadlines loom on a new WIP (very exciting and coming along very well) so let’s see what other authors list as the characters they’d invite to a dinner party. L&SR

Pssst… While you’re here, don’t forget to check out my paranormal romance/mysteries click here.

Click on the cover to read more or purchase.

A Demon’s Witch started it all is on SALE FOR 99 PENNIES for a limited time. It was my debut novel, and the first in A Demon’s Witch Series which has grown to five books and I am working of the sixth as I type. The series has gotten several awards as well as being a best seller.

Undeniable attraction and dark secrets between demon and witch promises to tear apart their professional and personal worlds.

Keeping a lid on all the paranormal beings inhabiting Washington D.C., is a daunting job. Bruce, a six hundred year old demon and the Territory Overlord of the Western Hemisphere, keeps his finger on the pulse of DC’s power players through the activities at his highly successful Wycked Hair Salon. His movie star good looks and body builder physique keeps his dance card full and the rumor mills running. Within these walls, his anonymity is safe, mostly.

Bruce’s world spins out of control when Angelique, a pint size, gorgeous witch, with an attitude breezes through the doors of his salon. She is the younger sister of Tristian, Bruce’s long time trusted enforcer, whose professional skills are second to none. Tristian is furious at the relationship between Bruce and Angelique, a dangerous situation, but something darker awaits them all. Yet undeniable attraction between demon and witch promises to tear apart both their professional and personal worlds.

A Sneak Peek into A Demon’s Witch!

Suddenly, he felt the magic aura shift and switched his attention to the front door. She breezed in, hair like spun gold flowing to her waist, with a seductive yet regal body and a sway to her hips that should be illegal even in DC. She wore a snug rose and cream colored sweater, cut low enough he could see the swells of her rounded breasts, tailored black slacks that fit her cute ass like a glove and four-inch spike heels. She paused in the center of the salon, wet from the sudden spring storm, and lowered the briefcase she’d used as an umbrella. Her sparkling violet eyes glanced up to the mezzanine where Bruce stood watching. Blatantly her gaze wandered over his well-muscled body, undressing him piece by piece, until he felt naked. He shook his head slightly and smoothed his shirt and slacks with his hand, just to make sure he was still wearing them.

Thanks for popping in. I really appreciate it. Next week, April 22nd topic is My silliest Pet Peeves. Boy that’s going to be interesting and fun! What are your silliest pet peeves?

Posted in My Say What Blog and tagged #L&SR’s #Wednesday’s Blog Challenge 4-15-20, A Demon's Witch, Characters I'd Invite to a Dinner Party., fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Tena Stetler by Tena Stetler with 19 comments.

Apr 8th #L&SR’s #Wednesday’s Blog Challenge – Topics Impromptu Speech

Welcome to #L&SR’s #Wednesday’s Blog Challenge 4-8-20.Topics I Could Give an Impromptu Speech on. Wow this one is hard for me. While I did debate in high school, I really don’t like speaking on front of crowds. But if forced to think of topics, I’d say promotions. What a learning curve. And raising a parrot. Please have a seat, grab a hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookie. Lets get started.

Promotions: Not that I am an expert or anything, but I’m pretty proud of the advances I’ve made in promotions. From not even having a twitter or facebook account, to having a twitter account with over 2,000 followers. A facebook account with over 1,074 likes. A Tumblr, Triberr, Instagram and Pinterest account. Not to mention my webpage. Then two years ago I decided to try several promotion places, kept track on a spreadsheet those that worked well and those that didn’t for that entire year. The next year, narrowed down my promo’s to those that worked, which in turn cut my promo budget over one-half with great results. WooHoo!

Raising A Parrot – Oh, I guess I could talk about one more topic. Raising a parrot. I have an Eclectus parrot who just celebrated her 22nd year hatch day. We raised her from a chick. Parrots are like having a perpetual 2 or 4 year old. At times this is much more than most people are prepared for especially since parrots can live 50-75 years. To see what I mean, check out my Eclectus Tales blog.

So there you have it, Topics I Could Give an Impromptu Speech on! I’d love to hear from you. Do you have a topics you could give and impromptu speech on? List them in the comments below.

Alas, I must return to my writing cave where deadlines loom on a new WIP (very exciting and coming along very well) so let’s see what other authors list as their Topics. L&SR

Pssst… While you’re here, don’t forget to check out my paranormal romance/mysteries click here.

Click on the cover to read more or purchase!

A Demon’s Witch started it all. It was my debut novel, and the first in A Demon’s Witch Series which has grown to five books and I am working of the sixth as I type. The series has gotten several awards as well as being a best seller.

Undeniable attraction and dark secrets between demon and witch promises to tear apart their professional and personal worlds.

Keeping a lid on all the paranormal beings inhabiting Washington D.C., is a daunting job. Bruce, a six hundred year old demon and the Territory Overlord of the Western Hemisphere, keeps his finger on the pulse of DC’s power players through the activities at his highly successful Wycked Hair Salon. His movie star good looks and body builder physique keeps his dance card full and the rumor mills running. Within these walls, his anonymity is safe, mostly.

Bruce’s world spins out of control when Angelique, a pint size, gorgeous witch, with an attitude breezes through the doors of his salon. She is the younger sister of Tristian, Bruce’s long time trusted enforcer, whose professional skills are second to none. Tristian is furious at the relationship between Bruce and Angelique, a dangerous situation, but something darker awaits them all. Yet undeniable attraction between demon and witch promises to tear apart both their professional and personal worlds.

Thanks for popping in. I really appreciate it. Next week, April 15, topic Character I’d invite to a dinner party. Boy that’s going to be interesting! Who would you invite?

Posted in My Say What Blog and tagged #L&SR's #Wednesday's Blog Challenge, A Demon's Witch, Tena Stetler, Topics I Could Give an Impromptu Speech on by Tena Stetler with 18 comments.

Apr 1st #L&SR’s #Wednesday’s Blog Challenge 4-1-20. Favorite Books Series & Why

Welcome to #L&SR’s #Wednesday’s Blog Challenge 4-1-20. Favorite Books Series and Why. I love series and that’s no April Fools’ joke. Getting to know the characters and their adventures, then enjoying an on going story with new characters is the best. Like welcoming home old friends. Please have a seat, grab a hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookie. Lets get started.,

First of all, I gave this quite a bit of thought. I enjoy several series for different reasons. All paranormal because that’s the way I roll. So here’s my list in no particular order. I’ll start with Molly Harper’s werewolf series. How to Flirt a Naked Werewolf, How to Run with a Naked Werewolf and The Art of Seducing a Naked Werewolf. I know you’ve heard me talk about them before, but they are feel good reads with lots of giggles you can’t beat in times like these.

Next would bet IIona Andrews – Kate Daniels Series. There are ten books in this series. I’ve listened to each one several times, yep, I love the audio books. Her characters (there are a lot of them) are bigger than life and complex. Their adventures are gut wrenching but some times laugh out loud too. An entertaining series to say the least.

Let’s talk about Deborah Harkness’ All Souls Trilogy. A Discovery of Witches, Shadow of Night and Tree of Life. These books follow a witch and vampire through their courtship, timetravel to the 1590’s and back to present day. I was surprised that I enjoyed the historical aspect of Shadow of Night. Not really a historical buff but her vivid descriptions of the setting and the characters actions and reactions kept you turning pages and engaged. Again I’ve read this series several times.

Yep you guessed it, no series listing of mine would be complete without Nora Roberts. She has numerous series I’ve enjoyed but none more than the Cousins O’Dwyer Trilogy. Dark Witch, Shadow Spell and Blood Magick. This is a paranormal series about witches and the trouble they get into. In true Robert’s fashion it’s lively, fun, dangerous and romantic. Not to mention lots of good old fashion magic, plus horses and falconry. What more could you want.

How about the Harry Potter Series. I have these in hard back book, audio book and the movies. This series is another of my feel good series when things get rough. I along with my hubby been known to binge watch them all.

Now we go back a few years to The Dragon Riders of Pern Series by Anne McCaffery. On a beautiful world called Pern, an ancient way of life is about to come under attack. Can the Dragon Riders of Pern save their world and way of life? This is a fantastic Science Fiction Series I’ve enjoyed over and over.

While I could go on and on with series from Nora Roberts, J.D. Robb (finally started from the beginning and found I do enjoy the series) and many others.

I just can’t name favorite series with out mentioning my own award winning A DEMON’S WITCH SERIES. Forgive me! This spicy romance series has it all intrigue, humor, thrills, danger and a splash of magic to keep you on the edge of your seat. So why not leave your ordinary world behind… be swept away into a magical romantic fantasy with a touch of mystery and suspense. Warning: You may never want to leave. LOL

So there you have it, Favorite Books Series and Why! I’d love to hear from you. What’s your favorite series? List them in the comments below.

Alas, I must return to my writing cave where deadlines loom on a new WIP (very exciting and coming along very well) so let’s see what other authors list as their Favorite Books Series. L&SR

Pssst… While you’re here, don’t forget to check out my paranormal romance/mysteries click here.

Charm Me Again – Breaking the curse is only the first step to forever. Two families long divided brought together through love, understanding & an adventure of a life time! Join the magical, fantasy adventure, grab your copy today! https://www.amazon.com/Charm-Me-Again-Tena-Stetler-ebook/dp/B07ZDKKC4N

A Little about Charm Me Again!

For several months a Scottish Highland Ghost has haunted Daylan, in his personal life, his professional life and at his forge. Yet, being a talented warlock, he is no closer to discovering what the ghost wants or why he chose Daylan. A trip to his estranged sister’s home in Colorado may have unforeseen consequences especially when family history leads him to a shocking discovery.

As his attraction blooms for Josie, a yoga instructor in his sister’s studio, he realizes there may be more to Josie than he can imagine. When an ancient rogue Fae Warrior set on revenge kidnaps her in an attempt to claim her as his own, a devastating curse comes to light.

Daylan’s world spirals out of control as he searches for Josie. Can he break the age old curse to save her and their future, or will she be lost to him forever?

Thanks for popping in. I really appreciate it. Next week, April 8, Topics I Could Give an Impromptu Speech On. Boy that’s going to be interesting! I’m not sure I have one. Do you?